News Service of Florida

A federal judge Friday permanently blocked restrictions that Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers placed on addressing race-related issues in workplace training — part of a controversial 2022 law that DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.” Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a two-page order granting a permanent injunction against the workplace-training part of the law.

The number of Florida resident deaths this year linked to COVID-19 is nearing 3,000, according to data posted on the state Department of Health website. The data Monday showed 2,972 reported deaths related to COVID-19, up from 2,740 in early June.

A farmworker housing bill, unanimously passed by the Florida House and Senate, was vetoed by Governor DeSantis Friday. He cited "illegal foreign workers" in his veto letter.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have required the Florida Department of Health to take steps — including possibly preventing people from swimming in water off beaches — if water quality did not meet standards.

Florida Gulf Coast University trustees this week are slated to consider launching an “intensive English language program” to help fill a need after the closing of a private university. Hodges University in Fort Myers announced last year that it would stop enrolling new students, with only limited classes being offered through August. In a news release last year, Hodges University cited “financial challenges and declining enrollment numbers” as the reason for closing.

Florida has asked a federal appeals court for “expedited” consideration of a legal battle about permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands. Attorneys for the state filed a motion last week asking the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to move quickly in Florida’s appeal of a ruling that vacated a 2020 decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shift permitting authority from federal officials to the state.

The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees next week could name Henry Mack, a former senior chancellor at the state Department of Education, to serve as interim president as the college searches for a replacement for outgoing President Devin Stephenson.

Florida has expanded rules blocking importation of some cattle because of the spread of a type of avian influenza in dairy herds in other states. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on Monday issued an emergency rule that requires most dairy cattle being imported into Florida to meet federal testing and movement requirements for Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome.