Governor Ron DeSantis

When asked why they flights were postponed, DeSantis’ communications director, Taryn Fenske, noted that Florida has been busy dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

A federal judge on Thursday sparred with attorneys about a controversial state law that restricts the way race-related concepts can be taught in classrooms, as university professors argue it violates speech rights.

Results from the first controversial surveys to uncover the political beliefs of nearly 2 million students, faculty and staff at Florida's colleges and universities are in. Those results were not what Florida's Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis expected. Most faculty, instructional staff and administrators who responded described themselves as moderate politically. More of them described themselves as conservative than liberal. Hardly anyone agreed that endorsing a particular political view would help them be promoted or granted tenure. And more of them agreed than disagreed that their campus was equally tolerant of liberal and conservative ideas and beliefs. Lawmakers had said they were worried about anti-conservative bias on college campuses. Just under 10 percent of almost 120,000 faculty, instructional staff and administrators responded. But fewer than 1 percent of more than 1.7 million students filled out the surveys, making those results statistically worthless. The next round of surveys will be going out in about six months unless a judge intervenes. A group of professors is challenging in federal court the law requiring the annual surveys. That case is set for trial in January in Tallahassee.

A notice issued from the city of Sanibel quoted a memo from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis: "It is anticipated to have the Sanibel Causeway accessible by the end of October. Once immediate recovery efforts have subsided, permanent long-term repairs will be made to the causeway."

As of Tuesday, a relief center with representatives from 10 agencies is open for victims of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers. The disaster recovery center is at Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Gov. DeSantis’ office announced.

The proposal would require approval from lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session. It includes sales-tax exemptions for a year on books for readers under age 17, toys for children between ages 2 and 12 and athletic equipment for kids under 18.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he expects more flights to transport undocumented immigrants to out-of-state “sanctuary” communities, as questions swirl around two flights last week that sent about 50 people from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

In flying 50 migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, DeSantis said: "It’s better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction, and yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you, to be able to go to greener pastures.”

Governor Ron DeSantis was in Fort Myers Friday morning to address ongoing recovery efforts stemming from damage sustained when tornadoes touched down in Southwest Florida in January. Florida plans to appeal a denial of the state’s request for federal aid.

After an early morning briefing from emergency officials, Governor DeSantis talks storm preparation, storm surge, and generator safety.