
Florida rethinks use of cameras to enforce school speed zones
The big story: In an attempt to deter speeding in school zones, municipalities across Florida over the past year have set up cameras to record violations and established fines for wrongdoers.
The effort has yielded thousands of citations in several areas. It also has generated a growing number of complaints by drivers who contend they were wrongly accused.
Similar issues have arisen with the use of cameras to catch drivers illegally passing school buses.
The problems have led some officials to reconsider their participation in the programs, which lawmakers approved just over a year ago. The Manatee County Commission on Tuesday decided to walk away from its school zone cameras in the face of rising opposition.
'We have the data,' At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden said in a county news release. 'Now, let's take that data and give it to the Sheriff's Department.' Read more from the Herald-Tribune.
College sports: Florida State University and Clemson University ended their legal battles with the Atlantic Coast Conference after securing a new financial deal with the group.
Homework: Pasco County teachers will be allowed to grade student homework again, starting in the fall.
Legislation: A House subcommittee advanced legislation along party lines that would make it easier to convert district schools to charter status, Florida Politics reports. • A Pasco County mom urged a state House subcommittee to consider expanding laws on hazardous walking conditions to include middle and high schools, WFTS reports.
Naming rights: The Martin County school board is nearing approval of a plan that would allow companies to pay to have their names on high school stadiums, TC Palm reports.
Pay raises: The Broward County school board approved 3% raises for teachers, principals and educational support employees, WSVN reports.
School health: A Miami-Dade County high school student was reported to have Florida's first measles case this year. The school will offer free vaccinations with parental consent.
Student-teacher relationships: The Duval County school board delayed action on a proposal to tighten requirements for employee communications with students, WJXT reports.
Transportation: The Lee County school district is increasing its incentives to attract bus drivers as it faces a 65-driver shortage, WBBH reports.
Weather report: Leon County schools are delaying their start by one hour today because of expected severe weather, WTXL reports.
Websites: Florida State University has begun scrubbing its websites of terms such as 'diverse' and 'women' in response to state and federal orders to eliminate programs and practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
From the police blotter ... A Leon County high school student was arrested on allegations of making a threat of violence against the school. She said she didn't want to be at school, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Today in Tallahassee ... The House Careers and Workforce Subcommittee will hear a presentation on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act when it meets at 10:15 a.m. • The Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committee will review state university system funding when it meets at 11 a.m.
Don't miss a story. Here's a link to yesterday's roundup.
Before you go ... Pay attention, Harry Potter fans.

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Hamilton Spectator
36 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A bill to let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit cleared the North Carolina legislature on Wednesday, however the path to joining the majority of U.S. states with similar laws remains uncertain. The GOP-backed legislation faces a likely veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, as well as pushback from a handful of Republicans who voted against the legislation in the state House. House Speaker Destin Hall acknowledged those concerns after Wednesday's vote. 'I would imagine that — math being math — that it's probably a low percentage relative to other bills," Hall told reporters. If the bill becomes law, North Carolina would become the 30th state in the country to legalize permitless carrying of a concealed handgun, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. North Carolina would also be one of the last states in the Southeast to implement that legislation. The legislation allows for eligible people with valid identification over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun. More than half of states with permitless concealed carry set their age limit at 21 and older, while the rest have the legal carrying age at 18, according to the NCSL. Currently, a person must be 21 and older to obtain a concealed handgun permit in North Carolina. To qualify, an applicant must pass a firearms safety training course and not 'suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun,' according to state law. Approving permitless concealed carry has been a goal of gun-rights activists in North Carolina for years, with House Republicans historically supportive of the idea. Some see it as the next step after Republican lawmakers successfully eliminated the permit system that required sheriffs to conduct character evaluations and criminal history checks for pistol applicants in 2023. Conservative advocates for the bill say it would strengthen Second Amendment rights for North Carolinians. Republican lawmakers also disputed that the bill would make the state more dangerous, as 'law-abiding citizens' would be the only people that would benefit from the permit elimination, not criminals, Republican Rep. Brian Echevarria said. 'Rights to keep and bear arms are constitutionally inseparable,' Echevarria said. 'If a person cannot own a firearm, they cannot bear a firearm." The bill's passage tees up one of the first opportunities for a likely veto from Stein if he stays aligned with his fellow Democrats in the legislature. Stein has a more powerful veto stamp than his predecessor Roy Cooper, after Republicans lost their House supermajority last year that allowed them to override vetoes and enact their legislative agenda with relative ease. Now, House Republicans would need to count on a Democrat to join in their override efforts. Reaching that goal seems especially daunting, considering all of the present House Democrats — and two Republicans — voted against the bill. The governor's office didn't respond to a request for comment on the legislation, but House Deputy Democratic Leader Cynthia Ball said in a committee Tuesday that Stein was opposed to it. Several Democratic legislators said it would make communities unsafe by loosening who can carry a concealed handgun without training. Democrats also raised issue with the age limit set in the bill, saying it would put guns in the hands of young people who aren't yet mature enough to have one. 'Do you not remember when you were 18? We are prone and so susceptible to peer pressure, we are hotheaded, we are emotional,' Democratic Rep. Tracy Clark said on the House floor after retelling her personal experience of losing two friends in college to gun violence. Those seeking a permit for their concealed handgun — such as for the purpose of traveling with a firearm to a state that requires a permit — would still be able to do so. The bill also heightens the felony punishment for those who assault law enforcement officers or first responders with a firearm. A separate bill that makes gun safety courses available at North Carolina community colleges for people 18 and up passed in a near-unanimous House vote directly after the concealed carry permit repeal legislation was approved. ___ Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh contributed to this report.