Latest news with #Tallahassee
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Challenge to Florida stripper age law dropped
After a federal appeals court last month upheld similar restrictions in Jacksonville, plaintiffs have dropped a challenge to a Florida law that prevents strippers under age 21 from performing in adult-entertainment establishments. Attorneys for two clubs, a dancer and an adult retail store filed a notice Tuesday in federal court in Tallahassee dismissing the lawsuit, which challenged the law on First Amendment grounds. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued an order Wednesday closing the case. The notice of dismissal did not explain the reasons, but attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a court document May 7 that pointed to a decision last month by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That decision upheld the constitutionality of a Jacksonville ordinance that bars dancers under age 21 in strip clubs. The May 7 document said the Jacksonville ordinance 'was very similar to the (state) statute challenged in this proceeding. In particular both laws prohibit the employment of persons under the age of 21 in exotic dance establishments.' It also said the plaintiffs in the Jacksonville case did not plan to seek a rehearing or to go to the U.S. Supreme Court. 'Accordingly, the decision issued by the Eleventh Circuit on April 23, 2025 is likely to be a final decision and precedential within this circuit,' the May 7 document said. Lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis last year overwhelmingly approved the age restriction, with supporters saying it was aimed at combatting human trafficking. The lawsuit was filed in July by operators of Cafe Risque, an establishment in Alachua County; operators of Sinsations, an establishment in Jacksonville; Serenity Michelle Bushey, a dancer who performed at Cafe Risque but was barred by the law from working there because she was under 21; and Exotic Fantasies, Inc., which operates a retail store in Jacksonville. The lawsuit said the Legislature did not 'consider any alternative forms of regulation which would burden First Amendment rights less severely; that is, the Legislature made no effort to solicit information in support of a more narrowly tailored law.' Also, it said the state had not shown a connection between human trafficking and adult-entertainment establishments. Winsor in December put the case on hold while the Atlanta-based appeals court considered the Jacksonville ordinance. In the May 7 filing, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that operators of Cafe Risque and Sinsations and Bushey 'are similarly situated to the litigants in (the Jacksonville case); to-wit: they are either performers or establishments utilizing performers to provide exotic dance entertainment.' But the document appeared to leave open the possibility that Exotic Fantasies, the retail store, could continue to challenge the law. 'Exotic Fantasies has alleged that the Legislature considered adverse secondary effects in connection with exotic dance clubs but did not consider any evidence linking adult retail stores to human trafficking or other adverse secondary effects,' the May 7 document said. 'Exotic Fantasies has also alleged that, as a matter of empirical fact, there is no basis to conclude that adult retail stores with no on-premises entertainment are linked in any way with human trafficking.' But the notice of dismissal Tuesday included all of the plaintiffs. It was filed 'without prejudice,' a legal term that leaves open the possibility that a challenge could be re-filed. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
Bailey belts grand slam, Faurot goes deep twice and Florida State tops Mississippi State 10-3
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Myles Bailey belted a grand slam, Drew Faurot hit two home runs and Florida State defeated Mississippi State 10-3 on Saturday night to advance to the championship game of the Tallahassee Regional. Faurot hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning, then leading 2-1 in the fourth inning, Florida State struck for five runs. Gage Harrelson drove in a run with a single, then with the bases loaded Bailey hit an 0-1 pitch to left field for his 18th home run of the season. Mississippi State got two runs back in the bottom of the inning on a home run by Hunter Hines, who had three hits. Noah Sullivan homered for MSU's other run. The score remained 7-3 until the ninth when the Seminoles added a leadoff home run by Faurot — his 18th — and run-scoring singles by Alex Lodise and Max Williams. The No. 1 regional seed Seminoles advance to the championship round and are one win on Sunday from advancing to the super regionals. They await the winner of Sunday's elimination game between No. 3 Mississippi State and No. 2 Northeastern. The Huskies eliminated Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Florida State's Jamie Arnold (8-2) allowed three runs on five hits with 12 strikeouts. Joe Charles struck out three and did not allow a runner in two innings of relief. Pico Kohn (5-4) gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings, although he struck out seven. There were 32 strikeouts in the game. ___ AP college sports:
Associated Press
21 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
Northeastern edges Bethune-Cookman 4-3 in elimination game of Tallahassee Regional
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gregory Bozzo hit a go-ahead home run with two outs in the ninth inning and Northeastern held off Bethune-Cookman 4-3 on Saturday in an elimination game of the Tallahassee Regional. No. 2 seed Northeastern (49-10) awaits the loser of Saturday's second game between top-seeded host Florida State and Mississippi State. The third-seeded Bulldogs beat Northeastern 11-2 in the regional opener to snap the Huskies' 27-game win streak, which had been the nation's longest current run. Bozzo homered on a 0-2 pitch from Wildcats reliever Yoansell Diaz (5-5). Jack Doyle reached on a throwing error and moved to second on a balk before scoring on an infield single by Ryan Gerety for a two-run advantage. Brett Dunham walked the first two batters he faced in the ninth. A fielding error led to an unearned run before Dunham struck out leadoff batter Darryl Lee with runners on second and third, and retired Andrey Martinez on a groundout for his sixth save. Jordan Gottesman started for Northeastern and allowed a run on five hits in five innings with six strikeouts. Charlie Walker (4-0) allowed a run on two hits and struck out five in three innings of relief. Edwin Sanchez started for the Wildcats (37-23) and allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Northeastern edges Bethune-Cookman 4-3 in elimination game of Tallahassee Regional
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gregory Bozzo hit a go-ahead home run with two outs in the ninth inning and Northeastern held off Bethune-Cookman 4-3 on Saturday in an elimination game of the Tallahassee Regional. No. 2 seed Northeastern (49-10) awaits the loser of Saturday's second game between top-seeded host Florida State and Mississippi State. The third-seeded Bulldogs beat Northeastern 11-2 in the regional opener to snap the Huskies' 27-game win streak, which had been the nation's longest current run. Advertisement Bozzo homered on a 0-2 pitch from Wildcats reliever Yoansell Diaz (5-5). Jack Doyle reached on a throwing error and moved to second on a balk before scoring on an infield single by Ryan Gerety for a two-run advantage. Brett Dunham walked the first two batters he faced in the ninth. A fielding error led to an unearned run before Dunham struck out leadoff batter Darryl Lee with runners on second and third, and retired Andrey Martinez on a groundout for his sixth save. Jordan Gottesman started for Northeastern and allowed a run on five hits in five innings with six strikeouts. Charlie Walker (4-0) allowed a run on two hits and struck out five in three innings of relief. Edwin Sanchez started for the Wildcats (37-23) and allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida Senate, House reach agreement on the state budget
The Brief According to Sen. Albritton's memo, the negotiated agreement includes $2.25 billion in recurring revenue reductions. This will include the elimination of the business rent tax ($900 million), permanent sales tax exemptions targeted towards Florida families ($350 million), and debt reduction ($250 million). The budget conference will begin on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida state Senator Ben Albritton released a statement yesterday to announce that an agreement had been reached with the house regarding the stage budget. The budget conference will begin on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. According to Sen. Albritton's memo, the negotiated agreement includes $2.25 billion in recurring revenue reductions. This will include the elimination of the business rent tax ($900 million), permanent sales tax exemptions targeted towards Florida families ($350 million), and debt reduction ($250 million). "We will also be taking up a joint resolution to amend the Florida Constitution to raise the cap on the Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF) from 10% to 25% and require an annual payment ($750 million) to the BSF until the cap has been reached," said Senator Albritton. The $750 million will be held in reserve for the next two fiscal years and will be automatically transferred to the BSF upon adoption of the amendment. In total, the framework set forth in these allocations provides for a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that reduces state spending, lowers per capita spending, and reduces the growth of state bureaucracy. The memorandum also states that the budget authorizes early payoff of state debt, accounts for significant, broad-based tax relief, and builds on historic state reserves for emergencies. New reporting requirements throughout the budget will safeguard taxpayer dollars and improve accountability, transparency, and oversight of government spending. I appreciate everyone's grace and patience during this time. I look forward to seeing you next week. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This information came from a memorandum provided by Florida Senator Ben Albritton on May 30, 2025.
