Florida rolls out AI-generated public safety messaging system
The first-ever public safety messaging system that uses AI to generate real-time updates in English and Spanish during emergencies is live in Florida. The BEACON system uses artificial intelligence to scan the latest text-based information about an emergency, whether that’s a hurricane or mass shooting. Then it generates up-to-the-minute broadcast content for TV and radio stations in English and Spanish, and sends automatic alerts to residents on the BEACON app. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Court splits on school ‘Sunshine’ issues
An appeals court Wednesday said an Indian River County School Board textbook committee violated the state’s open-government Sunshine Law but a committee that reviewed school library books did not. The ruling by a panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal came in a lawsuit filed by Florida Citizens Alliance Inc. about a social studies textbook committee that began meeting in 2016 and a library committee that met in late 2021 and early 2022. The ruling said the library committee, for example, “reviewed the books to determine whether they violated Florida’s pornography statutes and had ‘serious literary merit.’” The allegations involved whether public meetings were properly held. Both committees made recommendations to the school board. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Medical marijuana license protests are flowing into the state
Applicants not chosen for new medical marijuana licenses are sending appeals into the Florida Department of Health. DOH did not respond to Florida Phoenix’s request for a list of the applicants that sent notices announcing their intent to appeal the decision, either informally at the agency level or formally through the state Division of Administrative Hearings. But Paula Savchenko, attorney and cannabis industry consultant, told the Florida Phoenix that she has several clients who have notified the state of requests for hearings. Savchenko didn’t reveal which of her clients requested hearings or whether they would be formal or informal. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Rural renaissance: Can state lawmakers help rebuild Taylor County's economy?
Senate President Ben Albritton is trying to figure out how to help Perry, a small town in the state's Big Bend battered by three hurricanes and abandoned by the county’s largest employer in a span of 13 months beginning last August. Speaking with reporters this week ahead of the 2025 legislative session, his first as a presiding officer, Albritton said he wants to spark a "rural renaissance," a time when the state and rural counties partner to improve health care, education, transportation and food security. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Arguments set in Volusia County I-95 interchange fight
An appeals court will hear arguments April 24 in a battle about a permit for a new Interstate 95 interchange in Volusia County. The 5th District Court of Appeal on Wednesday issued a notice scheduling arguments in the case, which pits the groups Bear Warriors United and the Sweetwater Coalition of Volusia County and two individuals against the St. Johns River Water Management District. [Source: News Service of Florida]
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