Florida

Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School spend time together at a memorial set up outside the school on February 14th, 2019, in Parkland, Florida.

While a national debate about whether or not to arm teachers rages on, hundreds of school districts across the country have been allowing staff to carry weapons on school property for years.

On a big day for Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis assumed his new position on Tuesday and, despite his efforts to delay it, Amendment 4 took effect.

Envy Silva, whose family is originally from Guatemala, holds a holiday toy she received from immigration activists across the street from the Miramar Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility in South Florida.

Peter Brown remained locked in a county jail for weeks, as county officials waited for immigration authorities to deport him to Jamaica—a country he had never lived in.

Attorneys oversee the ballot process at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Warehouse on November 15th, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Now that felons can vote in Florida, Democrats might see a boost in future elections.

In one of the most consequential mid-term measures nationwide, Florida's Amendment 4 would automatically restore voting rights to most felons who complete their sentences.

A quick look at Florida state data suggests 5 percent of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the areas under threat from Hurricane Michael haven't submitted plans to the state for keeping their residents cool and safe.

A state of emergency has been declared in 35 counties in Florida.

Sarasota, Florida: A wedding guest takes a smoke break along the water after a late afternoon thunderstorm.

They're not trying to resist the Trump administration—they just need a plan for the future.

Attendees wait at the Florida State Fair Grounds Expo Hall for President Donald Trump.

Blue-green algae has bloomed again in Lake Okeechobee, filling waterways with putrid sludge that can contaminate local water and marine animals.

People dressed as angels stand in front of the memorial set up for the shooting victims at Pulse nightclub on June 12th, 2018, where the shootings took place two years ago in Orlando, Florida.

Lionfish are non-native invaders introduced to Florida waters 30 years ago that have since proliferated to pestilent levels and unleashed an ecological crisis that is only getting worse

Organizers inside and outside of the penitentiary walls are teaming up—and getting creative—to fight for reform.

Mayors across the state are subject to a state law that threatens harsh penalties for municipalities that attempt to pass any of their own restrictions on firearms.

News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.

A forensic engineer describes the process of investigating a bridge collapse, like the recent one that occurred at Florida International University in Miami.

The new bill includes funding for mental-health programs and arming teachers. It goes now to Governor Rick Scott for his signature.

Instead of decriminalizing our schools, too many teachers and school police continue to escalate.

State senators voted largely along party lines to pass a measure to arm and train teachers.

News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.