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Les Neuhaus - page 3

Les Neuhaus has 78 articles published.

Les Neuhaus is an all-platform journalist, with specialties in print reporting and writing. In addition to Florida Politics, he freelances as a general-assignment and breaking-news reporter for most of the major national daily newspapers, along with a host of digital media, and a human rights group. A former foreign correspondent across Africa and Asia, including the Middle East, Les covered a multitude of high-profile events in chronically-unstable nations. He’s a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, in which he served as a Security Policeman, and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in political science. He is a proud father to his daughter and enjoys spending time with his family.

‘Religion in school’ bill moves past House education committee

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The Florida House advanced a bill that would allow school administrators to pray in public schools throughout the state if students initiate those prayers. HB 303 unanimously passed the House Education Committee Thursday. The measure would violate the decades-old federal provision separating church and state, and may likely be challenged at some point. However, at the committee meeting in Tallahassee, there were no oppositional voices as the bill moved passed its second hurdle. The bill’s next stop is a vote on…

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Dark chapter in Florida’s racist history moves one more step to formal apologies, pardons

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“It was Florida’s version of ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird,’” Sen. Gary Farmer said to the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday as he introduced his bill – SCR 920 – that would lead to the pardons of four men killed and accused of crimes they didn’t commit. It was July 16, 1949, before dawn. Willie and Norma Padgett were out on a lonesome rural road in Lake County, Florida, northwest of Orlando, when the car they were in stalled. They reportedly told police they’d been at a dance and…

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Officials use Orlando man, attempted insurance fraud, as example of abuse

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Orange County and state officials are making an example of a man who attempted to collect a bogus insurance claim on his car after reporting it stolen, accusing him of arson and insurance fraud. Michael Abrams, 43, is now held on $50,000 bond in an Orange County detention facility, a statement said Wednesday. Abrams is charged with arson, insurance fraud, filing a false insurance claim, false reports in the commission of a crime and grand theft by the Orange County…

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Former Homeland Security chief: Donald Trump has ability to be ‘great’ leader

in 2017/Top Headlines by

America’s former domestic security chief believes Donald Trump may have the makings of a historic leader. In an MSNBC interview Wednesday, previous U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Trump could be a “great president.” However, Johnson expressed concern over the president’s affinity for social media and worried he didn’t have a full staff in place yet to appropriately advise him on matters of national security. “I actually believe Donald Trump has the potential to be a great…

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Rick Scott to lead South American trade mission

in 2017/Top Headlines by

Gov. Rick Scott will lead a delegation of representatives from small- to midsized Florida businesses on an export trade mission to Argentina in April. The trip will be to boost business relations between the state and the South American nation, a spokesman with Enterprise Florida said Wednesday. Scott’s visit will be from April 23-27 and will begin in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital. It is being coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, Florida’s fourth-largest global export destination with an…

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Pinellas County politico John Morroni to step down in 2018

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni announced Tuesday he would be vacating his seat next year, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The 25-year veteran politician served roughly 18 years on the Commission and, before that, another seven in Florida’s House of Representatives. Morroni said he would not be a candidate for a fifth term on the board, wrote the Times. Twice elected as a state lawmaker, Morroni served from 1992-2000. From 1993-1994 he was the chair of the Pinellas County Legislative…

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Breezing through committee: Welfare drug testing, DCF takes backseat in Walton County

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Two measures dealing with drug testing for certain public aid applicants and law enforcement taking over DCF’s role investigative role in another county met no resistance Tuesday. Among several bills heard by the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee were two dealing with applicants of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) and child welfare investigations. With regard to TANF, Sen. Jack Latvala introduced SB 1392, a bill that would require applicants with felony drug convictions within 10 years from…

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