Cell phone bans in K-12 schools

Back to school means backpacks, books and new pencils. But in some of the state’s largest public school districts, there will be no cell phones.

A new state law prohibits students from using their cell phones during class, and some districts have issued complete bans for the entire school day.

Guests:

• Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association.
• Scott HowatCommunications officer for Orange County Public Schools.

University of Florida student journalist exposes Sasse’s record spending

The Alligator, an independent student newspaper at the University of Florida, reported this week a massive increase in spending under former President Ben Sasse.

During Sasse’s 17-month tenure, his office spent more than $17 million, more than double what it spent before his tenure. Now Florida’s chief financial officer has asked the university to investigate the spending.

Guest:

• Garrett ShanleyUniversity editor for The Alligator.

Commemorating the reconstruction efforts after Hurricanes Charley and Debby

Twenty years ago this week, Hurricane Charley made landfall during one of the stormiest times on record in the tropics. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Cayo Costa, west of Fort Myers, marking the beginning of a historic series of storms in Florida’s history.

Federal disaster assistance is available to residents of 10 Florida counties recovering from Hurricane Debby. Most of the counties are in the Big Bend and Northeast Florida regions, but the federal declarations also include Sarasota and Manatee counties along the Gulf Coast.

According to initial estimates by state insurance regulators, insured losses from Hurricane Debby amount to $114 million. About 60 percent of the claims filed so far relate to damage to homes.

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