The Latest Breaking News from Geraldine Thompson

In a state so often divided along partisan lines, Democrats and Republicans alike were moved to tears as they gathered in the Florida capitol Thursday to honor the life and legacy of Democratic state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, a longtime legislator, civil rights legend and educator who died on Feb. 13…

Civil rights groups, lawmakers and educators blast ‘inaccurate and a scary’ African American history standards

ORLANDO, Fla. — Legislation filed after teenage tourist Tyre Sampson’s death on the Orlando Free Fall drop tower would improve ride safety, his mother’s attorney and a ride safety expert say, but it could also keep future accident investigations secret until they’re done.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For 71 years, the survivors of Rosewood controlled their history. They guardedly discussed their stories only at family gatherings, haunted by the threat of retaliation in their rural Central Florida communities.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Wednesday he would sue Gov. Ron DeSantis if he doesn’t allow Florida high school students to take a new AP African American Studies course that the governor contends promotes woke ideology and critical race theory.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida rejected an Advanced Placement African American studies course because it contains critical race theory and state leaders objected to its lessons on “Black queer studies,” Black feminist thought and “the Black Struggle in the 21st Century,” according to the Florida Department of Education.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has determined the operator of the Orlando Free Fall, the ride from which 14-year-old tourist Tyre Sampson fell to his death in March, broke numerous laws in operating the ride and is seeking to fine the company over $250,000.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Free Fall, a drop tower from which 14-year-old tourist Tyre Sampson fell to his death in March, will be taken down, the attraction’s operators said Thursday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Friday, two days before Father’s Day, Juneteenth and his birthday, Yarnell Sampson visited the Orlando Free Fall ride in ICON Park.