Recreational drug use

Families of disabled Floridians say Hope Florida, the signature initiative of Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis, failed to deliver meaningful help even as a leaked grand jury report found the affiliated Hope Florida Foundation took part in a "sophisticated scheme" diverting $10 million in Medicaid settlement funds toward political campaigns. Parents and disabled adults described navigators sending generic lists of nonprofits, churches, and job boards instead of substantive assistance for needs like wheelchair transport, aides, or job placement. Reporting found the $10 million was part of at least $35 million in taxpayer funds steered toward efforts opposing a marijuana legalization measure and an abortion-rights ballot initiative.

James Uthmeier, DeSantis' former chief of staff and now attorney general, was found to have held authority over the settlement's arrangement; U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, then attorney general, advised approving the deal. A Florida House committee and a grand jury convened by a Tallahassee-area state attorney investigated, though witness silence discouraged charges. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities defended its record, saying it serves more than 60,000 Floridians, while the governor's and Uthmeier's offices did not respond to requests for comment.

A new academic study finds that California's 2019 law mandating later school start times is producing measurable benefits for students. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom after his predecessor Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill in 2018, requires middle schools to start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m., a mandate that took effect for the 2022-23 school year.

Researchers examined data from 2022 to 2025 and published their findings in a National Bureau of Economic Research report. They found students are sleeping more, reporting fewer mental health issues, and scoring better on math and English tests. Gains were seen across demographic groups but were especially pronounced among boys and Latino students.

The law had faced years of opposition from parents and education officials concerned about disruptions to extracurricular activities and family schedules, with critics arguing it would burden working families. Supporters cited backing from groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, which linked early start times to sleep deprivation and related harms in adolescents.