CITY MURAL Responding to a lawsuit, the City of Boynton Beach agreed to resolve the matter by paying an $80,000 settlement. Latosha Clemons, the City’s first Black female firefighter, filed the suit after a public mural depicted her as a White woman. Clemons had approved a photograph which was the basis of the mural and the original portrayed her accurately. However, it was revealed that the city had ordered that her face be painted white prior to its unveiling.
VACCINE PASSPORTS A Leon County circuit judge has refused to block a state law banning so called “vaccine passports”. The only issue addressed was whether the ban violated free speech rights for businesses. The judge ruled it did not. However, in a previous case, a federal judge ruled the ban was unconstitutional in a case brought by Norwegian Cruise Lines. That ruling has been appealed by the state to the Florida court of appeal.
EXPLODING BATTERY A South Florida jury has awarded a man $15 million in damages for burns suffered when a spare electronic cigarette battery exploded in his pocket.
UNIVERSITY FEES A state circuit court judge has ruled that the University of Florida cannot hide behind a sovereign immunity defense to stop a proposed class action. The action seeks a refund of fees students paid for campus services they did not receive due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent switch to online learning.
ONLINE MEDICAL MARIJUANA A Florida administrative law judge has ruled against Florida health officials regarding online medical marijuana fulfillment. The judge determined that the State was violating its established administrative laws by prohibiting Florida-based medical marijuana operators from using a Washington state company to fill orders. Therefore, the process will be allowed to be continued.