Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Kamoutsas was announced last month as the lone finalist from more than 100 applicants in a national search. He will be the school’s sixth president.

Democrats warned the measure could “bankrupt” local governments. If approved by the Legislature, it will appear on the November ballot.

Dusty Ray Spencer, who was found guilty in the beating death of his wife, Karen, is scheduled to die June 25. The next Florida execution scheduled is for Andrew Lukehart on Tuesday.

The Legislature plans to vote on the bill on Friday, along with the $114.5 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Bell, who stepped down in Tuscaoloosa last summer, must still be approved by UF trustees, who next meet June 11, and the State University System Board of Governors.

The bill aimed to boost education, transportation and economic development in rural areas.

The lawsuit contends the FWC relied on outdated bear population numbers and lacked scientific justification for the December 2025 hunt that resulted in 52 bears being killed over a three-week period. A trial is set to begin in August.

The new law was part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to impose regulations on AI. The other plank of his plan, aimed at protecting consumers from AI harms, failed to draw full legislative support.

State economists have pointed to new entrants to the job market needing more time to find work, as opposed to people losing their jobs as one of the culprits behind the rise in the jobless rate.

Early work includes clearing vegetation and inspecting power lines.