PEN America

There are changes to eligibility which could make it more challenging for SNAP recipients. In turn, local food banks are feeling the pressure of increased demand.

Many of the books were pulled in Florida, where Education Commissioner Henry Mack recently told districts to continuously audit books and remove sexually explicit material, even if not challenged.

The removals were reported in 10 of Florida's 67 school districts, but Clay and Escambia accounted for more than 60 percent. Only Polk, with 33 books, reported removals among Tampa Bay area districts.

The judge rejected First Amendment arguments raised by the authors of "And Tango Makes Three," adding the school board "simply decided students wanting this particular book will have to get it elsewhere.”

The goal is to make it easier for the public and the state to make sure they comply with state laws that restrict sexually and age-inappropriate materials.

Florida is already preparing to defend its new social media ban for kids under 14. The measure was signed into law Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis, alongside House Speaker Paul Renner and other state officials.

The novel "Identical" by Ellen Hopkins has been banned 22 times in U.S. school districts. Hillsborough's decision to keep the book bucks that.

Litigator Katie Blankenship was named Florida director for PEN America this week.

"America's Censored Classrooms 2023" documents more than 100 bills introduced across the country that aim to restrict discussion on LGBTQ- and race-related issues in educational settings. Many are modeled after Florida legislation.

Judy Blume, James Patterson and Michael Connelly are among 24 prominent writers who have raised more than $3 million to help PEN America open a center in Miami and expand it efforts to counter Florida’s surge in book bannings in recent years.

Pinellas County School District is reviewing 87 books. Some of the authors are joining with anti-censorship groups to push back, pointing out that a lot of the books in question are "by and about marginalized creators."

A number of initiatives across the state aim to highlight the growing concern some parents and others have about book removals in public schools.