Steve Martin digs Florida school district over removing novel from libraries
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Comedian Steve Martin is trolling a Southwest Florida public school district after learning that it removed his book from library shelves.
In a post on social media, Martin sarcastically thanked Collier County Public Schools for removing his novel “Shopgirl” from school libraries, saying “so proud to have my book Shopgirl banned in Collier County, Florida! Now people who want to read it will have to buy a copy!”
Shopgirl was published in 2000. It’s about a lonely 28-year-old Beverly Hills woman who sells gloves at a boutique who meets a middle-aged “womanizing” millionaire who she later falls in love with.
The book, which was later adapted into a movie, was removed by the school district following the passage of a new Florida state law that makes it easier to challenge a school library book that “depicts or describes sexual conduct.”
Florida Supreme Court to hear marijuana amendment arguments
The debate over legalizing recreational marijuana is back up for discussion in Tallahassee today.
The proposal calls for adults 21+ to be allowed to buy up to three ounces of marijuana for personal use. Medical cannabis dispensaries could sell and distribute and there would be no provisions for growing at home.
While advocates say it should be up to voters to decide, Florida’s Attorney General’s Office is challenging the measure.
AG Ashley Moody is asking the Florida Supreme Court to invalidate it on the grounds that voters would be confused as the legality of marijuana is different on state and federal levels.
A group called Smart & Safe Florida has millions of signatures from Florida residents supporting the measure.
In 2016, voters passed a constitutional amendment that allows medical marijuana in Florida for eligible patients, something Moody has said was a mistake by the supreme court.
Seminole Hard Rock sports betting app goes live in Florida, offers limited access
After a two-year hiatus, online sports betting is back in Florida — at least for some people.
A spokesperson for Seminole Hard Rock confirmed the Seminole Tribe is offering limited access to existing customers to test its betting platform. Everyone else must get on a waiting list.
Seminole Hard Rock began online sports betting in 2021, but it has faced several legal challenges.
Random Florida Fact
What started as three small gnomes at the base of a tree has grown into a full-blown gnome community in Volusia County.
Take a drive down Riverside Drive next to the Halifax River in Holly Hill, you’ll see an oak tree surrounded by hundreds of little figurines.
The home of the Holly Hill Gnomes was first started in 2003 by Virginia Morris.
The collection grew with other neighbors adding gnomes, small artwork and a notepad for visitors to leave notes, share stories, or create drawings.
Virginia Morris and her husband still maintain the Holly Hill Gnomes today, even bringing them inside when bad weather hits.