NEW YORK — A new report found that Florida saw the highest number of book ban cases in the last half of 2023, with more than half of the 3,135 cases coming from just one county.
According to Pen America, Florida saw 3,135 book ban cases across 11 school districts over the second half of 2023. The report found over 1,600 of those book ban cases took place in Escambia County Public Schools.
Pen America said Wisconsin had the second-most recorded bans, with 481 across three districts. Iowa ranked third with 142 bans, and Texas had 141 bans across four school districts.
Pen listed trends that were part of the book bans, including:
- Censorship of sexual violence
- Continued hostility towards LGBTQ+ books
- Transgender narratives in the crosshairs
- "Critical Race Theory" backlash
- Vocal individuals or small groups disempower parents and students
- Resistance is Rising
Pen America summarized its report by saying, "The message is clear: books aren't harmful—censorship is."
'Cruise lights' on Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office patrol cars raise questions, confusion among drivers
Every driver knows that when you see red and blue flashing lights on a patrol car, you slow down, pull over, or get out of the way.
But in Hillsborough County, drivers will also now see deputies with their lights on, but not flashing. They're called "cruise lights," and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) recently implemented their use on all patrol vehicles.
