Tallahassee and surrounding areas in Leon County added a fire services fee to utility bills this year to account for a 50 percent increase in staffing and “a higher level in service,” according to a document on the Leon County website. However, the implications of the fee, which is also […]

The Florida Legislature passed the Freedom Flag Act four years ago. Despite the connotation of the law’s name, it limits freedom and forces all public schools, ranging from elementary to the post-secondary level, to display an American-made 2 foot by 3 foot U.S. flag in every classroom on campus. The […]

Often the worst aspect of fraud isn’t financial loss but a breach of trust in common decency and self-respect. This is the case with military decorations that some choose to wear without earning them through the selfless military service such medals reflect. The Stolen Valor Act of 2006 rightly made […]

Have you noticed a lot of students buying potpourri and incense recently? It’s not because college kids have decided to adopt the lifestyle of a middle-aged homemaker. It’s because some kinds of perfumed plants can get you high. “Spice,” released for sale in 2004, is a mix of herbs, infused […]

Lady Gaga is best known for her eccentric music, videos and style, but her recent political opinions have caught the attention of the press. During a rally in Maine organized by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, she spoke out against the military’s ban of homosexuals. “Doesn’t it seem to be […]

Floridians love their beaches. Their atmosphere is a reason why many northerners move to Florida to work or attend colleges like USF, and it’s a critical component of the state’s tourism industry and the millions of jobs that depend upon it. It’s also why serious threats to the beauty of […]

School uniforms are becoming increasingly popular in public schools across the country, but the debate about whether these uniforms are achieving the desired unity needs to be questioned. Pinellas County Superintendent Julie Janssen is pushing to require all county students in grades K-8 to wear school uniforms as part of […]

For political candidates, a newspaper endorsement can assist in garnering votes, but earning one requires meeting with a paper’s editorial board for a round of intense questioning. These meetings and papers’ subsequent endorsements are something candidates usually squabble over, but recently, some candidates have foolishly dismissed their importance. While it […]

Applying to colleges can be a tiresome and expensive affair, with college hopefuls spending hours filling out separate applications for each school at a cost of about $30 apiece. However, a growing number of colleges have begun cooperating with each other by allowing students to apply to several schools with […]

The U.S. Senate voted last week against the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell,” a law that prohibits gay and lesbian service members from being open about their sexuality while enlisted. Those found out are subjected to dishonorable discharge from the military. Opponents of the law’s repeal cited concerns of […]