TALLAHASSEE, FL – Robert Joseph “Bobby Joe” Long is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. for the 1984 murder of Michelle Sims. Long additionally pled guilty to, and received life sentences for, seven other murders.

The Regular Session of the Florida Legislature will came to a close on Saturday, May 4. Due to a mandatory 72-hour "cooling off" period for legislators to review the budget before final passage, the session was extended one day beyond its May 3 scheduled end.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The following is a statement from Michael B. Sheedy, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB), executive director, on final passage of SB 168 sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota): “Today’s passage of state-level immigration enforcement legislation is disheartening. There are many, including members of the Florida Legislature, who are frustrated that Congress has not enacted needed immigration reforms. However, immigration law is, and should remain, in the purview of the federal, not state, government.

HB 527 (Byrd) was passed by the House (69-47). The Senate took up its similar companion measure, SB 168 (Gruters), amended the bill and passed it (22-18). Among other Senate amendments, protections were added for any undocumented immigrant who has been a witness to or victim of certain crimes, including domestic violence, rape, murder, and human trafficking. The Senate bill moves to the House for further consideration.