As the polls close in New Hampshire, candidates around the state host watch parties to hear the results. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed his stance on a proposal to help fund former President Donald Trump's legal defense. 

The New Hampshire primary draws to a close

The polls are now closed in New Hampshire’s primary election, and the results could prove decisive.

Former President Donald Trump is hoping to knock former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley out of the race, which would effectively end the race for the Republican nomination. An early win Tuesday revealed that he is likely one step closer to ending the primary early. 

Each campaign is hosting a watch party tonight as the results come in, and all candidates are expected to speak at their events later this evening. 

Voters have been pouring into polling locations all day to make their voices heard, but voters in Dixville Notch already cast the first votes in the primary.

The tiny town opened and closed its poll just after midnight early this morning, with all six voters choosing Haley.

The midnight voting tradition dates back to 1960.

Stay up to date with the latest results on Spectrum News’ website or our app. 

President Joe Biden is not on the ballot in New Hampshire. The president and the Democratic National Committee decided they wanted to start the primary process in South Carolina this year.

Today, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in Virginia highlighting reproductive rights at a campaign rally.

The stop marked the first campaign event of the year, featuring both the president and vice president.

Harris also launched a “Reproductive Freedoms Tour” this week.

DeSantis promised to veto bill to help Trump with legal defense fund

Turning to big state news with the birth and almost immediate death of a bill in Tallahassee.

The idea was born back in November when Florida’s chief financial officer suggested using Florida taxpayer money to pay for Donald Trump’s legal bills.

When he made the suggestion, Jimmy Patronis said Trump was a victim of a witch-hunt. 

He went on to suggest that anyone living in Florida and running for president, who was a victim of political persecution, should get financial help from taxpayers to pay lawyers.

But he added the legislature would ultimately decide that when they wrote the bill.

Well, one lawmaker did write the bill. State Sen. Ileana Garcia filed a bill setting aside $5 million in Florida money for legal fees for a victim of political discrimination.

And it would be the Department of Financial Services, which Patronis oversees, that would decide who is a victim of political persecution and eligible for the money.

Patronis put out a news release announcing the bill had been filed on Monday morning, and last night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted a message on X saying he, the person who can veto bills, didn’t support it.

Shortly afterward, the senator who filed the bill announced she was pulling the bill from consideration. 

An overview of bills under consideration

Legislation rolling back some of Florida’s child labor laws is moving forward in the State House.

The bill, HB 49, is controversial and now, it’s ready for a full vote in the House.

Under this bill, teens as young as 16 and 17 years old can begin to be treated like an adult while at work.

Proponents are calling this a career readiness move. But critics, on the other hand,  are calling it child exploitation.

Child labors are on the chopping block in Florida.

Under House Bill 49, teens can work more hours and take on more shifts.

“They want to work. This bill gets government out of the way to allow them and their families to choose the best path that’s right for them,” State Rep. Linda Chaney, who sponsored the bill, said.

The bill would allow 16 and 17 years olds to work more than 30 hours a week. It would also let teens work over 8-hour shifts without a break, even on school nights.

Some teachers, meanwhile, find that concerning. They say some that some students in Florida are already overworked.

“If this is happening with our current laws, I don’t want to imagine the negative impact that this is gonna have on him and other students if this bill is passed,” Hillborough Teacher Emily Griest said.

The proposal does include some child protections. For example, a teen under the bill can’t operation machinery, work with electricity or handle pesticides. 

A House subcommittee also talked today about a bill affecting kids and social media.

If it passes, the state would ban children from making social media accounts until they’re 16. The bill would also force social media companies to tell young people about the dangers of using social media.