Florida county won't buy digital New York Times subscription

November 20, 2019 at 12:12 p.m. | Updated November 20, 2019 at 1:48 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2011, file photo, traffic passes the New York Times building, in New York. The New York Times pushed back against President-elect Donald Trump, saying Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, that its paid subscriptions have jumped since the election, despite what Trump has said on Twitter. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2011, file photo, traffic passes the New York Times building, in New York. The New York Times pushed back against President-elect Donald Trump, saying Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, that its paid subscriptions have jumped since the election, despite what Trump has said on Twitter. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

INVERNESS, Fla. (AP) -- A north Florida county commission voted against paying for a digital New York Times subscription for the local library after previously gaining attention for calling the newspaper "fake news."

The Citrus County Commission heard from residents before voting 3-2 on Tuesday against replacing hard copies of the newspaper with a $2,900 annual digital subscription.

Controversy erupted last month when commissioners considered the digital subscription, and Commissioner Scott Carnahan said he didn't "want the New York Times in this county." He said he agrees with President Donald Trump in calling it "fake news."

The Tampa Bay Times reports so many people showed up for Tuesday's hearing that they opened an overflow room.

Carnahan said he wouldn't back down from his original opinion, adding that he doesn't think public money should be used for news subscriptions.

Upcoming Events