Florida Politics

Headlines Panhandle

June 15, 2025

Drew Dixon

Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints long-time Panhandle civic player to Florida Housing group

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Headlines Influence

June 15, 2025

Drew Dixon

Gov. DeSantis appoints David Biddle to fill vacant Gilchrist County School Board seat

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Headlines Influence

June 15, 2025

Drew Dixon

Ashley Moody, Laurel Lee pitch legislation in Congress to step up immigration measures

8 3min 0

Headlines Influence

June 15, 2025

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: Cardrooms, horse racing tracks hit jackpot with tax savings

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Education Headlines

June 15, 2025

Drew Dixon

UCF and Florida Polytech hosting engineering conference in Orlando

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Headlines

June 15, 2025

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: House Republicans finally land full repeal of Florida’s jet fuel tax

2 5min 0

Federal Headlines

June 15, 2025

Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers

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Emails & Opinions Headlines

June 15, 2025

Ryan Nicol

Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics — Week of 6.8.25

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Legislative, Influence & Policy

Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

Gov. DeSantis appoints David Biddle to fill vacant Gilchrist County School Board seat

David Biddle has held several governmental positions and was Chair of the Gilchrist County GOP.

0 3min

Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

Ashley Moody, Laurel Lee pitch legislation in Congress to step up immigration measures

Both lawmakers blamed President Joe Biden’s administration for immigration issues, including children being separated from adults.

8 3min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: Cardrooms, horse racing tracks hit jackpot with tax savings

Pari-mutuel tax cuts made it into the final budget proposed by lawmakers.

0 5min

Headlines Influence

‘Farm product’: Florida law fixes issues with local zoning, processing biomass

The crop has come in.

0 2min

Headlines Influence

Governor signs off on funds for local authorities to pay for private DNA tests

This could help investigations.

0 2min

Headlines Influence

Budget conference: Gov. DeSantis’ office gets power to investigate local governments

DOGE roadshow to hit a town near you.

3 4min

Headlines Influence

Astroturf preemption bill signed into law

DEP will have to set standards for the surface.

0 2min

Headlines Influence

Governor signs bill including 988 call centers in mental health crisis services

The Department of Health is charged with rulemaking.

0 2min

Headlines Influence

New law lets charter schools directly petition Department of Education for workforce funds

The money covers the costs for creating or expanding career and technical education programs that lead to industry certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List. Hundreds of them are contemplated, and they run the gamut from ethical hacking to wastewater management to phlebotomy. Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf carried this legislation.

0 1min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: Budget heads agree to kill business rent tax, make back-to-school tax holiday permanent

The final tax relief package also offers breaks on certain hurricane supplies, batteries and NASCAR tickets.

0 5min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: Legislature nixes Hope Florida line operators, kills hires of new Navigators

Budget negotiators closed shop without revisiting calls for cuts while nixing requests to expand a related program.

1 4min

Headlines Influence

Sprinkle list: Lawmakers throw multimillion dollar projects at universities

Florida Polytechnic University gets cash for its growth plan while Nova Southeastern is landing money for a veterans clinic.

0 5min

New Administration

Headlines New Administration

Republicans urge Donald Trump, Elon Musk to end their feud

‘I really like both of them.’

4 6min

Headlines New Administration

Former SCOFLA justices accuse Pam Bondi of ethical misconduct in Florida Bar complaint

The Department of Justice called them less intelligent or original ‘than sheep.’

6 6min

Headlines New Administration

Jacob Ogles

Brian Hughes to become NASA Chief of Staff

He isn’t the only new NASA leader with strong ties to Florida.

4min

Headlines New Administration

Jacob Ogles

Donald Trump taps Bernie Navarro as the next Ambassador to Peru

The Benworth Capital founder is a long-time friend and ally of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

4min

Headlines New Administration

Donald Trump issues edict against ‘useless’ water conservation standards

The President rolls back a 20th century law in his fight against the ‘green’ agenda.

15 2min

Headlines New Administration

Horse sense: Donald Trump talks Kentucky Derby and the ‘Golden Age’

POTUS weighs in on Saturday’s premiere sporting event.

4 3min

Headlines New Administration

Mike Waltz ouster adds to tumult in Trump’s national security team but consolidates power in fewer hands

Are more changes imminent?

3 6min

Headlines New Administration

As Elon Musk gained power in Washington, his popularity has fallen, an AP poll finds

DOGE efforts by Musk have many starting to wonder if the Tesla entrepreneur knows what he is doing.

10 9min

Headlines New Administration

Donald Trump’s first 100 days: Steamrolling government, strong-arming allies and igniting trade wars

Norms have been sidetracked as Donald Trump seeks to leave his personal stamp on the United States in the early going of his second term as President.

12 51min

Headlines New Administration

Poll: Only about half of Republicans say Trump has focused on the right priorities

Many Americans do not agree with President Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to quickly enact his agenda, a new poll finds, and even Republicans are not overwhelmingly convinced that his attention has been in the right place. Americans are nearly twice as likely to say Trump has been mostly focusing on the wrong priorities as to […]

12 3min

Headlines New Administration

Elon Musk to spend less time in Washington, more time running Tesla after profit plunges

The billionnaire said the ‘major work of establishing Department of Government Efficiency is done,’

6 8min

Headlines New Administration

Donald Trump considers pausing his auto tariffs as the world economy endures whiplash

Asian countries are still angling on how to deal with the threat of U.S. tariffs.

7 9min

Immigration Enforcement

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

James Uthmeier says Florida will help out feds in California immigration mission

‘We’ll be sending any resources we have.’

6 3min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Ron DeSantis reveals Gavin Newsom thought Florida riot help would ‘inflame the situation’

Florida’s State Guard will stay at home.

2 3min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Ron DeSantis blames George Soros for doxxing, attacks on immigration enforcement

The Governor has talked about Soros since at least his 2018 campaign.

11 3min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Donald Trump banned citizens of 12 countries from entering the US. Here’s what to know

Reactions to the ban ran the gamut from anger to guarded relief and support.

5 13min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

‘Make this make sense’: Ron DeSantis rips ‘disgraceful’ riots in California

‘They’re waving the flag of the country they don’t want to get sent back to.’

6 2min

Headlines Immigration Enforcement

Rick Scott says feds have a right to defend ICE agents

The Naples Republican is weighing in on demonstrations on the West Coast.

8 3min

2026

2026 Headlines

Prediction market positions Byron Donalds, Ashley Moody as big 2026 favorites

It’s hard to bet against an incumbent and a Trump pick.

2 3min

2026 Headlines

Not just talk: John Rutherford draws Primary challenge from radio host Mark Kaye

Could this be the incumbent’s toughest test yet?

4 2min

2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

David Hogg won’t run again for DNC post, still intends to back Primary challengers to Democrats

The Parkland survivor said his Leaders We Deserve PAC will seek young, progressive voices to support.

3 6min

2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Poll shows Byron Donalds starts with 6-point lead over David Jolly in 2026 Governor’s race

Victory Insights found the Florida electorate already leaning toward the first major Republican in the race.

2 6min

2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Nathan Boyles heading to House after HD 3 Special Election win

He fills the seat Joel Rudman vacated at the beginning of the year.

6min

2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Debbie Mayfield to return to Senate after SD 19 Special Election victory

It’s the fastest return to the upper chamber in the term limits era, if not longer.

1 9min

Federal

Federal Headlines

Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers

The shooter, who owned a security and protection firm, remains on the run and possibly heading to Canada.

0 13min

Federal Headlines

House approves Donald Trump’s request to cut funding for NPR, PBS, foreign aid

The administration is likening the first rescissions package to a test case and says more could be on the way if Congress goes along.

4 9min

Federal Headlines

Jared Moskowitz unveils bipartisan bill to address ‘critical’ weather service staffing shortages

‘Let’s be clear: filling gaps at this agency is a public safety priority.’

1 6min

Federal Headlines

Excluding undecideds, Pete Buttigieg leads in Florida Dems’ 2028 poll

AOC, Cory Booker, Gavin Newsom aren’t too far behind though.

3 3min

Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Florida congressional delegation urges Donald Trump to relocate NASA to Florida

The letter includes signatures from 22 Republicans and 2 Democrats.

8min

Federal Headlines

Elon Musk backs off Donald Trump feud, regrets some posts that ‘went too far’

Meanwhile, the President threatened ‘serious consequences’ if Musk helps Democrats in the Midterms.

5 3min

Jacksonville

Headlines Jax

Drew Dixon

Anti-Donald Trump immigration protest draws 4K people to downtown Jacksonville Saturday

9 6min

Jacksonville man arrested on charges of threatening to run over ICE protesters

Jacksonville City Council cracks down on city funding for ‘unauthorized aliens’ … but many exceptions apply

Budget conference: MOSH money likely to continue flowing for ‘Genesis Project’

NE Florida

Headlines NE Florida

Drew Dixon

Northeast Florida sees mixed indicators in home sales for May as more houses hit market

5min 0

Gov. DeSantis approves latest renaming of St. Augustine Airport

UNF survey: First Coast manufacturers see contraction among key production indicators in May

Budget conference: Northeast Florida Builders close in on priorities

Orlando

Headlines Orlando

Budget conference: Major hotel tax reform fails to advance

1 5min 0

Worker sues after fingers were amputated following Orlando hotel accident

Feds say Orlando Panera Bread franchise operator faces fine for illegally employing minors

Budget conference: Pulse Memorial gets $394K for Orlando

St. Pete

Headlines St. Pete

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Budget conference: Pinellas Science Center nabs $800K for ongoing reactivation efforts

4min

Budget conference: Manhattan Casino lands $1.05M

Budget conference: Town of Belleair road reconstruction project hosed

Budget conference: Pinellas Schools’ ARK Innovation Center funding still at odds in budget process

SW Florida

Headlines SW Florida

Jacob Ogles

Sprinkle list: $10M flows from Senate to Caloosahatchee basin

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Gov. DeSantis sends decision on single-member districts to Lee County voters

Responsible Government Naples wants common sense dictating future of airport, city

Bridget Ziegler hasn’t closed the door on running for office in 2026

Tampa

Headlines Tampa Bay

Mike Wright

Gov. DeSantis’ signature repeals law that hamstrung Citrus County Sheriff

1 4min 0

Tampa City Council member Gwendolyn Henderson, 60, has died

Budget conference: USF scoops up $31.5M in latest funded projects list

Budget conference: Hillsborough Community College lands $2.5M for new Plant City center, but it’s half what they requested

Panhandle

Headlines Panhandle

Drew Dixon

Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints long-time Panhandle civic player to Florida Housing group

0 3min

Federal prosecutors charge Honduran man with ramming entrance to NAS Pensacola

Panama City charter fishing captain fined and sent to prison for killing dolphins in the Gulf

Panhandle sisters sentenced to years in federal prison for embezzling nearly $1M from Pensacola business

Tallahassee

Headlines Tallahassee

Jacob Ogles

Budget conference: No funding for FSU Election Law Center

3min 0

Senate offer funds Legislative Support Services at $57M

Gov. DeSantis announces body armor company is expanding into Wakulla County

Legendary House Speaker, FSU president John Thrasher cast a long shadow

Communities

Communities Headlines

Drew Dixon

League of Cities recognizes 4 local governments for exceptional civic programs

5min 0

Jena Antonucci: Preserving Florida — an agricultural triumph

JJ Grow bests Judith Vowels to win HD 23 open seat

Bill Gladson endorses Matt McClain for Marion County Commission

South Florida

Headlines South Florida

Staff Reports

You’ll soon be able to drive on Donald Trump Boulevard in South Florida

The honor is part of a larger swath of transportation designations.

3 3min

Headlines South Florida

Sprinkle list: House throws $5M to Miami Dade College for operational support

The last-minute allocation is 10 times more than MDC got in sprinkles during the process last year.

0 4min

Headlines South Florida

Miami Lakes to vote on suing Florida over state law blocking suits over property-damaging blast mining

‘We have to do this. Enough sitting around.’

3 9min

Headlines South Florida

Gov. DeSantis appoints Joanne Hernandez to Miami-Dade County Court

She was also considered for a judgeship last year.

4min

Headlines South Florida

Another delay: Miami-Dade’s upgraded South Corridor service now expected to roll in late Summer

No opening date is set.

6min

Headlines South Florida

Perjury case against ex-Broward Superintendent dropped ahead of trial

Under an agreement with the state, he must not break the law for 6 months and pay less than $5,000 in attorneys fees.

3min

Culture Wars

Culture Wars Headlines

Minnesota shooting drives war of words between Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Democrats

Comments are pouring in after the act of political violence.

5 9min

Culture Wars Headlines

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: Two lawmakers shot, one killed, in politically targeted shooting

The FBI will investigate the armed assaults.

0 2min

Culture Wars Headlines

Jacob Ogles

No Kings Day protests to include march to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home

A birthday message to the President decrying authoritarianism arrives the same day a military parade unfolds in the nation’s capital.

4min

Culture Wars Headlines

Brevard Sheriff warns violent protesters could end up ‘graveyard dead’

‘We will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at.’

12 4min

Culture Wars Headlines

Ron DeSantis says it’s OK to hit a protesting ‘mob’ with your car if you need to ‘flee for your safety’

‘You don’t have to sit there and just be a sitting duck.’

23 3min

Culture Wars Headlines

Budget conference: People convicted of weed crimes could lose medical cards

An often-revised 1970s law governing illicit substances will likely be invoked.

4min

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Florida’s congressional delegation offers bipartisan support to Israel after attack on Iran

Rick Scott and Jared Moskowitz are on the same page when it comes to Israel’s decision.

3 4min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

U.S. launches $8M project in Panama to swap Chinese equipment for American-made tech

The U.S.-funded project is expected to take about 2 years to complete.

4min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

U.S. stocks drift, Chinese markets rise as trade talks start between world’s largest economies

Hopes President Donald Trump would lower tariffs are among the main reasons the S&P 500 rallied back.

5min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

A Ukrainian security official says Kyiv destroyed more than 40 military aircraft in a drone attack

Attack on aircraft deep within Russia comes after drone strikes on Ukrainian targets while peace talks are set to take place in Turkey.

3 5min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Ron DeSantis argues the U.S. wouldn’t exist if Israel hadn’t been the cradle of ‘Western civilization’

‘We wouldn’t have the United States of America if it didn’t trace back to that.’

15 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Donald Trump says Russian leader Vladimir Putin ‘has gone absolutely CRAZY!’

The President has increasingly voiced irritation at Putin.

8 5min

Emails & Opinions

Emails & Opinions Headlines

Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics — Week of 6.8.25

The budget is wrapped, Debbie Mayfield is back in the Senate, and David Hogg is out at the DNC.

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Paterfamilias festivites

Blake Dowling: All that jazz

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 6.13.25

Stephen Shelley: Ready for the storm — Farm Share is here for Florida families

Apolitical

APolitical Headlines

USL Super League to host inaugural championship final in Tampa

And 2 Florida teams are facing off.

APolitical Headlines

National Retail Federation projects record spending for Father’s Day

Consumers are expected to spend about $200 each on gifts for Father’s Day Sunday.

APolitical Headlines

Revised June USDA citrus harvest shows Florida forecast improving

APolitical Headlines

Bay scallop harvesting season opens in 3 counties on the Nature Coast Sunday

Weekly labor report shows sharp increase in new unemployment claims in Florida

Tech

Headlines Tech

Education

Education Headlines

Drew Dixon

UCF and Florida Polytech hosting engineering conference in Orlando

Engineers and experts from over 40 nations will attend the engineering event in Central Florida Tuesday through Thursday

0 3min

Education Headlines

Budget conference: Senate cuts offer for Florida’s preeminent schools in half

The distinction, and the funding that comes with it, is a big deal to schools.

0 4min

Education Headlines