Christine Sexton, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wearing a blue suit and tie, speaking to reporters after a legislative floor session on January 15, 2026. He stands in front of a dark wood door and a wall-mounted light fixture.

Florida’s 2026 legislative session ends Friday—and lawmakers don’t have the budget ready

The budget is the one bill lawmakers must pass each year.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

House Speaker Daniel Perez said out loud Monday what everyone inside the Capitol already knew: The Florida Legislature will reach the end of its regular session Friday without having a new state budget ready. What the Republican legislative leader did not say is what will happen after the clock strikes midnight on the 60th day […]

A young girl smiling while a healthcare professional applies a bandage to her arm after receiving a vaccination in a medical office.

Florida’s ‘Medical freedom’ from vaccines bill is likely dead

The DeSantis administration announced last fall it wanted to eliminate every vaccine mandate from Florida statutes.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Fentrice Driskell speaks into a microphone at a desk while other House members look on.

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell sponsors bill to revive abortion access

The Reproductive Freedom Act bills were filed on Roe v. Wade’s 53rd anniversary.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

A uniformed law enforcement officer stands beside an open patrol car door, with a holstered firearm visible at their waist.

Proposed Florida bill would make carrying an open package of medical marijuana in a car illegal

SB 1056 would give cops the green light to search a vehicle based on the ‘plain smell’ of edibles, hemp, marijuana, or THC beverages.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Front exterior view of the Supreme Court of Florida building in Tallahassee, featuring six large white columns, beige walls, and flanking palm trees under a bright blue sky. A low wall in the foreground displays the text 'Supreme Court of Florida'.

Florida Supreme Court ruling could allow children to have three parents

The opinion focused on whether a state law applies to people who artificially inseminate outside a clinic setting.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

A Florida black bear is nestled high in a tree, showing its excellent climbing ability. One of its paws with short, curved claws is visible on a branch as it peers down from the safety of the dense, green foliage and rough bark

FWC says 52 bears were ‘harvested’ in Florida’s 2025 bear hunt

The agency said that a full report will be released in the coming months.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

A daytime exterior view of the Moffitt Cancer Center. The large, beige concrete building features a covered entrance canopy with the number "4101" visible. Prominent blue lettering on the upper façade reads "MOFFITT CANCER CENTER." Green hedges and landscaping line the front of the building under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

DeSantis’ proposed budget would change how Florida cancer centers get funds

Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa is one of them.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Close-up of a child wearing a face mask being prepared for a vaccination by a person wearing white medical gloves, who is swabbing the child's upper arm with cotton.

Hearings to repeal Florida’s school vaccine mandates begin

Heated debates began last week in the Panhandle.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

Florida News, News & Views

DeSantis’ proposed state budget includes bans on ‘social justice,’ Net Zero policies

It also includes a record increase for teachers’ salaries.

By Christine Sexton and Liv Caputo/Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

A man speaks at an outdoor event from a podium decorated with the U.S. Constitution and American flag designs, with multiple flags displayed around the stage and trees in the background.

DeSantis picks panhandle for public meeting on Florida school vaccinations

Despite the location, some believe the Dec. 12 meeting will be well-attended.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Official portrait of Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady, smiling and wearing glasses and judicial robes, against a backdrop of law books.

With Canady resignation, DeSantis gets to pick his sixth Florida Supreme Court justice

Canady is considered conservative but in a 2024 opinion agreed to green-light proposed Constitutional Amendment 4 to enshrine abortion access in the state.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

Nearly 3 million Floridians set to lose SNAP food assistance Saturday

More than 70% of Florida SNAP beneficiaries are children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

Florida Democratic lawmakers urge DeSantis to declare a food access state emergency

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell leads the effort with Sen. Lori Berman.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

A closeup shot of Cannabis growing in a garden

DeSantis administration is interfering with getting recreational pot on the ballot again, lawsuit alleges

The lawsuit claims as many as 200,000 signatures were wrongfully thrown out.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 21, 2025October 24, 2025

Wrongful death for fetuses, elimination of pregnancy crisis centers proposed for 2026 Florida session

One bill would defund a program that provides counseling and pregnancy tests.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 14, 2025

78% of first-time applicants pass the Florida Bar exam in Tampa

Hopefully, they come up with more creative billboard ads.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 22, 2025September 24, 2025

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s pharmacy board will discuss vaccines this month

For the most part Board of Pharmacy members haven’t contributed heavily to politicians or political committees.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Vaccines and guns: DeSantis gives a sneak peek at 2026 legislative agenda [PHOTOS]

He’s going for open carry again.

by Mitch Perry, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2025September 9, 2025

A man speaks at an outdoor event from a podium decorated with the U.S. Constitution and American flag designs, with multiple flags displayed around the stage and trees in the background.

DeSantis administration proposes removing all vaccine mandates

The governor also established a MAHA commission.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 3, 2025September 5, 2025

Florida Blue among companies proposing double-digit healthcare increases

Insurers nationwide are pursuing rate hikes.

by Florida Phoenix and Christine Sexton August 11, 2025August 28, 2025