Christine Sexton, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Federal lawsuit says Florida ICE facility is acting as a de facto civil detention center

The lawsuit says the agencies are holding people illegally for days, denying them medicine and medical care, coercing them into signing documents, and restricting access to legal counsel.

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

A federal class action was filed in Miami Friday against the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and top executives at the agencies, alleging they’re using a Miramar field office as a de facto civil detention center. The lawsuit says the agencies are holding people illegally for days, denying them medicine and medical […]

Fentrice Driskell

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell calls for IRS investigation into Hope Florida scandal

“We refuse to lift our foot off the gas when it comes to Hope Florida and the abuses of our taxpayer dollars from state officials at the highest levels.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

a child with measles

DeSantis administration removes child vaccine exemptions based on ‘moral or ethical beliefs’

The rule hearing was requested by the Florida chapters of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

Second Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith

Florida Judge appointed by DeSantis faces reprimand for saying he’d like to see trial lawyers shot in his courtroom

“I would like to tell the deputy to pull his gun and shoot all three of you as far as my level of frustration right now.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

‘This is money laundering’: David Jolly says Casey DeSantis, Hope Florida were ‘used’ in a ‘sinister plan’

“I think the governor’s right when he says it’s wrong to smear the first lady. I don’t think the first lady had anything to do with this.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with a sign reading "Investing in Rural Florida," flanked by American and Florida flags, in front of an audience in Bonifay, Florida.

Florida Dems call for resignations amid Hope Florida leak, while DeSantis claims investigation was designed to ‘smear’ his wife

Appearing in Lake City, the governor said the only apparent crime was committed by “whoever leaked the grand jury report.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 28, 2026August 28, 2026

A Flock camera surveils a city street for car liscense plates.

‘I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state’: DeSantis says police officers should issue tickets

The website DeFlock reports there are 7,169 such cameras in Florida.

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

A photograph by Dave Decker showing former U.S. Rep. David Jolly speaking at 1920 Ybor in Ybor City, Florida, on August 17, 2026. Captured in a half-length portrait against a large, textured American flag backdrop, Jolly stands smiling toward the audience behind two microphones on a stand. He wears a dark navy blazer over an open-collared white dress shirt, illuminated by soft stage lighting.

Republican Byron Donalds and alleged liberal David Jolly will compete to be Florida’s next governor

The result was somewhat predictable, but the primary ended the early part of a campaign season that has been punctuated by some unusual side stories.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

Florida attorney general rewrites property tax cut amendment language after lawsuit

Former State Sen. Jeff Brandes, one of the named plaintiffs in the legal challenge, seemed satisfied with the new language submitted by Uthmeier.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 14, 2026August 14, 2026

Exterior view of Tampa General Hospital along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida.

‘This is pretty bad’: Judges grill DeSantis administration over Medicaid termination letters

Florida was first sued three years ago over how it disenrolled people from the safety net health care program.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 13, 2026August 13, 2026

A photograph by Semyon Lorberg showing a drag performer in a vibrant outfit on stage during Sarasota Pridefest in Sarasota, Florida, on January 25, 2020. Positioned center-right in a medium three-quarter shot, the performer reaches both arms outward with open hands while performing in bright daylight. The performer wears long, dark wavy hair, bold makeup, fishnet stockings, and a colorful, multi-patterned bell-sleeve minidress cinched at the waist with a black belt featuring a wide rainbow stripe. In the background, audience members sit along concrete outdoor steps in a public park setting beneath trees and soft sunlight.

In 8-5 opinion, federal appeals court upholds Florida’s no-children-at-drag shows law

Judge Robin Rosenbaum issued a scathing 27-page page dissenting opinion.

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

Florida judge says parts of Amendment 3 ballot title, summary language, violate state law

Judge David Frank has ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite significant portions.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 4, 2026August 4, 2026

Florida Surgeon General suggests high measles counts could be tied to abortion opposition

Federal data show Florida had 141 confirmed measles cases as of July 23, ranking the state fifth in the nation for most infections.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

Alt-text: Modern bright hospital corridor with glass doors, patient rooms, and blue waiting chairs.

Florida property tax proposal could leave counties with $420 million in Medicaid costs, says economists

Florida had nearly 3.9 million Medicaid enrollees as of June 30, 2026, according to the most recent state data.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

Elderly residents in wheelchairs spending time in a nursing home common area with healthcare facility staff.

Florida nursing homes want exemptions for Haitians who lost TPS protections

Approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals nationwide hold TPS, of whom half are estimated to live in Florida.

by Christine Sexton and News Service of Florida July 13, 2026July 13, 2026

Florida Representative Chris Latvala wearing a blue button-down shirt and glasses, standing on an outdoor stage next to a woman in a purple shirt during a political campaign event in Clearwater.

Jack Latvala, Republican who represented Pinellas in the Florida Senate, dead at 74

HIs 2017 gubernatorial campaign ended after he was caught up in the ‘Me Too’ movement.

by Christine Sexton, Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix July 10, 2026July 10, 2026

Neon 'OPEN' and 'EBT & ATM' signs glowing in a convenience store window next to lottery jackpot displays and a thank you sign.

Florida’s high SNAP error rate is by design, says state’s top Democrat

‘You know, all of the things for our most vulnerable portions of our society, they cut corners,’ FL Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried says.

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

Bi-partisan group of former Florida politicians file lawsuit against property tax amendment

This is the third active challenge to the proposed amendment.

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

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.

DeSantis says he will veto Florida bill allowing larger lawsuit payouts against local governments

Governor says the bill would have increased the number of ‘unmeritorious’ lawsuits being filed.

by Colin Wolf, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

Florida lawmakers move to save public schools from DeSantis’ property tax plan

Volusia County Senate Republican Tom Wright said his office received 1,282 emails and calls before the start of a meeting.

by Christine Sexton, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix June 2, 2026June 2, 2026