In Florida and DC, fallout over Epstein files continues to dog Donald Trump

In Tallahassee, a top DOJfficial interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend and a key figure in the growing controversy.

by Ashley Murray, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 28, 2025August 26, 2025

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court upholds DeSantis-supported congressional district maps

The Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, League of Women Voters of Florida, Equal Ground Education Fund, Florida Rising Together, and individual voters brought the lawsuit and blasted the court’s decision Thursday.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 18, 2025July 25, 2025

News & Views

Florida’s new education commissioner quotes Book of Psalms in fiery speech to board

Anastasios Kamoutsas also claims that the state has ‘removed indoctrination from instruction.’

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 17, 2025August 26, 2025

News & Views

Federal judge blocks part of Florida’s new ballot initiative law

In his latest ruling, Walker stopped the state from enforcing HB 1205’s ban against non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens collecting petitions.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix July 10, 2025August 30, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis rushes ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to detain undocumented immigrants in the Everglades

Critics called it a ploy to go viral at taxpayers’ expense.

by Christine Sexton, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix June 24, 2025July 1, 2025

News & Views

One Big, Beautiful Bill’s changes for Obamacare could be ugly for Florida

More than 4.7 million Floridians are covered through a federal marketplace plan.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix June 20, 2025July 10, 2025

News & Views

Monday vote set after Florida lawmakers finally reach budget, tax, agreements

This year’s session was extended because of the legislative leaders’ failure to pass a budget.

by Jackie Llanos, Jay Waagmeester and Christine Sexton June 15, 2025June 19, 2025

News & Views

Feds give Florida’s Republican party green light to join ballot initiative lawsuit

Critics of a new law say it violates their rights to free speech and due process.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix June 2, 2025July 22, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Bay legislators call on Congress not to defund Planned Parenthood

Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Dianne Hart (D-Tampa) joined the effort.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 21, 2025June 10, 2025

News & Views

FAMU, Florida’s sole public historic Black university, taps GOP ally as president

The board of trustees also voted to increase the salary at $750,000.

by Christine Sexton, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 20, 2025June 6, 2025

News & Views

Marijuana legalization group joins the fight against Florida’s crackdown on ballot initiatives

Smart & Safe Florida called new restrictions signed into law by Gov. DeSantis ‘legislative gaslighting.’

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 13, 2025July 31, 2025

News & Views

The Florida Legislature’s $2.8 billion tax cut deal is off the table

The breakdown means legislators are nowhere near coming up with a new budget, which needs to be in place by July 1 or the state risks a government shutdown.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 12, 2025May 16, 2025

News & Views

Medicaid and food program cuts for low-income families would have a crushing effect on Florida

State government would have to absorb more of the financial burden.

by Christine Sexton May 8, 2025June 29, 2025

News & Views

On anniversary of Florida’s six-week abortion ban, providers say ‘We’re still here’

By the state’s count, there were 19,198 fewer abortions in 2024 than in 2023.

by Jackie Llanos, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 1, 2025July 15, 2025

News & Views

Senate won’t confirm two of DeSantis’s top health care secretaries with Hope Florida ties

‘I’d have a hard time voting for Secretary Harris unless she came clean and had a very different story than what she’s telling the House.’

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 22, 2025May 19, 2025

News & Views

Embroiled in controversy, DeSantis’ Hope Florida Foundation could lose tax status, legislator warns

It’s been a headline-grabbing week for Casey DeSantis’ nonprofit.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 18, 2025May 15, 2025

News & Views

Florida Senate leader lays out bill that explores implications of permanently reducing property taxes

The bill directs the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to conduct a study to establish a framework to reduce, or eliminate taxes for homesteaded property.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 15, 2025April 24, 2025