In Bradenton, DHS Sec. Kristi Noem touts Florida partnership

Tampa and St. Petersburg are among hundreds of Florida municipalities that optionally agreed to let law enforcement to work with ICE.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Representative Berny Jacques, an African American man in a blue suit and orange tie, speaks into a standing microphone from his desk in a legislative chamber. Numerous colleagues are seated around him in dark leather chairs and wooden desks. Portraits line the walls above the seating area.

News & Views

Pinellas Republican re-files bill that would require all employers to use E-Verify

Rep. Berny Jacques had tried to pass this measure during the 2025 session, but its Senate version stalled.

By LIvia Caputo/ Florida PhoenixOctober 20, 2025October 20, 2025

A man wearing sunglasses, a red suspenders over a black shirt, and a red baseball cap stands on a grassy median during a protest. He holds a large sign with black text on white that reads "UNPAID PROTESTER OPPOSE HIM FOR FREE" and waves a multicolored Progress Pride flag. Other demonstrators are lined up behind him under palm trees.

Tampa Bay News

St. Petersburg among more than 100 Florida cities and towns that staged ‘No Kings’ protests

Plus dispatches from Miami, Gainesville, Tallahassee, and even Sopchoppy.

by Florida Phoenix October 20, 2025October 24, 2025

Florida Senator Tina Polsky sits in a leather chair on the Senate floor, wearing a teal blazer and glasses, with other legislators blurred in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrat files bill that would protect public employees who use medical marijuana

There are exceptions if the use of cannabis is impairing the worker’s ability to perform job duties or responsibilities.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 15, 2025

News & Views

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

Man with a beard and a brown jacket over a blurred background of a parchment document. Overlaid text reads: 'Thank you Jesus First Public School Chaplain in Florida'. A hand holds an ID card identifying 'John Martin' as a 'LEVEL 2 CHAPLAIN' with an expiration date of '6/30/2026'.

News & Views

Florida’s first-ever public school chaplain wrote an ode to Charlie Kirk, but insists he won’t use the position to proselytize

Rev. Jack Martin identifies with the Black Robe Regiment, a coalition of pastors committed to tearing down the wall of separation between church and state.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 15, 2025

A row of white voting booths with 'VOTE' and American flag graphics inside a busy polling place or election office, with people and camera crew visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrats and NPA voters support open primaries, survey says

Of the 626 Democrats surveyed, 87% support having the party unilaterally open its primary election to nonparty-affiliated (NPA) voters.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Republican Jay Collins says he’ll decide on running for governor in the coming weeks

Those hoping for ‘carnage’ between Trump and DeSantis will be disappointed, he said.

By Livia Caputo/Florida PhoenixOctober 13, 2025October 13, 2025

A medium, eye-level shot of a crowded indoor gun show. In the foreground, a man with a dark beard and glasses in a black polo shirt speaks with a customer, a man with a beard, tattoos, and a man-bun, who is smiling and pointing at a long rifle on a display table. The table is covered with numerous modern black rifles, and other attendees browse in the background.

News & Views

Florida House Rep proposes reduced gun age law for fourth straight year

It’s passed in the House every time, but always fails in the Senate.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

News & Views

Clearwater explores becoming the first Florida city in 20 years to run its own power utility

‘We know it’s going to be a fight and it’s going to take time.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 10, 2025October 10, 2025

A weathered alligator skull lies among green marsh grass and reeds on the muddy shore of Lake Okeechobee under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

News & Views

Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the US, report says

Those in the know, said the bad rating was dead-on.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

News & Views

Trump backs James Uthmeier for Florida attorney general in 2026

Last month, reports surfaced that the president was considering backing Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez for AG.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

A bald man in a gray suit and a red patterned tie is speaking at a wooden podium. He is in a large room with rows of dark blue seats, some of which are occupied by an audience in the background.

News & Views

Second lawsuit filed to overturn Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie’s development regulation law

The law meant for hurricane recovery aid is also being sued by more than two dozen local governments.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Governor Ron DeSantis, wearing a dark navy suit and tie, stands with a serious expression at an outdoor or indoor event. The background includes a wood-paneled wall and various items suggesting an outdoor theme, such as a boat seat, what appears to be a gun case or cover, and ammunition boxes.

News & Views

Florida’s lame duck governor has only 15 months left to ride the taxpayer gravy train

What’s next for Ron DeSantis?

by Diane Roberts and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A man in a red hat stands between two young men with curly hair. They are holding a large white sign with the phrase "WE ARE CHARLIE KIRK" written on it in bold, red paint. They are standing near a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

News & Views

Florida education commissioner names state’s top debate trophy after Charlie Kirk

The Florida civics and debate initiative was launched while New College President Richard Corcoran was serving as the state education commissioner.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Five friends sit on a blanket on the grass at an outdoor Pride event. Two individuals in the center are wearing rainbow-themed shirts and smiling broadly, surrounded by others wearing casual summer attire. A stage and a large crowd are visible in the background.

News & Views

Equality Florida responds after DeSantis’ DOGE says Pinellas and St. Pete are wasting money on Pride events

‘A pathetic effort to distract from his corruption, inside dealing, and scandals.’

by Mitch E. Perry and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Sen. Ashley Moody commits salary during government shutdown to Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Pasco Rep. Gus Bilirakis requested not to be paid.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 2, 2025October 3, 2025

A sign reading "banned books" in a bookshop window display

News & Views

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

PEN America reported 600 titles in Hillsborough County that are “banned pending investigation.” The Florida Department of Education reported none in Hillsborough.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2025October 1, 2025