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.

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

More than two dozen local governments have filed suit seeking to block SB 180, which restricts local them from regulating development.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis-appointed former Florida Surgeon General details ‘painful consequences’ of governor’s pivot on vaccines

When COVID-19 emerged early in 2020, Dr. Scott Rivkees led the effort once the mRNA vaccine was available to administer.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

A brick archway with the words "University of Florida" inscribed on it. The archway leads to an ornate, multi-story brick building with a red tile roof, framed by lush trees and palm trees. In the foreground, there's a decorative brick and paver walkway with a university seal.

News & Views

Someone remind Florida universities that you either have a First Amendment, or you don’t

If I were a young professor looking for a job, I’d avoid Florida.

by Diane Roberts and Florida Phoenix September 29, 2025September 29, 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.

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Voters urge Pinellas legislative delegation to oppose DeSantis’ ‘partisan gerrymandering’ plan for redistricting

An amendments passed in 2010 says, ‘no apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 26, 2025

A bald, white man in a dark blue suit and a light blue collared shirt is standing and speaking into a microphone. He is on a stage or at a public event. Other people are seated in the foreground and background, including a Black woman with glasses and a man in a navy suit and yellow patterned tie. A black curtain serves as the backdrop.

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In Tampa, city councilman Alan Clendenin pushes back hard against proposal to eliminate property taxes

According to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, every dollar of Tampa’s $380 million in property tax revenue is allocated to police and fire services.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

News & Views

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

News & Views

In Tampa, Byron Donalds changes charter school stance

He also said he’d keep DOGEing to fix property taxes.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

Low-angle shot of a woman wearing a blue "USA" hat holding a large, vertical, framed photo of Charlie Kirk and an American flag. She stands on a grassy area beside a paved road lined with small American flags. In the background, someone holds an American flag umbrella and there is a woman in a black dress.

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Pinellas teachers among those targeted for Charlie Kirk social media comments

Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) requested the Pinellas County Superintendent fire teachers who have conducted ‘abhorrent’ behavior on their social media accounts since Kirk’s death.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 17, 2025September 18, 2025

News & Views

New survey shows majority of Florida GOP voters back clean energy initiatives

Jake Hoffman, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said the government should accelerate solar energy.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

News & Views

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

A close-up of a person wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants with a black nylon holster on their belt holding a handgun. The individual is standing outdoors, and blurred greenery is visible in the background.

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Florida AG says open carry is the law, drawing warnings from Second Amendment Groups

Groups that have been advocating for the Legislature to repeal Florida’s ban on open carry are cheering last week’s ruling—and warning state legislators not to add any new regulations in legislation they offer next year.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Two smiling people pose for a selfie outdoors on a sunny day, one wearing a black T-shirt and glasses and the other in a white graphic shirt, baseball cap, and sunglasses, holding up a phone to capture the photo.

News & Views

In Tampa, state lawmakers warn DeSantis’ DOGE could cut support for LGBTQ programs

‘I think you need to be prepared for what is coming,’ warned state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

News & Views

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

Nighttime photo of a church building with a cross-topped bell tower and stained glass windows. The facade is illuminated with rainbow-colored lights and a large projected message that reads “ABOLISH ICE” in bold white letters. Trees and shadows are visible in the foreground against a cloudy night sky.

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In St. Pete, activists push for Bay area police to drop ICE agreements

There is no requirement for municipalities to sign 287(g) agreements with ICE.

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

Modern apartment buildings in downtown Tampa, featuring a mix of high-rise and mid-rise structures. The buildings have colorful facades in shades of white, red, and blue, with many balconies and glass windows. A taller dark gray tower rises in the background against a clear blue sky.

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Homelessness among Florida families up 28-percent, says report

Rents have also increased by nearly 40% between 2019-2023.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

News & Views

Column: Somebody should DOGE the money wasted on Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix September 5, 2025September 5, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium with a sign reading "FIGHTING FENTANYL" in bold letters. He is flanked by law enforcement officers in tactical vests, with American and Florida state flags in the background, along with Florida Department of Law Enforcement insignia.

News & Views

DeSantis says the state is looking into opening a new immigration detention facility in west Florida

The first deportation facility, in the Everglades, opened earlier this summer, must be shut down, a federal judge ruled, although the state is fighting that ruling.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 10, 2025

A speaker stands at a podium addressing a seated audience, with two American flags and two Florida state flags behind them, in front of a red curtain.

News & Views

DeSantis comes to Hillsborough County and defends signing controversial land-use law

VALRICO — Manatee County Commissioners have voted to join a lawsuit challenging a new state law (SB 180) that restricts local governments from regulating developments.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 5, 2025