Liv Caputo, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Florida AG says kids participating in ‘teen takeover’ events could legally be run over, tried as adults

“If you do that, people have the ability to run you over.”

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Mobs of teens rioting to “takeover” Florida cities can legally be run over and also charged with racketeering, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday. “You do not have the First Amendment right to stand in the middle of the street, obstruct traffic, and threaten violence,” Uthmeier said during Largo press conference, speaking days after […]

Political rally at the Florida State Capitol featuring supporters holding "Jolly Graham for Florida" campaign signs under moss-covered oak trees.

Florida Democratic frontrunner David Jolly picks Gwen Graham as gubernatorial running mate

Jolly served in Congress from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican, became an independent for six years, and then switched to the Democratic Party in April 2025.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

A close-up of a media event on an airfield. The central figure wears a red hat and a dark suit, flanked by two others. The person on the left is speaking with an open hand gesture, while the person on the right is looking toward the press.

DeSantis is ‘very good’ for naming a Florida airport after Trump, says Trump

“Ron’s good. He’s a friend of mine. He just named an airport after me.”

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could be emitting hundreds of tons of toxic gases, new case claims

“We’re going to hold the state accountable until every dirty diesel generator is removed from the site.”

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

‘Wound down and shut down’: Florida congressman says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ coming to an end

“They’re not getting any new people. They’re just sending people to other facilities.”

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix May 27, 2026May 27, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during a press conference at the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center.

DeSantis and the people suing him, can agree on one thing: His new map violates Florida’s Constitution

“We believe the [Fair Districts provision] does not apply,” the governor’s top elections lawyer, Mohammad Jazil, told senators during a committee hearing last week.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix May 7, 2026May 7, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulika, and Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison address the press during the 2026 special legislative session in Tallahassee.

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI and vaccine bills on first day of special session

“There were no bills filed on these policies prior to the start of this special session [in the House],” Perez told his members minutes after opening House proceedings.

by Liv Caputo, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

To provide the most effective SEO-friendly alt-text for this image, it is important to capture the names of the individuals and the context of the photo, as these are likely the primary search terms associated with it. Option 1: Descriptive & News-Focused (Best for SEO) A side-by-side portrait of University of South Florida (USF) students Zamil Ahamed Limon and Nahida Bristy, who were reported missing. Limon is shown on the left in a black tunic, and Bristy is on the right in a pink saree taking a selfie against a sunflower background.

Florida expands criminal AI investigation to include USF murders

New court documents, filed to prevent Abugharbieh’s release on bail, reveal snippets of murder-related questions between the 26-year-old and the AI chatbot.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Florida spent $34 million on tech, IT at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ doesn’t have to comply with federal environmental law, appeals court says

“Until Homeland Security officials decide to fund the facility, no final agency action occurs,” Pryor added.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Chief of Staff James Uthmeier at a "Florida Leads" press conference with the American flag in the background.

‘Climate cartel’: Florida AG subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

His investigation marks the latest anti-climate-change policy pushback under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

State of Florida launches investigation into ChatGPT for role in FSU school shooting

According to the report, ChatGPT told Ikner how to take the safety off of his shotgun just three minutes before the shooting.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ under federal control? Answer could decide environmental groups’ case

If the migrant lockup is at the beck and call of federal authorities, then the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit may allow the pro-environment organizations’ case.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during a bill-signing ceremony in an aviation hangar on March 31, 2026. He is wearing a navy suit and red tie, gesturing with his hand. Behind him is a green and gold law enforcement helicopter.

DeSantis says birthright citizenship ‘kind of cheapens the process when you make it a tourist thing’

The Florida governor’s comments come as SCOTUS weighs whether to greenlight Trump’s citizenship ban for certain U.S.-born babies.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd speaking at a wooden lectern during a press conference in Winter Haven. The Sheriff is in a green uniform, gesturing while speaking. Professional news cameras and monitors frame the foreground, set against a backdrop of a blue curtain and various law enforcement flags.

‘Incoherent’: DeSantis slams Florida sheriffs’ demand for citizenship path for illegal migrants

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a Speech and Debate event podium flanked by American and Florida flags, with a seated man in a blue suit and red tie in the background.

Florida bill authored by DeSantis allowing state to label groups as ‘domestic terrorist organizations’ now heads to DeSantis

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Interior view of the Florida State Capitol 4th floor rotunda in Tallahassee, featuring the Great Seal of Florida, state and U.S. flags, and a commemorative Florida 250 banner hanging from the circular balcony.

Florida Senate clears bill allowing ‘gang-related language’ in social media posts as evidence

The bill passed, 29 to 9 — largely along party lines — and now heads to DeSantis.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Trump administration won’t pay for Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction costs

Florida has long waited for these federal dollars to come in.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix February 26, 2026February 26, 2026