News Service of Florida, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

Here are a few options for SEO-friendly alt text for this photo, depending on the specific focus of the article or page you are placing it on: Option 1: Focus on Budgeting & Saving (Best for financial blogs) Alt text: Close-up background of a pile of United States copper pennies, symbolizing budgeting, personal finance, and saving money.

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs ‘nearest nickel’ bill

The penny bill allows businesses to round up or down to the nearest nickel in cash transactions.

by News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

An effort to help businesses handle the end of the penny and a trio of education bills were among nine from the 2026 regular session signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday. The penny bill (SB 1074) allows businesses to round up or down to the nearest nickel in cash transactions. “With this framework, Florida […]

Florida gas prices expected to spike after Trump rejects Iran’s plan to end war

The state average is $1.50 more than on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel began military strikes on Iran.

by News Service of Florida May 11, 2026May 11, 2026

Breaking down the changes in Florida’s new congressional districts

A voting rights group filed suit against the new districts in Leon Circuit Court soon after DeSantis signed the bill (HB 1D).

by Gray Rohrer, Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

Feds will review Rice’s whale endangered species status, as Trump plans for more Gulf drilling

Kristen Monsell, legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, called the notice “yet another ruthless attack on a species already on the brink of extinction.”

by News Service of Florida May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

Close-up of a person's hand holding a yellow fuel nozzle while refueling a car at a gas station

Florida gas prices spike by 40 cents amid war in Iran

“It’s a combination of global tension and local disruption hitting at the same time — and consumers are feeling it immediately.”

by News Service of Florida May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis signing education legislation in Fort Myers, Florida, surrounded by state officials in a school gymnasium.

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law making it easier to decertify teachers unions

“This bill doesn’t end unions. The unions will end themselves when they lose their way.”

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida May 1, 2026May 1, 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.

Florida Legislature approves DeSantis’ new redistricting map, giving Republicans significant boost

“You are destroying democracy with this vote, and the people of Florida deserve better,” House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the Congressional Term Limits Retreat in Delray Beach, seated at a panel with state legislators to discuss a U.S. Constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.

‘This is clearly unconstitutional’: Florida Democrats decry DeSantis’ new congressional map

House and Senate committees approved the new map (HB 1D, SB 8D) ahead of a floor votes later in the week.

by Gray Rohrer, Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Modern multi-story building at the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, Florida, featuring white architecture and tropical palm trees under a clear blue sky.

Critics slam Florida Department of Education move to block undocumented students from state colleges

The Board of Education will discuss the rules at its next meeting on May 14 at Miami-Dade College.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the U.S. Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, discussing Florida's seaport investments and global commerce.

DeSantis’ new redistricting plan would leave Tampa Bay with zero Dem seats

Democratic lawmakers decried the new map as a blatant partisan power grab.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze George Washington statue in Chipley, Florida.

DeSantis signs bill allowing untrained volunteers to carry guns in Florida churches

The law is effective July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

by News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference regarding Epstein files at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

Jeffries warns Florida GOP that new map will backfire: ‘Dummymandering their way into the minority’

Florida lawmakers are scheduled to begin a special session Tuesday to consider new congressional districts.

by News Service of Florida April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sits at a draped table in Jacksonville, signing SB 1134 and HB 1217 legislation into law, flanked by five officials and American and Florida state flags in the background.

DeSantis signs bills banning Florida cities and counties from supporting DEI programs, net zero carbon policies

“With DEI, the disfavored groups, number one obviously, would be white males, and I think they’ve been discriminated against,” DeSantis said Wednesday.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida Chief of Staff James Uthmeier at a press conference in front of the Attorney General seal and American flags, standing at a podium labeled "Investigating OpenAI" with colleagues.

Florida opens ‘criminal investigation’ into ChatGPT, fueled by FSU shooting

The move comes two weeks after Uthmeier revealed the state’s initial investigation into OpenAI.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Real-time Florida wildfire incident tracking map showing Acorn Boulevard fire containment and resource data.

Florida is experiencing one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades

Since the start of the year, 1,797 wildfires on state and federal lands in Florida have consumed 103,211 acres, according to the Forest Service.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Florida gas prices dip below $4-a-gallon, but experts say it probably won’t last

In Florida, the average was $3.99 Monday morning.

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

UrbanLink branded Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft flying over the Miami coastline, featuring its signature distributed electric propulsion system and sleek white fuselage

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law allowing tax dollars to fund flying car infrastructure

“You could essentially be looking at something that was envisioned in ‘The Jetsons,’ or maybe ‘The Fifth Element.”

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

Florida wants to ban undocumented immigrants from state colleges

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis standing at a podium with a sign that reads "School Choice Success: Florida is Leading the Nation." He is gesturing with his hands during a press conference, flanked by the United States flag and the Florida state flag.

Florida seeks alternative to high school AP courses with own version of college-level history classes

U.S. history is the second subject in the FACT program. Last year, the DOE initiated a statewide pilot for college algebra.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 14, 2026April 14, 2026

FDLE officials and James Uthmeier at the Miami Regional Operations Center announcing updates on cold case investigations

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s campaign backed by Big Tobacco, gun companies and more

The gun manufacturer Sig Sauer Inc., which was behind a failed effort in the 2026 legislative session to shield gun makers from liability lawsuits over a defect that isn’t required by federal law, gave the political committee $50,000.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida April 13, 2026April 13, 2026