Florida weighs state university visa hiring freeze at DeSantis’ request

University of South Florida had 107 H-1B visa recipients in FY2025.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

During a meeting at Florida State University, the overseers of the State University System started discussion on the matter, prompted by President Donald Trump and DeSantis.

An individual in a red leotard performs a graceful leap in mid-air along a waterfront promenade at dusk. Their reflection is visible in the calm water, with a city skyline, palm trees, and sailboats in a marina under a soft, cloudy sky in the background.

News & Views

Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher—and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective

Graduating from PCCA in 2023, the now-20-year-old won a scholarship to her dream school in California but decided to stay in St. Pete.

by David Warner January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

A wide shot of the Tampa City Council seated at a curved wooden dais during a morning workshop. Seven council members are visible behind the desk, with the City of Tampa seal and American and Florida flags centered on the wall behind them. A digital overlay in the corner identifies the meeting as a "Tampa City Council 9:00 a.m. Workshop" dated January 29, 2026.

News & Views

Business alliance posts legal challenge over meeting discussing South Tampa’s Howard Avenue flood relief project

Attorneys for the City of Tampa say the meeting is not a violation of Sunshine Law.

by Jasmin Parrado and Ray Roa January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

News & Views

Eckerd professors want to tell you about the microplastics in Tampa Bay

Dr. Amy Siuda and Dr. Shannon Gowans developed an app to track microplastics in 2023.

by Kailey Aiken January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

A sunlit outdoor view of the entrance to the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Dale Mabry Campus. The main signage consists of a concrete wall featuring the HCC seal and a large, grey mesh structure adorned with blue hawk silhouettes. Green shrubs line the base of the sign, with a clear blue sky and several palm trees in the background.

News & Views

Letters: Hillsborough College is ready to play ball with the Rays, but are students getting shut out of the deal?

Is it in the best interest of Hillsborough College students and the surrounding community to confine academic growth while continuing a trend that prioritizes lucrative sports industries, unaffordable housing, more concrete and cars?

By Jeffrey RubinsteinJanuary 28, 2026January 28, 2026

News & Views

Campus carry bill shifts to other security measures

The bill proposed after a shooting at FSU no longer lets professors and TAs open carry on state campuses.

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

News & Views

Bill eliminating insanity defense scrapes through first committee stop

An independent senator called the legislation “crap,” a Democrat deemed it “unjust,” and a Republican voted “no.”

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Vern Buchanan wearing headphones for translation, sitting at a desk with a microphone and American flag

News & Views

Sarasota U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan leaving Congress after 20 years

Trump endorsed him for re-election in November.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Two people stand close together smiling in a room decorated with music memorabilia and green walls. The individual on the left wears a dark blazer over a checkered button-down shirt and tan trousers, while the individual on the right wears a dark, floral-patterned v-neck dress and a name tag. In the background, another person stands with crossed arms near a sofa.

News & Views

Democratic socialist Richie Floyd, St. Pete’s youngest councilperson, officially launches re-election campaign

He was named council vice chair this month.

by McKenna Schueler January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

A child's hand holds a purple marker writing the letter "a" multiple times on a cursive practice sheet.

News & Views

Proposal to require Florida students pass cursive test swoops to House floor

The bill’s sponsor voted against it in previous legislative sessions.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

News & Views

Recreational pot advocates lose court battle a week ahead of petition deadline

Smart & Safe Florida must submit at least 880,062 valid signatures statewide and meet congressional district signature thresholds by Feb. 1 to put the issue on the ballot.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 26, 2026January 26, 2026