Florida News Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Aerial drone view of a modern high-tech data center facility and cloud computing infrastructure campus.

Under new Florida law, data centers can’t rely on taxpayers to pay utilities

However, SB 484 does not ban artificial intelligence companies from signing secret nondisclosure agreements with state agencies.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

AI data centers will be required to pay for their own utilities and not shift the costs to customers now that SB 484 is law. Appearing Thursday in Lakeland with Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, Gov. Ron DeSantis thanked the Legislature for passing the bill, even though it was less expansive than what the […]

‘It was always designed to be a temporary facility’: DeSantis addresses rumors ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may soon close

Florida insists the federal government will reimburse the state hundreds of millions of dollars, although it has not yet.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 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

U.S. Representative Lois Frankel speaking at a House committee hearing.

78-year-old Democrat Lois Frankel says she’ll run in Florida’s Congressional District 23 this year

CD 23 is now held by fellow Democrat Jared Moskowitz, but he is expected to run for another seat after his district was carved up.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 7, 2026May 7, 2026

Close-up of high-quality medical marijuana flower buds with orange hairs and green trichomes, isolated on a white background, representing Pennsylvania-grown cannabis.

Just one candidate running for Florida governor supports recreational marijuana

Democrat David Jolly says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar speaking at a press conference in front of the Florida Historic Capitol, surrounded by supporters holding "Invest in Our Students" signs during the 2026 school choice lawsuit announcement.

Florida education union claims school choice system is unconstitutional, files suit

The plaintiffs ask the court to declare the scholarship programs and charter schools “as currently administered” unconstitutional.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 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

lorida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with "The Free State of Florida" sign, flanked by the American and Florida flags

DeSantis signs bill making new gerrymandered congressional map official

House Democratic Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a blistering statement hours after DeSantis signed the map into law, saying “see you in court.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 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

Genesis Robinson of Equal Ground speaking at a protest against mid-decade redistricting outside the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.

‘Rigging a system:’ Florida’s new congressional map expected to draw legal challenges

“House Republicans cheered at the destruction of democracy while Democrats fought to defend it.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix April 30, 2026April 30, 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

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

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

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 Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium in front of American flags

DeSantis orders Legislature to revisit vaccine mandates, as CDC confirms 134 confirmed measles cases

The Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday will consider SB 6D, offered by Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough.

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

Close-up of a yellow school bus side panel with reflections of trees and buildings in the windows.

Florida’s average teacher pay remains among worst in nation, union says

California has the highest average teacher salary, $103,552. New York is second and Washington state is third.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix 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