Florida News Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A flooded city street in Punta Gorda, Florida, following Hurricane Milton, featuring "Road Closed" and "High Water" warning signs blocking a white pickup truck on a street lined with palm trees and submerged lawns.

Florida AG sues property risk-assessment company, claims it markets ‘fear to advance a climate activism agenda’

The company’s risk assessments cover floods, fires, wind, air quality, and heat.

by Michael Moline and Florida Phoenix October 27, 2026October 27, 2026

Florida has sued a company that issues climate change assessments of property risks including flooding that the state alleges are deceptive, deviate from the federal flood insurance assessments, and are depressing home sales. First Street Technology Inc., the complaint filed Friday alleges, posts “alarmist” risk data and “is marketing fear to advance a climate activism […]

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

Florida GOP drops Hope Florida ad lawsuit

The retreat comes five days after the First District Court of Appeal denied Attorney General James Uthmeier’s own emergency bid to block the same ad.

by Michael Barfield and The Florida Trident October 22, 2026October 22, 2026

‘It smells and feels like an intimidation tactic’: Immigration enforcement spotted at early voting polls in Florida

The FBI reassured supervisors of elections at the annual statewide elections conference this year there would be no immigration enforcement at polling places.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida October 22, 2026October 22, 2026

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton says he’ll vote ‘no’ on property tax-cutting Amendment 3

“Amendment 3 would eliminate up to 30% of resources for Florida’s rural counties, gutting essential services for law enforcement, emergency response services, and critical infrastructure.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis speaking at a podium during a Hope Florida press conference in Sarasota, standing in front of an Activate Hope emergency response box truck with pallets of cleanup kits and an audience in the foreground.

Despite lawsuit from state GOP, judge refuses to immediately stop Hope Florida ads

The substance of the petition and the court order aren’t publicly available, but a court docket of the case shows the petition was denied.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

An American alligator swimming in the water.

Central Florida man killed by alligator was posing for fish photo when dragged into water

The Orange-Osceola medical examiner confirmed Hamilton died from “blunt force” injuries to his left leg and drowning.

by Chloe Greenberg October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

Byron Donalds

The U.S. has never elected a Black Republican governor. Will Florida be the first?

Despite Byron Donalds’ clear advantages, some forecasters have been shifting their projections in the direction of Democrat David Jolly.

by Kate Payne October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

Street level view of a downtown road in Naples, Florida, featuring a white directional signpost for driver licenses on the left and a dark pickup truck driving past on a sunny day.

Florida announces massive data breach weeks after ‘malicious actor’ accessed DMV driver license records

The department didn’t state how many individual records were accessed.

by News Service of Florida October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

Ex-Florida congressman Matt Gaetz accused of sex trafficking in new civil lawsuit

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 16, 2026October 16, 2026

Aerial view of the downtown St. Petersburg, Florida skyline and waterfront buildings during the day.

Florida’s pro-Amendment 3 PAC spent millions on GOP operative connected to ‘ghost candidate’ election fraud scandal

So far, over 98% of reported expenditures from the Vote Yes on 3 committee have gone to SGS Inc.

by Colin Wolf October 15, 2026October 21, 2026

Byron Donalds

A Florida developer told Byron Donalds he ‘cannot continue to build houses’ due to ICE raids, the Republican candidate was not sympathetic

Donalds says states must work with ICE, but a dozen of them aren’t.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 15, 2026October 15, 2026

"Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with microphones during an outdoor press conference."

While DeSantis called Hope Florida scandal a ‘hoax,’ state officials were spending thousands to keep it quiet, records show

State purchasing records show a flurry of payments to private law firms hired to represent public officials scrutinized by a grand jury.

by Kate Payne October 13, 2026October 13, 2026

Former U.S. Representative David Jolly speaking at a podium with a "Jolly Graham for Florida" campaign sign, flanked by former Rep. Al Lawson, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, and former Rep. Gwen Graham in Tallahassee.

David Jolly: Governor’s race likely comes down to undecided Black Floridians

“I don’t think the problem is that I used to be a Republican. I think the problem is my opponent still is a Republican.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2026October 13, 2026

New Florida driver’s license includes pro-slavery motto

“We cannot celebrate ‘We the People’ while overlooking the people denied its protection.”

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

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium with a sign reading "Taking Down Voter Fraud," flanked by Florida and U.S. flags during a press conference.

DeSantis demands investigation into leak of Hope Florida grand jury report

“I think the intent was always to leak something,” he said, blaming members of the Legislature for creating the “phony narrative.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

Primary Alt-Text Options Option 1 (Concise & Descriptive): Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

DeSantis withdraws death warrant for Florida inmate with dementia and heart failure

DeSantis didn’t state a reason for the change.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

Health professionals urge Florida to reconsider repealing vaccine requirements for school children

“Weakening school entry requirements sends a message that these vaccines are no longer important.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

A group of high school and college students holding hand-drawn protest signs at a gun safety demonstration under a bright, hazy sky. On the left, a smiling young woman wearing a red "Students Demand Action" shirt stands alongside demonstrators holding signs that read "Thoughts and Prayers," "Books not Guns," and "Pro Life??!" depicting a scale balancing an assault rifle against people. In the center, a student wearing a maroon Florida State hoodie chants next to a prominent sign reading, "In a world with gun reform, we'd all be in class." Other protest signs visible on the right read "Thoughts and Prayers are Killing Us.

Florida passed a bill allowing college staff to carry guns — but not a single school has implemented the program

“This November, voters will remember who catered to the gun lobby and who stood up for the safety of our communities.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

U.S. Senator Rick Scott speaking into a microphone at a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch event in front of an American flag and award sponsor backdrops.

Rick Scott says a vote for Donalds, who is currently tied with Jolly in the polls, will end spam texts from Florida GOP

The survey comes a day after another public-opinion poll found Donalds up by 7 points.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 9, 2026October 9, 2026