A topiary of the Disney character Goofy stands in a vibrant flower bed under a blue sky. Goofy is made of green foliage and is holding a small bouquet of red and white flowers in one raised hand. He is surrounded by colorful flowers, including large, oversized pink and yellow blossoms, with palm trees and park buildings in the background.

Arbitrator blocks labor strike at Disney’s Epcot in Orlando

Disney argued a strike by employees of one of its contractors would violate a separate union contract Disney has that covers its own employees.

by McKenna Schueler October 15, 2025October 20, 2025

Florida Senator Tina Polsky sits in a leather chair on the Senate floor, wearing a teal blazer and glasses, with other legislators blurred in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrat files bill that would protect public employees who use medical marijuana

There are exceptions if the use of cannabis is impairing the worker’s ability to perform job duties or responsibilities.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 15, 2025

News & Views

Wrongful death for fetuses, elimination of pregnancy crisis centers proposed for 2026 Florida session

One bill would defund a program that provides counseling and pregnancy tests.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 14, 2025

A row of white voting booths with 'VOTE' and American flag graphics inside a busy polling place or election office, with people and camera crew visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrats and NPA voters support open primaries, survey says

Of the 626 Democrats surveyed, 87% support having the party unilaterally open its primary election to nonparty-affiliated (NPA) voters.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Republican Jay Collins says he’ll decide on running for governor in the coming weeks

Those hoping for ‘carnage’ between Trump and DeSantis will be disappointed, he said.

By Livia Caputo/Florida PhoenixOctober 13, 2025October 13, 2025

A medium, eye-level shot of a crowded indoor gun show. In the foreground, a man with a dark beard and glasses in a black polo shirt speaks with a customer, a man with a beard, tattoos, and a man-bun, who is smiling and pointing at a long rifle on a display table. The table is covered with numerous modern black rifles, and other attendees browse in the background.

News & Views

Florida House Rep proposes reduced gun age law for fourth straight year

It’s passed in the House every time, but always fails in the Senate.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

Close-up of a store window with stickers and signs, including one that reads "FOOD STAMPS ACCEPTED" and "SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."

News & Views

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could could force Florida to pay the feds for food stamp errors

An increasing number of food-stamp recipients will have to meet work requirements to remain eligible.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

Several police officers and security personnel restraining a person on the ground near the stands and a hedge on a crowded football field; spectators watch from above.

News & Views

Law aimed at punishing Trump protesters being used against UF fans who ran onto football field

Lawmakers in Tallahassee said they never intended the new law to be used against fans storming football fields after a huge victory. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in May.

By Olivia Evans/ Fresh Take FloridaOctober 13, 2025October 13, 2025

News & Views

Florida bill would punish colleges that don’t rename roads after Charlie Kirk

Money would be withheld from schools that didn’t go along with the changes, under the bill.

by News Service of Florida October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

News & Views

Trump backs James Uthmeier for Florida attorney general in 2026

Last month, reports surfaced that the president was considering backing Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez for AG.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

News & Views

Government shutdown dooms thousands of Central Floridians to work unpaid

‘Once again, we are told our work is essential, but our livelihoods are treated as expendable,’ said one Orlando International Airport TSA officer

by McKenna Schueler October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A middle-aged man with a gray goatee and mustache, wearing a light gray suit and blue striped tie, speaks animatedly, gesturing with his right hand toward a group of news microphones. The backdrop features an ornate dark wood and metal staircase.

News & Views

Florida DOGE leader quietly seeks $600K to spend on staff

Blaise Ingoglia wants to establish a new ‘Florida Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Office.’

by Michelle DeMarco and The Florida Trident October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A man in a red hat stands between two young men with curly hair. They are holding a large white sign with the phrase "WE ARE CHARLIE KIRK" written on it in bold, red paint. They are standing near a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

News & Views

Florida education commissioner names state’s top debate trophy after Charlie Kirk

The Florida civics and debate initiative was launched while New College President Richard Corcoran was serving as the state education commissioner.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Gainesville teacher fights state over ‘dictator’ certificate allegation

Watts’ attorneys disputed the state’s allegations, which also included that the teacher’s ‘conduct embarrassed and disparaged’ the student.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A man with dark hair and a suit A man in a dark suit jacket and tie is seated in a dark, studio-like setting, wearing a pair of black over-ear headphones. He is looking off to the side with a serious expression. A microphone on an arm stand is positioned in front of him, and another person in a beanie is blurred in the background.

News & Views

FWC biologist sues after she was fired a over Charlie Kirk post

The lawsuit said Brown was fired after reposting on her Instagram account a post from an account called ‘@whalefact.’

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour

Florida now has the highest minimum wage in the geographic South, thanks to a historic vote by Floridians in 2020.

by McKenna Schueler October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

A sign reading "banned books" in a bookshop window display

News & Views

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

PEN America reported 600 titles in Hillsborough County that are “banned pending investigation.” The Florida Department of Education reported none in Hillsborough.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

A bald man in a gray suit and a red patterned tie is speaking at a wooden podium. He is in a large room with rows of dark blue seats, some of which are occupied by an audience in the background.

News & Views

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

More than two dozen local governments have filed suit seeking to block SB 180, which restricts local them from regulating development.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

A portrait of Jose Javier Rodriguez, a man with a receding hairline, standing with his arms crossed. He is smiling warmly at the camera and wearing a blue pinstripe suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie. The background is a blurred, lush green park with a body of water behind him.

News & Views

If elected as attorney general, José Rodriguez vows to actually enforce Florida minimum wage law

The AG has the power to fine employers found to have willfully violated minimum wage requirements—there is no evidence that the office has ever done this in the 20 years they’ve had the authority.

by McKenna Schueler September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis-appointed former Florida Surgeon General details ‘painful consequences’ of governor’s pivot on vaccines

When COVID-19 emerged early in 2020, Dr. Scott Rivkees led the effort once the mRNA vaccine was available to administer.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

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Florida News

Arbitrator blocks labor strike at Disney’s Epcot in Orlando

Florida Democrat files bill that would protect public employees who use medical marijuana

Wrongful death for fetuses, elimination of pregnancy crisis centers proposed for 2026 Florida session

Florida Democrats and NPA voters support open primaries, survey says

Tampa Republican Jay Collins says he’ll decide on running for governor in the coming weeks

Florida House Rep proposes reduced gun age law for fourth straight year

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could could force Florida to pay the feds for food stamp errors

Law aimed at punishing Trump protesters being used against UF fans who ran onto football field

Florida bill would punish colleges that don’t rename roads after Charlie Kirk

Trump backs James Uthmeier for Florida attorney general in 2026

Government shutdown dooms thousands of Central Floridians to work unpaid

Florida DOGE leader quietly seeks $600K to spend on staff

Florida education commissioner names state’s top debate trophy after Charlie Kirk

Gainesville teacher fights state over ‘dictator’ certificate allegation

FWC biologist sues after she was fired a over Charlie Kirk post

Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

If elected as attorney general, José Rodriguez vows to actually enforce Florida minimum wage law

DeSantis-appointed former Florida Surgeon General details ‘painful consequences’ of governor’s pivot on vaccines

Temple Terrace’s award-winning Hartley House is now for sale

Tampa Bay’s ‘House of Hennessy,’ which comes with a massive pirate ship, is back on the market for $6 million

A Florida ‘Foam Dome Home,’ where ‘not a single straight line exists,’ is for sale

A Bahama Shores home designed by Busch Gardens architect William B. Harvard is now on the market