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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

‘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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

‘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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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.

News & Views

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

A panel discussion at the Florida Housing Solutions Summit in St. Petersburg featuring former Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Danny Nix, with a presentation slide titled "Size Matters: Why Smaller Lot Sizes Matter" to address the Florida housing crisis.

News & Views

Are smaller lot sizes a solution to Florida’s ongoing housing crisis?

“The result of this policy was … creating housing that’s more like your starter home price point in Houston.”

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

News & Views

Florida spent $34 million on tech, IT at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix 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.

News & Views

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

"A close-up photograph of a Pale-throated sloth hanging upside down from a tree branch in a lush tropical forest. The sloth has thick, textured brown-and-grey fur and a characteristic rounded face with dark markings around its eyes and a gentle expression. It is holding onto a branch with its long, curved claws while munching on vibrant green leaves. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blur of green foliage and sunlight, highlighting the sloth's slow, deliberate movements.

News & Views

At ‘Sloth World’ in Florida, 31 wild sloths died in a company-owned warehouse

The animals, highly susceptible to illness when removed from their habitat, have been kept in a warehouse. More than 31 have died.

By Katie Surma, Kiley PriceApril 24, 2026April 24, 2026

News & Views

Democratic PAC says it will spend $20 million on Florida congressional races this year

The House Majority PAC is targeting Cory Mills, Anna Paulina Luna, Laurel Lee, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Best of the bay 2026 is here. Check out the Winners And FinalistS!

Florida News

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

Breaking down the changes in Florida’s new congressional districts

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

Florida gas prices spike by 40 cents amid war in Iran

DeSantis signs bill making new gerrymandered congressional map official

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

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

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

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

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI and vaccine bills on first day of special session

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

Florida expands criminal AI investigation to include USF murders

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

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

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

Are smaller lot sizes a solution to Florida’s ongoing housing crisis?

Florida spent $34 million on tech, IT at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

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

At ‘Sloth World’ in Florida, 31 wild sloths died in a company-owned warehouse

Democratic PAC says it will spend $20 million on Florida congressional races this year

Following ‘Life After Cars’ talk, Transit Now Tampa Bay organizes Saturday canvass for pro-transit candidates

In Ybor City, Angie Nixon and Bernie Sanders rally against ‘lying, cheating, scheming, thieving Ashley Moody’ (w/photos)

Photos: At University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, Angie Nixon rallies the Bulls

Florida home from Netflix series ‘Bloodline’ is now for sale

Do you have the best burger in Tampa Bay?