Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference table next to Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

As gas prices spike, Florida Gov. DeSantis says there’s no ‘simple fix’

Democrats in the state Legislature have asked the governor to temporarily lift the state’s 23.5-cent per gallon tax on gas.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

News & Views

Florida launches investigation into Discord over child safety concerns

“With so many criminal investigations leading to Discord, they owe us an explanation as to why predators keep getting to kids on the app.”

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

Voters casting ballots in private white voting booths with American flag 'Vote' graphics at a polling place in Verona, Virginia.

News & Views

Lawsuit threatened if DeSantis signs Florida version of ‘SAVE America Act’

“As soon as you sign this bill, Florida will be sued.”

by News Service of Florida March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Close-up of a person's hand holding a yellow fuel nozzle while refueling a car at a gas station

News & Views

Florida average gas prices have risen 82 cents since start of Iran war

The state average was $2.89 on Feb. 28 when the war began.

by News Service of Florida March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Close-up of a person's hands inspecting a black semi-automatic pistol on a display stand in a weapon shop.

News & Views

Florida AG says ‘nondangerous’ felons should be allowed to own guns

That opinion — never previously offered by a Florida attorney general — is being lavishly praised by Second Amendment advocates.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor speaking at a podium during a Hillsborough County, Florida press conference, flanked by local officials and first responders.

News & Views

Tampa Police Dept. revises its immigration policies following Florida AG’s warning

James Uthmeier had accused officials last week of implementing ‘sanctuary policies.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

News & Views

Florida sheriffs, including Grady Judd, criticize Trump’s mass deportation efforts

“There are those here that are working hard, they have kids in college, are in school, they’re going to church on Sunday, they’re not violating the law, and they’re living the American dream,” he told council members.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida March 16, 2026March 16, 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 criticizes House for not passing vaccine exemption bill amid measles outbreak

As of March 7, 132 cases have been reported this year. Last year, Florida reported only seven.

by News Service of Florida March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

News & Views

Florida’s version of the ‘SAVE America Act’ heads to DeSantis

Democrats argue it will disenfranchise out-of-state students and seniors, two groups of people who are more likely to not have a valid driver’s license.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

News & Views

Florida Democrats call for state to suspend gas tax as war in Iran causes pump prices to spike

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida rose 47.7 cents in the last week according to AAA.

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

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a Speech and Debate event podium flanked by American and Florida flags, with a seated man in a blue suit and red tie in the background.

News & Views

Florida bill authored by DeSantis allowing state to label groups as ‘domestic terrorist organizations’ now heads to DeSantis

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Aerial panorama of Caladesi Island State Park in Florida featuring white sand beaches, turquoise Gulf of Mexico waters, and coastal mangroves under a blue sky.

News & Views

Florida bill banning local governments from ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1.

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

News & Views

Florida bill banning local governments from enacting DEI initiatives heads to DeSantis

The Senate approved the bill last week, and it will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for consideration.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Interior view of the Florida State Capitol 4th floor rotunda in Tallahassee, featuring the Great Seal of Florida, state and U.S. flags, and a commemorative Florida 250 banner hanging from the circular balcony.

News & Views

Florida Senate clears bill allowing ‘gang-related language’ in social media posts as evidence

The bill passed, 29 to 9 — largely along party lines — and now heads to DeSantis.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis sitting at a panel for Hope Florida's "Help Finding Help" initiative, joined by community leaders in front of U.S. and Florida flags.

News & Views

DeSantis officials linked to Hope Florida scandal confirmed by Senate

House Republicans investigated the matter last year and found the Hope Florida Foundation had no bylaws and didn’t submit its federal tax returns on time.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wearing a blue suit and tie, speaking to reporters after a legislative floor session on January 15, 2026. He stands in front of a dark wood door and a wall-mounted light fixture.

News & Views

Florida’s 2026 legislative session ends Friday—and lawmakers don’t have the budget ready

The budget is the one bill lawmakers must pass each year.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

News & Views

Florida Senate approves antisemitism task force that ‘does not include criticism of Israel’

The amendment drew plaudits from Senate Democrats.

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

News & Views

Coalition calls on Florida lawmakers to address $759 million backlog of state park repairs

Florida now has 176 state parks.

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

A winding white crushed-shell multipurpose trail curving alongside a rustic wooden rail fence and a lush green windbreak at The Celery Fields in Sarasota, Florida. This regional stormwater facility and conservation area is a key stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail

News & Views

Despite ‘escape clause’ concerns, lawmakers’ budgets defund ‘Florida Forever’ in favor of rural lands program

Florida Tax Watch says an ‘escape clause’ allows landowners to develop protected land.

by Chris Young and WMNF News March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Shelves of American-made beer in a grocery store cooler, including packs of Coors Light and Bud Light, highlighting Florida's new beer tax breaks.

News & Views

Florida House approves tax breaks for guns, camping gear and American beer

While fiscal impacts of parts of the House and Senate packages have yet to be estimated, the House package is projected to cut state and local revenue by $153.9 million in the next fiscal year.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

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

Florida News

As gas prices spike, Florida Gov. DeSantis says there’s no ‘simple fix’

Florida launches investigation into Discord over child safety concerns

Lawsuit threatened if DeSantis signs Florida version of ‘SAVE America Act’

Florida average gas prices have risen 82 cents since start of Iran war

Florida AG says ‘nondangerous’ felons should be allowed to own guns

Tampa Police Dept. revises its immigration policies following Florida AG’s warning

Florida sheriffs, including Grady Judd, criticize Trump’s mass deportation efforts

DeSantis criticizes House for not passing vaccine exemption bill amid measles outbreak

Florida’s version of the ‘SAVE America Act’ heads to DeSantis

Florida Democrats call for state to suspend gas tax as war in Iran causes pump prices to spike

Florida bill authored by DeSantis allowing state to label groups as ‘domestic terrorist organizations’ now heads to DeSantis

Florida bill banning local governments from ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

Florida bill banning local governments from enacting DEI initiatives heads to DeSantis

Florida Senate clears bill allowing ‘gang-related language’ in social media posts as evidence

DeSantis officials linked to Hope Florida scandal confirmed by Senate

Florida’s 2026 legislative session ends Friday—and lawmakers don’t have the budget ready

Florida Senate approves antisemitism task force that ‘does not include criticism of Israel’

Coalition calls on Florida lawmakers to address $759 million backlog of state park repairs

Despite ‘escape clause’ concerns, lawmakers’ budgets defund ‘Florida Forever’ in favor of rural lands program

Florida House approves tax breaks for guns, camping gear and American beer

Over a year after his death, Hulk Hogan’s Tampa Bay mansion sells for $6 million

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

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