A news photograph by Dave Decker showing James Uthmeier at Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida on April 17, 2026. Captured from behind an audience seated in the foreground, James Uthmeier stands on stage speaking into a microphone while wearing a grey suit, dark tie, and beard. He stands in front of a bright red step-and-repeat backdrop featuring "TIGER BAY CLUB" branding next to an American flag and a wooden podium under venue indoor lighting.

Court erases Hope Florida grand jury report, after an appeal that had no one on the other side to defend it

The lawyers who won without any opposition include two firms Florida taxpayers have paid more than $300,000 in the grand jury matter, one of them appearing for Attorney General James Uthmeier himself.

by Michael Barfield and The Florida Trident October 8, 2026October 8, 2026

News & Views

After backlash, GOP withdraw endorsement of Florida Republican accused of child sex abuse

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott wrote on X, “This is disgusting. Mike Caruso should IMMEDIATELY withdraw. The people of Palm Beach deserve better.”

by Michael Moline and Florida Phoenix October 7, 2026October 7, 2026

News & Views

DeSantis issues State of Emergency for Florida Panhandle as Isaias forms

“Floridians should take this time to get disaster plans in place and ensure their hurricane supply kit is stocked.”

by Gray Rohrer, Tom Urban and News Service of Florida October 7, 2026October 7, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking behind a wooden podium displaying a seal that reads "A Modern Marvel" during a press conference at the Kermit H. Lewin Stock Island Reverse Osmosis Facility, with large industrial water pipes visible in the background.

News & Views

DeSantis signs Florida’s 20th death warrant of 2026, a new record

“The spectacle we have now seen twice in Tennessee could repeat in Florida. We have been warned, and there is still time to prevent it.”

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

News & Views

Federal lawsuit says Florida ICE facility is acting as a de facto civil detention center

The lawsuit says the agencies are holding people illegally for days, denying them medicine and medical care, coercing them into signing documents, and restricting access to legal counsel.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 5, 2026October 5, 2026

Guard tower and chain-link fence topped with razor wire at a correctional facility under a bright sky.

News & Views

Tennessee’s botched execution should ‘force reckoning’ in Florida, says attorney

Medical experts tell Gov. DeSantis that William Thompson should not be executed ‘while his body and mind are failing.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 5, 2026October 5, 2026

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

News & Views

Florida files lawsuit against Pfizer over COVID-19 vaccine marketing

It seeks monetary damages for each violation of Florida law plus an injunction against future violations.

by Michael Moline and Florida Phoenix October 2, 2026October 2, 2026

Florida State Representative Angie Nixon speaking into a microphone at a clear podium adorned with pink feather boas during a political campaign rally, surrounded by enthusiastic supporters holding pink and white campaign signs.

News & Views

JD Vance to Florida U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon: ‘Get the hell out of here. You don’t belong in America’

“Imagine standing on the shoulders of the people who built this country and then telling their descendants they don’t belong here.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 2, 2026October 2, 2026

A exterior view of a Wawa convenience store and gas station with canopy lighting and palm trees at dusk in Florida.

News & Views

The last time DeSantis suspended the gas tax was in October 2022, a month before he was up for re-election

Florida Democrats are once again calling on DeSantis to suspend the state gas tax.

by News Service of Florida October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

Row of blue metal student lockers with built-in combination locks along a brightly lit, empty school hallway.

News & Views

Florida Dept. of Education looks to restrict religious head coverings for employees

“The way it is written, it causes a lot of heartburn,” said Bobby Block, executive director of the Florida First Amendment Foundation.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

Solar-powered Flock Safety automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera mounted on a pole against a clear blue sky with palm trees in Fullerton, California.

News & Views

Pinellas County sheriff defends license plate readers after announcing arrests of two officers accused of abusing license plate readers

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

News & Views

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell calls for IRS investigation into Hope Florida scandal

“We refuse to lift our foot off the gas when it comes to Hope Florida and the abuses of our taxpayer dollars from state officials at the highest levels.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

Ashley Moody speaking at a podium with a sign reading "Ashley Moody U.S. Senator for Florida" in front of a seated audience and veterans.

News & Views

‘Where is Ashley Moody?’: Dems rip U.S. Senator for avoiding voters, role in Hope Florida scandal

“Meanwhile, Angie Nixon has been crisscrossing the state, knocking doors, holding town halls, and talking to reporters,” Fried said.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

High-angle aerial photo of single-family homes with swimming pools in a Tampa, Florida suburban neighborhood

News & Views

Florida Realtors are bankrolling the $18 million effort to pass property tax-cutting Amendment 3

The two political committees opposing Amendment 3, Floridians for Shared Prosperity and Vote No on 3 Florida, have raised a combined $537,357.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

News & Views

DeSantis administration removes child vaccine exemptions based on ‘moral or ethical beliefs’

The rule hearing was requested by the Florida chapters of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

A Google Maps screengrab of the entrance to the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida. Captured at road level from the front entrance, a paved two-lane asphalt road with double yellow lines passes beneath a black arched metal entry sign reading "FLORIDA STATE PRISON". The driveway is flanked by stone-and-stucco gatehouse pillars with official round seals and informational sign boards. In the background beyond manicured green lawns and chain-link security fencing, low-rise prison facility buildings stretch across the horizon beneath a partly cloudy blue sky.

News & Views

‘This is death by medical neglect’: Doctors, activists, urge DeSantis to provide care to ‘profoundly sick’ Death Row prisoner

William Lee Thompson, is the first known gravely ill prisoner who has been forced to live on death watch.

By Nichole Manna/The Florida TribSeptember 30, 2026September 30, 2026

An aerial top-down photo shows a suburban residential neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, featuring single-family homes with private swimming pools, landscaped backyards, green lawns, and clean paved streets lined with palm trees.

News & Views

New calculator allows you to see how your local roads, libraries and more will be impacted if Florida’s Amendment 3 passes

“We really hope this will be a one-stop shop and something easy to use where people can see how the amendment would impact the community.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 29, 2026September 29, 2026

https://scontent-mia3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.99422-6/733630293_1042111475027633_1907378866858151263_n.png?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx2048x1152&ctp=s2048x1152&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=RFjmadDeZwsQ7kNvwGcfdvX&_nc_oc=AdrPOJKDZGsrmj3maY8g0I4V1_Cr7wyL7jyC9VhC2hFo8QDj-lmrCAEPVpTNLUO1LAc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-3.xx&_nc_gid=rljkhUSON89Bg3iO4--nhQ&_nc_ss=7b2a8&oh=00_AQClzklf35cLlx6QvtzRKg_uyjfnpIZMDb5nJnLu5VfmJw&oe=6A4C6851

News & Views

Legal challenge in the works to overturn DeSantis’ effort to classify groups as ‘terrorists’

The designations take effect Nov. 5.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 29, 2026September 29, 2026

Aerial view of a flooded suburban Florida neighborhood after a tropical storm, showing houses, backyards, and cars partially submerged in floodwaters.

News & Views

Majority of Florida residents refuse to believe state’s property insurance crisis is any better, says poll

The poll comes as property insurance becomes a major issue in the Florida gubernatorial race.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

News & Views

David Jolly: ‘I need the national Democratic Party to come into Florida and start spending money’

Donalds has now raised more than $115 million via his political committee, while Jolly has raised $15.8 million.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

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

Florida News

Court erases Hope Florida grand jury report, after an appeal that had no one on the other side to defend it

After backlash, GOP withdraw endorsement of Florida Republican accused of child sex abuse

DeSantis issues State of Emergency for Florida Panhandle as Isaias forms

DeSantis signs Florida’s 20th death warrant of 2026, a new record

Federal lawsuit says Florida ICE facility is acting as a de facto civil detention center

Tennessee’s botched execution should ‘force reckoning’ in Florida, says attorney

Florida files lawsuit against Pfizer over COVID-19 vaccine marketing

JD Vance to Florida U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon: ‘Get the hell out of here. You don’t belong in America’

The last time DeSantis suspended the gas tax was in October 2022, a month before he was up for re-election

Florida Dept. of Education looks to restrict religious head coverings for employees

Pinellas County sheriff defends license plate readers after announcing arrests of two officers accused of abusing license plate readers

Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell calls for IRS investigation into Hope Florida scandal

‘Where is Ashley Moody?’: Dems rip U.S. Senator for avoiding voters, role in Hope Florida scandal

Florida Realtors are bankrolling the $18 million effort to pass property tax-cutting Amendment 3

DeSantis administration removes child vaccine exemptions based on ‘moral or ethical beliefs’

‘This is death by medical neglect’: Doctors, activists, urge DeSantis to provide care to ‘profoundly sick’ Death Row prisoner

New calculator allows you to see how your local roads, libraries and more will be impacted if Florida’s Amendment 3 passes

Legal challenge in the works to overturn DeSantis’ effort to classify groups as ‘terrorists’

Majority of Florida residents refuse to believe state’s property insurance crisis is any better, says poll

David Jolly: ‘I need the national Democratic Party to come into Florida and start spending money’

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?