A group of environmental activists in Florida holding handmade signs and colorful paintings of marine life to protest offshore drilling. Visible signs read "Don't Let Big Oil Spoil Our Gulf" and "Save the Endangered Species Act," highlighting a rally for Gulf of Mexico conservation.

Florida environmental advocates blast Trump’s plan to remove endangered species protections

Last month, U.S. Interior Department’s Endangered Species Committee voted unanimously to exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from environmental standards.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Florida Chief of Staff James Uthmeier at a press conference in front of the Attorney General seal and American flags, standing at a podium labeled "Investigating OpenAI" with colleagues.

News & Views

Florida opens ‘criminal investigation’ into ChatGPT, fueled by FSU shooting

The move comes two weeks after Uthmeier revealed the state’s initial investigation into OpenAI.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Real-time Florida wildfire incident tracking map showing Acorn Boulevard fire containment and resource data.

News & Views

Florida is experiencing one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades

Since the start of the year, 1,797 wildfires on state and federal lands in Florida have consumed 103,211 acres, according to the Forest Service.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

News & Views

Jay Collins insists he isn’t dropping out of Florida governor race, accuses Byron Donalds of selling ‘drugs’ to kids

The Donalds campaign brushed off Collins’ comments Monday.

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

News & Views

Florida gas prices dip below $4-a-gallon, but experts say it probably won’t last

In Florida, the average was $3.99 Monday morning.

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

UrbanLink branded Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft flying over the Miami coastline, featuring its signature distributed electric propulsion system and sleek white fuselage

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law allowing tax dollars to fund flying car infrastructure

“You could essentially be looking at something that was envisioned in ‘The Jetsons,’ or maybe ‘The Fifth Element.”

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

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

Florida News

‘Climate cartel’: Florida AG subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

His investigation marks the latest anti-climate-change policy pushback under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

News & Views

Florida wants to ban undocumented immigrants from state colleges

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

U.S. Representative Cory Mills seated at a House Committee hearing behind a nameplate.

News & Views

Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills asked to resign amid sexual misconduct investigation

The comment came after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell from California and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales from Texas announced resignations.

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

FDLE officials and James Uthmeier at the Miami Regional Operations Center announcing updates on cold case investigations

News & Views

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s campaign backed by Big Tobacco, gun companies and more

The gun manufacturer Sig Sauer Inc., which was behind a failed effort in the 2026 legislative session to shield gun makers from liability lawsuits over a defect that isn’t required by federal law, gave the political committee $50,000.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

Close-up of a black fuel nozzle at an American gas station with colorful grade selection buttons for regular, mid-grade, and premium gasoline.

News & Views

Florida gas prices expected to rise, again, after Trump issues blockade in Iran

Florida’s average had been on a slow decline since April 2, when it hit $4.23 a gallon.

by News Service of Florida April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

News & Views

State of Florida launches investigation into ChatGPT for role in FSU school shooting

According to the report, ChatGPT told Ikner how to take the safety off of his shotgun just three minutes before the shooting.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Wide-angle view of the Florida House of Representatives chamber in Tallahassee, featuring the iconic white geodesic domed ceiling, a large central chandelier, and rows of dark wooden desks arranged in a semi-circle. The front of the chamber displays digital voting boards, the American and Florida state flags, and portraits of past speakers along the walls.

News & Views

‘This is illegal’: Florida Democrats blast coming congressional redistricting session

“It is against the Constitution to redraw maps in favor of a party.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Nikki Fried delivering a speech at a reproductive rights event. She is wearing a signature Nikki for Governor shirt, positioned behind a microphone with "Roe the Vote" signage visible.

News & Views

Florida Dem Chair Nikki Fried says party has more candidates signing up to run for office than ever have before

“People are just flooding our zone.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 10, 2026April 10, 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 another 24 cents as war in Iran continues

For electric vehicles, the cost per kilowatt-hour at Florida charging stations rounded to 41 cents this past week.

by News Service of Florida April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

News & Views

Florida AG says state can now fund religious charter schools, and ‘encourage’ Christianity

The U.S. Supreme Court last year effectively upheld an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision rejecting a push to create a Catholic charter school.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

An industrial oil platform stands amidst choppy, dark blue waves in the Gulf of Mexico under a cloudy sky.

News & Views

Environmental groups sue after Trump administration opens up oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico

The move puts the Endangered Species Act ‘in a shredder’ says an environmental attorney.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

President Donald Trump stands at the White House briefing room podium, gesturing toward Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Both Bondi and Blanche are smiling as they stand behind the blue-and-gold Presidential lectern. The room is brightly lit by overhead studio lights with the White House press briefing backdrop behind them.

News & Views

Florida Republicans line up to praise fired Attorney General Pam Bondi

Democrats were less impressed.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during a bill-signing ceremony in an aviation hangar on March 31, 2026. He is wearing a navy suit and red tie, gesturing with his hand. Behind him is a green and gold law enforcement helicopter.

News & Views

DeSantis says birthright citizenship ‘kind of cheapens the process when you make it a tourist thing’

The Florida governor’s comments come as SCOTUS weighs whether to greenlight Trump’s citizenship ban for certain U.S.-born babies.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis sits at a green-draped table in The Villages, holding up the signed HB 991 election bill. He is surrounded by Florida legislators and officials clapping in support. Four Florida flags and two U.S. flags stand in the background of the wood-paneled room.

News & Views

Voting rights groups sue after DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote

HB 991 will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

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

Meet The Chefs - Now in St. Pete & Tampa - Save & Get Your Tickets Now!

Florida News

Florida environmental advocates blast Trump’s plan to remove endangered species protections

Florida opens ‘criminal investigation’ into ChatGPT, fueled by FSU shooting

Florida is experiencing one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades

Jay Collins insists he isn’t dropping out of Florida governor race, accuses Byron Donalds of selling ‘drugs’ to kids

Florida gas prices dip below $4-a-gallon, but experts say it probably won’t last

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law allowing tax dollars to fund flying car infrastructure

‘Climate cartel’: Florida AG subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

Florida wants to ban undocumented immigrants from state colleges

Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills asked to resign amid sexual misconduct investigation

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s campaign backed by Big Tobacco, gun companies and more

Florida gas prices expected to rise, again, after Trump issues blockade in Iran

State of Florida launches investigation into ChatGPT for role in FSU school shooting

‘This is illegal’: Florida Democrats blast coming congressional redistricting session

Florida Dem Chair Nikki Fried says party has more candidates signing up to run for office than ever have before

Florida gas prices spike another 24 cents as war in Iran continues

Florida AG says state can now fund religious charter schools, and ‘encourage’ Christianity

Environmental groups sue after Trump administration opens up oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico

Florida Republicans line up to praise fired Attorney General Pam Bondi

DeSantis says birthright citizenship ‘kind of cheapens the process when you make it a tourist thing’

Voting rights groups sue after DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote

The Clearwater home of late jazz legend Chick Corea is now for sale

Photos: East Tampa celebrates Fair Oaks rec center opening with Mayor Jane Castor

Tampa’s historic Arthur Milam mansion on Davis Islands is now on the market

Former USF men’s basketball coach Bryan Hodgson is selling his South Tampa house