‘Just leave me alone and let me teach’: Florida professors fear being targeted by students, government, says survey

“I am always worried that I am being recorded or that my lectures, course materials, will be challenged by students or administrators.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

News & Views

‘Republicans for Jolly’ effort launches in St. Petersburg

They include a Florida 2026 gubernatorial candidate, a former Reagan and Bush official, and a Manatee County commissioner.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

News & Views

Florida gas prices spike over $4 per gallon amid ongoing Iran War

“Tensions in the Middle East intensified last week, causing oil prices to surge and increasing the cost of producing gasoline.”

by News Service of Florida September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking behind a podium displaying a sign that reads "Terrorist Organization Designation."

News & Views

Florida Cabinet approves process to designate antifa, CAIR and others as domestic terrorist groups

The Muslim civil rights group has gone to court to block the designation.

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

Side view of a City of Largo police cruiser, a black and white Ford Police Interceptor Utility,. parked on wet asphalt

News & Views

‘These aren’t scare tactics — these are reality cuts’: Sparks fly during Tampa Bay town hall debate over property tax-cutting Amendment 3

What happened in Largo is being replicated in communities across Florida.

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

James Uthmeier, Chief of Staff to Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking at a microphone during the Annual National Day of Prayer event in front of the Florida State Capitol steps.

News & Views

James Uthmeier defends funneling $10 million to political committees, blames state attorney for leaking report

Uthmeier’s committee used the funds to oppose proposals on the November 2024 ballot that would have installed a right to an abortion and legalized recreational marijuana.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna standing alongside U.S. Representative Byron Donalds at an event in New Port Richey.

News & Views

Florida Republicans flock to Texas to celebrate Trump’s ‘historically unpopular agenda,’ says FDP chair

“Donalds and Luna might be able to pop some champagne and worship the president, causing prices to skyrocket, but Floridians? We’re fed up.”

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

Aerial photo of Florida island neighborhood with waterfront luxury houses

News & Views

Florida Realtors pump $10 million into effort to pass property tax cut amendment

The group put $10 million into the political committee Yes On 3 last week, campaign finance records show.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

A wide interior photograph showing Florida State Representative Angie Nixon posing with supporters during a campaign event in St. Petersburg, Florida, on July 8, 2026. Positioned center-left, Nixon stands in a sleeveless red dress holding a bright pink campaign sign with white lettering reading "ANGIE NIXON FOR U.S. SENATE." She is flanked by three supporters smiling together, including a person in a white-and-grey striped shirt giving a peace sign on her right, and two supporters in black graphic shirts and blue jeans on her left. In the foreground, a person viewed from behind in an olive green t-shirt holds up a smartphone to photograph the group, set against a brightly lit indoor office space with a dropped ceiling and wood-plank flooring.

News & Views

There are ‘$10 million reasons’ not to vote for Ashley Moody, says Angie Nixon

Speaking at the Bethel Community Baptist Church in South St. Petersburg Tuesday night, Nixon said “two scammers” represent Florida in the U.S. Senate.

by Colin Wolf, Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

News & Views

Florida wants to penalize corporations with AI chatbots that contribute to crimes

“What designs? What intentionality was there? How aware were they of the behaviors of the crimes that took place? How involved were they?”

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

News & Views

Tampa Tiger Bay says Byron Donalds dropped out of one-on-one event with David Jolly, his campaign says it was never confirmed

Both men said their campaigns are in the beginning stages of planning debates that definitely will happen sometime in the next eight weeks.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

News & Views

Florida has lost nearly 21 percent of its citrus farms in the last year, says federal report

“Polk County lost the most acreage, down 10,944 acres from the previous season,” the report states.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

News & Views

Florida blocks undocumented students from state universities

“Florida residents. … It’s putting them first,” DeSantis said.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

John Morgan sitting in front of a microphone

News & Views

John Morgan boasts about recording staff at home, a policy that pushed 23 employees to quit

“We’re going to put a camera on your computer. We’re going to put a camera up your ass.”

by McKenna Schueler September 3, 2026September 3, 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 House Democrats call for impeachment of Attorney General James Uthmeier

“Someone should go to jail for this,” said Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando.

by Gray Rohrer, Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference behind a podium reading "Florida Leads on Immigration Enforcement" with official staff standing nearby outdoors.

News & Views

Last year DeSantis funded Flock cameras, now he’s against the ‘surveillance state’

DeSantis has approved approximately $4.6 million in requests from local law enforcement agencies for license plate readers.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

News & Views

Only two Florida Democrats joined Republicans in bill condemning Democratic Socialism, Tampa’s Kathy Castor was one of them

Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have seen success in high-profile primary races across the country this summer, including in Florida.

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

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium sign reading "Law Enforcement Pay Raises" in front of state troopers and an American flag.

News & Views

Florida sheriffs begin dropping license plate readers as DeSantis warns against ‘surveillance state’

“You want to get in your car and you want to go to down to Buc-ees in St Augustine, it’s really none of the government’s damn business if you’re doing that, right?”

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

A dark grey, rectangular solar panel is mounted on top of a black pole, angled upwards towards the sky. Attached to the pole beneath the solar panel is a black device, possibly a camera or sensor. In the background, there's a dense scattering of green leaves and bare tree branches, suggesting a wooded or natural outdoor setting with the sunlight filtering through the foliage. To the right of the image, a light-colored wooden post is partially visible.

News & Views

DeSantis Administration bans Flock cameras from state highways

Local law enforcement agencies that previously received a permit to use the cameras to take them down within 30 days.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

News & Views

‘This is money laundering’: David Jolly says Casey DeSantis, Hope Florida were ‘used’ in a ‘sinister plan’

“I think the governor’s right when he says it’s wrong to smear the first lady. I don’t think the first lady had anything to do with this.”

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

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

Florida News

‘Just leave me alone and let me teach’: Florida professors fear being targeted by students, government, says survey

‘Republicans for Jolly’ effort launches in St. Petersburg

Florida gas prices spike over $4 per gallon amid ongoing Iran War

Florida Cabinet approves process to designate antifa, CAIR and others as domestic terrorist groups

‘These aren’t scare tactics — these are reality cuts’: Sparks fly during Tampa Bay town hall debate over property tax-cutting Amendment 3

James Uthmeier defends funneling $10 million to political committees, blames state attorney for leaking report

Florida Republicans flock to Texas to celebrate Trump’s ‘historically unpopular agenda,’ says FDP chair

Florida Realtors pump $10 million into effort to pass property tax cut amendment

There are ‘$10 million reasons’ not to vote for Ashley Moody, says Angie Nixon

Florida wants to penalize corporations with AI chatbots that contribute to crimes

Tampa Tiger Bay says Byron Donalds dropped out of one-on-one event with David Jolly, his campaign says it was never confirmed

Florida has lost nearly 21 percent of its citrus farms in the last year, says federal report

Florida blocks undocumented students from state universities

John Morgan boasts about recording staff at home, a policy that pushed 23 employees to quit

Florida House Democrats call for impeachment of Attorney General James Uthmeier

Last year DeSantis funded Flock cameras, now he’s against the ‘surveillance state’

Only two Florida Democrats joined Republicans in bill condemning Democratic Socialism, Tampa’s Kathy Castor was one of them

Florida sheriffs begin dropping license plate readers as DeSantis warns against ‘surveillance state’

DeSantis Administration bans Flock cameras from state highways

‘This is money laundering’: David Jolly says Casey DeSantis, Hope Florida were ‘used’ in a ‘sinister plan’

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?