A black-and-white historical photo shows the construction of a block building at the Industrial School for Boys in Okeechobee, Florida, dated August 21, 1958. Scaffolding surrounds the partially built structure, and a two-tone 1950s car is parked in front on the sandy construction site. Handwritten notes on the image describe the location and date.

News & Views

Florida apologized to Victor Jones for the abuse he endured at reform school. Now the state wants him executed.

He would be the third former student at the notorious reform schools to be executed in little more than a year.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

News & Views

New survey shows majority of Florida GOP voters back clean energy initiatives

Jake Hoffman, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said the government should accelerate solar energy.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s pharmacy board will discuss vaccines this month

For the most part Board of Pharmacy members haven’t contributed heavily to politicians or political committees.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

A close-up of a person wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants with a black nylon holster on their belt holding a handgun. The individual is standing outdoors, and blurred greenery is visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida AG says open carry is the law, drawing warnings from Second Amendment Groups

Groups that have been advocating for the Legislature to repeal Florida’s ban on open carry are cheering last week’s ruling—and warning state legislators not to add any new regulations in legislation they offer next year.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida’s Attorney General says open carry is “the law of the state”

An appeals court reversed a long-standing open carry ban.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

A man with white hair, large ears, and a trimmed beard speaks during a meeting, seated at a table with a microphone, papers, and a Starbucks cup in front of him. He wears a white button-down shirt and looks toward another person in the foreground who is out of focus.

News & Views

FWC is limiting social media comments, raising First Amendment concerns

‘I think it’s unenforceable because it’s unconstitutional.’

by Noah Bookstein September 12, 2025September 12, 2025

Aerial view of a street mural reading “MURAL COMBAT” in bold white letters painted across the pavement. Large rainbow-colored “CL” text overlays the top left corner, representing Creative Loafing. Surrounding the mural are trees, cars, and residential lots. Cover text reads: “As DeSantis erases street murals, here’s how Tampa Bay is fighting back.”

News & Views

Mural combat: As DeSantis erases street art, Tampa Bay fights back

“If you want to take it off the street, fine. I’ll put it on a wall.”

by Selene San Felice September 11, 2025

News & Views

Vaccines and guns: DeSantis gives a sneak peek at 2026 legislative agenda [PHOTOS]

He’s going for open carry again.

by Mitch Perry, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2025September 9, 2025

Street view of Ocean Drive in Miami Beach showing a colorful rainbow-pattern crosswalk with geometric designs. Palm trees line the street alongside art deco-style hotels and restaurants with outdoor seating, including Hotel Victor. Several pedestrians cross the street while others stand near the corner under a green “Ocean Dr” street sign. Cars are parked along the road in the background.

News & Views

Miami Beach has challenged FDOT’s street art ban

The Miami Beach petition at the Division of Administrative Hearings said the state targeted what are described as “terrazzo pavers” at Ocean Drive and 12th Street in the city.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Modern apartment buildings in downtown Tampa, featuring a mix of high-rise and mid-rise structures. The buildings have colorful facades in shades of white, red, and blue, with many balconies and glass windows. A taller dark gray tower rises in the background against a clear blue sky.

News & Views

Homelessness among Florida families up 28-percent, says report

Rents have also increased by nearly 40% between 2019-2023.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium with a sign reading "FIGHTING FENTANYL" in bold letters. He is flanked by law enforcement officers in tactical vests, with American and Florida state flags in the background, along with Florida Department of Law Enforcement insignia.

News & Views

DeSantis says the state is looking into opening a new immigration detention facility in west Florida

The first deportation facility, in the Everglades, opened earlier this summer, must be shut down, a federal judge ruled, although the state is fighting that ruling.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 10, 2025

A speaker stands at a podium addressing a seated audience, with two American flags and two Florida state flags behind them, in front of a red curtain.

News & Views

DeSantis comes to Hillsborough County and defends signing controversial land-use law

VALRICO — Manatee County Commissioners have voted to join a lawsuit challenging a new state law (SB 180) that restricts local governments from regulating developments.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 5, 2025

A man in a navy blue suit with a red tie stands confidently indoors, with framed portraits hanging on the wall behind him.

Politics

In Largo, town hall with Pinellas Republican Berny Jacques gets loud

It’s not just Republicans in Congress who are being aggressively challenged at town-hall meetings this summer.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 5, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis ally Paul Renner enters race to become Florida’s next governor

But the governor called Renner’s entrance ‘an ill-advised decision.’

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

News & Views

Taxpayer costs for protecting and transporting DeSantis surged during failed presidential campaign, says report

DeSantis’ announced his presidential candidacy on May 24, 2023, and he suspended the campaign on Jan. 21, 2024.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Turner August 27, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis administration seeks to put ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ injunction on hold

The state’s attorneys argued that the National Environmental Policy Act does not apply to the facility.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Saunders August 27, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court declines to weigh in on Trump’s lawsuit against Pulitzer Prize board

Trump filed the defamation claim after the New York Times and Washington Post got awards for their reporting Russia’s alleged election interference in 2016.

by Florida Phoenix and Jay Waagmeester August 27, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Voters with new Florida driver’s licenses may need to update voter registration before requesting mail ballot

A new policy may also invalidate voters’ signatures on ballot petitions.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 26, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

As hurricane season gets going, former FEMA leaders warn that Trump budget cuts could soon become a major problem

President Donald Trump said in June that he intended to phase FEMA out after this year’s hurricane season.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 26, 2025August 30, 2025

A middle-aged man with a gray goatee and mustache, wearing a light gray suit and blue striped tie, speaks animatedly, gesturing with his right hand toward a group of news microphones. The backdrop features an ornate dark wood and metal staircase.

News & Views

Spring Hill’s Blaise Ingoglia is running for full Florida CFO term

He just led DOGE audits in Tampa Bay municipalities.

by News Service of Florida August 25, 2025August 31, 2025

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Florida News

Florida apologized to Victor Jones for the abuse he endured at reform school. Now the state wants him executed.

New survey shows majority of Florida GOP voters back clean energy initiatives

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s pharmacy board will discuss vaccines this month

Florida AG says open carry is the law, drawing warnings from Second Amendment Groups

Florida’s Attorney General says open carry is “the law of the state”

FWC is limiting social media comments, raising First Amendment concerns

Mural combat: As DeSantis erases street art, Tampa Bay fights back

Vaccines and guns: DeSantis gives a sneak peek at 2026 legislative agenda [PHOTOS]

Miami Beach has challenged FDOT’s street art ban

Homelessness among Florida families up 28-percent, says report

DeSantis says the state is looking into opening a new immigration detention facility in west Florida

DeSantis comes to Hillsborough County and defends signing controversial land-use law

In Largo, town hall with Pinellas Republican Berny Jacques gets loud

DeSantis ally Paul Renner enters race to become Florida’s next governor

Taxpayer costs for protecting and transporting DeSantis surged during failed presidential campaign, says report

DeSantis administration seeks to put ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ injunction on hold

Florida Supreme Court declines to weigh in on Trump’s lawsuit against Pulitzer Prize board

Voters with new Florida driver’s licenses may need to update voter registration before requesting mail ballot

As hurricane season gets going, former FEMA leaders warn that Trump budget cuts could soon become a major problem

Spring Hill’s Blaise Ingoglia is running for full Florida CFO term

Mark Zuckerberg just bought a $170 million Florida mega-mansion

Photos: Tampa protesters rally against Iran war and Cuban embargo

Photos: Descendents, Frank Turner and Nobro rock St. Pete

Union nurses protest ICE in Largo [Photos]