Jay Collins, wearing a blue suit and red tie, sits smiling with his hands folded in his lap.

In the Panhandle, Jay Collins boosts raises for correction officers amid misconduct investigation

Southern Poverty Law Center recently found that overcrowding and understaffing at a nearby prison led to complaints of excessive force and staff misconduct.

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

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium labeled "Establishing Florida's AI Bill of Rights" with American Flags behind him and a tv camera and audience members in the foreground.

News & Views

DeSantis’ ‘AI Bill of Rights’ stalls in House

The bill’s House version has been assigned to four committees—a historic sign of leadership opposition.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

A close-up, low-angle shot from behind a police cruiser, focusing on the illuminated red and amber emergency light bar on the roof. The numbers "303" are visible on the trunk in the foreground. In the blurred background, another police vehicle's lights are visible on a tree-lined street under a bright, overcast sky.

News & Views

Proposed Florida law would require corroboration to make anonymous complaints against cops

Law enforcement remains split on the proposal.

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

A woman with her head covered speaks at a podium with a group of people behind her.

News & Views

On ‘Muslim Day,’ CAIR Florida fights terrorist label in Tallahassee

Tampa-based CAIR Florida is speaking out against several bills filed this legislative session, including one designating it a terrorist organization.

by Mitch Perry February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

News & Views

Bill eliminating insanity defense scrapes through first committee stop

An independent senator called the legislation “crap,” a Democrat deemed it “unjust,” and a Republican voted “no.”

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

A child's hand holds a purple marker writing the letter "a" multiple times on a cursive practice sheet.

News & Views

Proposal to require Florida students pass cursive test swoops to House floor

The bill’s sponsor voted against it in previous legislative sessions.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

News & Views

Recreational pot advocates lose court battle a week ahead of petition deadline

Smart & Safe Florida must submit at least 880,062 valid signatures statewide and meet congressional district signature thresholds by Feb. 1 to put the issue on the ballot.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

A woman holding a sign that reads 'Every Student Protected, Every Family Respected' during a press conference inside the Florida Capitol.

News & Views

Equality Florida: DeSantis’ LGBTQ-targeted bills are ‘smoke bomb’ distractions [PHOTOS]

Floridians should focus on issues like affordability and the Hope Florida scandal, the group said.

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

News & Views

‘I think about Jurassic Park’: DeSantis’ AI Bill of Rights clears first committee hurdle

Union advocate Rich Templin reflected on the warnings of the blockbuster film.

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 21, 2026January 21, 2026

News & Views

Advancing Florida bill would make it even harder to get unemployment

The GOP-backed measure is meant to crack down on alleged fraud in the system.

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

Rows of rifles and shotguns displayed on tables at an indoor gun show with attendees in the background.

News & Views

Florida House passes bill to lower long gun age limit

It’s still stalled in the state Senate.

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

News & Views

Massive immigration package targets employers hiring undocumented immigrants

The bill would impose a third-degree felony charge for an employer who knowingly hires more than 50 undocumented workers.

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 8, 2026January 8, 2026

News & Views

Proposed law would require Florida voters to show proof of citizenship

A similar bill died in committee last year.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 8, 2026

A uniformed law enforcement officer stands beside an open patrol car door, with a holstered firearm visible at their waist.

News & Views

Proposed Florida bill would make carrying an open package of medical marijuana in a car illegal

SB 1056 would give cops the green light to search a vehicle based on the ‘plain smell’ of edibles, hemp, marijuana, or THC beverages.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

A legislator stands and smiles while speaking at a desk in a state House chamber, with colleagues seated nearby, microphones and small U.S. flags on desks, and a large mural visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrat files bill that could make speech therapy for stuttering a guaranteed benefit

HB 785 would require coverage for speech therapy for children and adults who stutter, whether treatment is delivered in person or via telehealth, and would prohibit arbitrary limits on visits, annual caps, or restrictive utilization requirements such as prior authorization.

by Chris Young and WMNF News January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

A public official wearing a light-colored jacket speaks to reporters outside a government building, surrounded by microphones and cameras held by members of the press, with several people standing nearby.

News & Views

Florida Republican wants to ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

SB 1052 instructs public colleges and universities to exclusively admit students who are ‘citizen[s] of the United States” or “lawfully present therein.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

A person in a light-colored blazer speaks into a handheld microphone inside a legislative chamber, gesturing while standing near desks and chairs, with a large digital display visible in the background.

News & Views

New Florida bill would ban drivers from holding their phones on the road

Drivers would not be able to make calls from their phone, hold it, or even rest it on their laps if the bill becomes law.

By Liv Caputo/Florida PhoenixJanuary 7, 2026January 7, 2026

A minimalist conceptual image where green, flaky botanical matter spill out of a baggie to create a map of Florida. The clean white background emphasizes the textures of the organic material and the single rolled cigarette placed at the top.

News & Views

New Florida bill would make medical marijuana certifications good for two years

Patients are currently required to have a physician certify that they are qualified about every seven months.

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

Front exterior view of the Supreme Court of Florida building in Tallahassee, featuring six large white columns, beige walls, and flanking palm trees under a bright blue sky. A low wall in the foreground displays the text 'Supreme Court of Florida'.

News & Views

Florida Supreme Court ruling could allow children to have three parents

The opinion focused on whether a state law applies to people who artificially inseminate outside a clinic setting.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

News & Views

Canadians are still staying away from Florida, but tourism saw a slight increase overall

Visit Florida estimated the state had 507,000 Canadian visitors during the third quarter of 2025, down from 597,000 in the third quarter of 2024.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

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

Florida News

In the Panhandle, Jay Collins boosts raises for correction officers amid misconduct investigation

DeSantis’ ‘AI Bill of Rights’ stalls in House

Proposed Florida law would require corroboration to make anonymous complaints against cops

On ‘Muslim Day,’ CAIR Florida fights terrorist label in Tallahassee

Bill eliminating insanity defense scrapes through first committee stop

Proposal to require Florida students pass cursive test swoops to House floor

Recreational pot advocates lose court battle a week ahead of petition deadline

Equality Florida: DeSantis’ LGBTQ-targeted bills are ‘smoke bomb’ distractions [PHOTOS]

‘I think about Jurassic Park’: DeSantis’ AI Bill of Rights clears first committee hurdle

Advancing Florida bill would make it even harder to get unemployment

Florida House passes bill to lower long gun age limit

Massive immigration package targets employers hiring undocumented immigrants

Proposed law would require Florida voters to show proof of citizenship

Proposed Florida bill would make carrying an open package of medical marijuana in a car illegal

Florida Democrat files bill that could make speech therapy for stuttering a guaranteed benefit

Florida Republican wants to ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

New Florida bill would ban drivers from holding their phones on the road

New Florida bill would make medical marijuana certifications good for two years

Florida Supreme Court ruling could allow children to have three parents

Canadians are still staying away from Florida, but tourism saw a slight increase overall

Temple Terrace’s award-winning Hartley House is now for sale

Tampa Bay’s ‘House of Hennessy,’ which comes with a massive pirate ship, is back on the market for $6 million

A Florida ‘Foam Dome Home,’ where ‘not a single straight line exists,’ is for sale

A Bahama Shores home designed by Busch Gardens architect William B. Harvard is now on the market