Penny Vinik sells South Tampa home for a record-setting $19.14 million

Derek Jeter’s former Davis Islands home currently holds the title for the biggest local sale with $22.5 million back in 2022.

by Colin Wolf April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulika, and Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison address the press during the 2026 special legislative session in Tallahassee.

News & Views

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI and vaccine bills on first day of special session

“There were no bills filed on these policies prior to the start of this special session [in the House],” Perez told his members minutes after opening House proceedings.

by Liv Caputo, Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Modern multi-story building at the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, Florida, featuring white architecture and tropical palm trees under a clear blue sky.

News & Views

Critics slam Florida Department of Education move to block undocumented students from state colleges

The Board of Education will discuss the rules at its next meeting on May 14 at Miami-Dade College.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

To provide the most effective SEO-friendly alt-text for this image, it is important to capture the names of the individuals and the context of the photo, as these are likely the primary search terms associated with it. Option 1: Descriptive & News-Focused (Best for SEO) A side-by-side portrait of University of South Florida (USF) students Zamil Ahamed Limon and Nahida Bristy, who were reported missing. Limon is shown on the left in a black tunic, and Bristy is on the right in a pink saree taking a selfie against a sunflower background.

News & Views

Florida expands criminal AI investigation to include USF murders

New court documents, filed to prevent Abugharbieh’s release on bail, reveal snippets of murder-related questions between the 26-year-old and the AI chatbot.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium in front of American flags

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DeSantis orders Legislature to revisit vaccine mandates, as CDC confirms 134 confirmed measles cases

The Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday will consider SB 6D, offered by Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Close-up of a yellow school bus side panel with reflections of trees and buildings in the windows.

News & Views

Florida’s average teacher pay remains among worst in nation, union says

California has the highest average teacher salary, $103,552. New York is second and Washington state is third.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the U.S. Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, discussing Florida's seaport investments and global commerce.

News & Views

DeSantis’ new redistricting plan would leave Tampa Bay with zero Dem seats

Democratic lawmakers decried the new map as a blatant partisan power grab.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

News & Views

Hillsborough Tax Collector will bring services on the road with ‘MILES’ bus

Nancy Millan said the program is ‘committed to ensuring no community is left behind.’

by Jasmin Parrado April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

A panel discussion at the Florida Housing Solutions Summit in St. Petersburg featuring former Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Danny Nix, with a presentation slide titled "Size Matters: Why Smaller Lot Sizes Matter" to address the Florida housing crisis.

News & Views

Are smaller lot sizes a solution to Florida’s ongoing housing crisis?

“The result of this policy was … creating housing that’s more like your starter home price point in Houston.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

News & Views

Florida spent $34 million on tech, IT at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

A somber, wide-angle photograph of a forensic official from the medical examiner's office walking away from the camera on a concrete path in Pinellas County. The official is wearing a black t-shirt with 'MEDICAL EXAMINER' printed in bold white letters across the back and is pushing a collapsible metal gurney. In the background, a person is walking in the distance under a power line structure, with dense green mangroves and trees lining the path under a bright, clear sky.

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Sheriffs discover human remains in Pinellas, amid search for missing USF graduate student

Positive identification of the remains had not been determined as of last Sunday night.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze George Washington statue in Chipley, Florida.

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DeSantis signs bill allowing untrained volunteers to carry guns in Florida churches

The law is effective July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

by News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

News & Views

One of two missing USF graduate students has been found dead

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says human remains found on the Howard Frankland Bridge have been identified as Zamil Limon.

by Ray Roa April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

A wide, street-level photograph of the Chillum Mushroom & Hemp Dispensary storefront in St. Petersburg, Florida. The building features a blue upper facade with large white block lettering that reads 'MUSHROOMS & HEMP.' The lower half of the storefront is composed of textured tan stone pillars and large glass windows. Signs in the windows advertise 'GLASS GALLERY' and list products like 'CBD/CBG,' 'NOOTROPICS,' and 'HEMP.' A potted plant sits on the sidewalk in front of the entrance under a bright, clear sky.

News & Views

‘Legal mushroom dispensary’ in St. Pete closed last weekend

Chillum Mushroom & Hemp Dispensary offers hemp-derived cannabinoids, functional mushrooms, legal psychedelic-adjacent products, and harm-reduction education.

by Chris Young and WMNF News April 24, 2026April 27, 2026