755,000 Florida kids didn’t have enough food during past two summers, according to report

Florida has already missed a Jan. 1 deadline to notify the federal government of its plan to administer SUN Bucks this summer.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix January 13, 2025January 23, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis calls for special session to help with Trump’s deportation plans, and other issues

Donald Trump has promised to enact what has been described the “largest deportation effort in American history”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 13, 2025January 22, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis defends college board appointee who criticizes women prioritizing their careers

“What I don’t like is cherry-picking somebody saying this, and then trying to smear them.”

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix January 13, 2025April 11, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis says he won’t appoint himself to replace Rubio in the Senate

“I was never in consideration for that,” DeSantis said

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix January 10, 2025April 6, 2025

News & Views

Former State Attorney Andrew Warren’s legal fight with DeSantis is pretty much dead

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the dismissal of Warren’s lawsuit against DeSantis, saying the case is moot.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 10, 2025April 30, 2025

News & Views

Civilian police oversight in Florida crumbles after new law kicks in

The move by Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature, which took effect July 1, was the latest effort to show its support for law enforcement.

by Matthew Cupelli and Fresh Take Florida January 7, 2025February 15, 2025

News & Views

Dear Santa, please bring these gifts to help Florida’s environment

We need some help for our parks, springs, beaches, and bears — and send some Spirits to scare our leaders straight.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix December 21, 2024March 4, 2025

News & Views

Abortion-rights organizers in Florida and other states discuss failed ballot measures and what’s next

What set the counter-campaign apart in Florida was the DeSantis administration’s tactics in opposing the effort.

by Elisha Brown and Florida Phoenix December 18, 2024December 31, 2024

News & Views

Donald Trump says he doesn’t think DeSantis will appoint Lara Trump to U.S. Senate seat

“I probably don’t, but I don’t know. Ron’s doing a good job and that’s his choice. Nothing to do with me.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix December 17, 2024January 16, 2025

News & Views

‘There has to be something in it for DeSantis’: The Florida governor’s dilemma on picking Lara Trump for Senate

“To give it up to someone outside of his circle, especially Lara Trump, who actively worked against him in his own presidential race would be foolish unless he got something significant in return.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix December 13, 2024April 21, 2025

News & Views

Rick Scott defends Pete Hegseth, who is accused of mistreating women and getting drunk on the job

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday night that Trump was “considering” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix December 4, 2024December 24, 2024

News & Views

State of Florida agrees to pay $725K in legal fees after losing lawsuit over ‘Stop Woke’ act

The underlying lawsuit involved a challenge to part of the law that placed restrictions on addressing race-related issues in workplace training

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 21, 2024March 9, 2025

News & Views

PAC that led push for Florida’s abortion amendment will fight state’s $328K fine

Floridians Protecting Freedom on Nov. 1 sent a request to the Department of State for an evidentiary hearing on the fine.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 20, 2024April 2, 2025

News & Views

Florida pushes back against First Amendment violation claims in legal fight over school books

The state’s motion, in part, said the “selection of public-school library books is government speech…”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 18, 2024March 8, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis wants immediate special elections to replace GOP congressional seats, but his own mail-in ballot law makes it complicated

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said the shortened time frame for vote-by-mail requests has “created chaos” in the electoral process.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida November 18, 2024March 29, 2025

News & Views

Florida doubled the amount of book ‘removals’ from schools over the last year

Twenty-three districts contributed to the list, with Clay, Indian River, and Volusia counties making up significant portions.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix November 13, 2024June 19, 2025

News & Views

Federal appeals court will hear Florida’s Medicaid ban on gender-affirming care

The lawsuit contended the ban was unconstitutional and also violated federal health care laws.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix November 13, 2024November 23, 2024

News & Views

DeSantis says he’s ‘not seeking’ a spot in Trump administration, happy ‘quarterbacking’ Florida

“I think for me, I’m not seeking anything,” DeSantis said.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix November 11, 2024May 13, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis wants to see Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo head U.S. health agency

Ladapo has been a lightning rod since joining the DeSantis administration

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix November 7, 2024November 18, 2024

News & Views

5 big takeaways from Election Day in Florida

Republicans had a great night. Democrats? Not so much.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 6, 2024November 20, 2024

Meet the Chefs Behind Tampa Bay's Restaurant Month

A portion of proceeds benefits Feeding Tampa Bay