Protesters hold up colorful signs, one reading 'BUG OFF ICE!' in yellow and black, and another reading 'DEFEND BIG CYPRESS' in red, black, and green, during an outdoor demonstration.

Florida plans to resume bringing immigrants to Everglades facility

TALLAHASSEE — Florida plans to resume taking in immigrants at a controversial detention center in the Everglades if an appeals court pauses a judge’s order that required winding down operations at the facility, a new court filing says.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 5, 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 speaks at an outdoor event from a podium decorated with the U.S. Constitution and American flag designs, with multiple flags displayed around the stage and trees in the background.

News & Views

DeSantis administration proposes removing all vaccine mandates

The governor also established a MAHA commission.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 3, 2025September 5, 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

It’s always Banned Books Week in Florida

Hillsborough County School Superintendent Van Ayres has been attacked by parents and shouted at by state government.

by Florida Phoenix and Diane Roberts August 26, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

The City of St. Petersburg is letting FDOT remove its rainbow street mural

The ‘Black History Matters’ mural is going away, too.

by Selene San Felice August 22, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Immigrants at Everglades detention facility face ‘grave harm’ if courts don’t intervene to ensure adequate access to legal representation, ACLU tells judge

The hearing addressed issues including allegations that detainees lack the ability to meet privately with their attorneys in person or online, as required by law

by News Service of Florida and Dara Kam August 19, 2025August 27, 2025

News & Views

Florida DOGE’s St. Pete audit starts with protests

State CFO said the audit was about high property taxes. Protesters said that was a lie.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 13, 2025August 25, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis appoints Tampa Sen. Jay Collins, as Lt. Governor

DeSantis called Collins “the Chuck Norris of Florida politics.” Collins called him the GOAT.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 12, 2025August 16, 2025

News & Views

15 of the dumbest things Florida legislators have done so far this year

by Orlando Weekly staff August 10, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis orders flags at half-staff Friday for ‘Hulk Hogan Day’

His official cause of death was a heart attack.

by Selene San Felice July 31, 2025August 29, 2025

News & Views

At Everglades detention camp, we have let evil in. Now the question is, ‘How far will evil go?’

The lesson here is not about the ‘final solution’ but how things start.

by Julie Armstrong and Thomas Hallock July 28, 2025August 31, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis says deportation flights have started at Florida Everglades immigrant detention center

An ICE spokesperson refused to answer questions about the deportation flights.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 28, 2025August 3, 2025

News & Views

As Trump worries about House majority, DeSantis says it’s ‘appropriate’ to redraw Florida’s congressional districts

Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell blasted DeSantis’ remarks on Thursday.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix July 28, 2025August 10, 2025

Immigration, News & Views

Florida sees surge in ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions or charges

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 24, 2025

News & Views

As his administration fights off legal battle, DeSantis defends construction at Everglades detention center

Florida has a $37 million contract that includes funding for permanent and temporary fencing and roadway construction, according to a copy of the contract obtained by NOTUS before state officials seemingly deleted dozens of contracts from a database.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 21, 2025July 27, 2025

News & Views

After DeSantis veto and Trump cuts, WMNF Tampa shatters single-day fundraising record

Nearly 1,300 listeners pitched in to raise more than $280,000,

by Ray Roa July 20, 2025August 29, 2025

News & Views

Immigrants held at Florida Everglades’ detention center are suing the Trump and DeSantis administrations

This class action from the detainees and their attorneys adds to the mounting legal opposition to the detention center, where people started arriving two weeks ago after a speedy eight-day construction at an old airstrip.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 18, 2025August 7, 2025

News & Views

With CFO pick, DeSantis snubs Sarasota’s Trump-backed Sen. Joe Gruters

Blaise Ingoglia was always the inside pick for the governor to fill the position.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix July 17, 2025July 29, 2025

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

Ron DeSantis

Florida plans to resume bringing immigrants to Everglades facility

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

DeSantis administration proposes removing all vaccine mandates

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

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

It’s always Banned Books Week in Florida

The City of St. Petersburg is letting FDOT remove its rainbow street mural

Immigrants at Everglades detention facility face ‘grave harm’ if courts don’t intervene to ensure adequate access to legal representation, ACLU tells judge

Florida DOGE’s St. Pete audit starts with protests

DeSantis appoints Tampa Sen. Jay Collins, as Lt. Governor

15 of the dumbest things Florida legislators have done so far this year

DeSantis orders flags at half-staff Friday for ‘Hulk Hogan Day’

At Everglades detention camp, we have let evil in. Now the question is, ‘How far will evil go?’

DeSantis says deportation flights have started at Florida Everglades immigrant detention center

As Trump worries about House majority, DeSantis says it’s ‘appropriate’ to redraw Florida’s congressional districts

Florida sees surge in ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions or charges

As his administration fights off legal battle, DeSantis defends construction at Everglades detention center

After DeSantis veto and Trump cuts, WMNF Tampa shatters single-day fundraising record

Immigrants held at Florida Everglades’ detention center are suing the Trump and DeSantis administrations

With CFO pick, DeSantis snubs Sarasota’s Trump-backed Sen. Joe Gruters