News & Views

DeSantis vows to ‘fight like a junkyard dog’ until Florida lawmakers pass Trump-aligned immigration reforms

“These issues — the immigration and election integrity — I’m not letting go,” he said.

by Mitch Perry, Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix January 24, 2025February 1, 2025

News & Views

‘Stay focused’: Florida advocacy groups urge immigrants without legal status to know their rights

“We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of children who have parents who are undocumented.”

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix January 23, 2025June 24, 2025

News & Views

In Florida, it’s not as simple as just calling it the ‘Gulf of America’

Florida laws shows at least 55 statutes include references to the Gulf of Mexico, while local-government ordinances also are tied to the traditional name.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 22, 2025May 6, 2025

News & Views

‘I have a big problem with people merely being accused and deported’: Florida Dem on why he can’t support the Laken Riley Act

The bill has the potential to fracture the Democratic Party.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 22, 2025February 25, 2025

News & Views

Florida Repubican files bill to protect state parks from future development

The proposal is identical to a Senate bill (SB 80) filed last month by Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart.

by News Service of Florida January 17, 2025April 7, 2025

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis taps Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in U.S. Senate

DeSantis said he wanted an appointee who would be strong on immigration enforcement, support cutting the federal bureaucracy and fight “the woke agenda.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida January 16, 2025February 24, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis releases immigration plan, which includes broadening definition of ‘gang-related activities’ to include undocumented immigrants

“This is the time to act. We don’t have time to wait, and it’s never premature to do the right thing.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 15, 2025April 12, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis calls for flags to be flown at full-staff for Trump inauguration despite 30-day mourning period for Jimmy Carter

“Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!”

by News Service of Florida January 15, 2025February 12, 2025

News & Views

Florida legislative leaders reject DeSantis’ call for a special session later this month

Despite the legislative leaders comments, DeSantis is determined that the Legislature convene for a special session.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 14, 2025January 29, 2025

News & Views

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