April 18, 2025
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HeadlinesOrlando
Gabrielle Russon

Theme park report: Universal coaster leads to 3 hospitalized, plus incidents at Disney World, SeaWorld

Millions visit Florida’s theme parks, but a handful of people every quarter get hurt or sick on a ride, needing at least 24 hours of hospitalization.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Andrew Powell

Homeless and foster youth housing bill ready for House floor

‘Even if they were not in foster care, young people need our help when they find themselves in vulnerable situations.’
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Bill helping aging veterans clears final Senate committee

‘Our veterans deserve better,’ said Sen. Keith Truenow, the bill sponsor.
0 4min
FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

Strange sell-off in the dollar raises specter of investors losing trust in U.S. under Donald Trump

Economists worry that the recent drop in the dollar is so dramatic that it reflects something more ominous.
1 10min

News & Trending

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HeadlinesOrlando
April 18, 2025 Gabrielle Russon

Theme park report: Universal coaster leads to 3 hospitalized, plus incidents at Disney World, SeaWorld

0 4min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
April 18, 2025 Andrew Powell

Homeless and foster youth housing bill ready for House floor

0 4min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
April 18, 2025 Gabrielle Russon

Bill helping aging veterans clears final Senate committee

0 4min 0
FederalHeadlines
April 18, 2025 Associated Press

Strange sell-off in the dollar raises specter of investors losing trust in U.S. under Donald Trump

1 10min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
April 18, 2025 A.G. Gancarski

Nikki Fried, Roger Stone find common ground over Ron DeSantis and the ‘greatest single corruption scandal in Florida history.’

4 4min 0
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
April 18, 2025 A.G. Gancarski

Marco Rubio says foreign students must prove themselves worthy of visas

2 4min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
April 18, 2025 Andrew Powell

Bill loosening work restrictions for minors advances

0 10min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
April 18, 2025 Drew Dixon

‘Vessel accountability’ bill goes to House floor for vote on managing derelict boats in Florida

0 4min 0

Legislative, Influence & Policy

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HeadlinesInfluence
Andrew Powell

Homeless and foster youth housing bill ready for House floor

‘Even if they were not in foster care, young people need our help when they find themselves in vulnerable situations.’
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Bill helping aging veterans clears final Senate committee

‘Our veterans deserve better,’ said Sen. Keith Truenow, the bill sponsor.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
A.G. Gancarski

Nikki Fried, Roger Stone find common ground over Ron DeSantis and the ‘greatest single corruption scandal in Florida history.’

The left and the right find common ground amid issues affecting the Governor’s Office.
4 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Andrew Powell

Bill loosening work restrictions for minors advances

‘We want to reduce barriers to teenagers learning their trade and getting important life experience to prepare for their careers.’
0 10min
HeadlinesInfluence
Drew Dixon

‘Vessel accountability’ bill goes to House floor for vote on managing derelict boats in Florida

One House member felt the max prison sentence for some boat owners was excessive.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Feds should investigate Hope Florida, Nikki Fried says

‘Fighting corruption in government is a bipartisan issue.’
0 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Hope Florida virtual meeting gets derailed by racial slurs and porn

Technical difficulties dominated a meeting of the Hope Florida Foundation, which is already under fire.
14 5min
HeadlinesInfluence
Jacob Ogles

House advances effort to ban books deemed pornographic regardless of literary value

The legislation would re-evaluate how school libraries can apply the ‘Miller test’ in deciding whether books leave shelves.
16 6min
HeadlinesInfluence
Drew Dixon

Debate over ‘chemtrails’ gets contentious during House State Affairs Committee meeting

‘I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It’s occurring.’
18 5min
HeadlinesInfluence
A.G. Gancarski

Crackdown against attacks on utility workers ready for Senate floor

The power industry backs the proposal.
1 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Andrew Powell

Senate passes bill promoting affordable housing development

‘The act laid the foundation for a future where more people can live, work, and raise families in the communities that they love.’
8 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Andrew Powell

Senate approves bill to strengthen motel owner rights

‘Because the language of the statute isn’t clear, public lodging establishment owners may be unable to remove non-paying guests.’
1 4min

Budget

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BudgetHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

House tax package wants to expand Live Local Act, end opt-outs for local governments

Legislation would phase out the ability for governments not to offer the “missing middle” property tax exemption.
0 4min
BudgetHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

House package cuts taxes on jet fuel, cardrooms and gold bars

The proposals could slash revenues by millions but create economic opportunities in Florida.
2 4min
BudgetHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

One-time cut to motor vehicle tag fees added to Senate tax package

It’s part of what Ben Albritton calls an ‘all of the above’ approach to tax relief.
0 4min
BudgetHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Ben Albritton trusts Donald Trump on tariffs, is cautious on state spending amid DOGE cuts

‘I do not think for a second the President has any intentions in hurting this country.’
4 5min
BudgetHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

Ben Albritton voices caution on spending cuts, wants to study property tax rebates after Session

Where will the Legislature land?
0 4min
BudgetHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Gov. DeSantis says sales tax relief should help Floridians, not foreigners

‘I want the government funded by our nonresidents as much as possible.’
9 3min

New Administration

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HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump considers pausing his auto tariffs as the world economy endures whiplash

Asian countries are still angling on how to deal with the threat of U.S. tariffs.
4 9min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump is ‘fully fit’ to serve as commander in chief, his doctor says after recent physical

Donald Trump’s cholesterol levels have gone down and he’s lost weight.
13 3min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump sits cageside at Miami UFC event in his latest appearance at a sports event

Several members of Donald Trump’s cabinet appeared at the Miami fights with him, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
9 6min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump proclaims self ‘in good shape’ after physical

Results are pending.
9 3min
HeadlinesNew Administration
A.G. Gancarski

Florida to prosecute would-be Donald Trump assassin

The shooter could be sentenced to 60 years in a state prison if convicted and given maximum penalties.
5 3min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump threatens more tariffs on China as global markets plunge

Despite tanking stock market trends, Donald Trump says he won’t back down on applying trade tariffs.
14 15min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump roars down multiple paths of retribution as he vowed. Some targets yield while others fight

Prominent law firms to universities are being seen as capitulating to the President’s will.
20 21min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump leans on SCOTUS as judges block his agenda

As losses mount in lower federal courts, President Donald Trump has returned to a tactic that he employed at the Supreme Court with remarkable success in his first term. Three times in the past week, and six since Trump took office a little more than two months ago, the Justice Department has asked the conservative-majority high court to step […]
9 9min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

White House withdraws Elise Stefanik’s nomination for U.N. Ambassador over tight GOP House margin

‘We must be unified to accomplish our Mission.’
9 3min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Gabrielle Russon

Donald Trump nominates UCF’s ‘space czar’ for NASA job

‘Space is the most important thing to happen in at least half a millennia,’ said UCF’s space czar as he was nominated to be NASA’s CFO.
4min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Drew Dixon

Donald Trump nominates Flagler School Board member and transportation expert for top federal trucking post

Derek Barrs has a long history of trucking and transportation experience in Florida.
1 3min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Peter Schorsch

Donald Trump Co-Campaign Manager Chris LaCivita sues The Daily Beast for defamation

LaCivita says the outlet ‘maliciously’ and wrongly reported that he had earned $22M from the campaign.
4 6min

Immigration Enforcement

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HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
Fresh Take Florida

UF international student detained by immigration agents now back in Colombia

‘At this moment, Felipe is in a process of physical and emotional recovery.’
4 7min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
Gabrielle Russon

Democrats join Republicans supporting E-Verify for small businesses

‘E-Verify is a bad word to a lot of people.’
4 5min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
Jesse Scheckner

Miami Dems demand Krome Detention Center tour amid reports of ‘inhumane’ conditions

‘These alarming accounts illustrate the urgent need for me to exercise my duty of congressional oversight and intervention.’
7 7min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

‘The mission continues’: Gov. DeSantis undaunted by ruling against state immigration law

‘We are not taking the pedal off the gas one bit.’
12 3min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

Florida ACLU hails immigration law ruling

The TRO is in effect until April 18.
12 2min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

Donna Deegan lets Jax illegal immigration bill become law without her signature

Deegan predicts lawsuits are coming once the bill becomes law.
18 4min

2026

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2026Headlines
A.G. Gancarski

Poll: Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis tied in 2028 GOP presidential survey, 50+ points behind JD Vance

The Vice President is the runaway top choice, but it’s still early.
0 5min
2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

María Elvira Salazar reports $1.4M in her war chest to defend CD 27

She doesn’t have a Democratic opponent yet, but the DCCC has vowed to target her in 2026.
1 3min
2026Headlines
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Jay Collins, Danny Burgess first in upper chamber to back Ryan Gill for HD 68

‘Ryan’s conservative philosophy, coupled with his long history of service to our community, make him the perfect choice to represent District 68.’
0 4min
2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

Anna Paulina Luna piles up another $550K for re-election run in 2026

Democrats spotlighted Luna as vulnerable in 2026, but no one has filed to challenge her yet.
1 4min
2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

2 Republicans stack more than $250K — with big help from self-funding — to challenge Jared Moskowitz

The NRCC said it plans to back a challenge to the 2-term Democrat this cycle.
0 4min
2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

Darren Soto sits on 6 figures in cash but still faces no GOP opponent

The Kissimmee Democrat may need the money as national Republicans again plan to target his seat.
0 3min

Federal

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FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

Strange sell-off in the dollar raises specter of investors losing trust in U.S. under Donald Trump

Economists worry that the recent drop in the dollar is so dramatic that it reflects something more ominous.
1 10min
FederalHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Poll: Ron DeSantis behind RFK Jr. with young Republicans in hypothetical 2028 poll

The younger the voter, the more likely they are to back someone else.
4 5min
FederalHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

Commerce Department to end tomato suspension agreement with Mexico

Vern Buchanan applauded the decision and said unfair trade practices hurt Florida farmers,
1 3min
FederalHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Gov. DeSantis says Florida could adjust if Donald Trump doesn’t offer post-FEMA block grants

‘Just let me know what’s in the best interest of the United States.’
3 3min
FederalHeadlines
Drew Dixon

Jimmy Patronis gets named to key transportation committee in Congress upon arriving in D.C.

Jimmy Patronis says he’ll focus on fair distribution of congressional funding to appropriate projects.
1 3min
FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

How Anna Paulina Luna’s fight over proxy voting for new parents upended the US House

A Florida conservative finds herself with unlikely allies.
1 11min

Jacksonville

HeadlinesJax
A.G. Gancarski

On Tax Day, Randy White launches run for Duval County Tax Collector

1 6min

Donna Deegan, potential challengers raise big bucks ahead of 2027 Jacksonville Mayor’s race

New clinic opens in Jacksonville treating first responders and veterans with brain conditions

Terrance Freeman wants Jax to opt into state DOGE effort

NE Florida

HeadlinesNE Florida
Drew Dixon

David Sullivan appointed to Palm Coast City Council to fill seat vacated in February

0 3min 0

NEFAR report: Mixed bag of home sales data in the First Coast market for March

Giant rodents cuddle with visitors at the Capybara Cafe in St. Augustine

What’s in a name? St. Augustine is if legislation to rename a local airport keeps taking off

Orlando

HeadlinesOrlando
Gabrielle Russon

Theme park report: Universal coaster leads to 3 hospitalized, plus incidents at Disney World, SeaWorld

0 4min 0

Buddy Dyer backs down on immigration enforcement after threat from James Uthmeier

Carlos Guillermo Smith’s hotel tax proposal added to Senate tax bill

James Uthmeier sends prosecutors to help Monique Worrell with backlog

St. Pete

HeadlinesSt. Pete
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Pinellas extends ‘substantial damage’ compliance deadline for hurricane-damaged properties

1 5min

St. Pete City Council OKs $22.5M for Tropicana Field roof repairs

House proposed budget funds education, water projects, road improvements in Pinellas

Pinellas County Commission OKs short-term rental ordinance, increased accountability

SW Florida

HeadlinesSW Florida
Fresh Take Florida

Fort Myers reverses course, will cooperate with ICE

2 8min 0

James Uthmeier calls Fort Myers ‘sanctuary city,’ warns City Council risks removal

Gov. DeSantis appoints Amanda Levy-Reis, James Stewart to 20th Circuit Court bench

Steve Branham wins Longboat Key Town Commission seat

Tampa

HeadlinesTampa Bay
Janelle Irwin Taylor

New Tampa International Airport CEO to speak at Tiger Bay

0 5min 0

Rays’ seats from hurricane-damaged Trop repurposed for Florida Aquarium’s Stingray Beach

No tariffs here: Penguins to waddle through the Capitol to raise awareness for funding needs

Women’s Final Four tips off in Tampa

Panhandle

HeadlinesPanhandle
Drew Dixon

Jimmy Patronis makes appointment to key Gulf Coast Board before he heads to Congress

2 3min

Panhandle NPR affiliate WUWF gets new Executive Director

Okaloosa businessman Jay Odom seeks disqualification of Beggs & Lane in legal battle

Historic ship completes first leg of journey to become world’s largest artificial reef on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Tallahassee

HeadlinesTallahassee
Jacob Ogles

Son of Leon Co. deputy suspected in Florida State University shooting that killed 2, injured 6

2 6min 0

FSU shooting: Shooter in custody, multiple injuries reported

Florida pols offer safety advice, ‘thoughts and prayers’ following FSU shooting

John Dailey, Tally City Manager are taking local government dysfunction to a whole new level with TMH debacle

Communities

CommunitiesEmails & OpinionsHeadlines
Guest Author

Jena Antonucci: Preserving Florida — an agricultural triumph

1 6min 0

JJ Grow bests Judith Vowels to win HD 23 open seat

Bill Gladson endorses Matt McClain for Marion County Commission

Are Alachua Commissioners about to pay for a house of cardboard?

South Florida

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HeadlinesSouth Florida
Peter Schorsch

West Palm Beach mayoral race has a clear frontrunner, and someone might want to take the hint

Christina Lambert is dominating, raising questions about whether her opponent has a path forward.
2 6min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Ryan Nicol

Christina Lambert reports massive Q1 haul, bringing in $210K+ in bid for West Palm Mayor

Her only declared opponent raised just a fraction of that.
0 3min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Gov. DeSantis orders Miami-Dade flags at half-staff to honor ‘devoted public servant’ Manolo Reyes

A memorial service starting at City Hall is happening the same day.
0 4min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

‘The right person’: Richard Lara nets nod from former foe in Coral Gables Commission race

‘Richard will bring back the focus on residents and real solutions that our city desperately needs.’
1 4min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Kevin Marino Cabrera resigns from Miami-Dade Commission for Panama Ambassador post

‘As I transition into this role, I carry with me the values that guided my services in Miami-Dade.’
0 7min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
A.G. Gancarski

Doctor, doctor: St. Thomas University to issue Byron Donalds an honorary degree

Momentum continues for the only major Republican candidate for Governor.
3 3min

Culture Wars

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Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

‘Karma’: Andrew and Tristan Tate pin Hope Florida controversy on Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier

‘If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by.’
3 6min
Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Gov. DeSantis receives Gulf of America bills. When will he sign them?

Florida quickly sided with President Trump’s name change.
13 5min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Gabrielle Russon

Second Senate panel OKs bill allowing wrongful death lawsuits for death of a fetus

At least one anti-abortion group said it didn’t go far enough and that embryos in storage should be covered too.
0 5min
Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Bankers balk at antidiscrimination language in Florida Farm Bill

Financiers fear that language targeting ESG-based decisions just opens the door to more complaints.
2 5min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

New College rescheduling Russell Brand event but plans to host comedian despite ongoing rape investigation

‘This is a reflection of our commitment to civil discourse.’
6 8min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Fresh Take Florida

‘Gut punch’: Opposition grows to Attorney General’s decision not to enforce law banning gun sales to buyers under 21

‘It’s sad that we continue to relitigate something that has stood up in the courts.’
4 14min

Foreign Affairs

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Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Marco Rubio says foreign students must prove themselves worthy of visas

National interest dictates keeping anti-American students out of universities.
2 4min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Ashley Moody celebrates Chinese travel advisory, worries they could all be spies anyway

‘They are enlisting students to come over here and be espionage agents.’
7 3min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Senate passes anti-BDS legislation targeting ‘antisemitism’ in schools, arts groups

The House is expected to take up the issue later this month.
1 3min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Kevin Marino Cabrera confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Panama

He must vacate his Miami-Dade Commission seat before officially taking the job.
0 7min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Byron Donalds says U.S. will ‘continue to go down the line’ with Donald Trump on tariffs

POTUS’ preferred candidate for Governor is singing from the White House’s protectionist hymn sheet.
13 3min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
Associated Press

China raises its retaliatory tariff on the U.S. to 84% as it vows to ‘fight to the end’

‘History and facts have proven that the United States’ increase in tariffs will not solve its own problems.’
11 5min

Emails & Opinions

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Emails & Opinions

Last Call for 4.17.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

We are all Noles tonight.

Summer Stephan, Ken Walker: Gift card fraud — the new front in the fight against organized retail crime

Hope Florida Board leader acknowledged mistakes were made, but he doesn’t deserve to be the scapegoat

A tale of 2 Apalachicola oil drilling bills

Alan Lawson: No scandal here — debunking hyperbole around James Uthmeier

Apolitical

APoliticalHeadlines

WalletHub study: When it comes to affordable rent, Florida is the bottom of the barrel

Miami was ranked last among cities for affordable rent. No Florida city was ranked higher than No. 120 in the country.
APoliticalHeadlines

Florida State University campus secure after shooting

But the student union remains an active crime scene.
APoliticalHeadlines

New property insurance company gets OIR nod, adds to Florida’s insurance marketplace

APoliticalHeadlines

Floridians say they’ll spend more on Easter goods and merchandise this year

Florida gas prices dip again

Tech

HeadlinesTech

Bill mandating access to minors’ social media messages advances to Senate floor

The bill’s sponsor called concerns about data breaches ‘industry talking points.’
HeadlinesTech

James Uthmeier to subpoena Roblox over child safety concerns

Uthmeier’s action comes amid concerns about the potential exposure of young users to harmful content.
HeadlinesTech

House passes ‘Brooke’s Law’ to give deepfake victims recourse

HeadlinesTech

Donald Trump administration says it will exclude some electronics from reciprocal tariffs

Senate OKs increased penalties for AirTag use in dangerous crimes

Education

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EducationHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

House advances bill displaying ‘In God We Trust’ language in schools

Seeing is believing.
10 3min
EducationHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Senate bill to ease public-to-charter school conversions clears last committee hurdle

The bill’s sponsor says it doesn’t favor charter schools. Its language suggests otherwise.
5 7min
EducationHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Senate unanimously approves guardrails for teachers under criminal cloud

The House could take this up and vote on it, as it has advanced through committees.
2 3min
#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, Liam Fineout, A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Andrew Powell, Jesse Scheckner, Janelle Taylor, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
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