Associated Press, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressApril 25, 2017

The State Department has removed its promotional posting about President Donald Trump‘s Florida resort, after a storm of ethics criticism. In an April 4 blog post that was republished by several U.S. embassies abroad, Mar-a-Lago was described as “Trump’s Florida estate,” where he has hosted foreign leaders. “By visiting this ‘winter White House,’ Trump is […]

Associated PressApril 25, 2017

A bill that looks to “un-muddy” the mission of Florida’s main environmental land acquisition program could potentially affect the plan for an Everglades reservoir. A House bill brought forth Monday by Rep. Matt Caldwell, a Republican with close ties to House leadership, was passed unanimously by a House panel. Caldwell wants to alter what projects […]

Associated PressApril 23, 2017

A newspaper is reporting that a Florida state senator who resigned this week after using a racial slur hired a former Hooters “calendar girl” and a Playboy model with no political experience to be consultants for his political action committee last year. The Miami Herald reports Saturday that state records show that Frank Artiles‘ PAC, […]

Associated PressApril 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is delaying his planned trade mission to Argentina due to wildfires that are burning in several parts of the state. Scott was scheduled to leave late Saturday for a five-day trip to Buenos Aires. A final decision has not yet been made on whether to cancel the trip completely. The governor has […]

Associated PressApril 22, 2017

Brush fires are threatening more than 2,000 homes in southwest Florida, and the Florida National Guard is helping to evacuate residents. Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement Friday that he deployed the guard and five UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to help fight 100-foot flames in Collier County. Officials said one brush fire has grown to […]

Associated PressApril 21, 2017

Florida’s ethics commission is throwing out complaints filed against Attorney General Pam Bondi over her decision to ask Donald Trump for a contribution to help her re-election campaign. The Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday voted to reject several complaints filed against Bondi by a Massachusetts trial attorney. One of the complaints questioned Bondi receiving […]

Associated PressApril 20, 2017

The “America First” president who vowed to extricate America from onerous overseas commitments appears to be warming up to the view that when it comes to global agreements, a deal’s a deal. From NAFTA to the Iran nuclear agreement to the Paris climate accord, President Donald Trump‘s campaign rhetoric is colliding with the reality of […]

Associated PressApril 20, 2017

Thursday marks marijuana culture’s high holiday, 4/20, when college students gather — at 4:20 p.m. — in clouds of smoke on campus quads and when pot shops in legal weed states thank their customers with discounts. This year’s edition provides an occasion for pot activists to reflect on how far their movement has come, with […]

Associated PressApril 20, 2017

The trial of the wife of the Orlando nightclub gunman could be pushed back to next March. A proposed trial schedule filed Wednesday in federal court would have Noor Salman‘s trial starting in March 2018 and lasting for 25 days. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday to go over the schedule. Court papers filed last […]

Associated PressApril 19, 2017

Richard Rodrigue stood in the back of a banquet hall, watching his blond-haired, blue-eyed daughter mingle among her high school classmates. These teenagers speak dozens of languages, and hail from a dozen African nations. They fled brutal civil war, famine, oppressive regimes to find themselves here, at an ordinary high school pre-prom fete in this […]

Associated Press
Former state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia is sworn in as the new chief financial officer July 21, 2025.

Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago loses State Department promotion posting

Florida Forever bill could affect Everglades reservoir plan

Disgraced Sen. Frank Artiles paid Hooters, Playboy models as ‘consultants’

Gov. Scott delays trip to Argentina due to wildfires

2,000 homes evacuated in southwest Florida amid brush fires

Ethics Commission clears Pam Bondi over Donald Trump contribution

Once critical of global deals, Donald Trump slow to pull out of any

The origins of 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday

Trial for Pulse gunman’s wife could start next year

How communities shaped by refugees became Donald Trump country