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

Associated PressJanuary 29, 2017

Family reunions were blocked, refugees from war-torn countries were turned away and border agents detained scores of unsuspecting travelers at airports as the U.S. began a chaotic implementation of President Donald Trump‘s plan to fight terrorism by temporarily stopping citizens of seven nations from entering the country. By Saturday night, a federal judge in New […]

Associated PressJanuary 28, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is announcing his annual budget recommendations next week. Scott plans to release details of his spending plan on Tuesday during the annual legislative planning session hosted by The Associated Press. The Florida Legislature will consider Scott’s budget request during the session that starts in March. The Republican governor has already outlined […]

Associated PressJanuary 27, 2017

Authorities say two students who were plotting a Columbine-style attack at a central Florida middle school have been arrested. Sumter County Sheriff’s officials said in a news release that the boys, ages 13 and 14, planned the attack at The Villages Charter Middle School for Friday. Deputies say rumors about a shooting began circulating Tuesday. […]

Associated PressJanuary 26, 2017

President Donald Trump‘s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality — who’s going to pay for it and how? Not us, say the Mexicans. Instead, U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with money already in the Department of Homeland Security account that […]

Associated PressJanuary 26, 2017

A federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment against the man accused of a shooting rampage at a South Florida airport that left five people dead and six wounded. The indictment Thursday charges Esteban Santiago, 26, with 11 counts of causing death or bodily harm at an international airport, five counts of causing death during […]

Associated PressJanuary 26, 2017

The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST): 4:50 p.m. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer now says slapping a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico is just one of several options on the table for paying for a wall along the southern border. Spicer says President Donald Trump has yet to make […]

Associated PressJanuary 26, 2017

Miami-Dade County shouldn’t be considered a “sanctuary city” because it cooperates with federal law enforcement when detaining immigrants, officials said Wednesday. Michael Hernandez, a spokesman of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, said they don’t know yet whether the county will be deprived of federal funds under a new order signed Wednesday by President Donald Trump that seeks […]

Associated PressJanuary 26, 2017

A 14-year-old girl who broadcast her suicide on Facebook never got the help she needed from Florida’s foster care system, an attorney said Wednesday, even though she had exhibited dangerous and self-destructive behavior. Nakia Venant had been in and out of foster care for more than seven years, and since April, had bounced between at […]

Associated PressJanuary 25, 2017

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Florida state employees who want to enroll in the state’s popular pre-paid tuition program are going to get a small break this year. State workers will get a $25 discount on the application fee if they enroll during this year’s open enrollment period. The application fee is normally $50. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is […]

Associated PressJanuary 25, 2017

The Trump administration is mandating that any studies or data from scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency undergo review by political appointees before they can be released to the public. The communications director for President Donald Trump‘s transition team at EPA, Doug Ericksen, said Wednesday the review also extends to content on the federal agency’s […]

Associated Press

Tears and detention for U.S. visitors as Trump travel ban hits

Rick Scott to roll out his spending plan

2 central Florida students arrested in school shooting plot

Analysis: Donald Trump’s border wall faces reality check

Florida airport shooting suspect indicted on 22 counts

Sean Spicer says 20 percent tax on Mexican imports just an option

Miami-Dade uncertain after Donald Trump goes after sanctuary cities

Attorney: Florida never helped girl who livestreamed suicide

Florida state workers getting prepaid tuition sign-up discount

EPA science under scrutiny by Trump political staff