Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 9, 2017

One doesn’t have to go back much farther than a few days to find the latest historical example of mass shootings in Florida: an Orlando workplace shooting that took multiple casualties. It wasn’t the first mass shooting in Florida. It likely won’t be the last. As Orlando and the state of Florida deal with that […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

President Donald Trump is asserting that fired FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to Congress represents “total and complete vindication” in the Russia case. Trump, who did not post on his Twitter account as Comey appeared before the Senate intelligence committee Thursday, sent a tweet at daybreak Friday. In the post, the president said: “Despite so […]

Peter SchorschJune 9, 2017

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature, which has been wracked by feuds among its top leaders for the last several years, is in danger of ending a three-day special session without restoring billions in money that public schools use to pay for day-to-day operations. The session is scheduled to end Friday, but after two days there remained a […]

Staff ReportsJune 9, 2017

A bipartisan bill to reform the Department of Veterans of Affairs by allowing the secretary to dismiss bad employees is headed to the U.S. House, after clearing the Senate on a voice vote this week. Sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act gives the VA secretary […]

Associated PressJune 9, 2017

An Alaska man charged with killing five people and wounding six in a Florida airport shooting spree is due in court as a judge closely monitors his mental health. Lawyers for 27-year-old Esteban Santiago of Anchorage, Alaska, have said he’s fit to stand trial despite a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The hearing Friday is one of […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2017

Lodging alternative marketing service Airbnb released figures Thursday that shows families and friends of college graduates piled into vacation rental homes from Pensacola to Miami Guests booking rooms in Airbnb-marketed vacation rental homes more than doubled in Gainesville and Tallahassee during the University of Florida and Florida A&M University commencement weeks in April. Tallahassee also […]

Phil AmmannJune 8, 2017

Facebook announced three new features Wednesday aimed at boosting civic engagement in the U.S., allowing users to better connect with elected officials, candidates and staff. The new offerings help users sort through a mountain of content on the social network and help politicians find comments and news stories that connect directly to their home districts. […]

Associated PressJune 8, 2017

Former FBI Director James Comey accused the Trump administration Thursday of spreading “lies, plain and simple” about him and the FBI in the aftermath of his abrupt firing, in dramatic testimony that threatened to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency. As he opened his much anticipated first public telling of his relationship with Trump, Comey disputed the […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2017

In a 4-3 decision, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday agreed with a lower court and said limiting certain damages in personal-injury medical malpractice lawsuits is unconstitutional. The ruling split along the usual lines, with the progressive-leaning justices concurring, and the conservatives—now including new Justice C. Alan Lawson—in dissent. The Legislature established $500,000 limits, or caps, […]

Bill RuftyJune 8, 2017

Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven said he will run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The grandson of the late citrus baron and one-time gubernatorial candidate, Ben Hill Griffin Jr., Troutman will enter the competitive race to succeed Adam Putnam, a Bartow Republican who is term-limited and is running for governor. “I will file […]

Headlines

On eve of Pulse massacre anniversary, Gwen Graham pushes gun safety plan

Day after Comey hearing, Donald Trump claims ‘total and complete vindication’

Session on verge of collapse as Florida GOP leaders feud

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson backed VA reform bill clears the Senate

Airport shooting suspect due back in court

College graduates’ families, friends pump up Airbnb bookings

Facebook rolls out new features to help users connect with elected officials

James Comey: Donald Trump administration spread ‘lies, plain and simple’

Supreme Court strikes down limit on medical malpractice awards

Baxter Troutman entering competitive Agriculture Commissioner race