Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonDecember 2, 2016

Eric Newman read news reports of the fight by incoming president Donald Trump to keep the Carrier air conditioning company from moving jobs to Mexico and thought, hey, why not us? Newman owns the J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Tampa and has been fighting the Food and Drug Administration over regulations that Newman says could […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2016

As dozens of injured people were being sent to Orlando hospitals in the immediate aftermath of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, thousands in Central Florida and throughout the state immediately went to give blood to those fighting for their lives. However, some survivors of the shooting were prohibited from donating blood to their friends who were shot because […]

Melissa RossMarch 18, 2016

Four new cases of the Zika virus were reported in Florida this week, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 66. To help prevent the disease from spreading further, late Thursday night the U.S. Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson and others to speed development of vaccines and treatments for the disease. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2016

For almost a decade, Florida has been ground zero in the nation’s struggle against prescription drug abuse. So-called “pain clinics” became a common part of the Florida landscape, leading to an epidemic of the misuse and abuse of opioids. The Florida Legislature responded to the proliferation of pain clinics with new regulations and from 2010 […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 5, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is vowing to continue the fight to stop the use of the botanical kratom, a plant-based product used as a homeopathic treatment that is beginning to concern authorities and healthcare professionals in Florida. PainMedicineNews.com reports that FDA officials recently seized 90,000 bottles of the dietary supplement manufactured under the […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2015

More thsn two dozen anti-GMO activists crowded into Tampa Bay area U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor‘s West Tampa District office Tuesday, asking her to oppose legislation that would prevent states from imposing their own laws requiring mandatory GMO labeling laws. “We want those members of Congress, especially those on the committees, that we want labeling,” Dessa […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Happy Friday to y’all. So much to talk about in the news this morning … The Tampa Bay Times’ flooded the zone in December with a series of disturbing stories about New Beginnings of Tampa, one of the city’s largest homeless charities, which for years has made money off its residents through its controversial “work therapy” program. The […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

In the past year, states such as Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona have passed laws to give critically ill patients the right to try medications that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Jeff Brandes wants Florida to be the next such state to pass what are known as “Right to Try” […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2015

Deadly diseases often strike quickly and without warning, leaving behind heartbroken families and so many unanswered questions. In our modern world we are fortunate to have access to vaccines, providing us the incredible opportunity to prevent a disease before it infects and kills. One of the most beneficial of these is the vaccine for bacterial […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2014

Last summer, Jared Fogel celebrated his 15th year as spokesperson for the Subway chain. He’s the guy who claimed to have lost 245 pounds by eating the fast-food chain’s turkey and veggie subs without the oil, cheese or mayo on them. Since then, he’s been helping the chain, which has more locations than McDonald’s and […]

Tag: FDA
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Joe Henderson: Donald Trump ‘saves’ Indiana jobs; Eric Newman asks ‘why not us?’

Alan Grayson pushes for repeal on limit on when gay, bisexual men can donate blood

U.S. Senate approves Bill Nelson bill to speed search for Zika virus cure

Michael Ruppal: Legislature must authorize use of abuse-deterrent opioids to save lives

FDA vows to crack down on kratom, seizes $400K shipment

Activists go to Kathy Castor’s office calling on her to reject food labeling law

Mitch Perry Report for 2.20.15 — On Rudy, Rick and DWS

Jeff Brandes files bill to allow dying patients to try unapproved medications

Cathy Mayfield: How vaccines can stop the deadly effects of meningitis

Steve Kurlander: Hold the mayo and the azodicarbonamide from my sub