Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 16, 2017

A Brightline train derailed in February and opponents of the planned, east-coast, high-speed passenger rail service expressed frustration Monday that they only recently learned about the accident and criticized the company for not mentioning it during Florida Legislature testimony about rail safety. Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida and the counties of Indian River and […]

Associated PressSeptember 6, 2017

Florida residents picked store shelves clean and long lines formed at gas pumps Wednesday as Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 monster with potentially catastrophic winds of 185 mph, steamed toward the Sunshine State and a possible direct hit on the Miami metropolitan area of nearly 6 million people. The most powerful hurricane ever recorded in […]

Associated PressJune 28, 2017

Southwest Airlines Co. says it will drop flights to two Cuban destinations, citing its struggles to attract passengers and a tougher U.S. stance toward the island nation. Dallas-based Southwest on Wednesday announced service to Varadero and Santa Clara, Cuba, will end Sept. 4. It will continue to fly to Havana from Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. […]

Associated PressMay 28, 2017

Florida’s busiest container port has received approval to begin the largest expansion in its history. Port Everglades just outside Fort Lauderdale received unanimous approval from Broward County commissioners to begin the $437 million expansion that is scheduled to be completed by early 2022. The expansion will include up to five larger berths to handle the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

Brightline railroad supporters and Treasure Coast counties opposing the higher-speed train planned from Orlando to Miami debated their cases Wednesday before a Florida House committee, showing the high stakes of their fight. Officials from the train company, and two other train companies, were joined by officials of one of the counties, Indian River for a panel […]

Associated PressFebruary 21, 2017

Florida Republicans are more determined than ever to pass bills expanding gun rights in the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub and Fort Lauderdale airport shootings. They say law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to take their weapons to airports, government meetings and state universities, and would be in a better position to protect themselves […]

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 9, 2017

The Iraq war veteran held in the fatal shooting of five people inside Fort Lauderdale’s airport was appointed a federal public defender on Monday after telling a judge that he has no job and only $5 or $10 in the bank. Esteban Santiago, 26, spoke clearly during a brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia […]

Associated PressJanuary 8, 2017

Dan and Janice Kovacs and their two children were passing through airport security when the gunfire erupted. They were shoeless — with wallets, passports and carry-on items chugging along a conveyor belt — when they sprang into the mass of people running to safety. Now they’re among stranded travelers at Fort Lauderdale trying to recover […]

Associated PressNovember 28, 2016

When Randall Baker began renting out a pair of College Park cottages through Airbnb, he says he thought he had done everything right. He had a business license through the state and tax receipts from the city and county. But after a neighbor complained, Orlando code enforcement determined Baker was violating zoning rules. Though he […]

Tag: Fort Lauderdale
Melania and Donald Trump with Pope Francis. Image via AP.

Brightline February train car derailment comes to light; critics call it ‘disturbing’

‘This is a buzz saw’: Florida braces for Hurricane Irma

Southwest drops 2 Cuban routes, citing performance, ban

Florida’s busiest container port to get major expansion

Brightline, Indian River County duke it out before House panel

Florida looks to expand gun rights in wake of Pulse shooting

Florida airport shooting suspect indicted on 22 counts

Airport shooting suspect gets public defender in court

Travelers lose 25,000 items in Florida airport rampage

Orlando grapples with Airbnb, other rental networks