Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 12, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham has received endorsements from Hawthorne Mayor Matt Surrency and two former mayors, Cindy Lerner of Pinecrest and Shirley Freeman of Monroe County, her campaign announced Monday morning. In a news release Graham, a former congresswoman from Tallahassee, heralded the endorsements as relevant in an era when the Florida Legislature is pursuing […]

Peter SchorschOctober 22, 2017

Last month, Hurricane Irma ravaged Florida and the Caribbean, a massive storm that overwhelmed millions of people in its path. In response to the devastating weather event, Motorola Solutions, through its communications systems, staff and officials, took the lead in a variety of ways — as responders and volunteers — to help those most affected […]

Danny McAuliffeOctober 12, 2017

After suffering major damage from Hurricane Irma, counties told the newly-formed House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness that they are confident in their ability to handle disasters. It seems they’re mainly concerned with reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—something that might be a large focus for the new committee. Representatives from […]

Associated PressSeptember 28, 2017

The lights flickered off during the lunchtime rush and the principal had to use a cellphone light to make sure everyone got their food, but school is back in session at a Florida school that was a Red Cross shelter after Hurricane Irma. Wednesday was the second of three staggered school opening dates in Monroe […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2017

Royal Caribbean International’s Empress of the Seas, with 878 passengers and about 600 crew members, docked in Key West Sunday marking the first cruise ship visit since before Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys Sept. 10. Officials said resuming cruise ship port calls is significant for the region’s economy, and vital for residents whose livelihood […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2017

Florida Keys fishermen are getting help from the air to locate lobster traps lost during Hurricane Irma. Florida Sea Grant is sending two aircraft with GPS-capable cameras over the island chain to document the locations of lobster trap clusters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In a statement, Florida Sea Grant agent […]

Associated PressSeptember 18, 2017

Dealing with wrecked belongings and reports of toxic muck, residents of a tiny town where Florida’s Everglades meet the Gulf of Mexico cleared their homes Monday in scorching 92 F (33 C) heat with no air conditioning and no electricity except from a few generators. The isolated Everglades City community of about 400 people suffered […]

Scott PowersSeptember 14, 2017

Heat may be rising among the millions of Floridians still without power, as 2.3 million homes and businesses head toward finishing a fourth full day without. The latest data from the Florida Office of Emergency Management show 22 percent of the state still was sweating out power outages at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, on what has […]

Scott PowersSeptember 14, 2017

Power outages continue to plague just over one quarter of all the homes and businesses in Florida, though the number fell to almost 2.7 million customers Thursday morning. A 6 a.m. update from the Florida Office of Emergency Management showed that those counties hit first and hardest by Hurricane Irma – Monroe, Collier and Lee […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2016

They love them some medical marijuana in the Florida Keys, and in the college towns of Gainesville and Tallahassee. But then, Floridians seem to like the idea throughout the Sunshine State of making medical marijuana a state constitutional right. Amendment 2, which rolled to a huge victory Tuesday, was approved by at least 60 percent […]

Tag: Monroe County
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Gwen Graham touts endorsements from mayor, two former mayors

Motorola Solutions steps up with expertise, volunteers for Hurricane Irma aid

FEMA reimbursements uncertain, counties say

School’s back in session for some in the Florida Keys

1st cruise ship since Irma docks in Key West

Aircraft help Florida Keys fishermen find lost lobster traps

SW Florida residents clear sodden homes in scorching heat

Power update: 2.3 million homes and businesses still without

Power outages down to 2.7 million homes, businesses

Medical marijuana Amendment 2 gets 60 percent in almost every county