September 3, 2025
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2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

Michael Carbonara ready to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz, regardless of the district’s lines

But a Midterm redistricting could definitely make the district more competitive in 2026.
4 8min
Emails & OpinionsHeadlines
Staff Reports

Last Call for 9.3.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
0 13min
2026Headlines
Jesse Scheckner

Daniel Perez political committees give $1M boost to Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor

It’s the largest sum the House Speaker’s political committees have ever given to a single candidate.
0 9min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Adora Nweze is being honored for her 25 years leading the NAACP Florida State Conference

‘That’s her legacy. She’s a champion for education. She is a diehard advocate.’
0 4min

News & Trending

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2026Headlines
September 3, 2025 Jacob Ogles

Michael Carbonara ready to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz, regardless of the district’s lines

4 8min 0
Emails & OpinionsHeadlines
September 3, 2025 Staff Reports

Last Call for 9.3.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

0 13min 0
2026Headlines
September 3, 2025 Jesse Scheckner

Daniel Perez political committees give $1M boost to Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor

0 9min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
September 3, 2025 Gabrielle Russon

Adora Nweze is being honored for her 25 years leading the NAACP Florida State Conference

0 4min 0
2026Headlines
September 3, 2025 Jesse Scheckner

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick sues Primary challenger Elijah Manley for $1M, citing defamation

1 10min 0
2026Headlines
September 3, 2025 Jacob Ogles

Scott Franklin, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast lead veterans coalition backing Byron Donalds for Governor

0 8min 0
HeadlinesInfluence
September 3, 2025 Drew Dixon

Ashley Moody introduces measure to tighten commercial driver regulations after fatal Florida accident

1 5min 0
FederalHeadlines
September 3, 2025 Jacob Ogles

Congresswoman introduces censure resolution against Cory Mills after series of scandals

0 7min 0

Legislative, Influence & Policy

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HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Adora Nweze is being honored for her 25 years leading the NAACP Florida State Conference

‘That’s her legacy. She’s a champion for education. She is a diehard advocate.’
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Drew Dixon

Ashley Moody introduces measure to tighten commercial driver regulations after fatal Florida accident

Ashley Moody drafted legislation requiring English language stipulations and proof of U.S. residency.
1 5min
HeadlinesInfluence
Gabrielle Russon

Florida could be first state to end all vaccine mandates as Joseph Ladapo compares them to ‘slavery’

DeSantis and Ladapo have regularly spoken out against the COVID vaccine for children but Wednesday’s announcement went much further.
7 5min
HeadlinesInfluence
Drew Dixon

Mike Yaworsky fines 8 insurance companies for ‘misconduct’ during recent hurricanes

Yaworsky said there was a long list of regulatory violations and another 2 companies are still under investigation.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Drew Dixon

Florida Chamber cheers on additional homeowner insurance companies coming to state

Legislative changes have created ‘wave’ of upbeat indicators for homeowner insurance carriers in the Sunshine State.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: The Southern Group repeats as No. 1 with $11M-plus quarter

At the high end, the firm could have earned as much as $15.19M.
0 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: Ballard Partners tops $10M in second-quarter earnings

Now a federal powerhouse, the Florida-grown firm is still firmly in the top tier at the state level.
1 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: Capital City Consulting revenues top $7.7M in Q2

The firm has a solid grip on the No. 3 spot in Florida Politics’ lobby firm rankings.
0 4min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: Rubin Turnbull nets another $3.5M in Q2

With back-to-back quarters totaling nearly $7M in revenues, Rubin Turnbull remains firmly in the Top 5.
0 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: GrayRobinson touts another Top 5 haul in Q2

GrayRobinson has collected $6.79M so far this year.
0 3min
HeadlinesInfluence
Jesse Scheckner

Bail or bust: Florida stands alone in taking fines from those who help defendants post bond

Legislation to end Florida’s unique bail policy stalled again earlier this year.
1 14min
HeadlinesInfluence
Staff Reports

Lobbying compensation: Top 10 firms finish Q2 with $1.5M+

There weren’t any surprises or shakeups among the state’s Top 10 firms last quarter.
0 13min

New Administration

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HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Leaving a top Donald Trump administration post? There may be an ambassadorship waiting.

Mike Waltz, Billy Long and Tammy Bruce all left jobs amid criticism but landed elsewhere in the administration.
1 12min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

It’s a year of rapid change, except when it comes to Donald Trump’s approval numbers, AP-NORC polling finds

While Trump’s poll numbers are under water, many Americans say they’re willing to give the President some leeway to improve things.
1 12min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

In Jeffrey Epstein furor, Donald Trump struggles to shake off a controversy his allies once stoked

‘I don’t want to talk about that.’
1 12min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts likely to disappoint, ex-prosecutors say

It may take weeks or even months for judges to rule on the release of additional files related to Epstein.
4 11min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Jacob Ogles

Will new IRS Commissioner Billy Long rescind Joe Biden-era economic substance doctrine?

Fiscal watchdogs and business groups say without the change, small businesses could still face abusive audits.
7min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

State Department fires 1,300 employees as part of mass reorganization

Marco Rubio said some cuts will be unfilled positions or those that are about to be vacated because of buyouts.
2 9min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump comes to Pam Bondi’s defense amid uproar over Jeffrey Epstein files

‘I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this.’
7min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump sets 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, new import taxes on 12 other nations

Some tariffs appear to be an attempt to box China in from trading to the U.S> through partner nations.
2 13min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Donald Trump judicial nominee denies advising Justice Dept. lawyers to ignore court orders

Testifying during a separate hearing Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the whistleblower’s timing ‘suspect.’
1 10min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Associated Press

Republicans urge Donald Trump, Elon Musk to end their feud

‘I really like both of them.’
4 6min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Jesse Scheckner

Former SCOFLA justices accuse Pam Bondi of ethical misconduct in Florida Bar complaint

The Department of Justice called them less intelligent or original ‘than sheep.’
6 6min
HeadlinesNew Administration
Jacob Ogles

Brian Hughes to become NASA Chief of Staff

He isn’t the only new NASA leader with strong ties to Florida.
4min

Immigration Enforcement

VIEW ALL
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
Gabrielle Russon

Gov. DeSantis says state program fighting fentanyl led to 2,100 arrests

DeSantis said he hopes to push for more funding for the SAFE program during the next Legislative Session.
0 4min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

Gov. DeSantis promises feds will cover Alligator Alcatraz expenses, even as facility’s future is in doubt

‘Florida will clearly benefit from a taxpayer perspective.’
3 5min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

Tom Homan rips ‘radical decision’ by Alligator Alcatraz Judge

The future of the makeshift prison is in doubt.
4 3min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

As reporting questions Alligator Alcatraz future, Gov. DeSantis says deportations continue

Kevin Guthrie told a religious leader that the converted airstrip would be down to ‘zero’ inmates.
3 3min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

Kevin Guthrie says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ will likely be empty within days

A top Florida official says the controversial state-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades will likely be empty in a matter of days, even as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the federal government fight a judge’s order to shutter the facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by late October. That’s according to an email exchange shared with The Associated Press. In a […]
3min
HeadlinesImmigration Enforcement
A.G. Gancarski

James Uthmeier says state troopers ‘absolutely’ can check citizenship ‘with probable cause’

‘This is a broad problem.’
3min

2026

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2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

Michael Carbonara ready to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz, regardless of the district’s lines

But a Midterm redistricting could definitely make the district more competitive in 2026.
4 8min
2026Headlines
Jesse Scheckner

Daniel Perez political committees give $1M boost to Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor

It’s the largest sum the House Speaker’s political committees have ever given to a single candidate.
0 9min
2026Headlines
Jesse Scheckner

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick sues Primary challenger Elijah Manley for $1M, citing defamation

She filed a similar, since-deactivated lawsuit in 2022 seeking the same sum.
1 10min
2026Headlines
Jacob Ogles

Scott Franklin, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast lead veterans coalition backing Byron Donalds for Governor

Several state lawmakers also joined onto the Veterans for Byron group.
0 8min
2026Headlines
A.G. Gancarski

‘Ill-advised decision’: Ron DeSantis says Paul Renner shouldn’t have run for Governor

DeSantis worked well with Renner when the latter was in the Florida House, but that’s where it ends.
5 4min
2026Headlines
A.G. Gancarski

Paul Renner, former Florida House speaker, announces run for Governor

A credible opponent for Byron Donalds emerges.
0 8min

Federal

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FederalHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

Congresswoman introduces censure resolution against Cory Mills after series of scandals

Yvette Clark laid out allegations from 2 women, an investigation of financial disclosures and allegations about his military service in a floor speech.
0 7min
FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

Democrats see crime as a major problem. Their party is struggling to address it

One area where Trump is gaining popularity is in how he handles crime.
4 13min
FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

What it could mean for the Fed to lose its independence

Critics maintain an independent Fed maintains objectivity on key economic decisions and impacts.
3 14min
FederalHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Ashley Moody says ‘activist litigants’ swayed Alligator Alcatraz judge

Because the detention facility was temporary and on state rather than federal land, Moody says federal law didn’t apply.
7 3min
FederalHeadlines
Associated Press

What happens to Donald Trump’s tariffs now that a federal appeals court has knocked them down?

SCOTUS will likely have a chance to review this decision.
9min
FederalForeign Affairs
Jacob Ogles

Marco Rubio signals impending end to USAID

The foreign aid-dispensing agency was folded into the State Department earlier this year.
4min

Jacksonville

HeadlinesJax
A.G. Gancarski

Florida GOP releases ad targeting Jacksonville budget imbroglio

3 2min

Union umbrella group holding protest in Jacksonville Saturday to tout values of Labor Day

Deborah Wesley scores 10 incumbent endorsements for Jax City Council bid

Florida GOP, Jacksonville City Council Republicans take stand against Donna Deegan’s budget

NE Florida

HeadlinesNE Florida
Drew Dixon

JEA approves up to $1.57B to build a new electric plant fueled by natural gas

4min 0

Florida agricultural officials invoke protections for more than 500 acres of farm land

Ashley Moody honors Putnam County deputy for saving 1-year-old’s life

11 days after deciding, Gov. DeSantis announces appointment of Kristine Van Vorst to 8th Circuit bench

Orlando

HeadlinesOrlando
Gabrielle Russon

Monique Worrell says she will review Pulse protestors’ arrests

1 4min 0

Even in the Disney World bubble, you can’t escape the heat. Dozens feel sick in heat wave

Halloween Season is already in full swing at Orlando’s theme parks

Winter Springs man facing dozens of charges over criminal identification use during 2024 petition drive

St. Pete

HeadlinesSt. Pete
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Feds approve St. Pete action plan for long-term storm recovery

0 4min

Dave Eggers launches re-election campaign for Pinellas County Commission

Berny Jacques town hall gets raucous

Frustrated with Ken Welch’s ‘missteps,’ Maria Scruggs hopes to offer an alternative

SW Florida

HeadlinesSW Florida
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Gov. DeSantis appoints Jim Turner to SWFWMD, reappoints 3 others

3min 0

Ron DeSantis names Karen Rose to Sarasota County School Board months after voters kicked her off

Southwest Florida’s GOP leaders watched Joe Gruters rise from ambitious upstart to national party head

Sarasota-Manatee lawmakers cheer Joe Gruters’ elevation to RNC Chair

Tampa

HeadlinesTampa Bay
Drew Dixon

Tampa-based insurance company launches text message claim option following disasters

0 3min 0

No, a Tampa City Council candidate was not deported

Mike Fasano selects Gulf Coast JFC’s ‘Heart Gallery’ as latest Charity of the Month

Rock the Park returns for its 15th year of free concerts under the stars

Panhandle

HeadlinesPanhandle
Drew Dixon

Gov. DeSantis reappoints 3 to the Northwest Florida Water Management District

3min

New bay scallop season opens for Panhandle counties

Stakeholders applaud new forest land acquisition in Bay County

James Uthmeier charges Escambia County woman with exploiting elderly man

Tallahassee

HeadlinesTallahassee
Florida Phoenix

‘Significant enhancements’ in security since FSU campus shooting, President says

0 5min 0

Gallop Franklin to host second ‘State of Health’ roundtable with Big Bend leaders in Tallahassee

Banner accusing Donald Trump, Pam Bondi of ‘protecting predators’ flies over Tallahassee

Leon County turns the tide with big wins in 2025 Session

Communities

Communities
Associated Press

Taking a dip Labor Day weekend? Swimmers face fecal contamination at beaches along US coastline

7min 0

League of Cities recognizes 4 local governments for exceptional civic programs

Jena Antonucci: Preserving Florida — an agricultural triumph

JJ Grow bests Judith Vowels to win HD 23 open seat

South Florida

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HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Palm Beach County teachers’ union unanimously endorses John McGovern for School Board

‘Our teachers are the foundation of student success and development of our future workforce.”
0 3min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Dem leaders, advocates to rally in Fort Lauderdale to defend rainbow crosswalk

‘The rally will send a clear message to state and federal leaders: our community will not be erased.’
7min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Another union backs ‘strong advocate’ Laura Dominguez for re-election in Miami Beach

‘She understands the importance of fair representation, collective bargaining, and supporting the workers who keep our communities running.’
5min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

Gov. DeSantis names 3, reappoints 1, to Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade Board

All bring valuable insights and applicable experience.
5min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

‘The fearless leader Miami needs’: Miami Young Republicans back Emilio González for Mayor

‘He’s committed to reform, accountability, and a resident-first agenda that delivers real results for our city.’
5min
HeadlinesSouth Florida
Jesse Scheckner

‘Uniquely qualified’: 11 top Dems back Yvette Drucker for Palm Beach County Clerk

‘Yvette has the skills, temperament, and real-world experience to be an outstanding Clerk of Court.’
5min

Culture Wars

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Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Byron Donalds says Americans want National Guard patrolling their streets

‘Why can’t we do the same thing where we live?’
6 3min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Fort Lauderdale defies Gov. DeSantis order, joins cities fighting to save rainbow street art

‘We cannot be bullied into submission and to allow others to dictate what happens in our community.’
1 5min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Associated Press

Florida to put triple murderer to death in record 11th execution this year

Curtis Windom in 1992 killed his girlfriend, her mother and a man who owed him money.
2 6min
Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

‘Nation of renters’: Ron DeSantis rips BlackRock, bashes housing market that freezes out the young

‘These young kids, they’re not even in the game.’
6min
Culture WarsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Ron DeSantis, equal-opportunity executioner

‘Critics are saying this is racist?’
8 3min
Culture WarsHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Florida election law dealt blow as judge rules noncitizen petition ban unconstitutional

‘The residency and citizenship requirements effectively silence (the plaintiffs), their members and employees.’
7min

Foreign Affairs

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Foreign AffairsHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

‘A national security issue’: James Uthmeier subpoenas video surveillance company over data privacy, ties to China

The company was sold to a Taiwanese entity in 2023, but it reportedly still uses key components from its former Chinese owner.
8min
FederalForeign Affairs
Jacob Ogles

Marco Rubio signals impending end to USAID

The foreign aid-dispensing agency was folded into the State Department earlier this year.
4min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

Canadian tourism down year over year, but Ron DeSantis sees them as key to property tax relief

‘Who would want to be in Canada in the winter or spring when you could be in Florida?’
2 3min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
Jesse Scheckner

Carlos Giménez urges Donald Trump to strip PAHO immunity over forced Cuban labor in Brazil

‘Its actions are an affront to U.S. law, our commitment to human rights, and the values we champion throughout the Western Hemisphere.’
8min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
A.G. Gancarski

‘I’d rather have none’: Ron DeSantis sees red over Donald Trump greenlight for Chinese students

The Governor says ‘a significant percentage of the Chinese students … are engaged by the CCP.’
1 3min
Foreign AffairsHeadlines
Associated Press

Marco Rubio’s State Department halts visas for people from Gaza after Laura Loomer questions arrivals

The Secretary of State said a “small number” of visas were issued to children in need of medical aid.
7min

Emails & Opinions

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Emails & OpinionsHeadlines

Last Call for 9.3.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 9.3.25

Last Call for 9.2.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Blaise Ingoglia is officially in for CFO, and his DOGE efforts are making a difference

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 9.2.25

Apolitical

APoliticalHeadlines

UF survey shows steep drop in Florida consumer sentiment in August

August’s sharp drop is the second-most significant decline this year.
APoliticalHeadlines

Sobering trend: Floridians are cutting back on alcohol as health-concerned drinkers seek alternatives

There’s also been a marked change in alcohol consumption along political lines.
APoliticalHeadlines

Ron DeSantis hopes Florida teams can return to College Football Playoff

APoliticalHeadlines

This sweet moment helped Adam Botana’s cinnamon roll-baking abilities go mega-viral

Cardiac Insight donates $150K worth of devices to save student athletes facing hidden heart conditions

Tech

HeadlinesTech

Ron DeSantis warns that AI is coming for white-collar jobs

‘Those could end up being obsolete.’
HeadlinesTech

Rick Scott targets Chinese control of ‘smart’ appliances

‘China could flip a digital switch and plunge parts of America into chaos.’
HeadlinesTech

Rick Scott wants federal money back from Intel

HeadlinesTech

Kennedy Space Center adds new bus tour stop with big views

Donald Trump admin launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help

Education

VIEW ALL
EducationHeadlines
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Florida Poly professor to study brain data to reimagine engineering education

‘This will add a new dimension to how we understand and teach engineering design.’
0 4min
EducationHeadlines
Jacob Ogles

Washington Monthly ranks New College as No. 1 public liberal arts school in nation

New College also landed high in the Southeast against all universities in terms of ‘Bang for the Buck.’
0 3min
EducationHeadlines
Janelle Irwin Taylor

Laser light from peacocks? Florida Poly student research finds it in feathers

‘Identifying and exploiting such hidden structures could lead to advances not only in photonics but also in sensitive medical diagnostics.’
3min
#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, Liam Fineout, A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Andrew Powell, Jesse Scheckner, Janelle Taylor, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704

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