Florida Politics

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Drew Dixon

Mike Haridopolos named Chair of House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics

1 3min 0

Emails & Opinions Headlines

January 30, 2025

Staff Reports

Last Call for 1.30.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

1 13min 0

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Andrew Powell

Corey Simon comments on political dogfight over immigration bill: ‘It’s OK for us to disagree’

2 5min 0

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Gabrielle Russon

Democratic lawmakers file bills to make concert tickets easier and cheaper to buy

1 4min 0

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Fiona McFarland bill would revamp Florida’s payout rules for lawsuits against the government

1 7min 0

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Jacob Ogles

Daniel Perez: Gov. DeSantis wants ‘mini-version of ICE,’ not to work with Donald Trump

1 5min 0

Headlines Influence

January 30, 2025

Ron DeSantis ready to wade into 2026 fights with familiar political committee

1 3min 0

Headlines Tampa Bay

January 30, 2025

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Republican voters now outnumber Democrats in Hillsborough County

6 4min 0

New Administration

Headlines New Administration

What U.S. adults think of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his views on vaccines, fluoride, raw milk

One of Kennedy’s ideas is popular across the board: getting some chemicals out of processed foods.

7 12min

Headlines New Administration

Jacob Ogles

Senate Judiciary Committee recommends Pam Bondi be confirmed as Attorney General

The committee recommendation also marked Ashley Moody’s first vote as a U.S. Senator.

1 5min

New Administration Tech

Google to change map names for Gulf of Mexico, Denali when U.S. updates them on Donald Trump’s order

The company said that Maps will reflect any updates to the Geographic Names Information System.

13 3min

Headlines New Administration

Donald Trump signs order likely setting future ban on transgender troops in motion

Other Defense Department orders includes development of a space-based missile defense system.

3 10min

Headlines New Administration

‘She’s made of ice’: Donald Trump talks Susie Wiles, flipping ‘Democrat state’ Florida

‘Do you know that there has never been a woman Chief of Staff, but there is now?’

15 5min

New Administration

Staff Reports

Donald Trump announces heap of White House staff appointments

Key appointments include Steven Cheung as Communications Director and Karoline Leavitt as Press Secretary.

2 2min

Headlines New Administration

Donald Trump orders tariffs, visa restrictions on Colombia over rejection of deportation flights

Donald Trump also enacted visa sanctions against any Colombians coming to the United States.

8 4min

Headlines New Administration

More DEI fallout: Air Force scraps course that used videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female WWII pilots

Donald Trump phases out U.S. Air Force education on heroes among WWII Black pilots.

6 6min

New Administration

Fact focus: A look at false and misleading claims made by Donald Trump during his first week back in office

President Donald Trump stepped back into the presidency this week moving quickly to set a new agenda, but from his inaugural address continuing through a flurry of executive actions, press conferences and interviews Trump relied on an array of false and misleading information to support his case. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: Speaking to […]

10 16min

New Administration

Donald Trump speaks on ‘no tax on tips’ after Florida Republicans file bill to make that happen

The GOP looks to let food and beverage servers keep more of their gratuities.

12 4min

Headlines New Administration

Pete Hegseth confirmed as Defense Secretary; JD Vance casts deciding vote

Three Republicans broke ranks.

12 3min

Headlines New Administration

Phil Ammann

Donald Trump revives Mexico City Policy, bolsters Hyde Amendment

It is now the policy of the United States to end the forced use of taxpayer money to fund or promote elective abortions, aligning federal policy with the Hyde Amendment.

5 5min

Legislative, Influence & Policy

Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

Mike Haridopolos named Chair of House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics

Mike Haridopolos has credited entrepreneur and Donald Trump supporter Elon Musk for reviving the space program.

1 3min

Headlines Influence

Andrew Powell

Corey Simon comments on political dogfight over immigration bill: ‘It’s OK for us to disagree’

‘We don’t have the luxury in this district of getting involved in the politics, nor do I want to, because the things that plague you all are the things that burden my heart.’

2 5min

Headlines Influence

Gabrielle Russon

Democratic lawmakers file bills to make concert tickets easier and cheaper to buy

Tired of seeing one price but paying another? This bill would fix that.

1 4min

Headlines Influence

Fiona McFarland bill would revamp Florida’s payout rules for lawsuits against the government

It’s an issue lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have tried to address for years.

1 7min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Daniel Perez: Gov. DeSantis wants ‘mini-version of ICE,’ not to work with Donald Trump

The House Speaker maintains that the Legislature’s measure is a stronger, more conservative proposal.

1 5min

Headlines Influence

Ron DeSantis ready to wade into 2026 fights with familiar political committee

DeSantis used his Florida Freedom Fund to defeat Amendments 3 and 4 in the 2024 election cycle.

1 3min

Specials

Headlines Specials

Jacob Ogles

Jimmy Patronis wins Republican nomination in CD 1 Special Election

He heads into an April 1 Special Election to replace Matt Gaetz as a heavy frontrunner.

4 5min

Headlines Specials

Jacob Ogles

Primary Elections to choose likely successors to Matt Gaetz, Michael Waltz in Congress

Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine hold financial advantages. Will low turnout produce unexpected outcomes?

2 7min

Headlines Specials

Donald Trump doubles down on Jimmy Patronis endorsement

The President’s man is on the ballot Tuesday.

1 3min

Headlines Specials

Jacob Ogles

Debbie Mayfield formally submits resignation, Gov. DeSantis calls Special Election for HD 32

The election will take place concurrent with another Special Election in SD 19, in which Mayfield in running.

4 4min

Headlines Specials

Jacob Ogles

Special Election called to replace Joel Rudman in HD 3

Rudman already vacated the seat on Jan. 1.

1 5min

Headlines Specials

Jacob Ogles

Special Election scheduled to replace Randy Fine in SD 19

A winner may not be decided until June.

3 5min

Federal

Federal Headlines

Ron DeSantis ready to help Donald Trump deportations to Gitmo

DeSantis floated Florida as a logical launching pad for the removal of people in the country illegally earlier this week.

8 3min

Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Ashley Moody builds Senate staff, hiring Justin Roth, Whitney Ray

Roth previously worked for Ron DeSantis in the House. Ray has worked for years in for the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

2 3min

Federal Headlines

Donald Trump makes moves to expand his power, sparking chaos, possible constitutional crisis

The actions have led to a cascade of court challenges contending the President overstepped his constitutional bounds.

2 12min

Federal Headlines

DOJ drops criminal proceedings against Donald Trump co-defendants in classified records case

Case closed.

2 4min

Federal Headlines

Donald Trump White House rescinds memo freezing federal grants after widespread confusion

Even temporary interruptions in funding could cause layoffs or delays in public services.

3 5min

Federal Headlines

Federal judge temporarily blocks Donald Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans

U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the funding freeze minutes before it was to take effect.

5 13min

Jacksonville

Headlines Jax

Drew Dixon

Jacksonville International Airport breaks travel record for second year in a row

2 3min

Voting rights groups decry dropped charges against machete-wielding Donald Trump supporter

Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn begins prison sentence in South Carolina

Jacksonville legend Sam Mousa’s funeral service is set for Wednesday

NE Florida

Headlines NE Florida

Drew Dixon

First Coast still frozen from impacts of Winter storm

5 4min 0

Northeast Florida colleges, schools announce shutdowns ahead of wild Winter storm

St. Johns County pier opens for fishing again after multiple setbacks in 2024

December First Coast home sales report is a mixed bag, but shows some positive trends

Orlando

Headlines Orlando

Gabrielle Russon

Universal Orlando crowds return as Epic Universe gets ready for big opening

3 4min 0

Buddy Dyer confirms he will not seek re-election in 2027

Legoland Florida guts entertainment department with 234 layoffs

Orange County lawmakers support Sunbridge District changes

St. Pete

Headlines St. Pete

Janelle Irwin Taylor

The Doctor is in: John Doctor to run for Mayor, after October appointment

0 4min

Charlie Justice named new CEO for Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber

David Delrahim re-elected to St. Pete Downtown Business Association Board

Pinellas County completes storm debris collection, meets deadline for reimbursement

SW Florida

Headlines SW Florida

Jacob Ogles

Poll shows Fort Myers voters tiring of subsidizing apartment construction

1 6min 0

Bob Rommel campaign surpasses $200K as committee sits on $1.9M cash

Carmine Marceno acknowledges FBI investigation while touting agency accomplishments

James Buchanan first to file to succeed Joe Gruters in SD 22

Tampa

Headlines Tampa Bay

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Republican voters now outnumber Democrats in Hillsborough County

6 4min 0

Kathy Castor names Shahra Lambert as new District Advisor

Tampa’s Gasparilla pirate festival: ‘Time flies when you’re having rum’

Looking for a free ride to Gasparilla? HART’s got you covered

Panhandle

Headlines Panhandle

Drew Dixon

Winter storm not finished with Florida as state braces for more extreme cold

1 3min

‘A man of integrity’: Matt Gaetz predecessor Jeff Miller endorses Jimmy Patronis for CD 1

Apalachicola drilling project foolishly expands as DEP ‘takes out the trash’

Panhandle natural gas company gets state approval for rate hike in small Gulf Coast municipality

Tallahassee

Headlines Tallahassee

Sledding on boogie boards, ice hockey on Canal Street: The Gulf Coast embraces a rare snow day

0 5min 0

Senate, House meetings canceled before frigid weather hits Tallahassee

‘Unparalleled experience’: Virginia Dailey joins Shumaker Tallahassee office

World champion pitmaster Josh Cooper tapped as Cleaver and Cork’s Brunch and Barbeque celebrity chef

Communities

Mike Wright

JJ Grow bests Judith Vowels to win HD 23 open seat

4min 0

Bill Gladson endorses Matt McClain for Marion County Commission

Are Alachua Commissioners about to pay for a house of cardboard?

Governor appoints Deborah Cunningham, Adam Lee to county court judgeships

South Florida

Headlines South Florida

Joe Peduzzi launches Palm Beach County Commission bid with fleet of WPB endorsements

He’s the first to announce his candidacy in the 2026 race.

2 4min

Headlines South Florida

Cold-stunned green sea turtles are recovering at a Florida marine life center

Most of the 17 turtles are expected to be released back into the ocean in a few weeks.

1 3min

Headlines South Florida

Miami-Dade’s new resilience chief arrested before his first day on the job

His lawyer said he’s innocent of wrongdoing.

0 3min

Headlines South Florida

Carlos Giménez joins Smithsonian Board, vows to push for true portrayal of Cuban exile experience

He’s the only member of Congress who was born on the island.

0 4min

Headlines South Florida

‘This is our time to fight back’: Yoni Anijar files to succeed term-limited Chip LaMarca in HD 100

He’s running to keep Broward County’s only red House seat in Republican hands.

0 6min

Headlines South Florida

Curtis Osceola, Miccosukee Tribe Chief of Staff, named Miami-Dade’s new resilience lead

He plans to continue working on Everglades restoration while boosting the county’s renewable energy use infrastructure hardening.

0 6min

Culture Wars

Culture Wars Headlines

Ron DeSantis distant third in 2028 GOP presidential preference poll

Is the magic gone? Or are the polls wrong?

8 3min

Culture Wars Headlines

Free speech organizations denounce Education Department’s calling book bans a ‘hoax’

‘Book bans are real.’

2 5min

Culture Wars Headlines

Grady Judd opposes Donald Trump on pardoned ‘J6 hostages’

‘We have a different attitude here.”

5 3min

Culture Wars Headlines

‘RIP’: Ron DeSantis lauds Donald Trump squashing ‘book ban hoax’

‘The kibosh’ cometh.

9 5min

Culture Wars Headlines

Supreme Court will weigh approval for 1st publicly funded religious charter school in U.S.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett is not taking part in the case, but did not explain why.

2 5min

Culture Wars Headlines

Donald Trump, JD Vance join March for Life anti-abortion activists celebrating movement’s gains

‘This is a significant moment in history.’

7 8min

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Headlines

White House says Colombia agrees to take deported migrants after Donald Trump tariff showdown

The U.S. and Colombia clashed Sunday over deportation of migrants and imposed tariffs on each other’s goods.

1 10min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide

Ukraine is included in the assistance moratorium.

7 4min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Lost in translation? China warns Marco Rubio to ‘behave’

Tough words from Beijing are nothing new.

7 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Coast Guard mobilized on Florida coast to stop migrant invasion

Mobilized ‘cutters, aircraft, boats and deployable specialized forces’ are headed to protect the state from unwanted interlopers.

2 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Justin Trudeau says Canada will respond to U.S. tariffs as Ontario’s premier says Donald Trump ‘declared war’

Doug Ford said as soon as Trump applies tariffs he will instruct Ontario’s liquor control board to pull all American-made alcohol from shelves.

2 10min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Donald Trump returns Cuba to terror sponsor list, again reversing Joe Biden’s policy

Needless to say, Cuba’s President wasn’t a fan of the move.

0 6min

Emails & Opinions

Emails & Opinions Headlines

Last Call for 1.30.25 – 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 — 1.30.25

Last Call for 1.29.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Jacksonville Bold for 1.29.25: Win some, lose some

Miami archbishop’s message to Trump: ‘Migrants are not a problem’

Apolitical

APolitical Headlines

Florida’s new unemployment claims decrease for second week in a row

There 5,530 new jobless claims in Florida for the week ending Jan. 25.

APolitical Headlines

American Airlines jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter at Reagan Airport

Aa Bombardier twin-engine plane carrying 64 people crashed with a Blackhawk helicopter.

APolitical Headlines

Florida agricultural businesses damaged by winter storm can apply for recovery loans

APolitical Headlines

Florida recidivism rate is among lowest in the nation

For the first time in years, fewer Florida travelers got caught trying to illegally carry guns onto planes in 2024

Tech

Headlines Tech

Tech stocks tumble as a Chinese competitor threatens to upend the AI industry; Nvidia down 17%

More big swings may be ahead as Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla will soon report how much profit they made at the end of 2024.

Headlines Influence Tech

Florida demand for VPNs surges by 1,150% after Pornhub bans access

But will users of the surfing services face more exposure than they expect?

Headlines Tech

Stock market today: Netflix, AI excitement send Wall Street to the brink of an all-time high

Headlines Tech

TikTok goes dark as U.S. ban takes effect

Supreme Court backs law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

Education

Education Headlines

Drew Dixon

UF installing new supercomputer at Gainesville campus to advance AI research

‘UF’s commitment to comprehensive AI education prepares our students with the skills and AI knowledge needed to succeed in our rapidly transforming workforce.’

0 4min

Education Headlines

Peter Schorsch

AEI report highlights connection between education freedom and assessment choice

The new report from AEI underscores how standardized testing alternatives empower students to achieve academic goals.

0 4min

Education Headlines