Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier say Florida deserves more House seats and wants them now
‘Steps must be taken now to right these wrongs.’
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10min
Mike McGraw
Janelle Irwin TaylorIt’s the last day to register to vote for the Tampa City Council Special Election
Candidate qualifying also begins Monday and runs through Friday.
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3min
It’s a crowded Special Election for Tampa City Council; get smart fast with these candidate questionnaires
From campaign priorities to professional backgrounds, learn about the candidates here.
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42min
Drew DixonFirst Coast home sales slide again in July
As home closings go down, the inventory of houses for sale go up in Northeast Florida.
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5min
News & Trending
August 11, 2025
Jacob Ogles
Jacob Ogles
Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier say Florida deserves more House seats and wants them now
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10min
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Staff Reports
August 11, 2025
Peter Schorsch
Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 8.11.25
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96min
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Drew Wilson
Legislative, Influence & Policy
Personnel note: Stefan Grow joins Johnson & Blanton
‘We are thrilled Stefan has become part of our growing practice …’
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3min
Florida PhoenixFlorida’s top marijuana regulator leaves post
Kimball’s departure comes as the state prepares to defend its November 2024 decision to award 22 new medical marijuana licenses.
1
4min
1000 Friends of Florida blasts new law designed for hurricane recovery development
The watchdog group’s legal analyst says the measure ‘drastically’ limits local development authority.
1
3min
Gabrielle RussonIt’s almost back-to-Session time for lawmakers
Lawmakers can start filing legislation for the upcoming 2026 Session beginning Aug. 18.
4min
Gov. DeSantis’ election police arrested 19 felons for voting in a high-profile roundup. Where are they now?
Some pleaded to probation, one died, but a number still await decisions on appeals to the Florida Supreme Court.
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6min
FSLA installs new leadership, celebrates market strength
Albert Geraci will serve as FSLA President through 2026.
4min
FDA considering lowering sugar content to determine what is ‘orange juice’
Florida citrus growers are cheering the federal proposal.
2
4min
Heritage Insurance to sponsor Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies Convention
The event will take place Aug. 13-16 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.
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3min
Jesse Scheckner32 state lawmakers earn top grade in new ‘report card’ from Progress Florida, Florida Watch
‘It is important Floridians recognize these lawmakers who cast their votes to improve the lives of working families and seniors.’
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10min
Jason Shoaf’s Second Chance Act is already saving lives
An athlete’s untimely passing leads to necessary changes in physicals, inclusion of EKGs.
5min
James Uthmeier appoints Bradley McVay as Statewide Prosecutor
McVay is entrenched in Republican Party legal action.
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3min
Applications reopen for My Safe Florida Home program, with $280M in funding
‘We’ve seen the real impact this program has on families across the state.’
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4min
New Administration
Associated PressIt’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.
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12min
In Jeffrey Epstein furor, Donald Trump struggles to shake off a controversy his allies once stoked
‘I don’t want to talk about that.’
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12min
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.
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11min
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
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.
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9min
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
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
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.’
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10min
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.’
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6min
Brian Hughes to become NASA Chief of Staff
He isn’t the only new NASA leader with strong ties to Florida.
4min
Donald Trump taps Bernie Navarro as the next Ambassador to Peru
The Benworth Capital founder is a long-time friend and ally of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
4min
Immigration Enforcement
A.G. GancarskiJames Uthmeier slams ‘sham’ lawsuit thwarting Alligator Alcatraz construction
Cable news viewers got the AG’s take Friday.
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3min
Judge to consider the fate of an agreement on protecting immigrant children in U.S. custody
Advocates for the children say the government is holding children beyond set time limits.
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4min
Florida updated agreement on handling detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, but a month after it opened
The update was made public Thursday.
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4min
Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring for deportations
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said applicants could be as young as 18.
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3min
Judge considers whether Alligator Alcatraz violates environmental law
Environmentalists say the Everglades detention center bypassed crucial federal review and threatens protected wetlands.
6min
2026
Ron DeSantis, James Uthmeier say Florida deserves more House seats and wants them now
‘Steps must be taken now to right these wrongs.’
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10min
JD Vance, Marco Rubio ‘laugh’ at 2028 talk. But they aren’t saying no.
‘If we do a good job, the politics will take care of itself.’
2
5min
Kyandra Darling undeterred despite Darryl Rouson House race rumors
‘At this pivotal moment for our state, our nation, and our party, voters are not just asking for change — they are demanding it.’
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7min
Jimmy Patronis bucks delegation colleagues, backs mid-decade redistricting in Florida
The Fort Walton Beach Republican is the first member of the state’s congressional delegation to speak favorably about the potential redraw.
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6min
Shevrin Jones bashes redistricting push as part of the GOP’s ‘pattern of suppression’
‘This is yet another attempt from Gov. DeSantis and Florida Republicans to further disenfranchise voters.’
5min
‘Bold call’ or ‘corruption’? Florida GOP, Dems split on congressional redistricting
Logistics present challenges but Republicans are undaunted.
2
4min
Federal
Trump administration’s pot rescheduling not necessarily a sure thing
Is media pressure hurting the cause of marijuana enthusiasts who seek change?
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4min
Donald Trump has said abortion is a state issue. His judicial picks could shape it nationally for decades
Many of Trump’s judicial nominees have openly said they are pro-life and want states to decide the issue.
2
17min
Maxwell Frost’s mass transit bill makes progress
Why are they so expensive? We may soon find out.
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2min
Greg Steube bill targets ‘extremist’ travel to United Nations from Iran, terror groups
Some foreign representatives would have strict limits on arrival and departure under this proposal.
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2min
‘Unacceptable’: Carlos Giménez moves to boot Dem from Homeland Security Committee over loyalty remark
But Delia Ramirez says her remarks were misconstrued.
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6min
Byron Donalds files bill cracking down on youth crime in Washington
The legislation follows on Donald Trump’s call for harsher law enforcement.
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6min
NE Florida
Orlando
St. Pete
SW Florida
Tampa
Panhandle
Tallahassee
Communities
South Florida
Miami Beach lawmaker says city’s homelessness rules defy state law. Local officials say they go further
‘We’re doing more to enforce it than anybody else.’
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14min
Florida farm identified as source of raw milk that sickened 21
In recent months, the farm repeatedly promoted its products in a private Facebook group where Florida suppliers and consumers coordinate raw milk purchases.
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3min
Sentencing for Joe Martinez criminal case delayed until mid-September as Judge weighs mitigating factors
Jurors found him guilty in November of unlawful compensation and conspiracy.
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7min
‘Reprehensible’: Emilio González, Eileen Higgins slam Miami’s ongoing bid to delay election
2 courts have ruled that Miami violated the law by attempting to extend elected officials’ terms without voter approval.
6min
Gulfstream Park asks high court to void 2021 decoupling law after being only parimutuel carved out
‘The law on its face is anti-free markets, with the government picking winners and losers with its legislation.’
6min
Elliman Report: Brutal streak continues for Miami-Dade home sales as July sees sharp annual drop
Miami-Dade also saw a bleak tally in the condo market.
3min
Culture Wars
After illness outbreak, Wilton Simpson urges Floridians to stick with pasteurized milk
‘There have been no reported illnesses from pasteurized milk products in Florida.’
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3min
James Uthmeier files suit against adult content companies over law requiring age verification
Uthmeier said he tried to contact some companies in April and they ignored his outreach before he filed suit.
3min
Ron DeSantis set a Florida record for executions. It’s driving a national increase
The Governor is signing off on more death warrants than earlier in his term.
1
6min
Poll: How Americans’ views of racial discrimination have shifted since 2021, according to AP-NORC polling
The poll indicates that less than half of Americans think DEI has a benefit for the people it’s intended to help.
1
10min
U.S. health officials crack down on kratom-related products after complaints from supplement industry
Federal regulators have been scrutinizing kratom for about a decade after reports of addiction, injury and overdose.
6min
Anti-abortion Congress members, organizations condemn threats against Kat Cammack
Allies are rallying in support of the legislator amid attacks from the left.
2
3min
Foreign Affairs
U.S. at plastics treaty talks is rare international participation under Donald Trump. What’s the goal?
‘This is an historic opportunity to set a global approach for reducing plastic pollution.’
9min
Donald Trump, Pam Bondi double reward to $50 million for arrest of Nicolás Maduro on drug charges
Bondi: ‘Maduro will not escape justice and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes.’
4min
U.S. is auctioning a seized $325M Russian superyacht with 8 state rooms, a helipad, gym, spa
Litigation over the true ownership of the yacht is ongoing.
1
5min
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Gregory Meeks demand crackdown on U.S. guns to Haiti gangs
A safer Haiti translates into a more secure America, the lawmakers argue.
1
7min
Marjorie Taylor Greene rips Randy Fine’s ‘starve away’ statement about Gaza
‘A Jewish U.S. Representative calling for the continued starvation of innocent people and children is disgraceful.’
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4min
Emails & Opinions
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 8.11.25
Start the day on top — Sunburn, for the win!
Apolitical
A Florida woman posed as a nurse and treated thousands of unsuspecting patients, officials say
‘This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we’ve ever investigated.’
Tech
Rick Scott targets Chinese control of ‘smart’ appliances
‘China could flip a digital switch and plunge parts of America into chaos.’
Rick Scott wants federal money back from Intel
Trump claims the Intel CEO is ‘highly CONFLICTED’ and ‘must resign, immediately.’
Education
Linda McMahon to be in Broward County to demonstrate easy applications for student aid
McMahon was just in Tampa last week touting increased school choice provided in recently approved legislation.
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3min
Florida’s school choice option is leaving some public classrooms with fewer students
Advocacy group such as ‘Black Minds Matter’ are encouraging more departures from public schools for students.
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5min
Ashley Moody touts education advantages in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon was also on hand at the Tampa event supporting Moody.
3min
