DeSantis condemns ‘destructive’ Maduro government, announces arrests of 10K non-citizens

DeSantis stayed quiet in the first days following the operation — even though Florida boasts the largest Venezuelan community in the nation

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

News

Florida approves cops’ requests for $2M in immigration enforcement money

The money was requested for AI language translators, pepper spray, GPS trackers, handcuffs, bonuses, and more

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

News

‘Sadly timed’: New bill would allow professors to open carry on campus

It follows a slate of violent incidents in the past few months, including a shooting spree at Florida State University in April and a shooting at Brown University over the weekend

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

News

University Chancellor Ray Rodrigues is the highest-paid Florida employee

The State University System approved his three-year contract extension with a $600,000 base salary with a chance at a 20% performance bonus.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis confident Florida won’t violate Trump’s AI order

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Florida News

In Orlando, DeSantis proposes $117B budget that bans ‘social justice’ efforts

“Today I announced the ‘Floridians First’ Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility and delivers on the priorities that have made Florida the greatest state in America.”

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix and Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

‘He does not deserve this honor:’ Tensions erupt over proposed Charlie Kirk Day

The bill would make Charlie Kirk only the second person — after Ronald Reagan — to be commemorated in Florida statute

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

News

DeSantis and Trump’s beef overshadows ‘AI Week’

A fight between the two has dominated Florida House Speaker Danny Perez’s planned “artificial intelligence week” in the Legislature

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

Florida News

‘Age of darkness and deceit’: DeSantis proposes ‘AI bill of rights’ in crackdown

The legislative proposals come in sharp contrast to pro-tech push marking President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 7, 2025December 7, 2025

News

‘Copy of Guantánamo’: Human rights group alleges torture at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Two migrant detention centers may have violated international standards by imposing conditions that could amount to torture, the group claims

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

Florida News, News

Floridians who harm, sexually abuse animals near children could face 5 years in prison

DeSantis first hinted at these proposed additions to Florida’s animal cruelty statute last week

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

News

DeSantis asks Legislature to punish inhumane dog breeders

He wants to impose a dog breeder license, target unethical breeding, and tighten penalties for abusing animals in front of children

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

News

DeSantis says Trump’s oil drilling could ‘weaken’ environment, military training

This is one of the rarer instances of DeSantis breaking with Trump since the 2024 elections

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

News

Florida bill renaming ‘child pornography’ in statute clears first hurdle

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

News

Florida advances marijuana amendment toward 2026 ballot

A pro-marijuana group sued the DeSantis administration for allegedly slow-walking the process to put an amendment on the ballot

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

News

Florida Republican tries again to ban removal of Confederate monuments

The push to remove Confederate images emerged in 2015, after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine Black people in a Charleston church

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Florida News

Florida Republicans try again to ban Pride flags on government buildings

Republicans are trying for the fourth year to ban political flags including Pride, MAGA, or Black Lives Matter banners

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

News

Florida AG says judges can’t stop state attorneys, staff from bringing guns into court

Florida statute says judges can limit ‘any person’ from bringing guns into court — Uthmeier says state attorneys don’t count as ‘any person’

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 2, 2025November 3, 2025

News

Murder charge dropped in road rage case eyed by Uthmeier, but Orlando woman is still going to prison

The local case took on a statewide angle when Uthmeier in September publicly bashed Orlando Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix November 2, 2025November 2, 2025

Cannabis

‘Nonsensical’: Pro-marijuana group sues DeSantis administration, again

The lawsuit accuses the DeSantis administration of slow-walking the process to put its proposed amendment on the Florida ballot.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix October 31, 2025October 31, 2025