News

Charges dropped against Tampa photojournalist arrested covering ICE protest

Dave Decker faced charges of trespassing and resisting arrest despite showing press credentials.

by Selene San Felice December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

All charges against Decker were dropped Tuesday, following his arrest last month while covering an anti-ICE protest.

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

CFO Ingoglia unveils legislation to make local officials more accountable

The legislation details penalties for noncompliance including fines and removal from office

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

News

DeSantis’ proposed budget changes how Florida funds cancer programs

The push is likely to spark another largely behind-the-scenes battle among those who rely on the state money to help with research programs

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, debates in the House Chamber

News

Florida ‘right to repair’ bill advances with bipartisan support

The bill from Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani would require mobility device manufacturers to give consumers the information they need to repair their wheelchair or similar device

by McKenna Schueler December 17, 2025December 17, 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

A home on Winter Garden’s peninsula cul-de-sac is now for sale

It’s one of just 21 houses on the island-like plot of land and the only one of the bunch currently on the market

by Chloe Greenberg December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

Labor

Florida filmmakers take ‘human-centric’ approach in documentary on workers’ fight for heat protections

The film “Without Shade, Without Rest” was produced by the journalist-founded nonprofit Six Eye Films, based in West Palm Beach.

by McKenna Schueler 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

News

Hearings to repeal Florida’s school vaccine mandates begin

Ladapo made the call to get rid of all vaccine mandates even though many of those mandates have been considered a public health success

by Christine Sexton, 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

Nikki Fried: ‘The pendulum is swinging towards Democrats’ after victory in Miami election

Miami voters this week elected Eileen Higgins as mayor, the first time a registered Democrat has taken the seat in decades

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

Florida AG sues Starbucks over what he says is race-based hiring

The suit alleges Starbucks has violated a state civil-rights law through race-based hiring and race-based compensation decisions

by News Service of Florida December 10, 2025December 10, 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

Florida News

Florida House Democrats prioritize affordability in 2026 session

Lawmakers have housing affordability and government efficiency on their minds a month out from the start of the 2026 legislative session

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

News

Florida Panhandle prison has ‘culture of abuse and violence,’ report alleges

A nearly two-year investigation has concluded that overcrowding and understaffing has resulted in a high number of complaints by inmates

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 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

News

DeSantis against Trump’s push for federal AI regulation

“The problem is that Congress hasn’t proposed any coherent regulatory scheme but instead just wanted to block states from doing anything for 10 years, which would be an AI amnesty.”