Florida House approves DeSantis’ gerrymandered map

The map could give Republicans up to four new congressional districts

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

The congressional redistricting map Gov. DeSantis presented could give Republicans up to four new congressional districts.

Florida News

Counsel for DeSantis tells lawmakers they can ignore Fair Districts Amendments in approving new map

DeSantis’ new map is likely to add as many as four Republican congressional seats to the 20 out of 28 that they now hold in Florida

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Environment

Central Florida park closed as search continues for alligator that attacked a cow

Pine Meadows Conservation Area is closed until further notice

by Mia Schaeperkoetter April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Ron DeSantis

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI regulation, vaccine repeal bills on first day of special session

The only topic the Florida House will address during the four-day special session is redrawing the state’s congressional maps

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix and Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Education

Florida average teacher pay remains at bottom of national data, union says

“When public dollars are diverted away from public schools, and teachers can’t afford to stay in the profession, it’s students who lose”

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis clears the way for church volunteers to carry guns

The measure allows Florida volunteer security guards at houses of worship to carry guns without facing state licensing requirements

by News Service of Florida April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida News

Florida has fourth highest number of measles cases so far this year, CDC says

Meanwhile, DeSantis wants to pass legislation to make it easier for parents to turn down the required vaccines for public school students

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida News

Uthmeier expands criminal AI investigation to USF student murders

Tampa prosecutors revealed that a suspected murderer consulted ChatGPT about placing human remains in a dumpster

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis’ new congressional map aims to add four GOP seats

The governor released the map first to Fox News before sending to lawmakers an hour later

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

Florida News

Florida spent $34M on tech at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 25, 2026April 25, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis pressures House to pass AI Bill of Rights, references FSU shooting

The bill is being revived just after AG Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI for its alleged role in the FSU shooting

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs law blocking local governments from funding DEI

Local officials who are found to have violated the law will be subject to removal from office under the measure.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis launches state funding for flying car hubs

DeSantis previously announced plans to test flying cars in Central Florida

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

Florida News

Florida’s 28 state colleges remove sociology as general education course

The 12 state universities also recently removed the course

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

Florida News

Florida seeks to bar undocumented immigrants from state colleges

Students would have to “provide clear and convincing documentation that he or she is a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States,” before admission

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Florida News

‘Climate cartel’: Uthmeier subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

“The Climate Cartel is trying to hijack our judicial system to accomplish their net-zero carbon agenda,” Uthmeier said

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Florida News

Florida, dozens of other states, succeed in fight against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

States red and blue won over a federal jury that has declared Live Nation and Ticketmaster constitute an illegal monopoly

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

News

‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Democrats in Congress question RFK Jr. priorities

“Somehow you’re spending taxpayer dollars to drink milk shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock”

by Jennifer Shutt, Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Florida News

‘God Squad’ withdrawal of protection for Gulf species draws another challenge

Environmental groups want to block Trump administration rules letting energy companies bypass endangered species protections in the Gulf

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis delays redistricting special session, adds AI and vaccines

The new session — which includes two of the governor’s top bills that failed during the regular session — runs from April 28 to May 1

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

BEST OF ORLANDO® NOMINATION BALLOT IS OPEN THROUGH MAY 6!

Florida News

Florida House approves DeSantis’ gerrymandered map

Counsel for DeSantis tells lawmakers they can ignore Fair Districts Amendments in approving new map

Central Florida park closed as search continues for alligator that attacked a cow

Florida Speaker kills DeSantis’ AI regulation, vaccine repeal bills on first day of special session

Florida average teacher pay remains at bottom of national data, union says

DeSantis clears the way for church volunteers to carry guns

Florida has fourth highest number of measles cases so far this year, CDC says

Uthmeier expands criminal AI investigation to USF student murders

DeSantis’ new congressional map aims to add four GOP seats

Florida spent $34M on tech at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

DeSantis pressures House to pass AI Bill of Rights, references FSU shooting

DeSantis signs law blocking local governments from funding DEI

DeSantis launches state funding for flying car hubs

Florida’s 28 state colleges remove sociology as general education course

Florida seeks to bar undocumented immigrants from state colleges

‘Climate cartel’: Uthmeier subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

Florida, dozens of other states, succeed in fight against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Democrats in Congress question RFK Jr. priorities

‘God Squad’ withdrawal of protection for Gulf species draws another challenge

DeSantis delays redistricting special session, adds AI and vaccines

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