‘Alligator Alcatraz’ payments land at last: $58 million to hit Florida next week

It’ll be the first installment of the federal government’s promised $608 million reimbursements

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

The first installment of the federal government’s promised $608 million reimbursements for “Alligator Alcatraz” is on its way.

Florida News

DeSantis signs law to arm ‘guardians’ on Florida college campuses

The bill was crafted after a shooting at FSU during the 2025 legislative session

by News Service of Florida May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis (again) slams House Speaker Perez for his ‘personal agenda’

The governor went on a verbal tear for nearly 10 minutes (with one break) to express anger and frustration with the Miami Republican.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Florida News

Opioid overdose deaths drop in Florida

Opioid-caused deaths fell by 42 percent from January 2025 to June 2025, and fentanyl-caused deaths fell 46 percent

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Florida News

Florida has spent $460 million on immigration enforcement in past year

The fund was created in 2022 to handle hurricane preparation and response and other natural disasters

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs bills to protect pets from animal cruelty

DeSantis said the bills add to the state’s “momentum” of heightened protections for pets and animals.

by News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs law taking tough stance against ‘foreign countries of concern’

It also prohibits public employees and officials from accepting gifts from those countries

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 10, 2026May 10, 2026

Florida News

Summer’s coming, and data show Florida measles cases are rising

Fourteen of Florida’s 67 counties have reported confirmed or suspected measles cases

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix May 10, 2026May 10, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs AI data center regulations into law

Florida utility customers won’t bear additional costs brought by new large scale data centers that power AI, under the bill

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida May 10, 2026May 10, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis addresses reports that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may close soon

He did not dispute the possible shutdown, instead reiterating that it is a stopgap meant to help the federal government house detainees

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis, plaintiffs agree new map breaks Florida Constitution. Does it apply anyway?

Both say the DeSantis-drawn districts violate parts of the state Constitution — but they sharply disagree about what that means

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 7, 2026May 7, 2026

Florida News

Most major Florida gubernatorial candidates say state should never legalize recreational marijuana

Democrat David Jolly is one exception. He says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

News

DeSantis’ GOP-friendly congressional map faces first legal challenge

As promised

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

Florida News

Uthmeier continues charge against Southern Poverty Law Center

Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to the Southern Poverty Law Center alleging deceptive fundraising

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs his new gerrymandered congressional map into law

Democrats and voting rights groups argue the map is illegal

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

Orlando Area News

Habanero is second sloth to die after rescue from Sloth World

Now, 11 rescued sloths remain under the Central Florida Zoo’s care

by Chloe Greenberg May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

News

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs anti-union bill into law on International Workers’ Day

It’s a rich show of power from a governor who’s afraid of lab-grown meat, a diverse book collection in school libraries, and angering bad bosses who don’t want any government pressure to implement workplace protections.