Ron DeSantis Archives - Page 7 of 115 - Orlando Weekly

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

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

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

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

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.

by McKenna Schueler May 1, 2026May 4, 2026

DeSantis says he’ll sign congressional map ‘as soon as I get it’

Democrats and voting rights groups have announced plans to contest the maps in court once signed

by News Service of Florida April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

Florida just one of several states seeing revival of anti-Islam attacks as midterms approach

Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature this year enacted laws allowing a handful of state officials to designate terrorist organizations

by Florida Phoenix April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

Florida News, News, Ron DeSantis

‘Rigging the system’: Advocacy groups blast approval of DeSantis’ gerrymandered map

Advocacy groups made clear their opposition and expectation of legal challenges

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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