Politics
DeSantis Taps State Rep. Persons-Mulicka as Lee County Elections Chief
Gov. DeSantis appointed state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Fort Myers attorney, as Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
Ron DeSantis
Politics
DeSantis Taps Three Prosecutors Among Four New Florida Judges
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed four judges to courts in Madison, The Villages, Wildwood and Panama City, three of them career prosecutors.
Politics
DeSantis Elevates Prosecutors, Sheriff's Counsel in Nine Judicial Picks
Gov. DeSantis named nine judges across six Florida courts, drawing heavily from prosecutorial ranks and elevating three of his own prior appointees.
Politics
DeSantis Extends Armed Guardian Program to Florida Colleges Under HB 757
Governor DeSantis signs HB 757, expanding the armed Guardian Program to Florida's public colleges and universities and creating new felony charges.
Politics
Florida Fentanyl Deaths Drop 46 Percent as S.A.F.E. Program Nets 3,000 Arrests
New state data shows fentanyl-caused deaths fell 46 percent in Florida during the first half of 2025 as the S.A.F.E. program produced nearly 3,000 arrests.
Politics
DeSantis Signs Two Bills Creating New Felonies for Animal Cruelty in Florida
Gov. DeSantis signed HB 559 and SB 1004 in Palm Beach, creating new felony offenses for animal cruelty and strengthening pet sale consumer protections.
Politics
Florida's Atlantic Red Snapper Season Jumps From 2 Days to 39 Under State Control
Governor DeSantis announces a 39-day Atlantic red snapper season and record 140-day Gulf season after federal approval of state management.
Politics
DeSantis Taps Ex-Federal Prosecutor, 2023 Teacher of the Year in 9 Appointments
Gov. DeSantis named nine appointees to three boards, including a former federal human trafficking prosecutor and Florida's 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Politics
DeSantis Names 12 Judges Including Former State Attorney Andrew Bain
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed 12 judges across six Florida circuits, elevating former State Attorney Andrew Bain and multiple county judges to circuit courts.
Politics
DeSantis Unveils Ninth Founding Father Statue in Chipley's Washington County
Governor DeSantis unveiled a George Washington statue in Chipley and launched a mobile history museum tour visiting all 67 Florida counties.
Politics
13,000 Families Open College Savings Accounts Through Florida VPK Partnership
More than 13,000 families have opened Florida Prepaid college savings accounts through a new VPK enrollment partnership in its first four months.
Politics
DeSantis Signs Bills Banning Local DEI Programs, Carbon Taxes in Florida
Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1134 and HB 1217 in Jacksonville, eliminating local DEI programs and blocking carbon taxes statewide.
Politics
DeSantis Names Ex-Sheriff, State Rep Among 9 Board Appointments
Gov. DeSantis reappoints and appoints nine members to three Florida education boards, including a sitting state lawmaker and former sheriff.
Politics
DeSantis signs HB 1471 allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist groups
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471 in Tampa, giving Florida authority to designate domestic terrorist organizations and expel students involved with such groups.
Politics
DeSantis signs law allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist groups
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1471 allowing state officials to designate domestic terrorist organizations and expel students who promote them.
Politics
DeSantis signs law allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist groups
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation giving Florida officials power to label groups as domestic terrorist organizations and expel supporting university students.
Politics
Florida Legislature passes bill limiting DeSantis emergency fund spending
Senate Bill 7040 requires legislative approval for continued emergency spending after extensions, targeting DeSantis' use of funds for immigration enforcement.
Politics
DeSantis Signs Florida SAVE Act Requiring Citizenship Proof for Voter Registration
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB-991 requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in Florida, immediately facing federal lawsuit challenges from voting rights groups.
Politics
DeSantis Signs Election Integrity Bill at The Villages Expanding Citizenship Verification
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 991 at The Villages, requiring citizenship verification for voter registration and strengthening election security measures statewide.
Sports
Disney considered building hotels inside Magic Kingdom in 2024, records show
Court records reveal Disney executive testified about plans for one or two new hotels inside Magic Kingdom theme park before company abandoned the idea.
Politics
DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach International Airport after Trump
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 919 renaming Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport after legislative approval.
Politics
DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach airport after Trump
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation renaming Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport, requiring federal approval.
Politics
Florida lawmakers pass unanimous funding to restore HIV-AIDS medication access
Florida passes gap funding measure to help 16,000 residents keep HIV-AIDS medication access after $120 million shortfall threatened program cuts.
Politics
TSA warns Florida airports may close as 480 agents quit during shutdown
TSA Deputy Administrator warns smaller airports may close temporarily as more than 480 agents quit and callout rates exceed 40% at multiple facilities during government shutdown.
Politics
DeSantis envisions Cuba regime change bringing tourism boom to Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis said a pro-Western government in Cuba would benefit Florida through returning exiles and new tourism opportunities during West Palm Beach event.
Business
DeSantis signs $30.9 million emergency funding to restore HIV drug program
Governor Ron DeSantis signed emergency legislation providing $30.9 million to restore HIV medication access for more than 12,000 Floridians through June 30, 2026.
Politics
Democrat Emily Gregory flips Trump's House District 87 in Palm Beach upset
Emily Gregory won 51.15% of the vote to defeat Republican Jon Maples in House District 87, marking the first Democratic victory there this century.
Health
DeSantis signs $31 million bill restoring HIV drug assistance for 11,000 Floridians
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation providing $31 million in stopgap funding to restore AIDS Drug Assistance Program cuts through June 30.
Politics
DeSantis signs farm bill creating criminal penalties for contractors who don't pay subs
New Florida law makes it a crime for licensed contractors to fail paying subcontractors within 45 days, with penalties up to third-degree felony charges.
Health
DeSantis AIDS drug program cuts proceed after judge denies injunction
Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom denied AIDS Healthcare Foundation's request to stop emergency rules reducing eligibility for Florida's AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
Politics
DeSantis polls at 5% in New Hampshire as Rubio gains ground at 27%
Gov. Ron DeSantis ties with Nikki Haley at 5% support in New Hampshire Primary poll while Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaches 27% behind Vice President JD Vance's 46%.
Real Estate
Florida property tax elimination bill still possible in May special session
Florida lawmakers could still pass property tax elimination bill by May deadline for November ballot after regular session ended without action.
Politics
DeSantis rejects gas tax suspension as Florida prices near $4 per gallon
Gov. Ron DeSantis says there's no simple fix for rising gas prices despite Democratic calls to suspend the state's 23.5-cent per gallon tax.
Politics
DeSantis Orders Flags Half-Staff for Winter Haven Soldier Killed in Kuwait
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags at half-staff in Tallahassee and Winter Haven to honor Maj. Cody Khork, killed in March 1 drone strike in Kuwait.
Politics
DeSantis signs coastal protection bills banning Terra Ceia dredging
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 302 and HB 1417 to strengthen coastal protections and streamline environmental regulations in Manatee County.
Politics
Miami Beach considers legal action over state water park bill
Miami Beach commissioners discuss challenging House Bill 399 that would allow Fontainebleau water park without public input, featuring 11 slides including 120-foot tower.
Politics
Miami Beach considers legal action over state waterpark bill
Miami Beach commissioners discuss challenging House Bill 399 that would allow Fontainebleau waterpark without public input, citing stripped local control.
Politics
DeSantis appoints AHCA lawyer Andrew Sheeran to Second Circuit bench
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Andrew Sheeran, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration's general counsel since 2023, to fill vacancy on Second Judicial Circuit.
Politics
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd calls for pathway for law-abiding immigrants
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida's State Immigration Enforcement Council soften stance on undocumented immigrants without criminal records.
Politics
166 Florida bills await DeSantis signature to become first 2026 laws
The Florida Legislature passed 166 bills in the latest session, all awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature to potentially become the first new state laws of 2026.
Crime
Michael King scheduled for execution March 17 for 2008 North Port murder
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed death warrant for Michael King, 54, convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering Denise Amber Lee in 2008.