Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs 'Gulf of America' Bills into Florida Law

Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs 'Gulf of America' Bills into Florida Law

Michael Costeines
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April 15, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills on Monday that will update all statutory references in Florida law from the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" and put the name change in geographic and instructional materials in K -12 schools. Gov. DeSantis signed the statute change (HB 575) and academic changes (HB […]
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Uthmeier Accuses Andrade of Being Stooge for Big Weed in Hope Florida Controversy

Uthmeier Accuses Andrade of Being Stooge for Big Weed in Hope Florida Controversy

Liv Caputo
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April 15, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is accusing a Republican lawmaker of hounding First Lady Casey DeSantis's charity on behalf of the state's largest medical marijuana company, Trulieve. Uthmeier's comments to The Floridian come days after state Rep. Alex Andrade publicly grilled the head of the state's healthcare agency on why $10 million of a state settlement was […]
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DeSantis Announces I-4 Road Completion Opening Ahead of Schedule

DeSantis Announces I-4 Road Completion Opening Ahead of Schedule

Michael Costeines
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April 14, 2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday the early completion of congestion relief lanes on a busy section of the state's Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor at a press conference in Kissimmee. According to a press release, the new lanes will run from U.S. 27 in Polk County to World Drive in Osceola County and be open […]
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Last Squeeze?—4.14.2025—DeSantis Shames Florida House—Buchanan and Condos—Much More...

Last Squeeze?—4.14.2025—DeSantis Shames Florida House—Buchanan and Condos—Much More...

Liv Caputo
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April 14, 2025
DeSantis Shames Florida House for 'Terrible Behavior' Amid Hope Florida Probe Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly shamed the Florida House on Monday for its "terrible leadership" in probing First Lady Casey DeSantis's charity, which gave millions to groups that helped...READ MORE   FL Rep. Alex Andrade: "Thank you for visiting my district tomorrow @GovRonDeSantis I’ll be chairing my Health […]
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DeSantis Shames Florida House for 'Terrible Behavior' Amid Hope Florida Probe

DeSantis Shames Florida House for 'Terrible Behavior' Amid Hope Florida Probe

Liv Caputo
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April 14, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly shamed the Florida House on Monday for its "terrible leadership" in probing First Lady Casey DeSantis's charity, which gave millions to groups that helped defeat a pro-marijuana ballot measure. DeSantis's comments came at a Kissimmee press conference, where he blasted House Republicans for joining "liberal media" in their "smears" of him […]
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Florida Legislature Accused of Alleged Drug Abuse: 'We Need to Drug-Test our Legislators'

Florida Legislature Accused of Alleged Drug Abuse: 'We Need to Drug-Test our Legislators'

Javier Manjarres
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April 14, 2025
The Republican-led Florida Legislature is being accused of allegedly abusing drugs, as former State Rep. Joel Rudman (R) recently stated that the entire legislature needed to be drug tested. Rep. Rudman, who recently resigned to run to campaign in the special congressional election in District 1, made the remarks during an “X” Spaces event hosted […]
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Florida's 'Gulf of America' Changes Awaiting Governor's Signature

Florida's 'Gulf of America' Changes Awaiting Governor's Signature

Michael Costeines
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April 12, 2025
The Florida Senate recently passed bills 28-9 that would change all state statutes as well as require state agencies, school boards, and charter schools to update geographic and instructional materials from the “Gulf of Mexico” to the "Gulf of America." The widespread changes now head to Gov. Ron DeSantis's desk for his signature. Sen. Nick […]
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Last Squeeze?—4.11.2025—Andrade Wants to Question Hope Florida President—Luna's Bill to Shield Christian Civilian Targets—Much More...

Last Squeeze?—4.11.2025—Andrade Wants to Question Hope Florida President—Luna's Bill to Shield Christian Civilian Targets—Much More...

Liv Caputo
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April 12, 2025
Andrade Wants to Question Hope Florida President Over $10 Million 'Donation' Florida Rep. Alex Andrade, days after pressing the head of the state's healthcare agency over why $10 million was sent to a charity founded by Gov. Ron DeSantis's wife, hopes to question the Hope Florida...READ MORE   FL Rep. Alex Rizo: "Our community has lost a […]
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Andrade Wants to Question Hope Florida President Over $10 Million 'Donation'

Andrade Wants to Question Hope Florida President Over $10 Million 'Donation'

Liv Caputo
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April 11, 2025
Florida Rep. Alex Andrade, days after pressing the head of the state's healthcare agency over why $10 million was sent to a charity founded by Gov. Ron DeSantis's wife, hopes to question the Hope Florida president next week. Andrade was unsatisfied with the answers given by Shevaun Harris, the Secretary of the Agency for Health […]
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Senate Advances Bill Exempting Tolls to Purple Heart Recipients

Senate Advances Bill Exempting Tolls to Purple Heart Recipients

Michael Costeines
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April 11, 2025
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development unanimously advanced a bill 14-0 on Thursday that would extend toll exemptions in Florida to include drivers of vehicles and motorcycles with Purple Heart specialty license plates. Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) explained his bill (SB 574) to the committee. Rep. Tom Fabricio (R-Miami Lakes) filed […]
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Last Squeeze?—4.10.2025—Miami Commission to Have Lifetime Term Limits?—DeSantis Blasts House's 'Sabotage' Amid Hope Florida Allegations—Much More.

Last Squeeze?—4.10.2025—Miami Commission to Have Lifetime Term Limits?—DeSantis Blasts House's 'Sabotage' Amid Hope Florida Allegations—Much More.

Liv Caputo
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April 10, 2025
Alleged Backroom Move in Miami Could Let Elected Officials Stay Longer—Without a Voter Say Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo has introduced a resolution proposing lifetime term limits for elected officials, aiming to cap service at two terms as mayor and two terms as commissioner...READ MORE   Sen. Rick Scott: "It’s time to end the nonsense back […]
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Florida Hits Another Record, Remains Top Vacation Spot for Americans

Florida Hits Another Record, Remains Top Vacation Spot for Americans

Michael Costeines
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April 10, 2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that the Sunshine State broke another tourism record with a 15.5% share of the domestic vacation market in 2024, a 1% increase from last year's mark. “Florida is the world’s favorite place to visit,” DeSantis said in a press release. “This record tourism is a result of policies that […]
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DeSantis Blasts Florida House for Their 'Sabotage' Amid Hope Florida Allegations

DeSantis Blasts Florida House for Their 'Sabotage' Amid Hope Florida Allegations

Liv Caputo
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April 10, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday continued his tirade against the rebellious Florida House, accusing them of using a "political agenda" to attack his wife's embattled charity organization. His comments came at a Miami press conference located in the district of Republican House Speaker Danny Perez, who has clashed with DeSantis on illegal immigration, tax cuts, […]
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Patronis Praises Donalds' Gubernatorial Run, Tells Casey DeSantis to 'Fish or Cut Bait'

Patronis Praises Donalds' Gubernatorial Run, Tells Casey DeSantis to 'Fish or Cut Bait'

Michael Costeines
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April 9, 2025
WASHINGTON—Newly-elected U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis on Wednesday praised Congressman Byron Donalds for announcing his Florida gubernatorial run while telling First Lady Casey DeSantis to either get in the race or step aside. "I think Byron's got a heck of a head start, albeit it's eighteen months out. A lot of things can happen in eighteen […]
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Florida Senate Unanimously Approves Hemp Crackdown Months After DeSantis's Veto

Florida Senate Unanimously Approves Hemp Crackdown Months After DeSantis's Veto

Liv Caputo
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April 9, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill cracking down on hemp, months after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed last year’s version and days after a Florida woman blamed delta-8 gummies for her son's death. The bill, which bans delta-8 in hemp products and imposes new restrictions on THC-infused drinks, passed the Senate Floor unanimously. […]
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House Committee Favors Bill Requiring School Employees to Identify Potential Human Trafficking Victims

House Committee Favors Bill Requiring School Employees to Identify Potential Human Trafficking Victims

Michael Costeines
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April 9, 2025
The House Education and Employment Committee favored a bill Tuesday that would require public schools and charter schools to train its employees to identify potential students victimized by human trafficking and take necessary action. Rep. Erika Booth (R-St. Cloud) explained her bill (HB 1237) to the committee. The legislation is also co-sponsored by Rep. Tobin […]
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Nikki Fried Says its 'Realistic' for Florida to be Battleground State Again After Special Elections

Nikki Fried Says its 'Realistic' for Florida to be Battleground State Again After Special Elections

Michael Costeines
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April 9, 2025
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried recently expressed confidence that Florida could again become a battleground state after small victories in two special elections last week. "It is a realistic goal, and I think we showed proof of concept this past week that within four months, we were able to go into areas like Escambia […]
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Florida Senate Advances Ballot Amendment Overhaul—Despite House Differences

Florida Senate Advances Ballot Amendment Overhaul—Despite House Differences

Liv Caputo
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April 9, 2025
TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Senate this week advanced a sweeping change in how petitions to put constitutional amendments on the ballot are handled, prompted by a vicious battle between the state and pro-abortion advocates during the 2024 election. The 50-page measure, which differs from the version approved on the House Floor last week, hopes to revamp how […]
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