Statewide News

Florida has executed 114 more killers since then, nine of them this year. Two more are set to die this month.

Florida has executed 114 more killers since then, nine of them this year. Two more are set to die this month.

CAPITOL COLUMN: Trying to avoid 'freakish and whimsical'

Bill Cotterell
Friday, August 15, 2025
Suppose the company you work for is doing something that’s very expensive, takes a lot of time and never delivers the result it was intended to produce.Oh, and one other thing: Do it wrong, and the consequences are ghastly—and irreparable.That’s where Florida finds itself with capital punishment.
Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans swears in Tampa Republican Jay Collins as lieutenant governor. (News Service of Florida Photo/Tom Urban)

Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans swears in Tampa Republican Jay Collins as lieutenant governor. (News Service of Florida Photo/Tom Urban)

DeSantis taps Sen. Jay Collins for Lieutenant Governor

Jim Turner
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis Tuesday appointed Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and retired Army Green Beret, to the long-vacant position of lieutenant governor amid speculation that Collins could run for governor in 2026.
U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz called for the agreement during a hearing in a lawsuit alleging, in part, that people held at the facility — dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — are being prevented access to lawyers and are unable to contest their detention.

U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz called for the agreement during a hearing in a lawsuit alleging, in part, that people held at the facility — dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — are being prevented access to lawyers and are unable to contest their detention.

Judge seeks 'clarity' on detention center

Dara Kam
Monday, July 28, 2025
News Service of Florida — A U.S.
A Florida Highway Patrol officer looks on as protesters gather to demand the closure of the immigrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 22, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

A Florida Highway Patrol officer looks on as protesters gather to demand the closure of the immigrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 22, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Detainees being deported from 'Alligator Alcatraz'

Dara Kam
Friday, July 25, 2025
News Service of Florida -- About 100 undocumented immigrants have been deported from an airstrip adjoining the detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” and “the cadence” of outgoing flights is increasing, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday.
DeSantis called Ingoglia, a Republican whose social media handle is “@GovGoneWild,” a warrior on issues such as immigration and insurance and “the most conservative senator in the state of Florida.” (Photo/Colin Hackley NSF)

DeSantis called Ingoglia, a Republican whose social media handle is “@GovGoneWild,” a warrior on issues such as immigration and insurance and “the most conservative senator in the state of Florida.” (Photo/Colin Hackley NSF)

DeSantis taps Blaise Ingoglia for state CFO

Jim Turner
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s chief financial officer, gaining more control over the state Cabinet and potentially setting up a proxy battle in 2026 with President Donald Trump.
In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

In trimming the budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $567 million in line-item vetoes, which nixed money for dozens of projects and programs across the state.

DeSantis vetoes $567 million, then signs new state budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed what he said was a $117.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start Tuesday and issued $567 million in line-item vetoes, while saying the plan better prepares the state for potential economic downturns.
House Speaker Daniel Perez (left) and Senate President Ben Albritton (right) took part in a traditional hanky-drop ceremony marking the end of the legislative session. (NSF Photo/Tom Urban)

House Speaker Daniel Perez (left) and Senate President Ben Albritton (right) took part in a traditional hanky-drop ceremony marking the end of the legislative session. (NSF Photo/Tom Urban)

Florida lawmakers pass $115.1 billion budget as session ends

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
By Jim Turner and Tom Urban—One of the more-contentious legislative sessions in recent history came to a close late Monday as lawmakers approved a $115.1 billion budget for next fiscal year and prepared to send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, in tie, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, right, discuss the state budget. (NSF Photo/Jim Turner)

House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, in tie, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper, right, discuss the state budget. (NSF Photo/Jim Turner)

State budget poised for Monday vote

Jim Turner
Sunday, June 15, 2025
News Service of Florida: Six weeks after the state budget was expected to be completed, legislative leaders Friday finished negotiating details of a spending plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and set the stage for the House and Senate to vote on Monday.
While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

While supporters of a hunt call it a “biologically sound method to slow population growth, resulting in a healthy and well-managed Florida black bear population for the future,” critics say unsecured trash cans are a major problem in the bear population. (Photo/FWC)

FWC: Florida bear hunt planned for December

Jim Turner
Saturday, June 14, 2025
News Service of Florida: Amid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper said work continued through the weekend on a new state budget. (Photo/Colin Hackley)

Florida House, Senate continue hammering out budget

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
News Service of Florida: House and Senate budget leaders Monday rushed to finalize a new state spending plan, while Governor Ron DeSantis continued calling for giving property-tax rebates.
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