Opinion

California Gov. Gavin Newsom led an initiative aimed at redrawing districts to elect more Democrats to the U.S. House. (Photo/California governor’s office via News Service of Florida)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom led an initiative aimed at redrawing districts to elect more Democrats to the U.S. House. (Photo/California governor’s office via News Service of Florida)

CAPITOL COLUMN — ‘Who Can Out-Cheat the Other One?’

Bill Cotterell
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
In a perfect world, our legislators could blow up 28 balloons to exactly the same pressure and squeeze them into a big cake pan shaped precisely like the state of Florida, then declare that to be the legal map of our congressional districts.Some balloons would bulge upward like big urban blisters,...
The Capitol Columnist writes that some Florida legislators are spicing the agenda for the election-year legislative session with a bunch of stuff that seems designed to make voters very happy.

The Capitol Columnist writes that some Florida legislators are spicing the agenda for the election-year legislative session with a bunch of stuff that seems designed to make voters very happy.

CAPITOL COLUMN — Lawmakers offer election-year goodies

Bill Cotterell
Friday, November 14, 2025
Like little kids trying to be extra good as Christmas approaches, some Florida legislators are spicing the agenda for the election-year legislative session with a bunch of stuff that seems designed to make voters very happy.Whether some of it works or not is another matter.If they can do something...
CAPITOL COLUMN — Trump won't try for a third term

CAPITOL COLUMN — Trump won't try for a third term

CAPITOL COLUMN — Trump won't try for a third term

Bill Cotterell
Friday, November 7, 2025
Political predictions are always risky, especially when talking about a mercurial figure like Donald John Trump, but I’ll go way out on a sturdy limb and boldly proclaim that we can safely disregard all the buzz about the president running for a third term.It’s fun to talk about, and it keeps the...
Slices of Life — Jill Pertler

Slices of Life — Jill Pertler

SLICES OF LIFE — Lions, tigers and unfriending, oh my

Jill Pertler
Friday, October 24, 2025
This column’s message is for Megan (not her real name) who unfriended me when I disagreed with one of her political posts.In the response I gave, I attempted to be logical and reasonable. I didn’t get nasty or accusatory.
State Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s department sent law officers to a Largo home over a postcard that criticized Ingoglia. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

State Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s department sent law officers to a Largo home over a postcard that criticized Ingoglia. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

CAPITOL COLUMN — State shouldn't send cops to bully critics

Bill Cotterell
Friday, October 17, 2025
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia ought to take a break from barnstorming across the state and arrange a mandatory conference call to remind all his division directors and bureau chiefs that Americans still have a right to talk back to their government.But first, he ought to dash off...
It’s a great time to celebrate National Newspaper Week.

It’s a great time to celebrate National Newspaper Week.

FROM THE EDITOR: Why we celebrate National Newspaper Week—and newspapers

Ken Jackson
Thursday, October 9, 2025
In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, local journalism is vital for civic engagement, accountability and community resilience. So, it’s a great time to celebrate National Newspaper Week.Each week, The Osceola News-Gazette reports community news.
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