Statewide News

Gaetz, long a controversial Florida political figure, resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump announced he had selected Gaetz to serve as U.S. attorney general. Several days later, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general. FILE PHOTO

Gaetz, long a controversial Florida political figure, resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump announced he had selected Gaetz to serve as U.S. attorney general. Several days later, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general. FILE PHOTO

Report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz details sex, drug allegations

Jim Saunders
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
News Service of Florida: The U.S. House Committee on Ethics released a report Monday alleging that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz “regularly” paid women for sex, used illegal drugs and violated state laws.The committee released the 37-page report more than a month after Gaetz, a Republican,...
In a more-celebratory mood than four years ago, Florida’s 30 Republican electors Tuesday cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump.

In a more-celebratory mood than four years ago, Florida’s 30 Republican electors Tuesday cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump.

GOP electors tout Trump victory

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, December 19, 2024
By Jim Turner and Tom UrbanNews-Service of FloridaIn a more-celebratory mood than four years ago, Florida’s 30 Republican electors Tuesday cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump.Unlike in 2020, when Democrat Joe Biden won the presidency, the GOP electors didn’t question the national...
Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, wants lawmakers to continue working on housing issues. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA COLIN HACKLEY

Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, wants lawmakers to continue working on housing issues. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA COLIN HACKLEY

Former Senate President Passidomo keeps eye on housing

By Jim Turner
Monday, December 16, 2024
By Dara Kam and Jim TurnerNews Service of Florida: Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo handed over the reins of the Senate to Wauchula Republican Ben Albritton after the November elections.
Former State Rep. Carolina Amesty

Former State Rep. Carolina Amesty

Criminal charges against Rep. Amesty dropped

News Service Of Florida
Monday, December 9, 2024
Prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty, a Windermere Republican whose District 45 also includes Celebration, Champions Gate and the far northwestern portion of Osceola County.She faced allegations including forgery, according to a document posted on the...
Gov. Ron DeSantis likely will select a successor to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio by the start of 2025 as Rubio prepares to serve as secretary of state in the Trump administration. FILE PHOTO

Gov. Ron DeSantis likely will select a successor to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio by the start of 2025 as Rubio prepares to serve as secretary of state in the Trump administration. FILE PHOTO

U.S. Senate pick to succeed Rubio expected by January

Jim Turner
Thursday, December 5, 2024
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis likely will select a successor to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio by the start of 2025 as Rubio prepares to serve as secretary of state in the Trump administration, DeSantis said in a post on X Monday.Rubio was formally tapped Wednesday by President-elect Donald...
In the three times Trump has carried Florida, his victory margin has swelled from less than 150,000 in 2016 to nearly 1.5 million—growing apace with membership in the state GOP, which now has about 1 million more voters than the Democrats.

In the three times Trump has carried Florida, his victory margin has swelled from less than 150,000 in 2016 to nearly 1.5 million—growing apace with membership in the state GOP, which now has about 1 million more voters than the Democrats.

CAPITOL COLUMN — DeSantis gets last laugh

Bill Cotterell
Friday, November 22, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis wasn’t on the ballot on Nov. 5, but he won big.Democrats laughed at the governor this spring when his presidential campaign sank without a ripple in Iowa.
Democrat leaders raised concerns that Pam Bondi will assist the president-elect in dismantling the Affordable Care Act.

Democrat leaders raised concerns that Pam Bondi will assist the president-elect in dismantling the Affordable Care Act.

Trump taps Pam Bondi for Attorney General

Jim Turner
Thursday, November 21, 2024
News Service of Florida: Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was part of President-elect Donald Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, was nominated Thursday by Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general.The appointment came hours after former Florida Congressman Matt...
/gaetz.house.gov/sites/gaetz.hoFormer Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has ended his controversial bid to become U.S. attorney general. PHOTO/IKE HAYMAN

/gaetz.house.gov/sites/gaetz.hoFormer Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has ended his controversial bid to become U.S. attorney general. PHOTO/IKE HAYMAN

Matt Gaetz ends Attorney General bid

Jim Turner
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Amid scrutiny over an unreleased House ethics report, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz on Thursday ended his controversial bid to become U.S. attorney general.The move came as Northwest Florida politicians have started to line up to seek Gaetz’ old U.S. House seat while they await an...
Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.

Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.

State pushes back in school books fight

Jim Saunders
Thursday, November 21, 2024
News Service of Florida — Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.Attorney General Ashley Moody’s...
Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez has already rolled out changes to House committees, while saying lawmakers have, “Spent taxpayer funds excessively and indiscriminately in the last few years.” PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez has already rolled out changes to House committees, while saying lawmakers have, “Spent taxpayer funds excessively and indiscriminately in the last few years.” PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

New Florida House, Senate leaders start moving forward

Jim Turner And Jim Saunders
Thursday, November 21, 2024
News Service of Florida — Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez has already rolled out changes to House committees, while saying lawmakers have, “Spent taxpayer funds excessively and indiscriminately in the last few years.”Perez, R-Miami, detailed a revised committee structure while also announcing a...
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