Statewide News

A Leon County Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that Florida’s newly drawn congressional districts, including a District 9 that would stretch from Lake Nona to Lake Okeechobee, can legally remain intact. (Graphic/Florida Senate)

A Leon County Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that Florida’s newly drawn congressional districts, including a District 9 that would stretch from Lake Nona to Lake Okeechobee, can legally remain intact. (Graphic/Florida Senate)

Court allows new congressional districts ahead of midterm elections

Gray Rohrer
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida’s newly drawn congressional districts will remain intact, a Tallahassee judge ruled last week.Judge Joshua Hawkes of the Leon Circuit Court rejected the push from two voting rights organizations and a group of voters to strike down the map drawn up by an aide for...
Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Pump pricing — leaders call for suspending state gas tax

Jim Turner
Thursday, May 14, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.This time it’s not just because of the effect on household budgets, but what it may do to the state’s vaunted tourism...
Lawmakers convened a special session Tuesday to resolve a $1.4 billion difference between the preferred spending plans of the House and Senate. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Lawmakers convened a special session Tuesday to resolve a $1.4 billion difference between the preferred spending plans of the House and Senate. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Tallahassee lawmakers open special session to resolve budget stalemate

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
By Gray Rohrer and Jim Turner — Lawmakers convened a special session Tuesday to resolve a $1.4 billion difference between the preferred spending plans of the House and Senate.The gap between the Senate’s $115 billion budget and the House’s $113.6 billion plan is 1.2 percent of the current budget,...
The congressional the Legislature approved last week and the governor signed Monday already faces a pair of legal challenges. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

The congressional the Legislature approved last week and the governor signed Monday already faces a pair of legal challenges. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

Lawsuits already filed against new Florida Congressional map

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
By Gray Rohrer — The new congressional map signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday has attracted its second legal challenge in as many days.Equal Ground Education Fund, a voting rights group, and 18 Florida voters filed suit against the new map within hours of it becoming law.
A map of the major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts, approved Wednesday in a special session of the Florida Legislature. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

A map of the major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts, approved Wednesday in a special session of the Florida Legislature. (Photo/Florida Senate, Office of Sen. Kristen Arrington)

Legislature approves DeSantis’ Congressional districts

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
By Gray Rohrer — Florida lawmakers approved a major redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts Wednesday, a move that could help Republicans retain control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections.The outcome was anticipated but still held much drama.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office submitted a new congressional map to the Legislature on Monday — after first releasing the map to Fox News. (File Photo/News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office submitted a new congressional map to the Legislature on Monday — after first releasing the map to Fox News. (File Photo/News Service of Florida)

DeSantis submits Congressional district redraw to Legislature

News Service Of Florida
Monday, April 27, 2026
By Gray Rohrer — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office submitted a new congressional map to the Legislature on Monday that would drastically alter several U.S. House districts in Central and South Florida.The new map, if approved by lawmakers in a special session that starts Tuesday, could flip a handful of...
More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels. (News Service of Florida)

More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels. (News Service of Florida)

Initial state budget deal reached, special session set for May

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 23, 2026
By Gray Rohrer More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels.The breakthrough means the House and Senate can enter formal negotiations on the final details of the spending plan for the...
Forrest Boone, director of regulatory affairs for the Florida Electric Cooperative Association, said changes are still being worked into the process from the 2024 season that saw three storms make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. (Photo/News Service of Florida file photo)

Forrest Boone, director of regulatory affairs for the Florida Electric Cooperative Association, said changes are still being worked into the process from the 2024 season that saw three storms make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. (Photo/News Service of Florida file photo)

STATE NEWS — Utility companies gear up For hurricane season

Jim Turner
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
News Service of Florida — Power companies and cooperatives in Florida continue to brace facilities and engage in mock storm training events in preparation for hurricane season, despite some forecasts of a “below normal” period with relatively few storms.Officials from most of the electric providers...
Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5 percent, a jump of 0.2 percent from December, new data released from the Department of Commerce shows. (Photo/Metro Creative)

Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5 percent, a jump of 0.2 percent from December, new data released from the Department of Commerce shows. (Photo/Metro Creative)

Jobless rate continues to grow in Florida

Jim Turner
Friday, April 17, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5 percent, a jump of 0.2 percent from December, new data released from the Department of Commerce shows.The state added 23,800 private sector jobs over the month, but the trend for the last 12 months shows the state is...
Gov. Ron DeSantis has raised the possibility of a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts in Florida. (News Service of Florida file photo)

Gov. Ron DeSantis has raised the possibility of a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts in Florida. (News Service of Florida file photo)

Redistricting session delayed as DeSantis adds AI, vaccines to agenda

News Service Of Florida
Thursday, April 16, 2026
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s special session on redistricting will be delayed one week, after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation Wednesday postponing it and reviving a couple of his priorities that failed during the regular legislative session.The session was set to begin Monday, but DeSantis reset...
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