Statewide News

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.
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.
/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.
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.
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.
The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area unemployment rate for October was at 3.5 percent. PHOTO/GLEGORLY

The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area unemployment rate for October was at 3.5 percent. PHOTO/GLEGORLY

Florida jobless rate holds at 3.3 percent

Jim Turner
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Florida had a drop in private-sector employment in October in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, but the state’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3 percent for a seventh consecutive month.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, has been selected to become secretary of state. PHOTO/U.S. SENATE

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, has been selected to become secretary of state. PHOTO/U.S. SENATE

Decisions loom after Rubio, Waltz picks to Trump's cabinet

Jim Turner
Thursday, November 14, 2024
News Service of Florida - When he returns from a trade mission to Italy, Gov. Ron DeSantis likely will face decisions about picking a successor to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and setting a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz.
Supporters react at a West Palm Beach election-night event with former President Donald Trump. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Supporters react at a West Palm Beach election-night event with former President Donald Trump. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Election roundup: 'A wholesale repudiation'

Jim Turner
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
News Service of Florida — Florida voters left no doubt on Election Day that Republicans are in control of the political levers across the Sunshine State, with GOP leaders winning on issues and maintaining strongholds in the Legislature.
Five takeaways from Tuesday’s elections

Five takeaways from Tuesday’s elections

5 takeaways from Tuesday's election

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
News Service of Florida — Republicans had a great night Tuesday. Democrats? Not so much. And 60 is a magic number in Florida. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s elections:NO DOUBT: In 2022, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won a second term by 19.4 percentage points, and Republican U.S. Sen.
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