Florida Phoenix
@floridaphoenix.com
We don’t pay attention to the media bashers. We’re too busy reporting on how Florida’s policies and politics affect you. Quality journalism for critical times.
"This bill is about ensuring that medical complexity is met with medical knowledge while continuing to prioritize child safety,” Sharief said.
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/b...
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/b...
Bipartisan support for considering rare medical conditions in child protective probes • Florida Phoenix
A bill inserting further medical evaluation into cases of suspected child abuse received unanimous support in its first committee stop Monday. The Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs committe...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:12 PM
"This bill is about ensuring that medical complexity is met with medical knowledge while continuing to prioritize child safety,” Sharief said.
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/b...
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/b...
“It appears that never in our nation’s history has the Executive Branch imposed military sanctions on a Member of Congress for engaging in disfavored political speech,” the lawsuit states. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
Arizona US Sen. Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over penalties for 'illegal orders' video • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the department on Monday for trying to demote Kelly’s retirement rank and pay after he appeared in a video where...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:19 PM
“It appears that never in our nation’s history has the Executive Branch imposed military sanctions on a Member of Congress for engaging in disfavored political speech,” the lawsuit states. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
High-risk Floridians will see their rates reduced in the spring by 8.7% statewide. South Florida counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm-Beach will see the largest decrease in rates, averaging roughly 13.4%. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/desan...
DeSantis: Citizens Insurance has fewer policyholders, will see rate slashes • Florida Phoenix
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state's insurer of last resort has half a million fewer policyholders and will slash rates for its remaining users.
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:42 PM
High-risk Floridians will see their rates reduced in the spring by 8.7% statewide. South Florida counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm-Beach will see the largest decrease in rates, averaging roughly 13.4%. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/desan...
There aren’t any statewide data center regulations, so localities are putting their foot down.
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
The struggle inside and outside of data centers • Florida Phoenix
With the rise of AI development, tech companies are investing billions to build massive data centers. Virginia is home to over 500 data centers and counting. State officials there say their construct...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:27 PM
There aren’t any statewide data center regulations, so localities are putting their foot down.
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison of Minnesota said they were denied entry to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building shortly after arriving for their visit on Saturday morning. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
Democrats clash with Noem over new limits on oversight visits to immigration facilities • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — A dozen Democratic members of Congress Monday asked a federal judge for an emergency hearing, arguing the Department of Homeland Security violated a court order when Minnesota lawmakers w...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison of Minnesota said they were denied entry to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building shortly after arriving for their visit on Saturday morning. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/r...
“We want to send a message: If you engage in this type of violence, if you run drugs and guns and violent behavior into communities, you are going to pay the price,” Uthmeier said. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/s...
'Sex, Money, Murder' gang leader faces up to five life sentences • Florida Phoenix
A Florida jury found guilty “the man at the top of the pyramid” of the “Sex, Money, Murder” gang in Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday. The ga...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:58 PM
“We want to send a message: If you engage in this type of violence, if you run drugs and guns and violent behavior into communities, you are going to pay the price,” Uthmeier said. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/s...
"I don’t know when he’s going to announce or not announce. My role — obviously I’m focused on the State of the State [address] and some other things. If I get involved in the primary you’ll know it, it’ll be at a time and place of my choosing, and so we’ll see." floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/c...
Collins announces bid for governor as DeSantis wavers on whether to endorse • Florida Phoenix
Despite months of pushing his lieutenant governor as his potential successor, Gov. Ron DeSantis isn't so sure if he'll get involved in the looming Republican race to succeed him.
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:29 PM
"I don’t know when he’s going to announce or not announce. My role — obviously I’m focused on the State of the State [address] and some other things. If I get involved in the primary you’ll know it, it’ll be at a time and place of my choosing, and so we’ll see." floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/c...
A non-immunized, no longer insured child gets measles or chicken pox or RSV, infects a whole classroom of other children, and has to go to the Emergency Room, thus costing everybody a lot more than if the child could get treated without bankrupting the parents. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/d...
Don't be fooled by flamingo debate; Legislature is poised to do great harm • Florida Phoenix
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The 2026 Florida Legislative Session kicks off tomorrow. You psyched? I know I am. We can witness the majesty of democracy at work, the glory of our constitut...
floridaphoenix.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:06 PM
A non-immunized, no longer insured child gets measles or chicken pox or RSV, infects a whole classroom of other children, and has to go to the Emergency Room, thus costing everybody a lot more than if the child could get treated without bankrupting the parents. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/12/d...
Thune said because migration at the southern border has slowed, the time has come for President Donald Trump to shift his focus to immigration reform. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/r...
Thune, GOP senators at the border tout big hiring boost for immigration crackdown • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, joined at the U.S.-Mexico border Friday by a handful of other Republican senators, highlighted the president’s signature tax cuts and spending package p...
floridaphoenix.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Thune said because migration at the southern border has slowed, the time has come for President Donald Trump to shift his focus to immigration reform. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/r...
"This termination of lawful status has caused unimaginable fear and anxiety for law-abiding Venezuelan families, who passed criminal background checks, earned work permits, and paid fees and taxes.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/f...
Florida's Democratic congressional delegation calls for Trump admin to restore TPS for Venezuelans • Florida Phoenix
All eight Democratic U.S. representatives from Florida have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to immediately restore temporary protected status (TPS) to Venezuelans in the U.S. following...
floridaphoenix.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
"This termination of lawful status has caused unimaginable fear and anxiety for law-abiding Venezuelan families, who passed criminal background checks, earned work permits, and paid fees and taxes.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/f...
Infant formulas are not regulated by the state, but Casey DeSantis said it is important Florida and other states do independent testing to “drive accountability.” “Parents should not be expected to verify the integrity of products on their own,” she said. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/flori...
Florida tests 24 formulas; purport that 16 have at least one heavy metal • Florida Phoenix
Florida officials on Friday warned parents about certain brands of infant formula, saying tests conducted by the state showed potentially unsafe levels of heavy metals. First Lady Casey DeSantis said ...
floridaphoenix.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Infant formulas are not regulated by the state, but Casey DeSantis said it is important Florida and other states do independent testing to “drive accountability.” “Parents should not be expected to verify the integrity of products on their own,” she said. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/flori...
“Now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation, it feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome,” Walz said. “People in positions of power have already passed judgment … and told you things that are verifiably false.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/r...
Minnesota prosecution of ICE officer faces new political obstacles under Trump • Florida Phoenix
The Trump administration made its opinion known almost immediately after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday: The officer acted heroically in defending himself from Renee ...
floridaphoenix.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM
“Now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation, it feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome,” Walz said. “People in positions of power have already passed judgment … and told you things that are verifiably false.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/r...
"Medicaid agencies inevitably make mistakes when deciding eligibility. Clear, easy-to-understand notices are essential to catch and correct those mistakes before someone loses health care. " floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/c...
Court rules Florida Medicaid termination letters fly in face of federal law • Florida Phoenix
A federal judge ruled this week that Florida violated the constitutional rights of hundreds of thousands of people it had removed from the Medicaid rolls following the end of the COVID-19 public healt...
floridaphoenix.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:02 PM
"Medicaid agencies inevitably make mistakes when deciding eligibility. Clear, easy-to-understand notices are essential to catch and correct those mistakes before someone loses health care. " floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/09/c...
Of the 20 Republicans in Florida’s U.S. House delegation, only Maria Elvira Salazar voted yea. John Rutherford didn’t cast a vote. All eight Democrats voted yea. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill Thursday to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affor...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Of the 20 Republicans in Florida’s U.S. House delegation, only Maria Elvira Salazar voted yea. John Rutherford didn’t cast a vote. All eight Democrats voted yea. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
“I think the media prejudging and talking about this guy as if he’s a murderer is one of the most disgraceful things I’ve ever seen from the American media.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
Defiant Vance scolds reporters over descriptions of Minneapolis ICE shooting • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the Trump administration would stand by the federal immigration officer who shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis the day prior. Vance defended the...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:25 PM
“I think the media prejudging and talking about this guy as if he’s a murderer is one of the most disgraceful things I’ve ever seen from the American media.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
"If the search truly produced only one worthy candidate to bring on campus, then this should be considered a failed search,” Cook said. “If, however, there were other worthy candidates, then the perception is that this search was predetermined or flawed.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/m...
Manny Diaz poised to be permanent president at UWF • Florida Phoenix
University of West Florida trustees have approved Manny Diaz to serve as its president, the second-to-last step before moving the former education commissioner from interim to permanent leader at the ...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:16 PM
"If the search truly produced only one worthy candidate to bring on campus, then this should be considered a failed search,” Cook said. “If, however, there were other worthy candidates, then the perception is that this search was predetermined or flawed.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/m...
“We must respect and love one another. We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we are great, but because we are just, generous and fair.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
US Senate with GOP support advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — In a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in Venezuela without congressional author...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:59 PM
“We must respect and love one another. We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we are great, but because we are just, generous and fair.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody of Florida both voted against the resolution. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
US Senate with GOP support advances war powers resolution rebuking Trump on Venezuela • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — In a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution to halt U.S. military action in Venezuela without congressional author...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:57 PM
U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody of Florida both voted against the resolution. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
Filed Wednesday by Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin, the 34-page bill would presume certain non-citizens are at fault in car accidents, severely restrict their employment, and prevent state banks from loaning them money. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/m...
Massive immigration package targets employers hiring undocumented immigrants • Florida Phoenix
Florida businesses who purposely ignore whether their employees are legally in the United States could face hefty fines or even criminal charges if they intentionally hire over 50 undocumented immigra...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Filed Wednesday by Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin, the 34-page bill would presume certain non-citizens are at fault in car accidents, severely restrict their employment, and prevent state banks from loaning them money. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/m...
The bills come a month after an investigation into a Panhandle state prison by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that overcrowding and overstaffing resulted in a high concentration of complaints by inmates about excessive force and staff misconduct. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/b...
Bills would create Office of Corrections Ombudsman to monitor prisons • Florida Phoenix
Saying existing law does not provide adequate and independent oversight of the Florida’s Department of Corrections (FDC), two Florida GOP lawmakers have proposed an Office of Corrections Ombudsman to ...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The bills come a month after an investigation into a Panhandle state prison by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that overcrowding and overstaffing resulted in a high concentration of complaints by inmates about excessive force and staff misconduct. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/b...
“Secretary Kristi Noem is a stone-cold liar and has zero credibility. The masked ICE agent who pulled the trigger should be criminally investigated to the full extent of the law for acting with depraved indifference to human life.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
Dems demand investigation of fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting as Trump claims self-defense • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump defended a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis Wednesday, while congressional Democrats universally condemned t...
floridaphoenix.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:09 PM
“Secretary Kristi Noem is a stone-cold liar and has zero credibility. The masked ICE agent who pulled the trigger should be criminally investigated to the full extent of the law for acting with depraved indifference to human life.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/08/r...
“There was chaos and ambulance and fire trucks couldn’t get through,” Callenson said. “They had to walk through all of the ICE vehicles on foot to try to administer first aid.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/r...
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis • Florida Phoenix
The driver then slowly backs up and appears to be leaving, when another officer fires three shots.
floridaphoenix.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM
“There was chaos and ambulance and fire trucks couldn’t get through,” Callenson said. “They had to walk through all of the ICE vehicles on foot to try to administer first aid.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/r...
A court filing from Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King says that the state’s fetal homicide law precludes using it in this case. The statute says “nothing in this chapter shall apply to any acts of a pregnant woman that caused the death of her unborn child.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/r...
Kentucky prosecutor moves for fetal homicide charge to be dropped in abortion case • Florida Phoenix
Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King says that the state’s fetal homicide law precludes using it in this case.
floridaphoenix.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:45 PM
A court filing from Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King says that the state’s fetal homicide law precludes using it in this case. The statute says “nothing in this chapter shall apply to any acts of a pregnant woman that caused the death of her unborn child.” floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/r...
Only four states — Arizona, Louisiana, Wyoming, and New Hampshire — require that voters provide a document proving their U.S. citizenship to register to vote, according to VoteRiders, a nonpartisan organization. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/b...
Bills requiring new FL voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship filed for session • Florida Phoenix
Legislation that would require new Florida voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship has again been filed in advance of the Florida legislative session kicking off next week in Tallahassee. HB 991 repo...
floridaphoenix.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Only four states — Arizona, Louisiana, Wyoming, and New Hampshire — require that voters provide a document proving their U.S. citizenship to register to vote, according to VoteRiders, a nonpartisan organization. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/b...
In addition, he floated the possibility of another special session to take on property taxes. There’s “some value” in doing a session specifically dedicated to slashing the tax on homestead properties, he said. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/g...
Governor calls an April special session on redistricting • Florida Phoenix
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation Wednesday calling a special session in April to redistrict Florida's congressional map, just one month after the regular legislative session is scheduled to end...
floridaphoenix.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:31 PM
In addition, he floated the possibility of another special session to take on property taxes. There’s “some value” in doing a session specifically dedicated to slashing the tax on homestead properties, he said. floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/07/g...