City & State Florida

First Read

DeSantis backs Israel's right of self-defense, says Iran not 'peaceful'

The United States 'should turn every screw' on Iran, he said.

By Jim Rosica
October 11, 2023

Policy

Blue state governors pressing Biden administration to help with migrant surge

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the latest to outline policy changes the feds could make to alleviate some of the strain on states, cities.

By Daniel C. Vock
October 11, 2023

Policy

State fights Medicaid eligibility allegations

The plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that the state has violated due-process rights and a federal Medicaid law.

By Jim Saunders
October 11, 2023

Policy

Emotional vigil in support of Israel draws hundreds in South Florida

For many, the events happening a world away are personal.

By Verónica Zaragovia
October 11, 2023

First Read

DeSantis blasts Biden after Israel attacks, backs wiping Hamas 'off face of the earth'

The governor weighed in while campaigning in Iowa this weekend.

By Jim Rosica
October 10, 2023

Policy

‘Unprecedented’ Hamas attack on Israel shows ‘apparent quantum leap’ in capabilities, experts say

As Israel launches airstrikes in response, many expect the retaliation to have unprecedented aspects as well.

By Patrick Tucker
October 10, 2023

Policy

Abortion initiative tops 400,000 signatures in Florida

The measure needs at least 891,523 valid petition signatures to get on the 2024 ballot. Meantime, Attorney General Ashley Moody said she will try to block the proposed state constitutional amendment.

By News Service of Florida
October 10, 2023

Opinion

Bill Cotterell: Gaetz for governor? This wasn’t a good start

A lot of what has endeared Matt Gaetz to the most Trumpified wing of the GOP has also made him a political pariah to everybody else, our Capitol Columnist writes.

By Bill Cotterell
October 10, 2023

Politics

So who’s going to be the next governor of Florida?

It might be really early, but Florida political watchers can’t stop speculating now that Matt Gaetz is again getting national attention.

By Tristan Wood
October 10, 2023

Policy

DeSantis directs flags to half staff to honor victims of Israel attacks

The governor also says the old Capitol will be lit in blue and white this week.

By Jim Rosica
October 9, 2023

Podcast

Episode 61: Looking Back at Hurricane Michael, Five Years Later

Dara chats with Bay County Manager Bob Majka and State Rep. Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach about the impacts of the devastating Hurricane Michael, which came ashore in the Panhandle five years ago

By Dara Kam
October 8, 2023

Policy

New York City council speaker: City is ‘running out of room’ for migrants

Adrienne Adams says the Big Apple should be honest with asylum-seekers about the difficulty of finding shelter, but insisted New York was 'still a sanctuary city.'

By Sahalie Donaldson
October 6, 2023

Personality

Are elections enough to keep state legislators in check? No, says one expert

In a new book, political science professor Steven Rogers argues that voters don’t have the tools to keep tabs on their lawmakers. That could affect how legislators do their jobs.

By Daniel C. Vock
October 6, 2023

Policy

Federal court urged to block Florida's Chinese property law

'It singles out Chinese people for extraordinary restrictions on the ability to buy a home,' a newly filed legal brief said.

By Jim Saunders
October 6, 2023

Winners & Losers

Personality

This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Who’s up and who’s down in the Sunshine State?

By City & State
October 6, 2023

Policy

'I was them': Miami-Dade schools develop new programs for thousands of immigrant 'newcomer students'

The district is now serving an additional 20,000 immigrant students, many of whom came with their families from across Latin America.

By Kate Payne
October 5, 2023

Policy

Next shutdown deadline looms as Congress languishes after McCarthy’s ouster from speakership

An already tight timeline is condensed with half of Congress being effectively incapacitated.

By Eric Katz
October 5, 2023

Policy

Citizens home insurance policies teed up for private insurers

What is known as 'depopulation' is a key state strategy for trying to shrink Citizens, which has grown to more than 1.4 million policies because of financial problems in the private market.

By Jim Saunders
October 5, 2023

Personality

Mary Ellen Klas, veteran Florida statehouse reporter, taking on new challenge

She’s leaving the Miami Herald to become a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.

By Jim Rosica
October 4, 2023

First Read

Matt Gaetz generates the feels – good & bad – on social media after sparking McCarthy ouster

'Washington must change,' he says, adding that he doesn't want the speakership.

By Jim Rosica
October 4, 2023