Kathy Castor applauds passage of 2025 NDAA … but not the provision on trans care
The bill includes a provision rolling back gender-affirming care for minors.
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7min
Image via AP.
Drew Dixon4 Panhandle counties get $89M approved for public projects
The Triumph Gulf Coast Board approved tens of millions of dollars heading to Bay, Escambia, Wakulla and Walton counties.
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3min
Donald Trump is named Time’s Person of the Year, rings NYSE opening bell
Afterward, he returned to his home in Florida.
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9min
Shumaker’s new St. Pete office is still growing
Katharine Haddad is the firm’s latest St. Pete hire.
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4min
News & Trending
December 12, 2024
Janelle Irwin Taylor
Janelle Irwin Taylor
Kathy Castor applauds passage of 2025 NDAA … but not the provision on trans care
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7min
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December 12, 2024
Associated Press
Associated Press
Donald Trump is named Time’s Person of the Year, rings NYSE opening bell
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9min
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A.G. Gancarski
Jacob OglesTransition
Donald Trump names Dan Newlin as Ambassador to Colombia
The Windermere lawyer will continue in an advisory role at his Orlando law firm.
1
6min
Donald Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America
The former broadcaster will run the nation’s overseas broadcasting operation.
4
5min
National poll finds Pam Bondi, Ron DeSantis with negative approval ratings amid possible moves
The Governor is better known than the former Top Cop.
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3min
Americans approve of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State
Kamala Harris voters are the exception, unsurprisingly.
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3min
Donald Trump names Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece
The one-time fiancée to Donald Trump Jr. was one of several diplomatic appointments announced.
4
3min
Donald Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan
The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement.
3
5min
Bettors continue to fade Ron DeSantis’ Defense Secretary chances
Investors see the Governor remaining in his current role.
10
3min
In promising to shake up Washington, Donald Trump is in a class of his own
‘It’s got a gladiator feel.’
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13min
Pete Hegseth urged to purge ‘woke’ officers
‘The nominee has been pretty clear that has no place in the military.’
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5min
As Ron DeSantis slated for football game with Donald Trump, bettors fade his Sec Def chances
Drama continues about DeSantis’ next move as the money moves away from him.
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4min
Donald Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection
Trump’s team is coming into shape ahead of promised mass deportations.
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10min
Melania Trump says heading to the White House for the second term is much different than the first
‘I think the energy is different.’
13
3min
Specials
Panhandle Sheriffs endorse Nathan Boyles in coming HD 3 race
Eric Aden and Bob Johnson both support the former Okaloosa County Commissioner’s candidacy.
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5min
Panhandle lawmakers want Nathan Boyles in the Florida House
Republicans are quickly rallying around the former Okaloosa County Commissioner’s HD 3 run.
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4min
Rick Scott hails Lara Trump’s RNC stint, says she’d be ‘fantastic’ in Senate
Marco Rubio is leaving Florida for the State Department, leaving an opening on Capitol Hill.
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3min
Lara Trump steps down as RNC co-chair, addresses speculation about Florida Senate seat
‘I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me.’
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7min
Nine candidates qualify for race to replace Mike Waltz in CD 6
A state senator, a former presidential candidate, and a previous candidate for Congress are in the mix.
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4min
Former presidential candidate qualifies for CD 6 race to replace Mike Waltz
Randall Terry, known for his anti-abortion activism, got 5,831 votes statewide in the Presidential Election.
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4min
Field set in Special Election to replace Matt Gaetz, including 10 Republicans
A total of 16 candidates, including 10 Republicans, qualified for the race.
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13min
Aaron Dimmock, months after challenging Matt Gaetz in Primary, jumps into Special Election to replace him
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy vetted and recruited Dimmock earlier this year.
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5min
Democrat Ges Selmont enters CD 6 race
He ran for Congress in 2018 and is trying again in a different district’s Special Election.
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4min
Legislative, Influence & Policy
Florida Supreme Court seeks more Judges, describes workload impacts
A growing state needs more resources for justice.
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3min
Drew WilsonConverge Public Strategies expands New York presence with State & Broadway partnership
The partnership strengthens Converge’s influence in the Empire State.
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3min
Ahead of 2025 Session, Jason Shoaf has Wakulla Springs, recidivism relief on his mind
Shoaf wants to work with student researchers at FSU to restore Wakulla Springs to its former glory.
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10min
Florida Chamber migration report shows more people moving to Florida, but at slower pace
The report blames the housing crisis for a loss of young professionals leaving the state.
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4min
Personnel note: Suzanne Dowling named COO at Health Network One
Dowling has worked at the company for more than 25 years.
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3min
Gov. DeSantis joins GOP Governors vowing support for Donald Trump immigration policies
Chief executives are committed to the President-elect’s tougher approach.
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3min
Federal
Kathy Castor applauds passage of 2025 NDAA … but not the provision on trans care
The bill includes a provision rolling back gender-affirming care for minors.
0
7min
Donald Trump is named Time’s Person of the Year, rings NYSE opening bell
Afterward, he returned to his home in Florida.
0
9min
FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
FBI Director Chris Wray announced this week his plan to resign.
1
7min
Joe Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency
And there’s more to come.
1
9min
House Democrats will target Anna Paulina Luna and recruit against 4 other Florida Republicans in 2026
With the right candidates, House Majority PAC sees potential to unseat Carlos Giménez, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills and María Elvira Salazar.
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6min
FBI Director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s term in January
He said he’s stepping down ‘after weeks of careful thought.’
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3min
NE Florida
Orlando
Gabrielle Russon
St. Pete
SW Florida
Tampa
Panhandle
Tallahassee
Mike Wright
South Florida
Luxury real estate broker and his twin held without bail on sex trafficking charges
Prosecutors say the women who were victimized were often provided drugs or surreptitiously drugged, leaving them unable to fight back or escape.
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6min
Jesse SchecknerAlex Rizo targets education reform, optometrist allowances, helping Maury Hernandez
He’s got at least 3 education-focused measures in the works.
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10min
Monroe GOP re-elects Rhonda Rebman Lopez as Chair, backs her party leadership slate
She said the party will continue to increase its numbers, turn out voters and ‘ensure Republican victories in 2026 and beyond.’
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4min
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYC
The main prosecutor in the case said the brothers, who did business in Miami and New York City, ‘were not acting alone.’
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3min
Kevin Cooper wins Miami-Dade GOP gavel
He defeated Sunny Isles Beach Commissioner Jerry Joseph for the job.
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6min
Miami-Dade GOP to elect new Chair as Alex Rizo forgoes re-election
‘I know the time that needs to be dedicated to being Chair. And I know I can’t give it the full attention right now that it’s going to deserve.’
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4min
Culture Wars
Alex Jones keeps Infowars for now after judge rejects The Onion’s winning auction bid
The judge said he would not approve the sale, citing concerns about transparency in the auction.
3
10min
Joseph Ladapo likens ‘insane’ water fluoridation to COVID vaccines
The Surgeon General spoke out against the practice last month, and continues to develop his argument.
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4min
Girl Scouts report shows young women in Florida still face substantial obstacles
While girls in Florida have seen some positive trends, many still face life challenges unique to young women.
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5min
Matt Gaetz to launch OAN show in coveted prime-time slot
The former Congressman will compete with Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow for 9 p.m. viewers.
1
5min
Ron DeSantis lauds ‘just and correct’ Daniel Penny verdict
The Governor was ‘skeptical’ that justice would be done.
10
3min
Veteran Daniel Penny acquitted in NYC subway chokehold case over Jordan Neely’s death
The case amplified many American fault lines, among them race, politics, crime, urban life, mental illness and homelessness.
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11min
Foreign Affairs
Joe Biden is rushing aid to Ukraine. Both sides are digging in. And everyone is bracing for Donald Trump
A lot is expected to change come January.
2
14min
Rick Scott sounds sewage garlic alarm again. Will the Joe Biden White House listen?
The Senator is pressing multiple agencies to take action, as he has since 2023.
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4min
Jubilation and gunfire as Syrians celebrate the end of the Assad family’s half-century rule
Syrian Assad regime falls after rebellion that lasted more than a decade.
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13min
Donald Trump talks with world leaders, advances foreign policy agenda
The President-elect is hitting the ground running.
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4min
Rick Scott questions aid to Africa while Americans await federal help
The President announced a big financial commitment Tuesday in Angola.
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3min
Emails & Opinions
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 12.12.24
Stay on top all day with Sunburn.
Apolitical
Florida’s new unemployment claims tick up, but remain at levels seen most of this year
Following a rough Fall of volatile jobless filings following hurricanes, Florida returns to more stable numbers.
Law enforcement breaks up illegal gambling operations in Volusia and Brevard counties
Florida Gaming Control Commission and Brevard and Volusia Sheriff’s officials nail 7 bogus gambling outfits.
Tech
South Florida, Tampa Bay nonprofits join blue tech accelerator program with $14M federal earmark
Their joint goal is to fast-track ‘BlueTech’ innovation with an emphasis on sustainable development and economic growth.
From outsider to the Oval Office, bitcoin surges as a new administration embraces crypto
Donald Trump has called for making the United States ‘the crypto capital of the planet.’
Universities
University of Miami Hurricanes bumped out of NCAA College Football Playoffs
Miami Hurricanes were ranked 13th by the NCAA playoff committee, just missing the postseason tournament.
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3min
UF youth development program aims for the stars
Under new partnerships, kids can plant seeds that have been to space to see how microgravity impacts growth.
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8min
University of West Florida names leader of new School of Education
The new dean brings decades of work in academia.
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3min
