TALLAHASSEE — Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz this week sharply criticized utility regulators for not adequately justifying decisions, likening the state Public Service Commission to a “black box.” Muniz repeatedly raised the issue Tuesday as the Supreme Court heard arguments in an appeal of a 2023 Public Service Commission order approving rates for […]
There are several good reasons that Pam Bondi will be confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. When her appointment was announced, so soon after the withdrawal of former Pensacola Congressman Matt Gaetz, reaction in Washington pretty much broke down along party lines. But mostly, there was relief that a nasty confirmation fight over Gaetz […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s 2025 legislative session will begin with 26 new lawmakers in the 120-member state House and nine new Florida senators out of 40 — but the make-up of the chambers will shift in the coming months, due to President-elect Donald Trump. Republicans maintained supermajorities in […]
By The News Service of Florida Florida continues to see a slowdown of first-time unemployment claims since brief spikes following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The federal agency on Wednesday estimated that 6,085 initial unemployment claims in the state were filed last week, down from a revised count […]
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis helped quash a proposal seeking to allow recreational marijuana, state health officials announced they intend to award medical-marijuana licenses to 22 of dozens of applicants who vied for the licenses more than a year ago. The move, posted on the […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State senators are off to a quick start filing bills as they gear up for the 2025 legislative session, which begins March 4. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, officially took over as leaders of their respective chambers for the […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Receiving President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement and setting off political dominoes, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Monday he will run for a Northwest Florida congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. Trump also threw his endorsement behind state Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard […]
By The News Service of Florida Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz ended speculation Friday about whether he would return to his Northwest Florida seat when the new Congress takes office in January. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz said in a podcast interview with Turning Point USA founder and President Charlie […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — 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. The appointment came hours after former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Tallahassee TALLAHASSEE — Florida education leaders want parents to be reminded annually that they can face consequences if their children report false threats of violence. The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a rule change that will require school districts to make training available to parents and […]