Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted little time declaring two Islamic groups, various foreign cartels, and an anti-fascism movement as terrorist organizations on the first day a new law allows the state to impose such designations.

With the anti-terrorism law (HB 1471) from the 2026 regular session effective Wednesday, DeSantis stated his intention to put the label on the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Brotherhood and antifa.

The designations announced Wednesday still need to be backed by the members of the Florida Cabinet: Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. All three Republicans are up for election in November.  

CAIR intends to take the designation to court.

The law also outlines rules for expelling students at state universities who “promote” support for these groups.

“We’ve got to draw a very strong line in the sand here,” DeSantis said at the Attorney General’s Tampa Office of Statewide Prosecution. “We’ve seen this creep throughout the country over many, many years.”

The new law was crafted to back up an executive order DeSantis issued in December placing the “terrorist organization” label on the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In March, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction against the executive order, ruling it violated CAIR’s rights by targeting and threatening those providing the organization with material support.

CAIR also plans to challenge the law, which in a statement claims it “dramatically expands Florida’s authority to both label and punish groups.”

“Gov. DeSantis is seeking to unilaterally silence a leading American civil rights nonprofit and punish those who support it,” Scott McCoy, deputy legal director of Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of CAIR, said in a statement.

A release from the governor’s office stated the law is intended to identify and “combat terrorist organizations operating in Florida.”

The release doesn’t define antifa, which DeSantis said, “practically lives in Portland.”

DeSantis’ recommendation also includes more than 90 foreign organizations already designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. government, including the Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa, Mexico-based drug trafficking Cartel de Sinaloa, the Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico-based Cartel del Golfo, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of Iran’s military.

DeSantis, who expects an “emergency call” to be quickly set up with the Cabinet members, said the designations were based upon conduct.

“Even though I don’t like antifa’s ideas, I mean, they’re militant leftists,” DeSantis said. “It’s their actions and what they’re involved with that’s very destructive. And the same with Tren de Aragua, same with (the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), obviously they’re a revolutionary military Islamic organization, but they’re also the leading fermenter of terrorism worldwide.”

The law allows the state’s Chief of Domestic Security — currently Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass — to designate a domestic or foreign terrorist organization.

It also bars a court from enforcing any provision of a religious or foreign law, with an emphasis against the Islamic code known as Sharia law, and requires a student in the Florida College System who “promotes” terrorist organizations to be expelled.

The law defines “promotion” as when a student’s actions can be “reasonably interpreted” as an actual threat of violence; disrupt the learning environment; infringe upon the rights of others; or offer “material support for or the recruitment of members for such an organization.”

Other parts of the bill bar schools affiliated with designated terrorist organizations from receiving state K-12 scholarship program money. Also, public universities and colleges are prohibited from spending state or federal funds to support programs or campus activities that promote a designated terrorist organization. 

The bill was approved in the Republican-controlled Legislature by votes of 80-25 in the House and 25-11 in the Senate.

While the legislation was debated, Democrats raised concerns the bill and a related public records exemption (HB 1473) blocking documents showing how a “terrorist” designation is reached, would deprive any group hit with the label of due process.

Opponents of the bill also expressed concerns over whether people, especially students on college campuses, could inadvertently be accused of being a member of a designated domestic terrorist organization and suffer consequences without a conviction.

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 73. Friday, sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Friday night, mosstly clear, with a low around 76. NWS

US stock markets close down (S&P 500 -0.2%, Dow -0.0%, Nasdaq -0.7%) after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh says inflation is too high; offers no hint on July interest rate decision (More).

Local Sports: Florida High alum Tre Donaldson earned an opportunity at the professional level, signing a two-way contract with the Miami Heat to continue his basketball career in South Florida. Details

Local & State News

The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board recently approved five agenda items, including leadership changes, economic development incentives, policy updates and steps toward advancing two major transportation projects. Details.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club has announced its 2026 Fall Speaker Series lineup, bringing a collection of championship coaches, former NFL players, and college football personalities to Tallahassee for its 77th season. Details.

The Board of Governors approved Stuart Bell as the 14th president of the University of Florida. Details

National News

The US will not renew US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which President Donald Trump signed in 2018; will instead renegotiate with each country before the trade deal expires in 2036 (More).

Senior Season – Miami Hurricanes

Tre Donaldson spent his senior season with the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball, earning All-ACC Second Team and NABC Division I All-Southeast District Second Team honors after establishing himself as one of the conference’s top all-around guards. He appeared in all 35 games with 33 starts, averaging 16.4 points, a team-high 5.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 76.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Donaldson consistently delivered in big moments throughout the year, scoring a career-high 32 points against Virginia Tech, including his team’s final 15 points in the victory. He also set a career high with 10 assists against Stetson and recorded three consecutive double-doubles in points and assists against Southern Miss, ULM, and FIU. His season included standout performances against top competition, including 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists at Florida State, 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a win over No. 11 North Carolina, and a near triple-double with 17 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds against SMU.

High School – Florida High

Tre Donaldson played four years at Florida State University High School, where he developed into one of the state’s premier guards and capped his career with a Class 3A state championship in 2022. As a member of the varsity team as an eighth grader, he immediately made an impact by averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, setting the foundation for a decorated high school career.

Donaldson earned Florida Dairy Farmers Player of the Year and Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Elite 11 honors as a senior after averaging 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 steals per contest while leading the Seminoles to a 24-7 record and a state title. He delivered one of his best performances on the biggest stage, recording 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the championship game. Prior to his senior campaign, he averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals as a junior.

The board elected Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor as its new vice-chair, filling a vacancy created when City Commissioner Curtis Richardson became chair on June 1. Under Blueprint’s bylaws, the chairmanship rotates annually between a city commissioner and a county commissioner, requiring the vice-chair to come from the opposite governing body. Commissioner Proctor’s appointment places him in line to become chair following Richardson’s term.

The board also approved a $375,000 non-competitive economic development project request from Neighborhood Medical Center to support operational costs associated with a new pharmacy project. The agency’s review found the project includes a $213,628 private capital investment, is expected to create seven full-time jobs with competitive wages and could generate an estimated $3.9 million economic impact for the community.

In another economic development action, Blueprint approved a competitive incentive package for “Project Prestige,” an expansion proposal from a local advanced manufacturing company considering a new facility at Innovation Park. The project represents a potential $25 million capital investment, a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing center and 100 new manufacturing and research jobs over the next two years. The company is evaluating multiple locations, making the incentive package part of a broader effort to retain and expand local industry.

The board also directed staff to return with revisions to Blueprint’s Small Business Enterprise policy to ensure compliance with new state requirements. The review examined the agency’s Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise program, including certification standards, supplier diversity practices and participation goals following changes in Florida law affecting local diversity-related programs.

Finally, Blueprint approved eminent domain resolutions tied to two transportation projects: Airport Gateway and the Northeast Connector Corridor. The resolutions authorize the agency to pursue property acquisitions needed for bridge improvements on Springhill Road over Munson Slough and improvements along Bannerman Road. Officials said no residential or business relocations are required, and legal action would only be used as a last resort if negotiated property purchases cannot be completed.

The actions highlight Blueprint’s continued focus on transportation infrastructure, economic growth and compliance with changing state requirements.

The Board of Governors approved Stuart Bell as the 14th president of the University of Florida.

After tumultuous weeks of controversy about his appointment and years of leadership instability at Florida’s flagship university, Bell was confirmed by the BOG at a special meeting at the University of South Florida on Wednesday morning.

“I will serve with integrity, I will serve with humility, I will serve with accountability to this group and to the board of trustees,” Bell said in his opening remarks.

All members present voted to confirm except for Aubrey Edge, who questioned Bell on his history of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Alabama.

During the confirmation hearing, Edge wasn’t the only BOG member who asked Bell about DEI, critical race theory and free speech on campus. After Bell’s confirmation, Good said several members had “hesitation” about Bell but changed their position after speaking with him.

“He has my and all of our full support in his success,” Good said.

It’s the end of a long two years for UF, which has gone through three different presidents in three years.

In 2025, UF’s sole finalist to become president, Santa Ono, was approved by the school’s board of trustees but ran into opposition from conservative activists on the BOG who criticized his support for DEI programs while he was president of the University of Michigan.

Bell, who was previously the president of the University of Alabama, has been scrutinized for the same thing by conservative online activists. However, Bell assured BOG members he was “not coming to Florida to bring DEI or ‘woke’ back.”

Bell was supposed to have been confirmed last week, but the meeting was delayed after BOG chair Alan Levine questioned “governance issues” at UF and said he would not place any university business on the agenda if they were “out of compliance.”

In a letter to State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Levine alleged UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini has been granted “financial, contractual and other delegations that I feel are problematic, inconsistent with best practices in governance,” and run afoul of state regulations.

The move led to an explosive BOG meeting that devolved into an argument between Levine and Hosseini, with other members expressing sadness and disappointment about the controversy.

On Wednesday, Vice Chair Timothy Cerio called the situation “a little rocky journey,” and BOG member Nick Sinatra thanked Bell for his “grace” during the hiring process.

“I thought some of the accusations floating out around you, against you, were very much unfair,” Sinatra said.

Bell’s tenure lasts through June 30, 2031, and he will be paid an annual base salary of $2 million, according to his employment contract, with the potential for a 3% merit increase each year.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club has announced its 2026 Fall Speaker Series lineup, bringing a collection of championship coaches, former NFL players, and college football personalities to Tallahassee for its 77th season.

The season will open Aug. 25 with Mike Norvell, head coach of the Florida State Seminoles football, followed by a Sept. 1 appearance from former NFL quarterback and three-time Pro Bowler Jason Garrett.

The lineup continues Sept. 15 with Gene Chizik, a national championship-winning coach from Auburn Tigers football, and Sept. 29 with college football analyst Danny Kanell.

October’s schedule includes former Ed “Too Tall” Jones on Oct. 13 and college football analyst Eric Mac Lain on Oct. 27. The series continues Nov. 10 with Tim Brando, a longtime play-by-play voice in college football, and concludes Dec. 8 with Mack Brown, a national championship-winning head coach.

Founded in 1949, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club has built a long tradition of celebrating football while supporting local student-athletes and the community. The club’s meetings have featured prominent coaches, players, and broadcasters throughout its history.

The 2026 speaker series will be held at the Champions Club at Doak Campbell Stadium, continuing a tradition that brings football insight and storytelling to fans throughout the region.

The district announced the facilities would close beginning June 20, 2026, saying the decision applies to all high school tracks and fields “for the foreseeable future.” The announcement comes approximately nine months after Leon County Schools reopened selected tracks following a nearly two-year period when community access had been restricted.

The original closure in 2023 was driven by concerns over liability, security, vandalism and the district’s responsibility for maintaining school facilities. At the time, community members argued that the tracks provided important free spaces for exercise, running clubs and residents who did not have easy access to similar facilities.

In September 2025, Leon and Chiles high school tracks reopened under new restrictions. The tracks were available from sunrise to sunset when school activities were not taking place, with security cameras installed to monitor activity and discourage vandalism.

The reopening was viewed as a compromise between residents seeking access and district officials concerned about safety and costs. Leon High School was initially identified as the first facility to return to public use, with Chiles later included.

The latest closure has renewed debate over the balance between public access and school district risk management. Supporters of open tracks say school athletic facilities are community assets that promote health and recreation. District officials have maintained that student safety, facility protection and liability concerns must remain priorities.

The district has not announced a timeline for reopening the facilities, saying the closure will remain in place until further notice.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Weather: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 72. Thursday, sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Thursday night, mostly clear, with a low around 75. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.8%, Dow +0.3%, Nasdaq +1.5%); S&P 500, Nasdaq post best quarter since 2020 (More).

Local & State News

The race for Tallahassee’s mayor took center stage as candidates gathered at the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) June luncheon held at the Capital City Country Club. Details.

State general revenue collections for May exceeded expectations by $231.8 million, driven by sales tax and earnings on state investments. Details

Florida’s local law enforcement agencies have been required by state law to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement for over a year. Details

National News

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 yesterday to strike down President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. The order would have withheld citizenship from babies born to undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors (9% of births in 2023, or 260,000 babies).

Three of the nation’s largest egg producers agreed yesterday to settle allegations that they artificially inflated egg prices during bird flu outbreaks between 2022 and 2025.

The race for Tallahassee’s mayor took center stage as candidates gathered at the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) June luncheon held at the Capital City Country Club. The candidates included former state lawmaker Loranne Ausley, current City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and attorney and businessman Daryl Parks. Candidate Michael Foust, the only Republican in the field, did not qualify because he failed to meet campaign fundraising thresholds set by NEBA. However, Foust did attend the luncheon.

A straw poll conducted at the end of the forum – only NEBA members were allowed to vote – showed Parks with 51%, Ausley second with 27%, Matlow third with 15% and Foust fourth with 6.5%.

Civility

The forum began with a focus on the tone of local government. Ausley, drawing on her 14-year tenure in the Florida legislature, argued that Tallahassee has spent “too much time on conflict, controversy, and saying no”. She positioned herself as a candidate of “maturity and leadership” capable of bringing people together to focus on jobs and economic growth.

In contrast, Commissioner Jeremy Matlow leaned into his role as a reformer. In his closing remarks, he acknowledged that some may view him as “radical” for “calling out a closed-door system,” but he framed his approach as “shining a light in a dark room” to ensure the city commission represents the community. Daryl Parks, a self-made business owner and lawyer, emphasized the need for a “fresh mindset”, promising a leadership style rooted in collaboration and accountability.

Economic Development

When asked about the industries best suited for Tallahassee’s future, Matlow identified technology, healthcare, and tourism as the three primary areas for advancement. He argued that the mayor’s role is to be the “face of our city” for prospective companies, addressing the “difficult” permitting culture that currently hampers business growth. Ausley emphasized the importance of utilizing local powerhouses like FSU, FAMU, and the Mag Lab to drive the economy forward. Parks, meanwhile, welcomed the Chamber’s proactive stance and suggested that OEV needs a “rethink,” perhaps modeling it after successful economic initiatives in other regions, such as Santa Rosa County.

Infrastructure and Blueprint Priorities

A sharp divide emerged regarding the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency’s funding. Commissioner Matlow argued for prioritizing basic infrastructure, such as paving dirt paths in neighborhoods where children walk to school. He explicitly opposed “luxury projects” like the Airport Gateway, which he claimed lacks significant economic upside. Matlow is also on record opposing the Northeast Gateway.

Daryl Parks, citing his experience in the hospitality and airport business, strongly disagreed, stating that “roadways play a critical part of what happens around airports” and can strategically enhance surrounding properties. Ausley took a historical perspective, comparing modern infrastructure concerns to the past development, arguing that “with growth we need to be talking about the right type of infrastructure”.

The conversation turned to the FSU-TMH academic health center, a partnership all three candidates generally supported, albeit with different caveats. Parks viewed it as a “unique opportunity” to improve health outcomes and potentially secure a Level 1 Trauma Center for the region. Ausley called it a “world-class academic medical center” that would attract top physicians and researchers, though she emphasized the importance of protecting charity care and maintaining transparency. Matlow, who voted against the sale of hospital assets to FSU, also supported the creation of FSU Health, linking better healthcare outcomes directly to a stronger local economy.

Addressing the Housing Crisis and Wages

As housing costs rise and wages stagnate, the candidates proposed varied strategies. Matlow advocated for increased density in the urban core, particularly on “asphalt parking lots” and “outdated retail uses,” to attract young graduates. Parks pointed to the building permitting process as a primary factor in high housing costs, promising to work on lowering these barriers. Ausley highlighted her legislative record of funding affordable housing and pointed to projects like the Orange Avenue development as models for “smart infill” and mixed-income communities.

Public Safety and Violent Crime

On the issue of public safety, candidates agreed that the solution lies in a mix of enforcement and social intervention. Parks emphasized youth intervention and linked crime directly to a lack of economic opportunity. Ausley focused on community policing and improving the trajectory of residents in neighborhoods like South City through education and healthcare.

Matlow noted that the city commission had already allocated $1 million toward these efforts but argued that the city must address its “25% poverty rate” to truly solve the crime problem. He also pointed to the high rate of guns stolen from unlocked vehicles as a specific issue requiring community action.

The Lightning Round: Quick Takes and Personal Insights

A “lightning round” provided a glimpse into the candidates’ immediate priorities and personalities:

• Police Chief Grade: Ausley gave Chief Lawrence Revell an “A,” Matlow a “B,” and Parks an “A”.
• Top Priority: Matlow chose infrastructure, while both Parks and Ausley chose jobs.
• Property Taxes: All three candidates opposed a statewide amendment to phase out most non-school homestead property taxes, with Matlow warning it would raise costs for renters and business owners.
• Mentors: Matlow cited a high school mentor, Parks named former FAMU President Frederick Humphries, and Ausley honored her father.

Closing Arguments

In their final appeals, the candidates reinforced their central themes. Daryl Parks positioned himself as a “self-made business owner” with the “independent capital” and “fresh mindset” needed to break eight years of perceived stagnation at City Hall.

Loranne Ausley concluded by highlighting her 25-year history of “building bridges” between parties to deliver results for Tallahassee, promising to bring “civility back” to the city she loves.

Commissioner Matlow argued that his experience as a pizza shop owner and his relentless push for transparency make him the right choice to lead from the top.

Florida’s local law enforcement agencies have been required by state law to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement for over a year.

But some agencies, including some of the largest sheriffs and police departments in the state, still aren’t participating.

At a State Immigration Enforcement Council meeting on Tuesday, Florida’s top cops said some are barely cooperating or not engaging at all in President Donald Trump’s agenda, a priority supported and pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Out of 394 law enforcement agencies in the state, 272 have active 287(g) taskforce officer agreements, according to data provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Of the 272, 163 agencies are considered “active operational,” which means they have made one or more 287(g) arrests. The remaining 109 agencies have not yet made an arrest, according to the FDLE data. 

The council will send letters to law enforcement agencies urging them to comply with state law, assist the federal government in illegal immigration enforcement and report monthly data to FDLE.

“I want to encourage them. I don’t want to see them publicly embarrassed for not complying with the law,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the council chair.

Council members have given agencies time to earn accreditation, begin arrests and learn how to enter data into Florida’s Suspected Unauthorized Alien Encounters Dashboard.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a member of the council, said he was “very sympathetic a while back to everybody getting up to speed and getting their sea legs under them.”

But that time is over.

“Follow the law, do what you’re supposed to do,” Gualtieri said. “There’s no glitches, either you’re doing it or not.”

Judd said all local law enforcement should begin checking immigration status as part of their “daily routine.”

“We’re not suggesting that people gather up at Home Depots or Lowes and target people. We’re not suggesting they go into agriculture fields or work sites,” Judd said.

State law requires all county sheriff’s departments to enter 287(g) agreements, but according to FDLE, some counties are doing the bare minimum.

Broward County, for example, has an “active operational” agreement. But out of 1,745 deputies, only two are designated immigration officers, and the agency has not participated in monthly reporting, according to FDLE.

Police departments are not required to enter into 287(g) agreements; however, Florida law says they “shall use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.”

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department, an agency with 543 officers, currently does not have a 287(g) agreement with ICE. 

And of the 9,026 designated immigration officers in the state, only 17% are police officers.

Anthony Coker, director of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, said grants for immigration enforcement will not be given to law enforcement agencies that do not enter into 287(g) agreements or do not report data currently to the state.

The State Board of Immigration Enforcement has approved approximately $148 million in funds to local law enforcement to assist with federal immigration enforcement.

About $13.6 million of that has already been disbursed to 34 agencies, according to Transparency Florida, a state website that tracks government spending.