Politics

The Tampa Bay Times reports: While family and friends distributed posters of a missing Republican Party of Florida executive director last week, he was holed up in a Hampton Inn, where authorities say he trashed his room. George Riley Jr., who was reunited with his family this weekend, was kicked out of a room at the Hampton Inn in Kissimmee …

The New York Times reports: In an unusual move, the five major broadcast and cable news networks have prepared a joint open letter that urges President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump to participate in televised debates ahead of Election Day, according to two people with direct knowledge of their plans. The letter — endorsed by ABC, CBS, CNN, …

From the Justice Department: Michael Soghomonian, 35, previously of Northridge, California was arrested on April 7, 2024, pursuant to a federal criminal complaint charging him with using fire to damage the building at One Church Street in Burlington, Vermont – a building used in interstate commerce and as a place of activity affecting interstate commerce. According to court records, Soghomonian …

Axios reports: Chef José Andrés called the Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last week “unforgivable,” per an ABC interview that aired Sunday. “This doesn’t seem a war against terror. This doesn’t seem anymore a war about defending Israel. This really, at this point, seems it’s a war against humanity itself,” Andrés told “This Week” co-anchor …

The Washington Post reports: Many Republican lawmakers have largely accepted that their inability to govern is a predicament of their own making. They acknowledge that overcoming their legislative impasse relies on not just keeping control of the House in November, but growing their ranks significantly to neutralize the handful of hard-liners who wield influence by taking advantage of the narrow …

Florida Politics reports: People arrested by law enforcement are in line to get guns back sooner from police forces after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to that effect Friday. SB 1286, sponsored by Sen. Jay Collins, holds that “weapons, electric weapons or devices, or arms that are taken from a person … that are not either seized as evidence or …

ABC News reports: There could be potential general election ballot access concerns for President Joe Biden in Ohio, the state’s Secretary of State’s office said in a letter to Ohio Democratic Chair Liz Walters on Friday. In the letter, obtained by ABC News, legal counsel for Secretary of State Frank LaRose sought clarification for “an apparent conflict in Ohio law” …

Axios reports: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signed onto a call by progressive members of Congress for the U.S. to stop transferring weapons to Israel over a strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza. It’s a significant break with Israel by a long-standing supporter that underscores growing fissures between Democrats and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The …

The Associated Press reports: Police in Vermont are seeking a suspect who allegedly started a fire Friday outside the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The small blaze caused minor damages but no injuries. Authorities say an unknown male suspect sprayed what they described as a possible accelerant on the office door, set it on fire and fled. They said …

Courthouse News reports: The House Freedom Caucus, the lower chamber’s conservative voting bloc, said Friday that lawmakers should not consider any legislation that would fund the Key Bridge’s rebuild without first consulting other options. Laying out its position in a statement, the caucus argued that government should first seek “maximum liability” from the company that owns the Dali, the Singapore-flagged …

The Hill reports: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a letter to his Democratic colleagues that the chamber has a “busy agenda” coming up. But first, the chamber is expected to deal with the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “Please be advised that all Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the …

Axios reports: Three hours after a tough call on Thursday between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli cabinet approved new steps to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The U.S. had asked Israel to implement those steps months ago but Netanyahu, who is in a tenuous political position in Israel, has been under pressure …

CNN reports: The Israeli military believed they were targeting Hamas operatives when they attacked and killed seven food aid workers in Gaza on Monday, according to an internal inquest that led to the dismissal of two officers. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday that “those who approved the strike were convinced that they were targeting armed Hamas operatives,” calling …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t holding back when it comes to initiatives that would legalize adult-use cannabis and would enshrine reproductive rights. “Once voters figure out how radical both of those are, they’re going to fail. They are very, very extreme,” DeSantis said in Davie. “Look at the weed one. For example, the weed one is not just …

ABC News reports: No Labels will not run a third-party “unity” ticket against Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election, the group said Thursday. In a statement, the centrist group said they were unable to find a candidate that had a credible path to winning — “so the responsible course of action is for us to stand …

Reuters reports: Celebrity chef Jose Andres told Reuters in an emotional interview on Wednesday that an Israeli attack that killed seven of his food aid workers in Gaza had targeted them “systematically, car by car.” Speaking via video, Andres said the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity group he founded had clear communication with the Israeli military, which he said knew …

Axios reports: George Conway, the lawyer who became an online celebrity with his anti-Trump tweeting, will headline a fundraiser for President Biden in D.C. on April 24, Democratic sources tell Axios. This is Conway’s first big pro-Biden event. Conway, who’s divorced from former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, wrote a check for $929,600 — the max you can give to the …

Florida Politics reports: Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign behind a recreational marijuana amendment, announced it has raised more than $15 million. While the campaign up until now has largely been backed by Trulieve, its financial support now comes from a number of cannabis businesses and investors across the country. Those include: Verano Holdings, Curaleaf Holdings, AYR Wellness, Cresco Labs, …

From Arizona Democratic US Rep. Raul Grijalva: A few weeks ago, I sought medical treatment for a persistent cough which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia. After further testing and imaging, my physician discovered that I have cancer. This diagnosis has been difficult to process, but I am confident in the vigorous course of treatment that my medical team has developed, …

NPR reports: A federal judge in Boston has ruled that migrants flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022 can proceed with a lawsuit against the Florida company that took them there. The judge also dismissed claims against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials named in the suit. Three migrants from Venezuela, along with an immigrant rights group, filed …