Tag Archives: Florida

Tampa’s NBC affiliate reports: A lawsuit filed by a professor and student at the University of South Florida, contesting the state’s “Stop WOKE Act,” officially titled the “Individual Freedom Act,” has temporarily blocked the law’s impact on public universities, thanks to an order from a federal judge. House Bill 7, dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act” when first announced by Gov. …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to be coy about plans to run for President in 2024, but supporters aren’t waiting to make that case for him, labeling DeSantis as “DeFuture.” The “Ron to the Rescue” super PAC is rolling out a new ad. The 60-second spot begins with newscasters discussing COVID-19 “lockdown” mitigation measures, over shots of barren streets …

Florida Politics reports: On Wednesday in Matlacha, the Governor sidestepped a question about 2024, preferring instead to focus on the Georgia runoff and governing Florida after his “historic victory” over Charlie Crist last week. “We just finished this election. People just need to chill out a little bit on some of this stuff,” DeSantis said. “We have this Georgia runoff …

Axios reports: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie received huge applause at an annual meeting of Republican governors Tuesday morning after blaming former President Trump for GOP failures in the last three elections, according to three sources in the room and a fourth person familiar with the speech. The chorus of Republican office-holders calling for the GOP to move on …

Florida Politics reports: Anthony Sabatini doesn’t want current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ascending to House Speaker. And while the Howey-in-the-Hills Republican has no say whatsoever after losing his own race for Congress, he’s still raising money off the controversy. In a move called out on social media as a potential scam, the former state lawmaker blasted emails to supporters …

The Naples Daily News reports: Newly elected Collier County school board member Jerry Rutherford wants to bring corporal punishment back to district classrooms, he said the morning after Tuesday’s election. He added that disabled students’ behavior in particular is “out of control.” Additionally, he said he’d like to see fewer “rights” for LGBTQ students — or the same extended to …

The Fort Myers News-Press reports: Outgoing U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who currently represents the 11th Congressional district in western North Carolina, has bought a $1.1 million home in Cape Coral, according to the Lee County Property Appraiser’s records. It is not clear if Cawthorn has any specific connection to Cape Coral. He did post a video to social media on …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Hurricane Nicole made landfall on Florida’s east coast just south of Vero Beach in Indian River County and is now headed inland up into Central Florida. The center of the massive storm is projected to carve a path toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, but with tropical-storm-force winds stretching out 450 miles, the dangers from the storm continue …

Orland’s NBC affiliate reports: Tropical Storm Nicole officially became Hurricane Nicole Wednesday afternoon as it crept closer to Florida’s east coast. According to WESH 2 meteorologists, Nicole’s path had shifted slightly southward overnight into Wednesday. However, experts emphasize that tropical storm force winds extend hundreds of miles from the center of circulation. No matter where it eventually makes landfall, the …

The Palm Beach Post reports: Palm Beach County has ordered evacuations of zones A and B ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole. Nicole is forecast to reach the coast of Florida Wednesday night as a Category 1 hurricane with a landfall between Boca Raton and Sebastian. Palm Beach County is already feeling wind gusts to 39 mph at Palm Beach International …

CNN reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida’s hard-charging Republican leader who became a household name during the pandemic, will win a second term leading the Sunshine State, CNN projects, thwarting Democrat Charlie Crist’s attempt to take back his old job. With the campaign for reelection behind him, the focus of DeSantis’ future will almost immediately turn to 2024. A decision is …

NBC News reports: Republican Sen. Marco Rubio cruised to victory Tuesday night, securing his third term amid a statewide Democratic collapse, NBC News projects. Rubio is the first Florida Republican to win three terms in the U.S. Senate. Rubio was vastly outspent by Democratic Rep. Val Demings, but his victory came as little surprise to political observers from both parties, …

Florida Politics reports: Republican Anna Paulina Luna has taken Florida’s 13th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Eric Lynn and flipping the seat red. The race was a close one — with 82% of precincts reporting, Luna pulled 53% of the vote to Lynn’s 46%, according to unofficial election results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. Before redistricting, the seat was …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Thousands of Floridians are under evacuation orders as a strengthening Tropical Storm Nicole is forecast to become Hurricane Nicole before making landfall on Florida’s east coast early Thursday morning, and hurricane warnings are now in place. As of the 4 p.m. NHC advisory Tuesday, Nicole is located about 285 miles northeast of the northwestern Bahamas and …

The Washington Post reports: The DeSantis administration is attempting to block Department of Justice election monitors from gaining access to polling places in South Florida, saying in a letter that the federal government’s involvement would be “counterproductive” and in violation of state law. On Monday, the Justice Department announced that it would send federal monitors to 64 jurisdictions nationwide to …

AccuWeather reports: A hurricane warning was issued along the central part of Florida’s east coast on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Nicole churned across the Atlantic and showed signs of further strengthening as it tracked toward the storm-weary state. AccuWeather meteorologists expect this sprawling storm to take a turn and hit Florida’s east coast — as a hurricane — later this …

Orlando’s Fox affiliate reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for 34 Florida counties Monday as the state prepares for potential impacts from Subtropical Storm Nicole this week. The latest update from the National Hurricane Center said the storm will approach the Florida coast as a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday. The order was issued out of an …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: Subtropical Storm Nicole formed Monday morning in the Atlantic Ocean with a projected path that could bring it to Florida’s east coast near hurricane strength, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 8 a.m., the system was located about 520 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph moving north-northwest …

The Palm Beach Post reports: Areas of the Bahamas and east coast of Florida could be issued hurricane or tropical storm watches or warnings as early as Monday with an unusual late-season system taking aim at the Sunshine State. Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Sunday to monitor the Atlantic weather disturbance and to warn …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis is spending the last weekend before Election Day on a “Don’t Tread on Florida Tour.” He’ll share the stage with country stars and Cabinet members, but won’t come near a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump. DeSantis will return to the trail at 3 p.m. for a pit stop at Sun City Center …