Florida Phoenix

The Florida Phoenix is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to providing news without advertisements and free access to its readers. Our team of four journalists is based at the Florida Press Center in downtown Tallahassee, focusing on state government and political issues. We offer a variety of content, including detailed articles, blog entries, and social media updates that highlight current events, editorial cartoons, and progressive viewpoints. While many reporters in dwindling capital offices often find themselves preoccupied with sensational political antics, the Florida Phoenix prioritizes covering innovative solutions and the individuals working to foster positive change and advance compassionate policies.

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DeSantis suspends Osceola County Sheriff after he is arrested on racketeering charges

2 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 5, 2025 Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez from office on Thursday shortly after he was arrested on felony charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Lopez and four other individuals in a “massive Central Florida gambling operation,” according to a press release issued by the attorney general’s office.
David Jolly is a Democratic candidate for governor in '26 • Florida Phoenix

2 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

Following the exploratory phase of his campaign this spring, David Jolly says he’s ready to go and has officially entered the Democratic primary for governor of Florida. He acknowledges the challenges about running in an electoral landscape that hasn’t elected any Democrat to a statewide office since 2018, but says the environment is ripe for that to change in 2026.
Dem senate candidate hurls accusations at FDP regarding speaking opportunity at upcoming event

3 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

A Democratic candidate who wants to challenge U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody next year is ripping into the state party, accusing it of unfairly excluding her from the party’s upcoming annual fundraiser while at the same time opening the door to another potential Senate candidate.
Industry group says Trump tax bill could kill nearly 22,000 solar jobs in Florida

3 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 4, 2025 Florida installed the second most solar power capacity in the country last year, and is predicted to become the top-ranked residential solar power state in the nation in 2028, but that growth could be severely impacted by the removal of tax credits in the major spending and tax bill which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a single vote last month.
Second Amendment groups file for summary judgment in bid to overturn Florida’s open carry ban • Florida Phoenix

4 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 3, 2025 A Palm Beach gun owner and two Second Amendment groups have filed a motion for summary judgement in their federal court challenge to Florida’s law banning individuals from openly carrying firearms, claiming that the law is unconstitutional.
José Javier Rodríguez says he's running for attorney general to become 'the people's lawyer' • Florida Phoenix

5 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

Saying that he wants to make Florida safer and less expensive, former state Sen. José Javier Rodriguez announced Monday that he is a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for attorney general in 2026. “Corrupt deal makers have taken over Florida, and we are paying the price,” says Rodriguez in a video message announcing his candidacy posted early Monday afternoon. “Our power company is planning the biggest rate hike in U.S. history. Our insurance goes up every year.
Florida law enforcement officials express concern about scams on seniors, but offer few details

5 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

A host of top law enforcement officers briefed reporters in Tampa on Monday about their concerns about senior citizens in Florida being scammed by prisoners — alhough they offered few details. They did say that the culprits exploiting older Florida residents are state prisoners whose weapons in these cases are contraband phones, cryptocurrency, and drone devices.
Florida AG Uthmeier again defends his stance in state immigration case

5 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Mitch Perry

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says it’s pretty basic why he won’t tell local law enforcement officers in Florida to stand down from enforcing a new state law on immigration enforcement, as a federal judge ordered him to do earlier this year. He says it’s because he’s not their boss.
Would Floridians notice if state government shut down?

5 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Diane Roberts

While the Florida Legislature exhibits nowhere near the level of bile-spitting, brainless dysfunction you get in Washington, they haven’t exactly been a model of a sleek, responsive government machine. For weeks, there was no budget. No hint of a budget. Instead of getting done the one thing the Constitution says they have to get done, they’ve been indulging in that sure-fire negotiating tactic: insulting each other. Then Friday: a trickle of white smoke emanating from the Capitol.
Budget conference begins on Tuesday

5 days ago | floridaphoenix.com | Christine Sexton

Florida legislators are finally heading back to Tallahassee to wrap up their work for the year. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez announced late Friday that closed-door negotiations had yielded a breakthrough on the state budget as legislative leaders agreed to a “framework” they will use to draw up a final budget bill.