Florida's Latest News

DeSantis signs bill limiting donations to groups pushing constitutional amendments

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 15 bills, including measures that will help upgrade Florida’s much-maligned unemployment system, regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes and limit contributions to political committees supporting ballot initiatives.

Lawmakers passed the bills during the legislative session that ended last week, and DeSantis’ office announced the signings about 5:30 p.m. Friday without comment.

The changes to the unemployment system were part of a broad Department of Economic Opportunity bill (HB 1463) that received unanimous approval in the House and Senate. The bill calls for moving to a cloud-based online system that “provides for rapid provisioning of additional data processing when necessary.”

The many sides of the Seminole Compact

Anyone who thinks the new 30-year, multibillion-dollar Seminole Compact is a deal involving the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida is missing about 15 sides of the underway arguments that may be about to explode into shouting.

Fortunes and futures of whole Florida industries are on the line.

Come May 17, the Florida Legislature’s Special Session will take on the interests of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, several national and international casino gambling corporations, the Seminoles’ two big casino operations, dozens of smaller casinos or game rooms, internet gambling, thoroughbred racing, harness racing, horse breeding, off-track horse or greyhound dog race betting, fantasy sports games outfits, South Florida development interests, opponents of gambling expansion in Florida, the Florida Constitution, and what’s left of the state’s once-iconic greyhound racing and Jai alai enterprises.

Ben Diamond sets his sights on D.C., will run for Charlie Crist’s congressional seat

State Rep. Ben Diamond is entering the race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District — a seat being vacated by incumbent Charlie Crist, who jumped into the 2022 gubernatorial contest Tuesday.

The St. Petersburg Democrat is set to make the announcement Monday morning at USF St. Pete, where he will be joined by several local politicos, including Pinellas County Commissioners Pat Gerard and Janet Long. St. Pete City Councilmembers Gina Driscoll,  Amy Foster and Brandi Gabbard will also be joining Diamond for the announcement.

“As I shared during the session and at our last House Victory meeting, for the past several months I have been given serious consideration with my family to running for Congress,” Diamond wrote in an email to House Democrats announcing his candidacy. “Now that Congressman Crist has announced his candidacy for Governor, I have made the decision that I will run for his seat.”

More cruises may leave Florida as debate grows about vaccines

A conflicting maze of COVID-19 rules could drive more cruises out of Florida.

The head of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. expressed frustration this week with federal guidelines governing the return of cruises to U.S. ports, including a recommendation that cruise lines require most crew and passengers to be vaccinated — which Florida law now prohibits.

Frank Del Rio, CEO of Miami-based Norwegian, said the cruise line would consider moving ships out of Florida if the state insists that cruise lines can’t require vaccinations for passengers sailing from local ports.