Florida's Latest News

Ron DeSantis presidential campaign expedites Iowa ad buy, launching earlier than planned

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign launched its first Iowa television ad of the 2024 cycle on Wednesday, hitting the airwaves weeks earlier than planned.

The 30-second ad contrasts DeSantis' leadership of Florida with President Joe Biden's tenure in office. It highlights DeSantis' efforts to bring Americans back from Israel, to recover after hurricane damage and his deployment of Florida troops to the southern border.

The campaign initially reserved a $2 million ad buy, which would begin in mid-November and run through the Jan. 15 Iowa Caucus, then made an additional $320,000 buy to launch on Nov. 1 instead.

In a Wednesday news release, the campaign credited a "strong fundraising pace in the fourth quarter" for the additional airtime.

Approval of thousands of property insurance policies taken from Citizens means ‘good news’ for Florida, experts say

 Florida property insurance experts say the approval of four insurance companies to take as many as 125,000 policies from Citizens Property Insurance is another sign the state is headed in the right direction.

During a special legislative session held earlier this year, state leaders said one of their main priorities was to move policies from the state-backed insurance company Citizens citing the financial risks of a major hurricane.

Fast forward to today — when we are almost through the 2023 hurricane season — property insurance experts say Florida appears to be on a path to making a recovery.

“The good news is private companies want to take on more policyholders, something we did not see for several years here in Florida,” said Insurance Information Institute Spokesman Mark Friedlander.

Appeals court hears challenge to DeSantis’ congressional map

An appeals court Tuesday took up a battle about the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature last year, and some judges appeared skeptical of the challenge filed by voting rights groups.

The 1st District Court of Appeal heard arguments in the state’s appeal of a ruling by a Leon County circuit judge that the plan violated a 2010 state constitutional amendment that set standards for redistricting.

It is unclear when the court might rule. Attorneys for both sides have said they would like a decision by Nov. 22. That could leave time for the case to go to the Florida Supreme Court and for lawmakers to pass a new map, if necessary, during the legislative session starting in January.

Seminole Tribe of Florida to launch craps, roulette & sports betting

The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced plans Wednesday to move forward with expanded casino games based on the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021.

Craps, roulette and in-person sports betting are set to launch to the public on Thursday, Dec. 7 at all three Seminole Casinos in South Florida.

“This is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league with the world’s great gaming destinations,” said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International. 

This announcement comes just a week after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt to block implementation of the Compact.