Florida's Latest News

Ron DeSantis rolls out Maine campaign leadership team

Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to suggest his campaign is in the race for the long haul, and he is now announcing leadership positions for his Maine operation.

“Ron DeSantis’ leadership stands out to me like no Republican candidate has before, and that’s why I am proud to endorse DeSantis for President. He is truly the only candidate who can defeat Joe Biden and get the job done for Americans with no drama and no excuses,” said former House Republican Leader Josh Tardy, who is the current Chair of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services.

“I am endorsing Ron DeSantis for President because he is the fighter we need to lead our Great American Comeback,” said Trey Stewart, the leader of Senate Republicans in the state.

“We have seen Joe Biden do so much damage to this country and hardworking Mainers are struggling under Bidenomics. 2024 is our chance to reverse our nation’s decline and Ron DeSantis is the only leader in the race who can do that. I’ve seen what he’s done to make Florida the best state to do business and we need his strong leadership in the White House.”

Rep. Salzman seeks long-term mental health solution for families in 'consistent crisis mode'

State Rep. Michelle Salzman convened dozens of local leaders and medical professionals Wednesday afternoon to discuss bringing a collaborative community care long-term treatment facility to the Panhandle.

During a meeting of the Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida at the Pensacola Museum of Commerce, Salzman championed the facility and said its purpose would be to provide help to people struggling with mental-heath-related issues who cycle through emergency rooms or short-term care facilities that don't offer specific services, leaving coverage "gaps."

"We don't have a long-term care facility in Florida," Salzman said during the meeting. "So, I would like to see a collaborative long-term treatment facility in Florida."

According to a press release Salzman's office sent prior to the meeting, the long-term care facility would help individuals who are "regularly baker acted" to teach them how to cope, live and thrive with their diagnoses.

Environmental groups sue US, seek protection for Florida’s rare ghost orchid

The rare ghost orchid found mainly in Florida and Cuba should be immediately protected by the U.S. as an endangered species, three environmental groups claimed Wednesday in a lawsuit arguing that federal officials are unduly delaying a decision.

The lawsuit filed in Florida federal court contends the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service missed a January deadline on the orchid’s status and now doesn’t plan to make a decision until possibly late 2026.

“We regret that we must file this lawsuit, but the world famous and critically imperiled ghost orchid is out of time,” said George Gann, executive director at The Institute for Regional Conservation. “Only the Endangered Species Act can provide both the deterrence against poaching and the resources needed to respond to growing threats from hurricanes, invasive species, and counterproductive management decisions such as increased oil exploration.”

The other plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the Center for Biological Diversity and the National Parks Conservation Association. The Fish and Wildlife Service, a part of the Interior Department, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Proposed boating bill would change license scheme, require insurance for alcohol offenders

A South Florida lawmaker has boating safety in her crosshairs for the 2024 Legislative Session.

Sen. Ileana Garcia recently filed a bill (SB 30) that would require all Florida boaters to carry proof of boater-safety training. It also adds penalties for those who boat under the influence.

Florida law now only requires boaters born after 1988 to carry a so-called boater-safety ID, issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission upon completion of an approved course. The proposed bill would apply that requirement to all Floridians regardless of age.

The bill attempts to streamline the licensing process too. It would allow boaters to indicate their boater education on their driver’s license, at no extra cost to them. The Department of Motor Vehicles currently charges $1 to do so for new licenses and $2 to do so for unexpired licenses. But both services would be free under the proposed legislation.