Florida's Latest News

Personnel note: Alis Drumgo joins Capital City Consulting

Alis Drumgo is joining Capital City Consulting in its Tampa Bay office.

Drumgo has spent 20 years working in public service, with the last decade being in Tampa, as well as Central Florida. He brings unparalleled local government expertise to the firm, specializing in economic development, community redevelopment and affordable housing.

“I am thrilled to join Capital City Consulting and continue to put my knowledge and expertise to work in a new and exciting way at an incredibly well-respected government affairs firm,” he said. “I am grateful to the Capital City Consulting team for welcoming me, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to make an even broader impact across Florida.”

Drumgo most recently worked as Tampa’s Deputy Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, where he was responsible for city planning, community redevelopment, convention center and tourism services, economic development, real estate and housing and community development.

Trump picks JD Vance for VP: 5 things to know

Former President Trump capped off months of speculation over his vice-presidential pick on Monday, formally choosing Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate. 

The former president selected Vance as the GOP vice presidential nominee on the first day of the Republican National Convention. The Ohio Republican was widely seen as one of three final contenders in the running. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum were also considered in the mix. 

Vance is one of the former president’s most prominent supporters on Capitol Hill, advocating for Trump and his policies in the Senate.

In February, he called on Republicans to vote against a foreign aid package that included money for Israel and Ukraine, arguing at the time that “buried in the bill’s text is an impeachment time bomb for the next Trump presidency if he tries to stop funding the war in Ukraine.” 

DeSantis to speak at Iowa GOP event during convention

AFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is slated to speak Wednesday at an Iowa Republican Party lunch event at the Republican National Convention. 

Bloomberg was the first outlet to report the news. People familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill the governor would speak at the event. 

News of the speaking engagement with Iowa’s GOP is a potential indicator the former presidential candidate may be considering another run in 2028. 

DeSantis challenged Trump for the nomination last year after Florida Republicans saw sweeping victories under his leadership in 2022. However, DeSantis’s poll numbers never took off following his announcement and he and his campaign were plagued by a series of negative headlines. Despite heavily investing in Iowa ahead of the state’s caucuses, DeSantis dropped out of the race after coming in a distant second to Trump. 

Florida judge dismisses the Trump classified documents case

The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's classified documents trial in Florida dismissed the case against the former president Monday on the grounds that the appointment of and funding for special counsel Jack Smith were illegal.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, said in her 93-page decision that Smith's appointment was "unlawful" and unconditional. "The clerk is directed to close this case," she wrote.

She issued the decision on the first day of the Republican National Convention, two days after an assassination attempt against Trump.

Trump praised the ruling in a statement that referred to Saturday's shooting and said other criminal cases against him should be tossed out, as well. A source who spoke directly with Trump said he was "surprised" but "very happy" with Cannon's decision. Smith's team indicated it would appeal Cannon's decision.