Florida's Latest News

Donald Trump to keynote Turning Point Action faith summit in West Palm Beach

Donald Trump will deliver the keynote address at a Christian conservative political conference this weekend in West Palm Beach. Turning Point Action, the political arm of the influential Turning Point USA nonprofit, announced he will headline its “Believers’ Summit.”

The event is set to run Friday to Sunday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The former President will take the stage at 8 p.m. on the first night, Trump’s campaign said.

Other speakers include Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, former White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro, Orlando Magic player Jonathan Isaac and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, among many others.

Trump’s speech will come near the end of a historically tumultuous month in American politics that included a failed assassination attempt against the former Republican President.

Rick Scott puts political force behind Tom Leek in SD 7 GOP Primary

State Senate candidate Tom Leek has picked up support from one of Florida’s longest-serving statewide leaders. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Naples Republican, is endorsing the Ormond Bean Republican in Senate District 7.

“State Representative Tom Leek has demonstrated strong conservative leadership through his service in the Florida House,” Scott said. “I am pleased to endorse his candidacy and support his campaign as he seeks to continue his work in the Florida Senate.”

Leek first won election to the Florida House in 2016 and served for two years while Scott was still Florida’s Governor. He embraced the support of the Republican leader.

“As Senator Rick Scott and I return from last week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) where we nominated Donald J. Trump for President and JD Vance as Vice President of the United States, I am proud to have his endorsement in my bid for the Florida Senate, District 7.”

Florida proposes rules for new law banning kids from using social media

Facing potential First Amendment challenges, Florida has proposed details about how it will carry out a new law aimed at keeping children off social media platforms and blocking minors from accessing online pornography.

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office on Tuesday published three proposed rules that include addressing one of the most closely watched issues in the law: age verification.

House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, made a priority of passing the law during this year’s legislative session, citing what he said are harms to children from social media.

Technology industry groups have argued that parts of the law, including its age-verification requirements, would violate First Amendment rights.

University of Florida taps Kent Fuchs as interim president

The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted Tuesday evening to confirm former president Kent Fuchs as interim president, after Ben Sasse announced his resignation last week.

Fuchs, who returned to teach electrical engineering this year after a yearlong sabbatical, has agreed to serve in the interim role starting Aug. 1, according to a university announcement.

Fuchs served as UF president from 2015 to 2023. He led the school to its highest national rankings and was remembered for his affable persona, dyeing his hair blue and orange and taking photos with students, before the end of his tenure, when he faced heat for issues surrounding academic freedom.

At the board meeting, Fuchs thanked Sasse for his leadership and wished his family well.