Florida Politics

Headlines South Florida

April 2, 2026

‘A tremendous loss’: Florida leaders react to killing of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen

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Emails & Opinions Headlines

April 2, 2026

Staff Reports

Last Call for 4.2.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

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Headlines Jax

April 2, 2026

April Carney among new appointees to FSCJ Board of Trustees

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Federal Headlines

April 2, 2026

Jacob Ogles

Florida’s elected leaders react to Pam Bondi’s firing

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Headlines South Florida

April 2, 2026

Candlelight vigil celebrating Nancy Metayer Bowen set for Friday evening in Coral Springs

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Headlines South Florida

April 2, 2026

Police report details Nancy Metayer Bowen killing, shows witnesses said husband admitted to shooting her

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Headlines Influence

April 2, 2026

Drew Dixon

James Uthmeier says he’ll use ‘the hard way’ to force NFL to drop ‘Rooney Rule’

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

April 2, 2026

Jacob Ogles

Sydney Gruters raises $100K in first 5 hours on campaign trail

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Legislative, Influence & Policy

Influence

Alan Suskey named to Military Community Youth Ministries board

Suskey himself is a decorated Army veteran.

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Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

James Uthmeier says he’ll use ‘the hard way’ to force NFL to drop ‘Rooney Rule’

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will not change the rule.

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Headlines Influence

Drew Wilson

Personnel note: The Southern Group adds seasoned public, private-sector leader to Georgia team

‘Denise has a rare ability to connect the dots across markets, stakeholders, and opportunities.’

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Influence

Florida Communities Certification Association launches to improve condo transparency, safety, cost

Consider it the ‘CarFax of condos.’

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Headlines Influence

Shevrin Jones urges Governor to add soaring gas prices to Special Session call

‘We are at a rare and consequential inflection point.’

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Headlines Influence

Gov. DeSantis signs Florida Save Act as ACLU, NAACP sue to overturn it

DeSantis implied that a lawsuit was likely coming as he signed the legislation.

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Headlines Influence

Gov. DeSantis expects Legislature to wrap overtime work this month. But property tax help is still a wild card

April is the cruelest month … for legislators wanting some downtime after Session.

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Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

UF survey: March consumer sentiment shows first decline in 2026

UF researchers acknowledge that global events are hampering consumer confidence.

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Headlines Influence

Gov. DeSantis says lawmakers can expect to be tied up in Special Sessions for up to 6 weeks

The budget, congressional districts, and property taxes all could be discussed.

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Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

Gov. DeSantis signs measures designed to better protect children from abuse and predators

‘There’s no state that’s doing more to go after predators who go after children … than our leaders in Florida,’ James Uthmeier said.

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Headlines Influence

Drew Dixon

Florida Council of 100: Economic Outlook Index shows record investment confidence

While markets and prices are volatile, Florida top business leaders indicate they’re bullish on near future investments and hiring.

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Headlines Influence

Jennifer Marcial Ocasio takes on new job at Equality Florida

‘Joining Equality Florida is both an honor and a responsibility I take to heart.’

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2026

2026 Headlines

Poll: Byron Donalds dominates GOP field, favored to win General Election for Governor

Older voters who reliably turn out in Primaries are among Donalds’ strongest supporters.

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2026 Headlines

Poll: Casey DeSantis in single digits in GOP Governor’s race hypothetical

GOP voters have moved on.

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2026 Headlines

Poll: Ashley Moody leading all potential Democratic opponents in Senate race

The Ron DeSantis appointee is a proven statewide candidate.

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2026 Headlines

Drew Dixon

‘Steadfast commitment to fiscal responsibility’: Florida GOP backs Blaise Ingoglia for CFO

‘I’ve seen firsthand that our strength comes from the grassroots activists.’

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2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Alex Vindman raises more than $8M in first quarter to challenge Ashley Moody

He wrapped the quarter with more than $6M cash on hand.

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2026 Headlines

Emily Gregory lends newfound star power to David Jolly’s bid for Governor

‘Emily just showed our state — and the entire country — what’s possible when we focus on what really matters to voters.’

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2026 Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Linda Chaney, J.J. Grow and Tom Fabricio latest GOP lawmakers to endorse Byron Donalds

Three more members of the Legislature have come out in support of Republican Byron Donalds’ campaign for Governor. State Reps. Linda Chaney, Tom Fabricio and J.J. Grow just endorsed the Naples Congressman as he runs to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. All three are running for re-election to their own Florida House seats. Chaney, a […]

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2026 Headlines

Jay Collins vows to remove prosecutors and judges, citing problematic ‘political beliefs’

‘If they can’t do their job to protect our people, then they need to be removed from office.’

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2026 Headlines

Jay Collins works to show he’s ‘competent and capable’ to earn Ron DeSantis’ endorsement

Having been in the race 3 months, the Governor’s lack of support looms large over the man he appointed.

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2026 — Down Ballot

2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Sydney Gruters raises $100K in first 5 hours on campaign trail

She also landed an endorsement from Rick Scott.

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Bale Dalton fundraising rockets to nearly $700K in bid to unseat Cory Mills

He collected another $344K in the first 3 months of 2026.

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Jesse Mendoza

Leela Gray hauls $561K within months of challenging Anna Paulina Luna for CD 13

Gray averaged roughly $10K per day in fundraising since launching and said more than 75% of contributions came from within Florida.

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Hector Mujica enters CD 28 race, setting up potentially competitive challenge to Carlos Giménez

His switch from running for Senate to a Congressional bid follows polling that showed him within striking distance of the incumbent.

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Robin Peguero campaign reports crossing $800K mark toward flipping CD 27 blue

The campaign highlighted that his fundraising included ‘no corporate PAC money or self-loans.’

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Poll: Majority of Floridians do not want congressional redistricting

Legislators are expected to convene later this month for a rare mid-decade reapportionment.

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Bale Dalton considers Artemis program NASA’s premier mission for the 2020s and beyond

Former NASA Chief of Staff: ‘We’re not going just to say that we’ve been there.’

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

With Donald Trump’s support in hand, Sydney Gruters launches run to succeed Vern Buchanan in Congress

She’s in. Is the race over?

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2026 — Down Ballot Headlines

Byron Donalds backs Ron DeSantis’ congressional redistricting push

Other states have pushed Democratic advantages.

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Federal

Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Florida’s elected leaders react to Pam Bondi’s firing

Republicans offered very different performance reviews.

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Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Donald Trump fires Pam Bondi as Attorney General

The former Florida Attorney General will return to the private sector, White House sources confirmed.

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Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Poll shows Donald Trump approval rating underwater in Florida

The President is significantly less popular in Florida than Ron DeSantis.

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Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Republican leaders in Congress on path to end Homeland Security shutdown

The House initially rejected the Senate-negotiated plan, but leadership for chambers now appear in agreement.

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Federal Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Mike Haridopolos calls Artemis II moon shot a boon for Space Coast and national security

The Republican said Congress did its part to keep NASA running, and Florida should do its part to keep Kennedy Space Center vital.

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Federal Headlines

Associated Press

Trump officials exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of America from endangered species rules

National security drove the decision.

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Jacksonville

Headlines Jax

April Carney among new appointees to FSCJ Board of Trustees

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Wyman Duggan outlines GOP strategy to make Donna Deegan a one-term Jacksonville Mayor

‘Witch hunt’: Former JEA Chief of Staff says employees fear CEO, as Jacksonville City Council probes utility

Jacksonville City Council members question timing, motive of JEA’s internal review of company culture

NE Florida

Headlines NE Florida

Drew Dixon

Palm Coast Deputy City Manager to depart, with Fire Chief stepping in

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Study finds dozens of First Coast restaurants are falsely advertising locally caught shrimp

North Florida Land Trust gets sizable property donation in St. Johns County

St. Johns County implements fleet management application for handling county vehicles

Orlando

Headlines Orlando

Drew Dixon

James Uthmeier: 16 suspected child predators arrested in Central Florida investigation

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Scoop: In 2024, Disney considered building hotels inside the Magic Kingdom, records show

DOJ sues SeaWorld over accessibility policy

Scott Randolph endorses Marthaly Irizarry in Orange County Commission race

St. Pete

Headlines St. Pete

Jesse Mendoza

St. Petersburg maps out Summer decision timeline for Gas Plant District redevelopment

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Ken Burke earns national ‘Government Champions 250’ honor ahead of America’s 250th anniversary

Brandi Gabbard looks for fundraising surge to close Q1

5 things I think about the latest poll of St. Pete Mayor’s race

SW Florida

Headlines SW Florida

Jesse Mendoza

One More Child to open Vern & Sandy Buchanan Children’s Center in Sarasota

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National Association of Police Organizations backs Jim DeNiro’s bid for Sarasota County Commission

Hillsborough School Board members warn Superintendent referendum could bring politics into classrooms

Manatee officials: Failed SB 180 fix leaves counties ‘stuck’ under 2025 hurricane recovery law

Tampa

Headlines Tampa Bay

Bill Carlson appoints ‘Trumpette’ who serves dark money org supporting him to budget advisory board

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Tampa City Council approves land exchange with Ulele restaurant tied to Zion Cemetery restoration

Lawyer Hoyt Prindle to again run for Tampa City Council, setting up Charlie Miranda rematch

Rival New York Yankees support new Rays ballpark plan in Tampa

Panhandle

Headlines Panhandle

Drew Dixon

Gov. DeSantis appoints Matt Terry to assume control of Gulf County Clerk’s Office

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Governor appoints former Suwannee County Commissioner to return to the board

Panhandle residents rally to save a rare coastal dune lake

Port grant could ‘change the trajectory’ of Pensacola

Tallahassee

Headlines Tallahassee

Jacob Ogles

Justice Department charges Tallahassee man with threatening to kill Donald Trump, Jerome Powell

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Suits for Session returns to the Capitol on Wednesday

WalletHub study ranks Tallahassee 30th among state capitals in U.S.

Budget insights: Senate, House $72M apart on funding new FAMU-FSU engineering building

Communities

Communities Headlines

Florida Phoenix

Census data show population increases in Orlando, reductions in Pinellas, Miami-Dade

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Southern Living names top small towns, Florida snags 5 spots

‘Systemic failures’: Report links patient deaths in Florida to missed monitoring in state hospitals

Casey DeSantis wants to ramp up preventive testing for food toxins

South Florida

Headlines South Florida

‘A tremendous loss’: Florida leaders react to killing of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen

Those who knew her best emphasized not just her public service, but her personal warmth — describing a leader who made people feel seen and valued in even brief interactions.

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Headlines South Florida

Candlelight vigil celebrating Nancy Metayer Bowen set for Friday evening in Coral Springs

Attendees are encouraged to bring white candles and wear or bring something orange or green.

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Headlines South Florida

Police report details Nancy Metayer Bowen killing, shows witnesses said husband admitted to shooting her

Investigators say physical evidence and witness statements point to a fatal shooting inside the home, where a pillow may have been used to muffle gunfire.

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Headlines South Florida

‘Massive expansion of government’: Blaise Ingoglia pans overspending in St. Lucie County

The county is growing. But the budget is growing faster.

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Headlines South Florida

Husband charged with murder in killing of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen

He faces 2 charges, including premeditated murder, and is being held without bond.

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Headlines South Florida

Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen killed in shooting, husband in custody

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Culture Wars

Culture Wars Headlines

Ron DeSantis addresses first-cousin marriages, which are still legal in Florida

As of now, it’s legal to marry your aunt or uncle’s kid in Florida.

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Culture Wars Headlines

Drew Dixon

Daryl Campbell rips James Uthmeier’s demand for NFL to end ‘Rooney Rule’

‘Instead of doing his job to protect consumers, James Uthmeier continues to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society.’

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Culture Wars Headlines

Drew Dixon

James Uthmeier seeks to sack NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule’ to increase minority hires

‘The Rooney Rule mandates race-based interviews and incentivizes race-based decisions. That’s discrimination.’

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Culture Wars Headlines

Florida Phoenix

Gov. DeSantis’ resolve to pass his vaccine policies strengthens as measles cases continue to rise

Will the Legislature give him a victory before he’s term limited out of office?

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Culture Wars Headlines

March For Our Lives is ‘relieved’ bill fails to lower gun-buying age to 18

‘While we’re relieved to see this bill stall, we must remain vigilant,’ March For Our Lives said.

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Culture Wars Headlines

ACLU, FIRE say a dead bill is good news in Florida book banning fight

‘Floridians are tired of politicians inserting themselves into their children’s classrooms,’ a First Amendment advocate said.

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Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Brian Ballard testifies he previously warned David Rivera’s firm about disclosure concerns related to Venezuela work

The prominent lobbyist testified against the ex-Congressman in a trial in South Florida.

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Foreign Affairs Headlines

Associated Press

Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says

The requested amount would be a hefty boost to the Pentagon’s annual budget, which Congress approved at more than $800 billion for the current fiscal year.

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Foreign Affairs Headlines