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Florida Phoenix
Meet some of the Americans who live overseas and vote in Florida elections
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Following Joe Biden’s abysmal performance during the CNN presidential debate last month, the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart cracked that he needed “to call a real estate agent in New Zealand.” The idea of Americans saying that they’ll leave the country because of what they perceive to be an untenable political situation is nothing new, but anecdotally […] The post Meet some of the Americans who live overseas and vote in Florida elections appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Florida: The Who Cares State
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Welcome to the Science-Free State of Florida, where facts are dismissed, obvious truths denied, and thinking discouraged. Failed presidential candidate and professional pouter Ronbo DeSantis recently had references to climate change removed from state statutes. Now his Department of (Mis)Education wants the phrase “climate change” excised from Florida school textbooks on the ground that it’s […] The post Florida: The Who Cares State appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Muted response from most FL Republicans to Trump assassination attempt
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida’s Republican leadership offered a mostly restrained response to Saturday’s assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump, although U.S. Sen. Rick Scott called for swift Senate hearings into how it was allowed to happen. Scott wants the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to convene on the matter before the end of […] The post Muted response from most FL Republicans to Trump assassination attempt appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
For Republicans, the bill is coming due for Project 2025
Quality Journalism for Critical Times On June 30, actress Taraji P. Henson paused her BET Awards hosting duties to warn viewers about the danger Donald Trump and Project 2025 pose to most U.S. citizens. “They are trying to bring the draft back. Who do you think they’re going to draft first? … Our careers, our next generations to come. Did […] The post For Republicans, the bill is coming due for Project 2025 appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Trump taken off stage at Butler rally after loud noises heard
Quality Journalism for Critical Times BUTLER — Shortly after former President Donald Trump took the stage at a rally in Butler at 6 p.m., several loud pops could be heard, and Trump was whisked off the stage. Multiple reports suggested the noises were gunshots, and video from the incident appeared to show Trump reacting to something hitting his ear. The event […] The post Trump taken off stage at Butler rally after loud noises heard appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
After 235 years, America still isn’t ready for President Kamala Harris
Quality Journalism for Critical Times The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nation’s second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly insurmountable odds […] The post After 235 years, America still isn’t ready for President Kamala Harris appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
FAMU president to step down
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson will step down after nearly seven years in the role. Robinson’s last day will be determined following consultation with the FAMU trustees, according to the university. Under Robinson’s leadership, FAMU was ranked No. 1 among historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for five years in a row, and in […] The post FAMU president to step down appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Pinellas County mayor wants more Floridians to understand how preemption laws are affecting them
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Over the past several years, Redington Beach Mayor David Will has made the four-hour trip to Tallahassee on numerous occasions during legislative sessions to testify against the short-term vacation rental bills that have gone before the Legislature. He’s extremely pleased that Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed this year’s proposal, but is aware that a similar proposal […] The post Pinellas County mayor wants more Floridians to understand how preemption laws are affecting them appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Arkansas abortion amendment supporters challenge Secretary of State’s rejection
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Supporters of a proposed Arkansas amendment to create a limited right to abortion sent a letter to Secretary of State John Thurston on Thursday, claiming he unlawfully rejected the signatures to put the measure on the November ballot on Wednesday. Arkansans for Limited Government submitted 101,525 signatures from registered voters Friday in support of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment. Thurston’s office has 30 […] The post Arkansas abortion amendment supporters challenge Secretary of State’s rejection appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Judge blocks enforcement of FL’s gender-affirming care ban pending appeal
Quality Journalism for Critical Times A federal trial judge will not allow the state of Florida to enforce its law banning gender-affirming care for minors and restriction on adults pending appeal of his earlier ruling that the ban is unconstitutional, citing bias from legislators during floor and committee debate. In June, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the 2023 […] The post Judge blocks enforcement of FL’s gender-affirming care ban pending appeal appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
VP Kamala Harris boosts Biden at Greensboro rally while questions about his fitness linger
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Vice President Kamala Harris painted a picture of a dystopian America under a Donald Trump second term, describing a hateful, chaotic country under a want-to-be dictator whom the U.S. Supreme Court has given free rein. Harris spoke Thursday to an energized and cheering crowd of about 700 at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, […] The post VP Kamala Harris boosts Biden at Greensboro rally while questions about his fitness linger appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations
Quality Journalism for Critical Times The headlines were the stuff of nightmares. One Colorado funeral home owner let the body of a woman decompose for two years in a hearse parked outside a house he rented, while hoarding the cremated remains of dozens of others inside. Last year, authorities discovered nearly 200 improperly stored bodies at another Colorado funeral home after receiving an odor […] The post Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Crisis pregnancy centers ‘undermine public health,’ need investigating, congressmen say
Quality Journalism for Critical Times U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost is calling for a government-led investigation into federal funding for “anti-abortion” centers. Frost, a Democrat from Central Florida, along with Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, are calling for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into how crisis pregnancy centers spend federal funds. The two wrote to the GAO following a study […] The post Crisis pregnancy centers ‘undermine public health,’ need investigating, congressmen say appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Latest aggressive ad against Matt Gaetz references sex and drugs allegations
Quality Journalism for Critical Times The latest hard-hitting ad in Matt Gaetz primary race references allegations that the Panhandle Republican may have engaged in sexual misconduct and drugs. Gaetz is running for re-election in his August 20 primary against Republican Aaron Dimmock, but the ad is being run by Florida Patriots PAC, a new super PAC. “Since Matt Gaetz refuses […] The post Latest aggressive ad against Matt Gaetz references sex and drugs allegations appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
As suspended state attorneys fight to win their jobs back, litigation continues
Quality Journalism for Critical Times While Andrew Warren and Monique Worrell, the two Democratic state attorneys suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis for alleged misconduct, campaign to win their jobs back this summer, litigation continues in their respective cases. In the case of Warren, attorneys for the suspended Hillsborough County state attorney called on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the […] The post As suspended state attorneys fight to win their jobs back, litigation continues appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
FL Dept. of Agriculture cracks down on two hemp companies for marketing products to children
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida Commissioner Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Thursday that he was imposing “historic” sanctions on two hemp companies in Florida for manufacturing and selling hundreds of thousands of hemp-derived products that he alleged were labeled as attractive to children, a violation of a 2023 state law. Simpson revoked for five years the food permit for Just […] The post FL Dept. of Agriculture cracks down on two hemp companies for marketing products to children appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
New College of Florida tears up nature preserve, claims it’s an improvement
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Sarasota used to be home base for the Ringling Brothers Circus. Maybe that’s what’s led to so much clowning around with the fate of its institution of higher learning, New College of Florida. Gov. Ron “I Went to Two Ivy League Schools To Become An Educated Fool” DeSantis has done his best to tear down […] The post New College of Florida tears up nature preserve, claims it’s an improvement appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
A uniform juvenile corrections education system will promote equity, advocate says
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Students in every Department of Juvenile Justice residential commitment program in Florida will have the same educational opportunities with in-person teachers, providing uniformity the system previously lacked. There are approximately 2,300 students under the care of the Department of Juvenile Justice spanning over more than 40 facilities. In the past, education in those facilities was […] The post A uniform juvenile corrections education system will promote equity, advocate says appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Missouri leads seven states challenging health care protections for transgender Americans
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leading a coalition of seven states challenging a rule by the Biden administration that would preempt state restrictions on gender-affirming care. Filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on Wednesday, the lawsuit seeks to block the regulation and prevent the federal government from enforcing […] The post Missouri leads seven states challenging health care protections for transgender Americans appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Lt. Gov. Nuñez cites ‘right to life’ in defending ‘Free State of Florida’ signs
Quality Journalism for Critical Times The Florida Department of Transportation announced this week that language proclaiming the “Free State of Florida” has been placed on all welcome signs for motorists entering and departing the Sunshine State. Gov. Ron DeSantis has invoked that phrase for years now, since he made Florida one of the first states in the country to open […] The post Lt. Gov. Nuñez cites ‘right to life’ in defending ‘Free State of Florida’ signs appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
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The Phoenix is a nonprofit news site that covers state government and politics with a staff of five journalists located at the Florida Press Center in downtown Tallahassee. We have a mix of in-depth stories, briefs, and social media updates on the latest events, editorial cartoons, and progressive commentary. Reporters in many now-shrunken capital bureaus have to spend most of their time these days chasing around after more and more outrageous political behavior, and too many don’t have time to lift up emerging innovative ideas or report on the people who are trying to help solve problems and shift policy for a more compassionate world. The Florida Phoenix does those stories. The Phoenix is part of States Newsroom a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
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