Florida Phoenix
@floridaphoenix.com
We don’t pay attention to the media bashers. We’re too busy reporting on how Florida’s policies and politics affect you. Quality journalism for critical times.
Trump said during his campaign that he would wield college accreditation as a “secret weapon” to root out DEI and other “woke” ideas from higher education. He has made good on that pledge. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/16/r...
Accreditation of colleges, once low key, has gotten political • Florida Phoenix
When six Southern public university systems this summer formed a new accreditation agency, the move shook the national evaluation model that higher education has relied on for decades.
floridaphoenix.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Trump said during his campaign that he would wield college accreditation as a “secret weapon” to root out DEI and other “woke” ideas from higher education. He has made good on that pledge. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/16/r...
“Even if the Trump administration and his policies were to pass on in another three years, there are serious structural changes in the relationship between state and federal government.”
floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/15/r...
floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/15/r...
Shutdown ends, but more federal chaos looms for states • Florida Phoenix
Though Congress ended the record-setting federal government shutdown, many questions remain for states that were already wading through seismic federal changes.
floridaphoenix.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
“Even if the Trump administration and his policies were to pass on in another three years, there are serious structural changes in the relationship between state and federal government.”
floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/15/r...
floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/15/r...
The bills requires public schools to create plans and a cohort of personnel to address situations in which students with autism “elope,” or wander away from safe areas. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/l...
Lawmakers offer safety plan for students with autism • Florida Phoenix
Democratic lawmakers in each chamber of the Florida Legisature have re-introduced a bill that would establish a protocol allowing schools to search for students with autism who wander off. The bills r...
floridaphoenix.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The bills requires public schools to create plans and a cohort of personnel to address situations in which students with autism “elope,” or wander away from safe areas. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/l...
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers who had been furloughed returned to the office Thursday and those who had been working without pay will continue their duties knowing their next paycheck should be on time. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/r...
Air travel, SNAP benefits, back pay at issue as federal government slowly reopens • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — The record 43-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night scrambled air travel, interrupted food assistance and forced federal workers to go without a paycheck for weeks. It also c...
floridaphoenix.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers who had been furloughed returned to the office Thursday and those who had been working without pay will continue their duties knowing their next paycheck should be on time. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/r...
Semper’s ruling says McIver’s intervention in Baraka’s arrest had “no cognizable connection” to any action protected by the speech or debate clause. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/r...
Judge denies Rep. LaMonica McIver's bid to dismiss federal assault charges • Florida Phoenix
The judge dismissed Rep. LaMonica McIver's claims that legislative immunity shields her from most of the charges she faces.
floridaphoenix.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Semper’s ruling says McIver’s intervention in Baraka’s arrest had “no cognizable connection” to any action protected by the speech or debate clause. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/r...
“The Legislature finds that an accurate and factual history belongs to all Floridians and future generations and that the state has an obligation to protect and preserve such history,” the bill reads. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/f...
Florida Republican tries again to ban removal of Confederate historic monuments • Florida Phoenix
A Florida Republican has re-filed a measure to prevent and penalize local governments attempting to remove or destroy Confederate monuments and other historic memorials.
floridaphoenix.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
“The Legislature finds that an accurate and factual history belongs to all Floridians and future generations and that the state has an obligation to protect and preserve such history,” the bill reads. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/14/f...
“Removing me from office or trying to slap my hand and chill my speech, that’s not the way democracy works,” Certain said during the meeting. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/a...
Alachua County school board pressed again, this time on Sunshine Law • Florida Phoenix
CRAWFORDVILLE — Again, the state Board of Education is focused on the Alachua County School Board, this time suggesting its members violated the Florida Sunshine Law and that a prosecutor might want t...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
“Removing me from office or trying to slap my hand and chill my speech, that’s not the way democracy works,” Certain said during the meeting. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/a...
While a number of foundations and institutes have signed on, no state boards of education had signed on to it until Thursday. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/f...
Florida affirms Heritage Foundation education priorities, first state to do so • Florida Phoenix
CRAWFORDVILLE — Florida became the first state to adopt The Phoenix Declaration, a product of The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that formulated the Project 2025 plan for Donald Trum...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
While a number of foundations and institutes have signed on, no state boards of education had signed on to it until Thursday. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/f...
“It has been 50 days since the people of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District elected me to represent them. … One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected member of Congress for political reasons." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
Arizona’s Adelita Grijalva sworn in to US House, signs Epstein petition • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in to office Wednesday after a delay that U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson attributed to the long government shutdown, but that critics allege wa...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
“It has been 50 days since the people of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District elected me to represent them. … One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected member of Congress for political reasons." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
The department had previously told a Rhode Island federal court it could take weeks or even months for beneficiaries to receive the partial allotments and the administration continued to fight rulings to immediately release full funding. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
Trump administration to mostly pay full SNAP benefits 'within 24 hours' of shutdown end • Florida Phoenix
The Trump administration will release full benefits for most participants in the nation’s major federal nutrition program within 24 hours of the reopening of the federal government, a U.S. Department ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The department had previously told a Rhode Island federal court it could take weeks or even months for beneficiaries to receive the partial allotments and the administration continued to fight rulings to immediately release full funding. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
“It’s not really a proposal, it’s a bumper sticker, right?” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/e...
Experts debate potential property tax measure at USF: 'This is policy malpractice' • Florida Phoenix
Gov. Ron DeSantis and CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s campaign to scale back or eliminate homesteaded property taxes drew a rebuke from a former Republican state lawmaker Wednesday night during a discussion wit...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:25 PM
“It’s not really a proposal, it’s a bumper sticker, right?” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/e...
Of those homicides, 434 victims were pregnant women. Black women made up a majority — 250 — of pregnant homicide victims, and about 78% of pregnant women were killed by a person using a firearm. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
Higher gun ownership rates lead to more gun homicides of pregnant women, new study says • Florida Phoenix
Homicide rates among pregnant women increase with the rate of firearm ownership, according to a state-by-state study published this week in the medical journal JAMA Network Open. Researchers found the...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Of those homicides, 434 victims were pregnant women. Black women made up a majority — 250 — of pregnant homicide victims, and about 78% of pregnant women were killed by a person using a firearm. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/r...
"This land sits over the water that gives life to Kings Bay and our community. We want it protected — not mined, not paved, not filled with septic tanks. It should stay ... safe for our springs.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/s...
Sand mine situation gives everyone a sinking sensation about Florida’s aquifer • Florida Phoenix
Although it’s all around us, most people in Florida never think about where their water comes from. They turn on the faucet, a clear liquid flows out, and that’s all they care about. But Colleen Farme...
floridaphoenix.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
"This land sits over the water that gives life to Kings Bay and our community. We want it protected — not mined, not paved, not filled with septic tanks. It should stay ... safe for our springs.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/13/s...
Democrats are expected to oppose the package en masse, though a few centrists may vote for it, despite party leaders whipping against the measure. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
US House expected to clear bill reopening the government after record-shattering shutdown • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown once President Donald Trump signs the legislation. ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Democrats are expected to oppose the package en masse, though a few centrists may vote for it, despite party leaders whipping against the measure. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
In a 2011 correspondence with the now-convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein wrote that Trump “spent hours at my house” with a victim whose name is redacted from the email. In the same email, Epstein refers to Trump as the “dog that hasn’t barked.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
US House Dems say newly released Epstein emails show Trump knew about abuse • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released emails Wednesday they say show President Donald Trump knew about the financier’s abuse of underage girls ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
In a 2011 correspondence with the now-convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein wrote that Trump “spent hours at my house” with a victim whose name is redacted from the email. In the same email, Epstein refers to Trump as the “dog that hasn’t barked.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
The decision, announced earlier this month, is not final and can be challenged. Vendors had 72 hours following the Nov. 3 announcement to notify the state of their intent to challenge the decision. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/s...
State wants Molina Healthcare of Florida for new Medicaid managed-care contract • Florida Phoenix
The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced its intent to award a multibillion-dollar Medicaid managed-care contract for medically complex children to Molina Healthcare of Florida. The decis...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The decision, announced earlier this month, is not final and can be challenged. Vendors had 72 hours following the Nov. 3 announcement to notify the state of their intent to challenge the decision. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/s...
“I’m not sure why the governor proves himself repeatedly unwilling to call timely special elections,” said Nicholas Warren, staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/p...
Proposal would impose timelines for governor to set special election dates • Florida Phoenix
Because of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ delay in announcing special election dates to fill two vacancies in the Florida Legislature, voters in parts of Palm Beach and Hillsborough counties will not have represe...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
“I’m not sure why the governor proves himself repeatedly unwilling to call timely special elections,” said Nicholas Warren, staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/p...
“Crimes like this against young children, where you take their innocence, you take their childhood away from them, these horrific acts deserve the ultimate form of justice.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/f...
Florida to seek death penalty against child rapist; asks SCOTUS to reconsider execution precedent • Florida Phoenix
While announcing that Florida will seek the death penalty for a 36-year-old nanny indicted for filming himself raping multiple young children, including a three-year-old, state Attorney General James ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“Crimes like this against young children, where you take their innocence, you take their childhood away from them, these horrific acts deserve the ultimate form of justice.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/f...
Lawmakers, advocates and judges all repeatedly called for urgency to restore the program to keep Americans from going hungry. Yet the dizzying back-and-forth continued, often leaving both states and families at a loss. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
The shutdown tug-of-war over SNAP benefits: a timeline • Florida Phoenix
Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown, amid a confusing mess of contradicting guidance from the Trump administration and ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Lawmakers, advocates and judges all repeatedly called for urgency to restore the program to keep Americans from going hungry. Yet the dizzying back-and-forth continued, often leaving both states and families at a loss. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
In the face of often contradicting administrative guidance and court orders, some states began processing full benefits for November, while others have yet to release them. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
US Supreme Court maintains temporary freeze on full SNAP benefits for November • Florida Phoenix
The U.S. Supreme Court has extended through Thursday a pause on lower courts’ orders that the Trump administration authorize a full month of benefits for a food assistance program that 1 in 8 American...
floridaphoenix.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
In the face of often contradicting administrative guidance and court orders, some states began processing full benefits for November, while others have yet to release them. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/12/r...
"I think for those that are cowboys, they will just maximize on making as much as they can until they can’t. I think for those hemp operators that were trying to work with regulators and trying to follow the rules, this will be a real blow.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/f...
Floridians react to federal legislation that could 'devastate' state’s hemp industry • Florida Phoenix
Florida’s multi-billion dollar hemp industry is in jeopardy of collapsing due to federal legislation approved by the U.S. Senate on Monday night, and both proponents and critics are only now grasping ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"I think for those that are cowboys, they will just maximize on making as much as they can until they can’t. I think for those hemp operators that were trying to work with regulators and trying to follow the rules, this will be a real blow.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/f...
“I know this case isn’t just about me, or even just about sports,” she said. “It’s just one part of a plan to push transgender people like me out of public life entirely." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...
West Virginia teen files response in U.S. Supreme Court challenge of transgender athlete ban • Florida Phoenix
Attorneys representing a transgender student athlete in Harrison County have filed their argument in a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.
floridaphoenix.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
“I know this case isn’t just about me, or even just about sports,” she said. “It’s just one part of a plan to push transgender people like me out of public life entirely." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...
Navy Petty Officer Melinda Topicz was the Veterans Day parade grand marshal. She joined the Navy in August 1970 and was transferred to Fleet Sonar School, in Key West, where she helped establish the first on-base female barracks at Naval Station Key West. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/talla...
Tallahassee celebrates Veterans Day • Florida Phoenix
The unseasonably cold weather didn’t keep 43-year-old Jean Francois and his three young children from taking in the Veteran’s Day parade in Tallahassee on Tuesday. “I love America. So we want to come ...
floridaphoenix.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Navy Petty Officer Melinda Topicz was the Veterans Day parade grand marshal. She joined the Navy in August 1970 and was transferred to Fleet Sonar School, in Key West, where she helped establish the first on-base female barracks at Naval Station Key West. floridaphoenix.com/briefs/talla...
In two of the four agreements, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office also crafted a statement admitting regret. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...
Kansas county agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret • Florida Phoenix
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
floridaphoenix.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
In two of the four agreements, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office also crafted a statement admitting regret. floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...
“This is the most thoughtless, ignorant proposal to an industry that I’ve seen in a long, long time." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...
Hemp growers, retailers targeted in section of government shutdown legislation • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Kentucky’s two U.S. senators sparred this week over the future of the country’s hemp industry — one arguing that a provision attached to the package that will reopen the government will c...
floridaphoenix.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 PM
“This is the most thoughtless, ignorant proposal to an industry that I’ve seen in a long, long time." floridaphoenix.com/2025/11/11/r...