R. Fred Lewis, a former Florida chief justice and civics‑education advocate, has died at 78. The Florida Supreme Court will hold lying‑in‑state and a memorial in June.

Gov. DeSantis signed HB 925, letting clerks retain more fees and fines; analysts estimate millions will flow to county court offices beginning July 1, 2026.

Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon is retiring after about 30 years of state service, the agency said Friday.

Tampa Bay SDS appealed a federal judge's April dismissal, seeking to overturn expulsions tied to pro‑Palestinian protests and to reinstate the group on campus.

After a massive May 24 missile-and-drone barrage on Kyiv, President Zelensky urged President Trump and Congress to rush Patriot PAC‑3 interceptors and more air-defense supplies. The letter warns stocks are running low and offers purchase and co‑production options.

A new EPI/LaborLab analysis and federal filings show employers spent roughly $1.7B on union‑avoidance last year — and Central Florida consultants collected millions. The filings expose who’s being paid to fight organizing drives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened "one way or the other" as ceasefire talks and U.S. strikes continue.

DHS told the Tampa Bay Times the proposed Panama City "Panhandle Pokey" is no longer being proposed. The reversal clouds Florida's detention expansion plans.

Sen. Rick Scott reintroduced the Chinese CBDC Prohibition Act, aiming to bar China’s digital yuan from payment apps and send the measure to the Senate Banking Committee.

Hippo-linked Wingsail won Florida approval to write homeowners policies and will use AI-assisted underwriting and claims tools as regulators welcome new entrants. The move adds capacity to a market rebuilding after major reforms.

Visit Florida says it’s “in line” to receive $80 million in draft budgets as lawmakers meet in a Tallahassee special session; agency points to rising visitation and big economic impact.

After months of rancor, the Juvenile Welfare Board voted Thursday to cancel a confirming vote and relaunch its CEO search amid legal threats and governance reviews.

Rep. Greg Steube introduced two bills to force hospitals to report resident citizenship and to bar Medicare from funding training for non‑U.S. citizens. The measures would tie federal GME dollars to new reporting and penalties.