Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera has resigned his District 7 seat to run for Florida House District 67. The move creates a council vacancy and an open state race.

Qualifying for Clearwater’s city council seats closes Friday at 5 p.m.; here’s who officially filed for Seats 4 and 5 and what’s next.

A federal judge struck false testimony and ordered fees after finding an FWC supervisor had exaggerated complaints used to justify firing a biologist over a social‑media repost.

Sen. Ed Hooper will leave the Florida Senate effective Nov. 3, 2026, creating an open District 21 seat. Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco has already drawn GOP endorsements.

Polk State’s search committee recommended Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as the sole finalist to be the college’s next president. Trustees will consider the pick June 3 and Kamoutsas will visit campus that day.

Cuba published new migration, citizenship and foreigners laws last week that could require Cuban‑Americans to use Cuban passports when returning to the island. The package also activates an investor migration category immediately.

The State Department barred 13 people tied to an India-based operation accused of shipping fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, adding visa bans to sanctions and prosecutions.

Trump renewed a provocative pitch for Venezuela to become the 51st U.S. state, tying the idea to baseball glory and claims about massive oil reserves.

President Trump told federal agencies to prioritize U.S.-made goods and end procurement waivers, invoking EO 14392 to tighten 'Made in America' enforcement.

President Trump and a special envoy say five Eastern Europeans detained in Belarus and Russia were freed after a multilateral swap. The operation reunited a jailed journalist with family and raises new diplomatic questions.

Former Hillsborough County commissioner Kimberly Overman has shifted into Florida’s redrawn 12th District to challenge Rep. Gus Bilirakis; fundraising and the new map change the calculus.

The Hillsborough School Board is moving to put a half‑penny sales surtax renewal before voters, citing recent HVAC, roof and safety work funded by the levy.

Tarpon Springs City Manager Charles Rudd resigned after a $40,000 Orlando retreat run by Landmark Worldwide that Mayor John Koulianos says left staff distressed.