Charlie Crist Launches TV Ad Signaling St. Petersburg Mayor Run
Charlie Crist appears in a new TV ad tied to the St. Pete Shines committee, signaling a likely run for St. Petersburg mayor with baseball nostalgia.
News
The latest news coverage from South Florida.
EDGE Communications Opens West Palm Beach Office in 2026
Democratic firm EDGE Communications expands to Palm Beach County, opening a downtown West Palm Beach office led by chief of staff David Cruz Ramos.
DHS Pauses Immigrant Warehouse Purchases Under New Secretary
DHS halts new immigrant warehouse acquisitions as Secretary Markwayne Mullin reviews $38.3 billion detention expansion contracts from the Noem era.
St. Petersburg Gas Plant District Developer Decision Timeline
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch aims to select a Gas Plant District developer by June, with public meetings and ULI study shaping the process.
Brandi Gabbard Kicks Off St. Petersburg Mayoral Campaign 2026
St. Pete Council member Brandi Gabbard launches her 2026 mayoral campaign, challenging incumbent Ken Welch on the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment.
Democrats Eye Florida Congressional Seats After Special Election Wins
Special election upsets in Florida are fueling Democratic ambitions to expand their congressional target list, with up to seven GOP seats now in play.
Aaron Moreno Enters West Palm Beach Mayor's Race
Aaron Moreno, a construction professional and 20-year resident, joins the 2027 West Palm Beach mayoral race focused on public safety and accountability.
Tampa Bay Rays Ballpark Funding Debate Divides Community
A public fight over Tampa Bay Rays ballpark funding has spilled onto social media, dividing residents, business leaders, and political activists.
Florida Democrats Flip 2 Legislative Seats in GOP Strongholds
Florida Democrats flipped Senate District 14 and House District 87 in special elections, raising questions about GOP dominance heading into November.
Tampa Meteorologist Andy Johnson Dies at 68
Andy Johnson, beloved Tampa meteorologist and Fox 13 veteran, died after a battle with cancer. He was 68 and had a 43-year career in weather broadcasting.
Florida Leaders Mourn Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen
Florida officials express grief after Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was allegedly murdered by her husband, who faces first-degree murder charges.
Nancy Metayer Brown: Legacy of Outreach and Compassion
Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Brown, 38, known for fearless community advocacy, was found dead. Her husband is charged with murder.
Artemis II Launches: Florida Delegation Watches Moon Mission
Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, with Florida lawmakers on hand to witness the historic launch.
Trump Presidential Library Renderings: Statues & Air Force One
Renderings for Donald Trump's Miami presidential library reveal golden escalators, a full-scale Air Force One, and a fist-raised Trump statue in the auditorium.
Candlelight Vigil for Nancy Metayer Bowen in Coral Springs
A candlelight vigil honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen is set for Friday at City Hall following her domestic violence homicide.
Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen Killed in Shooting
Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was shot and killed in a domestic violence incident. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, was apprehended in Plantation.
Coral Springs Vice Mayor Shot Dead in Domestic Violence Incident
Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was killed Wednesday in a domestic violence incident. Her husband Stephen Bowen is in custody after fleeing.
North Palm Beach Council Runoff: Okolichany vs. Zellner
North Palm Beach voters head to the polls Tuesday in a runoff race to fill the vacant Group 4 Village Council seat between Ron Okolichany and Kendra Zellner.
Byron Donalds Raises $67M in Florida Governor's Race
Byron Donalds raised $22.2 million in Q1 2026, bringing his Florida governor's race total to over $67 million with Trump's endorsement backing him.
Rays Add Public Forums for New Tampa Ballpark Plans
The Tampa Bay Rays are hosting additional community forums to gather input on a new 31,000-seat ballpark and mixed-use district on Dale Mabry campus.
Tampa Releases First Draft of Land Development Code Rewrite
Tampa unveiled its first public draft of a major Land Development Code overhaul, proposing zoning changes to boost housing, walkability, and reduce car dependence.
Police Shooting Near Ultra Music Festival in Downtown Miami
A police-involved shooting outside the YVE Hotel in Downtown Miami left a suspect and an officer hospitalized as Ultra Music Festival continued nearby.
Ultra Music Festival 2026 Opens at Bayfront Park in Miami
Ultra Music Festival 2026 kicks off in Miami's Bayfront Park with 150,000 fans expected, seven stages, and major road closures along Biscayne Boulevard.
Lauren Book Kicks Off 11th Annual Walk in My Shoes 2026
Lauren Book launches her 1,500-mile Walk in My Shoes trek from Key West to Tallahassee, spotlighting child abuse prevention with a new Voices Project.
Florida Redistricting in Doubt After Democrat Special Election Wins
Two Democratic special election upsets in Florida are shaking Republican confidence in a mid-decade redistricting push, with GOP congressmen urging leaders to stand down.
Florida Democrats Win Big in Special Elections Week of 3.22.26
Florida Democrats flipped two Republican-leaning districts in special elections, signaling a potential shift in momentum heading toward November.
'No Kings' Protests March to Mar-a-Lago in Florida
Thousands expected at Florida 'No Kings' protests, with a twilight march toward Trump's Mar-a-Lago as part of a nationwide day of action.
DeSantis Signs HB 399 Curbing Local Zoning Control
Gov. DeSantis signed HB 399 into law, limiting local zoning authority and reshaping how Florida cities review and approve housing developments.
Florida AG Investigates Discord Over Child Safety Failures
Florida AG James Uthmeier subpoenas Discord under consumer protection law, demanding records on child safety, age verification, and exploitation reports.
Tampa Bay Rays Return to Tropicana Field for 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays head into 2026 with roster moves, stadium upgrades, and fan perks as Tropicana Field reopens after hurricane repairs.
Brandi Gabbard Officially Enters St. Petersburg Mayor Race
St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard announces her 2026 mayoral run, calling the race a 'critical crossroads' for the city.
Emily Gregory Wins Trump's District in Florida Upset
Democrat Emily Gregory won a Florida House special election in Trump's Palm Beach backyard, defeating his personally endorsed Republican candidate.
Florida Health Care News & Policy: March 2026 Update
From Sachs Media's new SachsHEALTH division to a dementia center in Ocala, here's the latest in Florida health care news and policy.
Florida Republicans Sweep Special Legislative Elections 2026
Florida Republicans dominated three special legislative elections in SD 14, HD 51, and HD 87, deepening their structural grip ahead of November.
Florida Democrats Flip Two Seats in 2026 Special Elections
Florida Democrats gained momentum after flipping Senate District 14 and a Mar-a-Lago district in closely watched special elections Tuesday.
Jared Leone Challenges Bianca Latvala for Clearwater Seat 4
Jared Leone files to challenge Bianca Latvala for Clearwater City Council Seat 4, facing an uphill battle against an establishment-backed candidate.
Florida Immigration Debate: Judd vs. Uthmeier in 2026
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd calls for deportation policy changes while AG James Uthmeier pushes back, deepening Florida's immigration enforcement divide.
Senate to Confirm Mullin as Homeland Security Secretary
The Senate is set to confirm Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary as a TSA funding standoff causes long airport lines during spring break travel.
Ken Welch Re-Election Bid Gains Key Endorsements
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is earning endorsements from elected officials, civic leaders, and public safety unions ahead of his re-election campaign.
Florida State Hospital Deaths Linked to Systemic Failures
A watchdog report links six patient deaths in Florida state mental health hospitals to falsified records, missed safety checks, and systemic neglect.
Racist Text Targets Jon Maples in Florida HD-87 Race
A racist text funded by Lift-Off Florida targeting Republican Jon Maples sparks sharp condemnation from House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison.
Hawaii's Worst Flooding in 20 Years Threatens Dam
Catastrophic flooding hits Hawaii, forcing 5,500 evacuations on Oahu's North Shore as a 120-year-old dam faces failure and damage tops $1 billion.
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller Dies at 81
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, has died at the age of 81.
Florida Condo Down Payment Rules Set to Change in 2026
Florida condo buyers have faced a 25% down payment requirement for years. Rep. Byron Donalds says that disparity ends by August 2026.
Florida Mandates Autism Training for All Teachers
Florida's HB 851 requires annual autism training for all teachers statewide, putting Florida ahead of Virginia, Texas, and California in educator preparation.
Kamia Brown Files for Orange County Commission District 2
Former Florida state Rep. Kamia Brown enters the Orange County Commission District 2 race, focusing on affordability and accountable local government.
Florida Delegation Weekly Briefing: Venezuela, Sanctuary, LYNX
Florida lawmakers weigh in on Venezuela's regime changes, sanctuary policies, unfair imports, LYNX transit, and ethics issues in this week's delegation roundup.
FBI Investigates Vehicle Attack on Michigan Synagogue
Federal investigators probe the motive after a man rammed a car into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, targeting the Jewish community.
Save Boca Sweeps City Council: Grau, Pearlman, Sipple Win
Michelle Grau, Jon Pearlman, and Stacy Sipple won Boca Raton City Council seats, giving the Save Boca movement a clean sweep amid redevelopment debates.
Florida Lawmakers Battle Over Orange and Seminole Rural Boundaries
Florida's legislative session ended with a win for environmentalists as the Senate blocked an amendment threatening voter-approved rural boundaries in Central Florida.
Kevin Batdorf Enters St. Petersburg Mayoral Race
Real estate broker and Shore Acres Neighborhood Association president Kevin Batdorf files to challenge incumbent Mayor Ken Welch in a crowded St. Petersburg mayoral race.
Surfside Mayor Race Heads to Runoff, Commission Recount
Surfside's mayoral race heads to an April 7 runoff between Danzinger and Paul, while a commission seat faces a mandatory recount after just 17 votes separated two candidates.
Kevin Batdorf Enters St. Pete Mayoral Race: 5 Key Takeaways
Kevin Batdorf joins the St. Petersburg mayoral race, bringing the field to six candidates challenging incumbent Mayor Ken Welch in a highly contested election.
Surfside Election: Mayor and 4 Commission Seats on Ballot
Surfside voters head to the polls to elect a new Mayor and four Town Commissioners, with candidates Tina Paul, Mark Blumstein, and Shlomo Danzinger competing.
Florida Politics Morning Briefing: Session Turmoil & St. Pete Race
Don Gaetz calls Florida's 2026 legislative session an embarrassment as GOP infighting dominates, while St. Pete's mayor race grows complicated with a new entry.
Andy Thomson Wins Boca Raton Mayor's Race After Recount
Andy Thomson defeats Mike Liebelson by five votes in the Boca Raton mayoral race after a manual recount confirms the razor-thin margin.
Florida 2026 Legislative Session Ends Without Budget
Florida's 2026 Regular Legislative Session ended without a finalized budget, prompting a special session for spending and property tax relief.
Florida 2026 Legislative Session: Chamber Calls It a Win
The Florida Chamber of Commerce praises the 2026 Legislative Session as incremental progress for business, highlighting housing and impact fee reforms.
Rachelle Litt, Dana Middleton Win Palm Beach Gardens Council
Rachelle Litt won the Group 3 seat and Dana Middleton was re-elected to Group 5 in Palm Beach Gardens, with growth and traffic as key campaign issues.
South Florida Rain Chances All Week Through First Day of Spring
South Florida faces a soggy week with scattered showers, thunderstorms, severe weather threats, and rain chances stretching through the first day of spring.
Florida 2026 Legislative Session Ends Without Budget Deal
Florida's 2026 session closed with 237 bills enrolled, a $1.4B budget gap unresolved, and multiple special sessions already planned for April.
Sydney Gruters Weighs Congressional Run in Southwest Florida
Sydney Gruters hasn't committed to running for Vern Buchanan's open congressional seat, but advisors say she's listening to encouragement from across Southwest Florida.
Florida Senate Blocks Repeal of 21 Firearm Age Restriction
Florida's Senate again refused to hear a House bill repealing the post-Parkland law raising the minimum firearm purchase age to 21, continuing a years-long pattern.
Surfside Elects New Mayor and 4 Town Commissioners
Surfside voters head to the polls Tuesday to choose a new Mayor and four Town Commissioners, with three candidates vying to replace Mayor Charles Burkett.
Judy Mollica Wins Delray Beach Commission Seat 2
Judy Mollica won Delray Beach's open Seat 2 with 40.4% of the vote, beating Andrea Keiser and Delores Rangel in a three-way race for a three-year term.
Pulse Nightclub Sign Removed Ahead of Demolition in Orlando
A Pulse shooting survivor reacts as Orlando removes the iconic nightclub sign, marking progress toward a permanent memorial for the 49 victims.
Florida Budget Impasse Forces Special Session in April 2026
Florida lawmakers will adjourn without passing a budget, $1.4 billion apart on spending. A special session is planned for mid-April after the holidays.
Jennifer Webb, Jennifer Daunch Win Gulfport City Council
Gulfport voters elected Jennifer Webb and Jennifer Daunch to City Council seats, with Webb winning Ward 3 with 71% of the vote over opponent Keri Nelson.
St. Pete Beach Election Warning Signs for Ken Welch
Scott Tate crushed incumbent Mayor Petrila 66% over Hurricane Helene fallout—and the parallels to Ken Welch's St. Petersburg situation are hard to ignore.
Ken Welch Re-Election Warning Signs in Florida Races
Two Florida municipal races signal trouble for St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch as voter anger over hurricane response and development fuels incumbent defeats.
SAVE Act Standoff: Florida Delegation Caught in Senate Gridlock
Trump threatens to block all legislation until the SAVE Act passes. Florida Republicans rally behind the voter eligibility bill amid mounting Senate gridlock.
Gulfport Election: Council Races and Charter Amendments
Gulfport voters decide two City Council races and 10 charter amendments that could reshape how the small Pinellas County city governs itself.
Florida Municipal Election Results: Recounts & Runoffs
Florida voters reshaped city halls statewide, with a Boca Raton mayoral recount, an Apopka runoff, and a bitter St. Pete Beach race decided on March 10, 2026.
Pembroke Pines & Lauderhill Elections Tuesday: What to Know
Broward County voters head to the polls Tuesday as Pembroke Pines contests two commission seats and Lauderhill weighs a major bond question.
Boca Raton Election: Mayor & City Council Races Tuesday
Boca Raton voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect a new Mayor and three City Council members, with development and infrastructure as key issues.
Delray Beach City Commission Seat 2: 3 Candidates Compete
Delray Beach voters choose from Andrea Keiser, Judy Mollica, and Delores Rangel for City Commission Seat 2, a critical swing vote on development and finances.
Federal health workers quit over Guantánamo Bay deployments
Federal public health workers resign rather than accept mandatory Guantánamo Bay assignments, creating staffing shortages that could affect South Florida emergency response.
By Marcus Wade
Trump housing stance clashes with voter affordability concerns
Trump's promise to keep home values rising conflicts with voter concerns about housing affordability that helped drive his election victory in South Florida.
Cherfilus-McCormick fundraising drops after indictment
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick raised just $12,000 in Q4 2024, down from $85,000 the previous year, as donors flee following her federal corruption indictment.
Renaissance Festival returns to Quiet Waters Park
The 34th annual Florida Renaissance Festival opened at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, featuring jousting, artisan markets, and medieval entertainment through March 17.
Florida Gators hire new offensive coordinator for 2024 season
Florida Gators name new offensive coordinator as college athletics faces growing pressure to address environmental impact from travel and stadium operations.
UM running backs coach Matt Merritt leaves for NFL position
University of Miami running backs coach Matt Merritt has left for an NFL position, creating a coaching vacancy for the Hurricanes during recruiting season.
Trump Gets Second Chance to Challenge Hush Money Conviction
A New York judge will hear arguments as Trump gets another chance to overturn his historic hush money conviction on 34 felony counts before taking office.
Fort Lauderdale airport passenger traffic drops amid airline wars
Fort Lauderdale airport sees passenger decline as airlines compete for market share, creating pricing pressures that could reshape South Florida aviation.
By Marcus Wade
Fort Lauderdale Reopens Huizenga Park After $2M Renovation
City officials and residents celebrated the completion of a two-year, $2 million makeover of downtown Fort Lauderdale's Huizenga Park on Saturday.
University of Miami Hires Former UK PM Boris Johnson as Lecturer
The former British prime minister who resigned in disgrace will teach at UM's Miami Business School starting in spring 2025.