Category: Florida

Florida Judge to Murder Suspect on Run for 40 Years: ‘You Knew You Were Running From Something’

TAMPA, Fla.—A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago. Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years. Mr. Santini was the…


Florida Parents Charged in Death of Toddler Left in Car Overnight After Fourth of July Party

LAKELAND, Fla.—A toddler died after her parents left her in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party in Florida, authorities said Thursday. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Lakeland couple Joel and Jazmine Rondon have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. Authorities said the Rondons accidentally left the 18-month-old girl…


DeSantis Defends Controversial Anti-Trump Ad Some Conservatives Complain is Anti-LGBT

After taking criticism for a campaign ad attacking Donald Trump’s performance on LGBT issues, Ron DeSantis defended the video, saying it was “fair game.” He responded to backlash about the ad in an interview on July 5 with Tomi Lahren on her show “Tomi Lahren is Fearless,” a production of the conservative news organization Outkick, owned…


Newsom Calls for DOJ Probe Into Florida’s Transporting of Illegal Immigrants to California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday penned a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for an investigation into the recent transport of illegal immigrants from Republican-led border states under “deceptive representations.” In the letter, Mr. Newsom and his co-signatories say that illegal immigrants purportedly seeking asylum in the United States have been transported…


Florida GOP Requiring 2024 Candidates Sign Loyalty Pledge to Qualify in State’s Key Presidential Primary Contest

The Florida Republican Party is imposing a new requirement in order for 2024 presidential candidates to make the Florida Republican primary ballot; they have to pledge to support the eventual 2024 Republican Party nominee. During their meeting in mid-May, the Florida Republican Party Executive Committee made several changes to their primary procedures (pdf), including the…


Federal Court Grants Preliminary Injunction on Parts of Newly Passed Florida Election Law

Parts of Florida’s new election law as they pertain to non-U.S. citizens and third-party voter registration groups were blocked by a federal court judge on July 3 after voting rights groups filed a lawsuit. In his 58-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction on SB 7050, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron…


A Sweet Slice of History: Florida Keys Celebrate 200th Birthday With Giant Key Lime Pie

BIG PINE KEY, Fla.—Partying never gets old in the Florida Keys—especially for a milestone birthday like No. 200. The Florida Keys celebrated its bicentennial Monday along the Gulf of Mexico with a Key lime pie more than 13 feet (4 meters) in diameter—which organizers intend to certify as a world record. The festivities marked the…


Mosquitoes Test Positive for Malaria After Locally-Acquired Cases in Florida and Texas

Mosquitoes have tested positive for malaria after the first local spread of the disease in the United States in 20 years. Three mosquitoes in Florida tested positive for the parasite that causes malaria, Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services told news outlets. The mosquitoes were sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for…


DOJ Argues Florida Law Restricting Chinese Land Ownership Violates Constitution

The Department of Justice on Tuesday challenged a Florida law that bars Chinese citizens from owning land, asserting it violates federal housing law and the 14th Amendment. The department filed a statement of interest (pdf) in a case challenging the provision, arguing the Florida law restricting Chinese land ownership by U.S. military installations and major…


DeSantis Signs Bill That Could See Radioactive Mining Byproduct Used in Roads

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that allows the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study to determine if the radioactive byproduct of phosphate mining can be used as a construction aggregate material for roads. The new law adds phosphogypsum to the list of “recyclable materials” that can be used as road construction…