INSIDER
Republican John Thune of South Dakota beats out Rick Scott of Florida to be elected as next Senate majority leader
Read full article: Republican John Thune of South Dakota beats out Rick Scott of Florida to be elected as next Senate majority leaderSen. John Thune has won an internal election among Republican senators to become the chamber’s next majority leader.
‘A billion-dollar problem’: Contractor fraud is rampant in Florida. Here’s how to protect yourself
Read full article: ‘A billion-dollar problem’: Contractor fraud is rampant in Florida. Here’s how to protect yourselfContractor fraud is a widespread issue in Florida, from pools to custom home builds and roofing fraud.
Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right away
Read full article: Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right awayDays before Senate Republicans pick their new leader, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change Senate rules and give him more power to appoint unconfirmed nominees.
Who is Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's new White House chief of staff?
Read full article: Who is Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's new White House chief of staff?Susie Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump's pick as White House chief of staff, has decades of political experience but has largely shunned the spotlight.
Republican Rick Scott wins reelection for U.S. Senate from Florida
Read full article: Republican Rick Scott wins reelection for U.S. Senate from FloridaOne of the most closely monitored races in Florida this election is the race for the U.S. Senate, in which former U.S. Rep Debbie Murcasel-Powell is challenging first-term Republican Senator Rick Scott.
Trump wants the presidential winner to be declared on election night. Why that's unlikely
Read full article: Trump wants the presidential winner to be declared on election night. Why that's unlikelyFormer President Donald Trump is stepping up calls for a winner to be declared shortly after polls close Tuesday night.
Former Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, Sen. Scott make final push in what’s projected to be one of Florida’s tightest races
Read full article: Former Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, Sen. Scott make final push in what’s projected to be one of Florida’s tightest racesOne of the most closely monitored races in Florida this election is the race for the U.S. Senate, in which former U.S. Rep Debbie Murcasel-Powell is challenging first-term Republican Senator Rick Scott.
Florida will vote on marijuana, abortion in an election that will test GOP's dominance
Read full article: Florida will vote on marijuana, abortion in an election that will test GOP's dominanceFlorida’s election will test whether the state maintains its new reputation as a Republican stronghold, as Democrats count on turnout for abortion rights and recreational marijuana ballot questions.
Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertain
Read full article: Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertainSenate Republicans vying to replace longtime leader Mitch McConnell have been crossing the country to campaign and fundraise for colleagues, making their final arguments before an important upcoming Senate vote.
Florida Poll: Senate race, Amendment 4 narrowly contested while Trump holds double-digit lead over Harris
Read full article: Florida Poll: Senate race, Amendment 4 narrowly contested while Trump holds double-digit lead over HarrisA new poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows former President Donald Trump 10 percentage points ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump's campaign crowdfunded millions online in an untraditional approach to emergency relief
Read full article: Trump's campaign crowdfunded millions online in an untraditional approach to emergency reliefFormer President Donald Trump’s campaign is using GoFundMe to rally its donor network around the survivors of his July assassination attempt and Hurricane Helene’s destruction.
John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?
Read full article: John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is competing intensely to become the next Republican leader in the Senate.
Democrats claiming Florida Senate seat is in play haven't put money behind the effort to make it so
Read full article: Democrats claiming Florida Senate seat is in play haven't put money behind the effort to make it soFlorida Democrats have been boldly proclaiming that Florida is in play for this year's November elections, but their campaign spending hasn't matched those claims.
Following protests, DeSantis says plan to develop state parks is 'going back to the drawing board'
Read full article: Following protests, DeSantis says plan to develop state parks is 'going back to the drawing board'Florida Gov_ Ron DeSantis said a controversial proposal by his administration to develop golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels at state parks is “going back to the drawing board.”.
Sen. Rick Scott meets with volunteers in Jacksonville ahead of primary, encourages people to vote
Read full article: Sen. Rick Scott meets with volunteers in Jacksonville ahead of primary, encourages people to voteAs things ramp up for Tuesday’s primary election, Senator Rick Scott made a stop in Duval County Saturday where early voting is set to close on Sunday.
Task force recommends St. Augustine for Florida Museum of Black History in final vote
Read full article: Task force recommends St. Augustine for Florida Museum of Black History in final voteA state task force responsible for selecting the site for the Florida Museum of Black History recommended St. Johns County as the new home for the museum in a final vote on Friday.
Path to the Polls: Trump’s running mate remains a mystery. Will he choose Vance for White House dance?
Read full article: Path to the Polls: Trump’s running mate remains a mystery. Will he choose Vance for White House dance?While the actual choice for former President Donald Trump's running mate remains a mystery, some insiders say a Rust Belt Republican is the best choice.
Trump once defied the NRA to ban bump stocks. He now says he 'did nothing' to restrict guns
Read full article: Trump once defied the NRA to ban bump stocks. He now says he 'did nothing' to restrict gunsDonald Trump’s campaign has found itself defending a Supreme Court decision to strike down a ban that he himself had hailed as an achievement on gun control six years ago.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he'll vote against recreational pot after brother's death
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he'll vote against recreational pot after brother's deathSen. Rick Scott of Florida says he'll vote in November against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in his state.
State, local political leaders offer swift response to guilty verdict for former President Trump
Read full article: State, local political leaders offer swift response to guilty verdict for former President TrumpFormer President Donald Trump is expected to speak at a news conference at 11 a.m. Friday at Trump Tower following Thursday’s guilty verdict in his New York criminal trial.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leaderFlorida Sen. Rick Scott says he will run for Senate Republican leader when Mitch McConnell steps down from the post, becoming the third Republican in the race.
Sen. Rick Scott talks economy, Israel & Donald Trump on The Morning Show
Read full article: Sen. Rick Scott talks economy, Israel & Donald Trump on The Morning ShowSen. Rick Scott talked exclusively with News4JAX during a visit to Jacksonville on Friday about the need for Congress to put aside partisanship, address this nation’s economic problems and rein in inflation.
Trump is limited in what he can say about his court case. His GOP allies are showing up to help
Read full article: Trump is limited in what he can say about his court case. His GOP allies are showing up to helpFormer President Donald Trump is limited in what he can publicly say as his hush money trial is underway in New York.
Senate races are roiled by campus protests over the war in Gaza as campaign rhetoric sharpens
Read full article: Senate races are roiled by campus protests over the war in Gaza as campaign rhetoric sharpensThe student protest movement over the war in Gaza is roiling Senate contests in an election year when control of the chamber is at stake in November.
Peaceful demonstrators take a stand outside Prime Osborn Center during vice president’s visit
Read full article: Peaceful demonstrators take a stand outside Prime Osborn Center during vice president’s visitWith Vice President Kamala Harris visiting Jacksonville Wednesday, it was expected there would be big crowds of protesters. While there weren’t necessarily big crowds, there were still people who gathered outside the Prime Osborn Convention Center to take a stand on more than just abortion.
Republican Sen. Rick Scott softens his abortion position after Florida Supreme Court ruling
Read full article: Republican Sen. Rick Scott softens his abortion position after Florida Supreme Court rulingSen. Rick Scott of Florida is joining other Republican incumbents scrambling to strike a balance in their abortion rights messaging.
Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnell
Read full article: Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnellWyoming Sen. John Barrasso says he'll run for the No. 2 spot in the Senate Republican conference after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves at the end of the year.
Senators urge Biden to end duty-free treatment for packages valued at less than $800
Read full article: Senators urge Biden to end duty-free treatment for packages valued at less than $800Two U.S. senators looking to crack down on the number of packages from China that enter the country duty-free are calling on President Joe Biden to take executive action.
As some call for his ouster, McConnell pushes back on GOP critics: 'They've had their shot'
Read full article: As some call for his ouster, McConnell pushes back on GOP critics: 'They've had their shot'After months of negotiations and delays, the Senate has voted to move forward on legislation that would provide wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Melania Trump remembers her mother as 'a ray of light in the darkest days'
Read full article: Melania Trump remembers her mother as 'a ray of light in the darkest days'Former First Lady Melania Trump remembered her mother as “a ray of light in the darkest of days” during a funeral service at a church not far from the family’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Democrats target GOP strongholds Texas and Florida with Senate majority on the line
Read full article: Democrats target GOP strongholds Texas and Florida with Senate majority on the lineDemocrats hoping to hold their slim Senate majority after November are looking for wins in two unlikely places that could neutralize potential setbacks elsewhere, Florida and Texas.
Florida Republicans oust state party chairman facing rape allegations in critical election year
Read full article: Florida Republicans oust state party chairman facing rape allegations in critical election yearThe Republican Party of Florida has ousted Chairman Christian Ziegler and has replaced him with a new leader as police investigate a rape accusation against him.
Proposal by Northeast Florida lawmaker would lower gun-buying age to 18 in Florida
Read full article: Proposal by Northeast Florida lawmaker would lower gun-buying age to 18 in FloridaIt could potentially reverse part of a law that passed in the aftermath of the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Judges overseeing Trump cases in New York and DC are latest targets as bogus 'swatting' calls surge
Read full article: Judges overseeing Trump cases in New York and DC are latest targets as bogus 'swatting' calls surgeBomb threats and false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses have surged in recent weeks, including some connected to court cases against former president Donald Trump.
Sen. Rick Scott latest lawmaker to fall victim to ‘swatting’ attempt
Read full article: Sen. Rick Scott latest lawmaker to fall victim to ‘swatting’ attemptAfter two U.S. representatives were targeted by “swatting” attempts on Christmas Day, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida announced Thursday that his home had also been “swatted.”
Florida school board recommends ouster of Moms for Liberty co-founder over Republican sex scandal
Read full article: Florida school board recommends ouster of Moms for Liberty co-founder over Republican sex scandalA Florida school board has recommended the resignation of one of its members who is embroiled in the fallout of a sexual assault investigation into her husband, Republican Party state chairman Christian Ziegler.
Gov. DeSantis puts aside $1M in state money for possible legal battle over FSU’s football playoff snub
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis puts aside $1M in state money for possible legal battle over FSU’s football playoff snubCollege football and politics collided this week following the perceived snub of Florida State’s football team.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott demands answers from college football committee after FSU left out of playoff
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott demands answers from college football committee after FSU left out of playoffThe perceived snub caught the attention of several Florida politicians, including Senator Rick Scott.
DeSantis says Florida GOP chair should resign amid rape allegation
Read full article: DeSantis says Florida GOP chair should resign amid rape allegationFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis says state Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler should resign while police investigate a rape allegation against him.
Years after Parkland massacre, tour freshens violence for group of House lawmakers
Read full article: Years after Parkland massacre, tour freshens violence for group of House lawmakersA second group of U.S. House lawmakers toured the building where Parkland high school students were massacred in 2018.
Donald Trump's strength is clear in Florida as Gov. Ron DeSantis tries to move past 'nonsense'
Read full article: Donald Trump's strength is clear in Florida as Gov. Ron DeSantis tries to move past 'nonsense'Former President Donald Trump is showing his strength in Florida while his 2024 rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis, looks to prove his viability.
Sen. McConnell plans to serve his full term as Republican leader despite questions about his health
Read full article: Sen. McConnell plans to serve his full term as Republican leader despite questions about his healthSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has repeatedly said he is “fine” since he froze up midsentence during a press conference on Wednesday.
Inflation drops to 3% and Biden hopes to turn a weakness with voters into a strength
Read full article: Inflation drops to 3% and Biden hopes to turn a weakness with voters into a strengthThe politics of inflation took a sharp turn with a new report showing consumer prices rose at the slowest pace since the early months of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Drama shifts to Senate after House passes debt ceiling bill
Read full article: Drama shifts to Senate after House passes debt ceiling billWith the June 5 deadline looming, the bill to suspend the debt ceiling and limit spending easily passed the House, and it's now up to the Senate to avoid a funding crunch.
AG Moody hits back at Florida travel advisories issued by civil rights groups
Read full article: AG Moody hits back at Florida travel advisories issued by civil rights groupsThree separate civil rights groups have issued their own travel warning for tourists visiting Florida citing recently passed legislation that the groups say has created a shadow of fear in Florida.
Senators back solar tariffs, oppose prairie bird safeguards
Read full article: Senators back solar tariffs, oppose prairie bird safeguardsThe Senate has approved a measure that would reinstate tariffs on solar panel imports from several Southeast Asian countries after President Joe Biden paused them in a bid to boost solar installations in the U.S. Lawmakers also approved a separate plan late Wednesday to undo federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a rare grouse that’s found in parts of the Midwest and Southwest, including one of the country’s most prolific oil and gas fields.
Texas bill proposes up to $25K for armed school 'sentinels'
Read full article: Texas bill proposes up to $25K for armed school 'sentinels'Texas schools could offer up to $25,000 stipends to teachers and staff who accept the dual role of being armed campus “sentinels” with specialized mental health training under a proposal that state lawmakers advanced Tuesday in response to the Uvalde classroom shooting.
Haley wants entitlement program changes for younger people
Read full article: Haley wants entitlement program changes for younger peopleRepublican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is proposing changes to entitlement programs for younger generations, opening the door to potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare if elected.
Djokovic withdraws after failed bid to play Indian Wells
Read full article: Djokovic withdraws after failed bid to play Indian WellsTop-ranked Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming BNP Paribas Open after losing his bid to enter the United States unvaccinated to play in the Southern California event.
Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Florida murder while a fugitive
Read full article: Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Florida murder while a fugitiveFlorida executed a man on Thursday for murdering a woman in 1990 after he escaped from prison, stabbing her to death in a shopping mall parking lot in an attempted carjacking.
Sen. Rick Scott alters policy plan causing heartburn for GOP
Read full article: Sen. Rick Scott alters policy plan causing heartburn for GOPRepublican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has amended a plan to overhaul how the federal government works after Democrats repeatedly seized on it to accuse Republicans of looking to cut Medicare and Social Security.
Biden warns of GOP plans for Medicare, Social Security cuts
Read full article: Biden warns of GOP plans for Medicare, Social Security cutsWhen President Joe Biden suggested that Republicans want to slash Medicare and Social Security it brought howls of protests from the GOP side of the aisle during the State of the Union address.
Focused on education, Sen. Rick Scott speaks with leaders in Jacksonville
Read full article: Focused on education, Sen. Rick Scott speaks with leaders in JacksonvilleRepublican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott hosted a roundtable Monday in Jacksonville that was focused on education. It’s part of a tour through Florida that his team calls “Make Washington Work.”
Lawmakers face serious hurdles to pass sweeping defense bill, keep government funded
Read full article: Lawmakers face serious hurdles to pass sweeping defense bill, keep government fundedIt's that time of year again, when Congress tends to rush to fund the government. This year, two major spending bills are hitting snags with the clock ticking.
GOP's lackluster fundraising spurs post-election infighting
Read full article: GOP's lackluster fundraising spurs post-election infightingRepublicans are engaged in a round of finger-pointing as both parties sift through the results of Democrats’ stronger-than-expected showing in the midterm elections.
Trump 2024 rivals court his donors at big Las Vegas meeting
Read full article: Trump 2024 rivals court his donors at big Las Vegas meetingRepublican presidential prospects are courting anxious donors and activists in Las Vegas , as the GOP's early 2024 class warns that former President Donald Trump is “a loser” and the party needs to turn elsewhere.
DeSantis eases voting rules in counties devastated by Ian
Read full article: DeSantis eases voting rules in counties devastated by IanFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order expanding voting access for the midterm elections in three counties where Hurricane Ian destroyed polling places and displaced thousands of people.
By boat and jet ski, volunteers assist in Ian rescue efforts
Read full article: By boat and jet ski, volunteers assist in Ian rescue effortsAs authorities in Florida try to reach people who have been trapped by floodwaters or isolated on barrier islands since Hurricane Ian came ashore last week, concerned members of the public have been springing into action to aid the official rescue efforts.
Uvalde shooting, border dominate only Texas governor debate
Read full article: Uvalde shooting, border dominate only Texas governor debateRepublican Gov. Greg Abbott said in his first debate against Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke that Texas would send busloads of migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to more cities.
Man appointed by Gov. DeSantis to oversee election crimes and security has died of a heart attack
Read full article: Man appointed by Gov. DeSantis to oversee election crimes and security has died of a heart attackPete Antonacci, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis as the head of Florida's new Office of Election Crimes and Security has died of a heart attack.
Prosecutors drop some charges in Florida nursing home deaths
Read full article: Prosecutors drop some charges in Florida nursing home deathsProsecutors have dropped manslaughter charges against three nurses who were present when 12 Florida nursing home patients suffered fatal overheating five years ago after Hurricane Irma.
Nazi protesters show up outside young conservatives meeting in Florida
Read full article: Nazi protesters show up outside young conservatives meeting in FloridaA Holocaust center in Florida and others condemned the presence of protesters holding Nazi flags and posters with antisemitic imagery outside a convention of young conservative activists that drew as speakers President Donald Trump, Florida Gov, Ron DeSantis and several Republican U.S. senators.
Sen. Scott defends vote against bipartisan gun bill after signing similar policy as Florida’s governor
Read full article: Sen. Scott defends vote against bipartisan gun bill after signing similar policy as Florida’s governorThe first major legislation on gun safety sailed through congress and was sent to President Joe Biden on the day marking one month since the deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Scott: Texas GOP platform not 'inclusive' on homosexuality
Read full article: Scott: Texas GOP platform not 'inclusive' on homosexualityRepublican Sen_ Rick Scott of Florida is criticizing the Texas GOP's new party platform for not being “inclusive” when it described homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice.”.
March for Our Lives returns with a renewed gun control push
Read full article: March for Our Lives returns with a renewed gun control pushAngered by the unrelenting toll from gun violence, tens of thousands of people are expected at rallies this weekend in the nation’s capital and around the United States demanding that Congress pass meaningful changes to gun laws.
Biden pushes 'ultra-MAGA' label on GOP as he defends record
Read full article: Biden pushes 'ultra-MAGA' label on GOP as he defends recordPresident Joe Biden is warning voters unhappy with soaring inflation and his stalled domestic agenda against turning power over to “ultra-MAGA” Republicans in the midterm elections.
Ohio GOP Senate hopeful: Middle class doesn't pay fair share
Read full article: Ohio GOP Senate hopeful: Middle class doesn't pay fair shareMike Gibbons, a leading Republican Senate candidate from Ohio, said at a media event last fall that middle-class Americans don’t pay “any kind of a fair share” of income taxes.
'Stand your ground' laws proliferate after Trayvon spotlight
Read full article: 'Stand your ground' laws proliferate after Trayvon spotlightTen years ago when Trayvon Martin was fatally shot, Florida was one of the few states with “stand your ground” laws that eased use of deadly force in the face of danger.
GOP steps up bid to persuade Hogan to run for Senate in Md.
Read full article: GOP steps up bid to persuade Hogan to run for Senate in Md.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other leading Republicans are intensifying a personal late-stage push to persuade Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to run for the Senate.
Biden's highway safety pick vows to reduce US traffic deaths
Read full article: Biden's highway safety pick vows to reduce US traffic deathsPresident Joe Biden’s pick to run the nation’s highway safety agency is pledging to attack a crisis of fatal car crashes by implementing safety rules to deter impaired driving.