Christie calls Trump 'Donald Duck,' DeSantis knocks former president and other debate takeaways

Seven Republican presidential hopefuls gathered at the Reagan Library in California on Wednesday for the second of the party’s primary debates. The contest's dominant front-runner — former President Donald Trump — skipped the event again. With less than four months until the...

The candidates went after Biden — and Trump — at the second GOP debate. Follow live updates

The seven candidates on stage for Wednesday night's second presidential debate went after President Joe Biden, one another and the absent GOP front-runner. The at-times chaotic event featured staple questions about immigration, economics and abortion but also spawned a new nickname...

Disney World government will give employees stipend after backlash for taking away park passes

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Facing a backlash, Walt Disney World's governing district will pay a stipend to employees whose free passes and discounts to the theme park resort were eliminated under a policy made by a new district administrator and board members who are allies of Florida Gov. Ron...

Winner of last month's $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot claims prize in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The winner of last month's $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot — the third-largest in U.S. history — has come forward to claim the prize, officials said Wednesday. In all, Mega Millions has had five prizes of more than a billion dollars. ...

Shooting at Florida auto shop wounds at least 2 people, including suspect, police say

LARGO, Fla. (AP) — At least two people were wounded in a shooting at a Florida auto shop on Wednesday that drew dozens of police officers to the scene, authorities said. One of the wounded was identified as the shooting suspect and the other person was an employee at the auto shop,...

Florida school district orders removal of all books with gay characters before slightly backing off

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Top officials at a Florida school district ordered the removal of all books and material containing LBGTQ+ characters and themes from classrooms and campus libraries, saying that was needed to conform to a state law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that critics have dubbed...

Winner comes forward in Florida to claim $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot from August, officials say

Editorial Roundup: Florida

South Florida Sun Sentinel. September 24, 2023. Editorial: Florida’s far-right schools activist is a well-kept secret Twenty-three days. That’s how long Florida took to provide the most basic information about a man pulling down a six-figure public salary and...

How to watch the second Republican debate tonight

The second Republican presidential debate is drawing near with a smaller onstage lineup than the first event last month. The Republican National Convention confirmed seven candidates will be on the Simi Valley debate stage. The party set a number of markers that candidates needed to...

Trump rivals try to make headway and other things to watch during the GOP presidential debate

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — A growing sense of urgency hangs over Wednesday's Republican presidential debate as seven candidates fight for momentum on a stage that will not feature the race's front-runner. Former President Donald Trump says he’s so far ahead that it would only...