Latest Ron DeSantis News

Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museums

Jun. 29, 2024 00:06 AM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Coral Gables Art Cinema will be short more than $100,000 this year. About $150,000 has suddenly disappeared from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra's budget. The Miami New Drama also has an unexpected $150,000 budget hole. Across Florida, arts groups are...

Tennessee law changes starting July 1 touch on abortion, the death penalty and school safety

Jun. 28, 2024 11:53 AM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — After Tennessee lawmakers spent months debating a slew of new laws during their legislative session, many of those statutes will go into effect Monday — ranging from abortion travel restrictions for minors, allowing the death penalty for child rape convictions and many...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Jun. 27, 2024 21:49 PM EDT

Palm Beach Post. June 19, 2024. Editorial: The Juneteenth federal holiday should be celebrated in Florida, not shunned Enjoy Juneteenth, the latest celebration to join New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day as a date-specific federal...

Jury recommends death penalty for ex-prison guard trainee who murdered 5 women inside Florida bank

Jun. 26, 2024 18:12 PM EDT

A jury on Wednesday recommended a former prison guard trainee be sentenced to death for his execution-style murders of five women inside a Florida bank five years ago, a massacre that fulfilled his long-stated desire to kill. Jurors voted 9-3 to recommend Zephen Xaver receive the...

Florida's balloon ban will protect sea turtles, birds and other marine life

Jun. 26, 2024 15:16 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Sea turtles, marine birds and children under 7 will be protected under a new Florida law that bans the intentional release of balloons. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, replaces an existing ban of releasing ten or more balloons...

Former first lady Melania Trump stays out of the public eye as Donald Trump runs for president

Jun. 23, 2024 07:27 AM EDT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — After Melania Trump missed key events in her husband's presidential bid earlier this year — from the kickoff of the 2024 election in Iowa to Donald Trump’s Super Tuesday victory party — reporters asked the former first lady whether she planned to hit the...

Ex-Florida law enforcement official says he was forced to resign for defying illegal DeSantis orders

Jun. 21, 2024 19:03 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered illegal surveillance of immigrants and ignored concerns that relocating them from Texas to another state could could be considered kidnapping or false imprisonment, the former chief of staff at the state's top law enforcement agency...

Workers sue Disney claiming they were fraudulently induced to move to Florida from California

Jun. 21, 2024 13:20 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney workers are suing their employer, claiming they were fraudulently induced to move from California to Florida to work in a new office campus only to have those plans later scrapped amid a fight between the entertainment giant and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. ...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Jun. 19, 2024 12:47 PM EDT

Orlando Sentinel. June 14, 2024. Editorial: Supreme Court rejects truth and justice by upholding the suspension of Monique Worrell The Florida Supreme Court set a terrifying precedent last week w hen upholding the suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell. Six of...

Cliffhanger congressional contest between Bob Good and John McGuire tests power of Trump endorsement

Jun. 19, 2024 00:34 AM EDT

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — One of America’s most conservative congressmen was locked in a tight renomination battle against an opponent endorsed by former President Donald Trump in Virginia’s primary election Tuesday. Rep. Bob Good, who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus,...