DeSantis, Uthmeier request extra U.S. House seat
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier hosted a press conference on Wednesday afternoon in Lake Worth. The two leaders announced that they have each drafted a letter to the Trump administration requesting the consideration of granting Florida an additional seat in the U.S. House. The lawmakers are seeking a potential mid-decade redistricting to create this extra seat, which would likely be filled by a Republican.

Rep. Frost speaks out against 'Alligator Alcatraz'
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On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost held a press conference outside the Everglades detention center in Florida dubbed ?Alligator Alcatraz,? ahead of a state-approved tour of the facility. The press conference comes as a recent court ruling has partially dismissed a lawsuit over detainees? access to legal counsel and basic constitutional rights. The case has now been transferred to the Middle District of Florida.

Florida GOP pulls immigration merchandise after Home Depot pushback: 'Deport Depot'

The Republican Party of Florida removed deportation-themed shirts, hats and other merchandise from its website that featured a logo similar to Home Depot's after the retailer raised objections.

Federal judge rules Florida’s pronoun law for teachers is unconstitutional

A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the state’s law requiring teachers to use pronouns that match a student’s sex at birth amounts to discrimination, conflicting with federal protections against employment discrimination based on sex.

Top 4 news stories you need to know: August 14, 2025
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FOX 35's John Brown and Garrett Wymer break down the top stories of the day, from Florida's Deportation Depot immigration detention facility in North Florida, the state attorney's office deciding not to press charges in the viral arrest of William McNeil in Jacksonville, 3 OUC employees injured in a substation incident in Downtown Orlando and a boat driver sentenced to jail for a Christmas boat parade crash.

DeSantis announces second Florida immigration detention facility 'Deportation Depot'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced his plans to expand the state's capacity to detain and deport undocumented immigrants through a new “Deportation Depot."

DeSantis announces plans for Florida immigration detention expansion
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced his plans to expand the state's capacity to detain and deport undocumented immigrants through a new "Deportation Depot." DeSantis said he's confident Florida needs additional capacity to host undocumented immigrants in addition to "Alligator Alcatraz" in South Florida. The new "Deportation Depot" will be able to hold more than 1,300 detainees with the same services offered as Alligator Alcatraz.

One-on-one with Congressman Byron Donalds
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There is currently a tight race for the GOP nomination for Florida's next governor. Rep. Byron Donalds is facing off against First Lady Casey DeSantis for the position. Donalds joins Good Day Orlando to talk about the race, as well as other local issues.

Florida AG Uthmeier taking emergency action against new synthetic drug, 7-OH

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday during a press conference in Tampa that his office is taking emergency action to prohibit "7-hydroxymitragynine" – often called "7-OH", in the state of Florida.

'Graham Hoffman Act': Sen. Ashley Moody urges passage of legislation in Florida

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and first responders gathered on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando to urge the passing of the "Graham Hoffman Act," a piece of legislation the leaders say "will protect those who keep our communities safe and punish criminals who attack them."

FDA, Florida lead Kratom crackdown
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon to discuss "7-hydroxymitragynine" ? often called "7-OH." The event comes weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's action to classify it as a Schedule I controlled substance. Doing so would place it alongside drugs like heroin and LSD, making its sale and possession illegal.

Sen. Moody on bill to protect law enforcement
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U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, Orange County Sheriff John Mina and first responders gathered on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando to urge the passing of the ?Graham Hoffman Act,? a piece of legislation the lawmaker says "will protect those who keep our communities safe and punish criminals who attack them."

DeSantis speaks on Casey DeSantis' run for governor
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a press conference on Wednesday morning in Tampa. At the event, DeSantis awarded law enforcement recruitment bonuses. DeSantis took questions at the end of the event, including one on First Lady Casey DeSantis' potential run for governor.

Governor DeSantis highlights Florida law enforcement recruitment bonuses at Tampa news conference

Gov. Ron DeSantis touted Florida’s recruitment of law enforcement officers from across the country, saying 8,700 bonuses have now been given out through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.

Top 4 news stories you need to know: August 12, 2025
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FOX 35's Marlisa Goldsmith and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointing Republican State Senator Jay Collins of Tampa to serve as his Lieutenant Governor, a Florida cartel drug mule taking a plea and sentenced to 7 years in prison for money laundering in connection with his wife's deadly carjacking, Seminole County raising its gas tax and the Orlando Magic & Miami Heat announcing they're kicking off the NBA preseason in Puerto Rico in October.

Playbook Tuesday: DeSantis sets up Trump challenger?
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Governor Ron DeSantis appointed State Senator Jay Collins, a Republican formerly representing the Tampa Bay area as the next Lieutenant Governor, replacing Jeanette Nunez who left to become the President of FIU (Florida International University.) POLITICO Reporter Gary Fineout joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the political ramifications of Collins' appointment and the potential for a head-to-head matchup with Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds and prominent attorney John Morgan for Florida Governor in 2026.

Gov. DeSantis appoints Florida's new lieutenant governor
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed State Sen. Jay Collins as the state?s lieutenant governor. The governor's announcement and Collins' swearing-in ceremony took place at a news conference in Tampa on Tuesday morning. Collins succeeds Jeanette Nunez, who stepped down earlier this year after being named president of Florida International University.

Florida House Speaker backs governor’s push to redraw congressional maps

Florida’s House speaker is joining Gov. Ron DeSantis in supporting a mid-decade review of the state’s congressional districts, a move that could spark a legal battle over the state’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering.

Sen. Ashley Moody discusses school choice in Tampa
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U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Sen. Ashley Moody were in Hillsborough County on Wednesday morning ?to highlight legislative successes expanding school choice in Florida and nationwide.?

Orange County commissioners ratify ICE agreement with 5-2 vote to transport detainees to 'Alligator Alcatraz'

Orange County commissioners voted Tuesday on a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to transport detainees to "Alligator Alcatraz." After several hours of discussion and public comment, commissioners voted 5-2 to ratify the agreement.