Florida Phoenix
@floridaphoenix.com
We don’t pay attention to the media bashers. We’re too busy reporting on how Florida’s policies and politics affect you. Quality journalism for critical times.
“If someone in school had understood what I was going through, things could’ve been very different." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/r...
Homeless youth say they need more from schools, social services • Florida Phoenix
As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier.
floridaphoenix.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
“If someone in school had understood what I was going through, things could’ve been very different." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/r...
Project 2025 is rooted in injecting narrower interpretations of gender, sexuality and race in federal policy. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/r...
How much of Project 2025 has actually been accomplished this year? • Florida Phoenix
This story was originally reported by Amanda Becker, Orion Rummler and Mariel Padilla of The 19th. Meet Amanda, Orion and Mariel and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. In the...
floridaphoenix.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Project 2025 is rooted in injecting narrower interpretations of gender, sexuality and race in federal policy. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/r...
Property taxes and gun rights have emerged as issues likely to dominate the 2026 legislative session, which kicks off in a little more than two weeks. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/t...
The Top 10 political developments in Florida in 2025 • Florida Phoenix
Choosing the top political stories in an “off year” when no statewide elections took place is challenging — although jockeying for the 2026 elections is well under way. Property taxes and gun rights, ...
floridaphoenix.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Property taxes and gun rights have emerged as issues likely to dominate the 2026 legislative session, which kicks off in a little more than two weeks. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/26/t...
After its account of Jesus’ birth, the Bible is almost entirely silent on his childhood. Yet legends about Jesus’ early years circulated widely in the Middle Ages. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/25/r...
The Bible says little about Jesus’ childhood • Florida Phoenix
By: Mary Dzon, University of Tennessee Manger scenes displayed around Christmastime usually feature an ox and an ass beside the infant Jesus. According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary placed her child in ...
floridaphoenix.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
After its account of Jesus’ birth, the Bible is almost entirely silent on his childhood. Yet legends about Jesus’ early years circulated widely in the Middle Ages. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/25/r...
Now the question is: Will the nitwits who let Florida’s greatest treasures get so terribly tarnished be willing to spend the money to polish them back to a bright shine? floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/25/d...
Dear Santa, can you please help our crumbling Florida state parks? • Florida Phoenix
Dear Santa, I know you’re already in the air delivering gifts around the world, but I hope you’ve got an emergency miracle stuffed in your big bag. Our Florida state parks could sure use your help. Yo...
floridaphoenix.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Now the question is: Will the nitwits who let Florida’s greatest treasures get so terribly tarnished be willing to spend the money to polish them back to a bright shine? floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/25/d...
“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup,” Schumer wrote. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
NY federal officials submit 1 million more pages of Epstein files • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have sent a million more pages related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to the Department of Justice, which plans to release them in the coming weeks, official...
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup,” Schumer wrote. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
The federal charges now also include transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the intent to commit an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and transporting a stolen firearm in interstate commerce. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
National Guard shooting case moved to federal court as prosecutors weigh death penalty • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — The man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last month, killing one, was charged in federal court Wednesday, moving the case out of the local court system....
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The federal charges now also include transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the intent to commit an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and transporting a stolen firearm in interstate commerce. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
“The flamingo is iconic to Florida. When I was growing up it was flamingos and palm trees. … But the awareness really comes with the conservation. The flamingo is now thriving in Florida." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/w...
With intervention, flamingos can expand in Florida, UCF research says • Florida Phoenix
University of Central Florida researchers using genetic information say that, with intervention, depleted flamingo populations in Florida can recover. A study led by biology graduate student Jessica ...
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
“The flamingo is iconic to Florida. When I was growing up it was flamingos and palm trees. … But the awareness really comes with the conservation. The flamingo is now thriving in Florida." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/w...
“Restricting access to abortion care for veterans who become pregnant from rape will only retraumatize sexual assault victims, likewise causing increased harm to veterans." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
Trump administration officially ends veteran abortion access • Florida Phoenix
The U.S. Department of Justice has instructed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to stop providing any abortion care or abortion counseling, even in cases of rape or incest, reversing a 2022 poli...
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
“Restricting access to abortion care for veterans who become pregnant from rape will only retraumatize sexual assault victims, likewise causing increased harm to veterans." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
“As millions of borrowers sit on the precipice of default, this Administration is using its self-inflicted limited resources to seize borrowers’ wages instead of defending borrowers’ right to affordable payments." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
Trump administration to garnish wages for defaulted student loans • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default beginning early next year, the U.S. Education Department said Tuesday. In an ...
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
“As millions of borrowers sit on the precipice of default, this Administration is using its self-inflicted limited resources to seize borrowers’ wages instead of defending borrowers’ right to affordable payments." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
“Seeing well over 1 million people lose their work authorization in a single year is a really huge event that has ripple effects for employers and communities and families and our economy as well floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
Trump canceled temporary legal status for more than 1.5 million immigrants in 2025 • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — Since Inauguration Day, more than 1.5 million immigrants have either lost or will lose their temporary legal status, including their work authorizations and deportation protections, due t...
floridaphoenix.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
“Seeing well over 1 million people lose their work authorization in a single year is a really huge event that has ripple effects for employers and communities and families and our economy as well floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/24/r...
The administration had not shown why the situation in Chicago, in which residents have protested aggressive immigration enforcement, should present an exception to the law, the court majority said. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
US Supreme Court in defeat for Trump blocks deployment of National Guard in Chicago • Florida Phoenix
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon in a major setback for the president. The court’s m...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The administration had not shown why the situation in Chicago, in which residents have protested aggressive immigration enforcement, should present an exception to the law, the court majority said. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
Sen. Clay Yarborough’s bill would make it illegal for a health care provider to aid or abet a minor in search of the gender care. Providers who help minors could face a third-degree felony. The draft doesn’t define “aid and abet.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/g...
Gender-affirming care for minors, parents' bill of rights could be on table for 2026 Session • Florida Phoenix
There may be yet another legislative tussle in 2026 over cultural flashpoints dealing with parental rights and gender-affirming care. A Jacksonville Republican filed a bill Tuesday to broaden the powe...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Sen. Clay Yarborough’s bill would make it illegal for a health care provider to aid or abet a minor in search of the gender care. Providers who help minors could face a third-degree felony. The draft doesn’t define “aid and abet.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/g...
The email notes that Trump was “listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996” and that this includes “at least four flights” on which Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell “was also present.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
Trump appears in several files of latest Epstein release • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice early Tuesday released thousands more files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with several referencing President Donald Trump. The latest t...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The email notes that Trump was “listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996” and that this includes “at least four flights” on which Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell “was also present.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
“Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” Sasse wrote. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
Former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announces terminal stage-four cancer diagnosis • Florida Phoenix
OMAHA — Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer,” he announced on social media Tuesday. “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
“Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” Sasse wrote. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
“Are these critical minerals going into energy technologies, which then have a whole host of societal benefits, or are they simply being dug out of the ground in one place to be blown up in another place?” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
The Pentagon is hoarding critical minerals that could power the clean energy transition • Florida Phoenix
This story was originally published by Grist. Pete Hegseth, who has taken to calling himself the Secretary of War, says the Defense Department “does not do climate change crap.” Just last week, he ass...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
“Are these critical minerals going into energy technologies, which then have a whole host of societal benefits, or are they simply being dug out of the ground in one place to be blown up in another place?” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
“Why should I give the respondents the benefit of the doubt in this case? Why should I do that here? Show your work. That’s all.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain free from immigration custody for now • Florida Phoenix
GREENBELT, Md. — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis will retain an order keeping the wrongly deported El Salvador national Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of federal custody for the rest of the year, the judge ...
floridaphoenix.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
“Why should I give the respondents the benefit of the doubt in this case? Why should I do that here? Show your work. That’s all.” floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/23/r...
The bill comes as the governor has made AI policies — from cracking down on its growth to limiting access to sexual AI chatbots to restricting growth of data centers — a priority for the coming 2026 legislative session. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/a...
AI 'Bill of Rights' filed in the Florida Senate • Florida Phoenix
A leading Senate Republican filed a lengthy bill Monday to enact Gov. Ron DeSantis’s proposed “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.” Sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek, a Republican from Port Orange, SB 48...
floridaphoenix.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The bill comes as the governor has made AI policies — from cracking down on its growth to limiting access to sexual AI chatbots to restricting growth of data centers — a priority for the coming 2026 legislative session. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/a...
“Trying again to halt these projects tramples on the rule of law, threatens jobs, and deliberately sabotages a critical industry that strengthens, not weakens, America’s energy security,” she said. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
Trump administration pauses major East Coast offshore wind projects • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks....
floridaphoenix.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
“Trying again to halt these projects tramples on the rule of law, threatens jobs, and deliberately sabotages a critical industry that strengthens, not weakens, America’s energy security,” she said. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
Governor Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo are pushing to end vaccine requirements for public schools and daycare. Christine Sexton, a senior reporter at the Florida Phoenix, will give us the rundown. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
Who decides what vaccines a child should get? • Florida Phoenix
As childhood vaccination rates fall, several diseases once considered eradicated are back and spreading, most notably measles and whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has be...
floridaphoenix.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Governor Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo are pushing to end vaccine requirements for public schools and daycare. Christine Sexton, a senior reporter at the Florida Phoenix, will give us the rundown. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
“Basically, every one of the 50 states has something in its constitution that could be used to constrain partisan gerrymandering,” said Samuel Wang, director of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
As Supreme Court pulls back on gerrymandering, state courts may decide fate of maps • Florida Phoenix
As some states engage in an extraordinary redraw of congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, state courts may decide the fate of the new maps.
floridaphoenix.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“Basically, every one of the 50 states has something in its constitution that could be used to constrain partisan gerrymandering,” said Samuel Wang, director of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/r...
How about Elon Musk, one-time student visa holder? Sure, he dropped out of Stanford and probably worked illegally, but so what? Without him, Mars will always be a cold, obscure planet with an unbreathable atmosphere instead of a potential vacation spot. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/w...
What have immigrants ever done for America? • Florida Phoenix
Foreigners! What have they ever done for us? I grant you there was that 18th century guy, that Marquis de Lafayette, who convinced the French government to back us against the British and used his own...
floridaphoenix.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM
How about Elon Musk, one-time student visa holder? Sure, he dropped out of Stanford and probably worked illegally, but so what? Without him, Mars will always be a cold, obscure planet with an unbreathable atmosphere instead of a potential vacation spot. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/22/w...
The lawmakers’ declaration says federal agency rules, congressional legislation and executive orders must respect the constitutional division of powers and allow states to pass a diverse array of legislation. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/21/r...
Respect states' rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds • Florida Phoenix
A new group of bipartisan state legislative leaders issued a declaration at their first meeting calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights and an end to federal intrusion into state laws.
floridaphoenix.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The lawmakers’ declaration says federal agency rules, congressional legislation and executive orders must respect the constitutional division of powers and allow states to pass a diverse array of legislation. floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/21/r...
“For this alleged student at Skyline, my heart goes to them, whether they’re trans or not, just having that much negative eyeball on you and rhetoric is incredible." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/20/r...
Michigan AD on leave after expressing empathy for trans athlete amid parent’s Title IX complaint • Florida Phoenix
Just days after the father of a student at Monroe Public Schools filed a Title IX complaint to the U.S. Department of Education over claims that a student at Ann Arbor Skyline High School’s girls voll...
floridaphoenix.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
“For this alleged student at Skyline, my heart goes to them, whether they’re trans or not, just having that much negative eyeball on you and rhetoric is incredible." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/20/r...
“Young people in Florida deserve to grow up without wondering whether the teenager sitting next to them can legally buy a weapon of war." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/19/g...
Gun-safety groups call on Ben Albritton to block lowering age to buy long guns to 18 • Florida Phoenix
A dozen gun-violence prevention groups are calling upon Florida Senate President Ben Albritton to once again reject a proposal from the Florida House to lower the age to purchase a long gun from 21 to...
floridaphoenix.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“Young people in Florida deserve to grow up without wondering whether the teenager sitting next to them can legally buy a weapon of war." floridaphoenix.com/2025/12/19/g...