KATE PAYNE

Associated Press/Report for America
Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate arrive, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The brothers were charged with human trafficking in Romania and arrived in the U.S. after authorities lifted travel restrictions. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
After the Tate brothers return to the US, DeSantis says they are not welcome. Here’s what to know
Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, have returned to the U.S. after authorities lifted travel restrictions on the siblings, who have millions of online followers.
 
Law enforcement officers detain migrants in the area in Coral Gables, Fla., Jan. 28, 2025. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald via AP File)
Florida ups the stakes for crimes by immigrants in the US illegally
New laws in Florida mandate stiffer criminal penalties for immigrants in the U.S. illegally than for everyone else. That could mean extra years behind bars for misdemeanor crimes and might trigger an automatic death sentence for first-degree murder.
 
Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks as her husband Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on during a campaign event, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
As DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor, here’s what to know about Casey
The aspirations of Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis have long been a topic of discussion in Tallahassee. Her husband Gov. Ron DeSantis added to the speculation this week by talking her up as his potential successor.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, looks on as his wife Casey DeSantis speaks at a campaign event in Bluffton, S.C., June 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
Ron DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump’s pick
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approaches the end of his term in office, he is talking up one potential heir to succeed him in 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis.
 
Police stand outside a Target store as protesters across the street demonstrate against Pride displays in the store on June 1, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Florida files suit against Target, claiming DEI initiatives ‘misled investors’
Florida’s new attorney general has filed a federal lawsuit against Target, claiming the discount store chain “misled investors” by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that prompted a backlash and ultimately cost shareholders.
 
Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla., Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, file)
Florida man set to be executed for murder of woman, granddaughter in 1993
A Florida man convicted of murdering a woman and raping and killing her 8-year-old-granddaughter in Seminole County in 1993 is set to be executed next month. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for Edward James on Tuesday.
 
Women, who are in the U.S. illegally, and their children listen as Nora Sandigo explains their legal rights, as well as options to prepare their families in case a parent were to be detained or deported, in Homestead, Fla., Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Florida is rushing to enforce new immigration laws. Here’s what to know
An architect of a controversial bid to fly migrants from Texas to a Massachusetts resort town in 2022 has been named to guide Florida’s new state board of immigration enforcement. Monday’s announcement came days after Florida Gov.
 
Florida man charged with attempted murder after shooting 2 men he thought were Palestinians
A Florida man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after opening fire on two men in Miami Beach who he thought were Palestinians.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at Florida International University's Wall of Wind, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ former chief of staff James Uthmeier sworn in as Florida’s attorney general
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis named his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as the state’s attorney general.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about plans to lower insurance prices in the state, during a press conference at Florida International University's Wall of Wind, an experimental facility focused on wind engineering research, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
DeSantis signs sweeping immigration laws for Florida as states rush to fulfill Trump’s agenda
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a sweeping package of immigration laws. It’s aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
 
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez gavels in a special legislative session on immigration at the state capitol in Tallahassee on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)
Florida lawmakers work to settle DeSantis rift as they open a new session on immigration
Florida lawmakers are gaveling in another special legislative session on immigration, aimed at leveraging state and local resources to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
 
Adam Hasner, Republican candidate for Florida 22nd Congressional district, answers question during his debate against Lois Frankel, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Oct. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)
Another Florida university picks a former Republican lawmaker as its next president
Another former Republican lawmaker has been picked to lead one of Florida’s public universities. The board of trustees of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on Monday picked Adam Hasner to be the school’s next president.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about plans to lower insurance prices in the state, during a press conference at Florida International University's Wall of Wind, an experimental facility focused on wind engineering research, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Florida’s lieutenant governor gets a university post, handing DeSantis another key appointment
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez has been tapped for an interim position leading Florida International University, handing term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis the opportunity to elevate an ally to the powerful position ahead of the 2026 governor’s race.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference Sept. 16, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
DeSantis goes to battle with Florida Republicans in trying to get closer to Trump
In Florida, it’s still DeSantis vs. Trump. Once hailed as a potential heir to Donald Trump — and widely expected to have presidential aspirations in 2028 — Florida Gov.
 
Cuban migrant Wilfredo Cabrera Del Sol, center, is turned away for not having an appointment as he tries to request deportation at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Miramar, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
After rebuke from legislative leaders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledges to veto immigration bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has promised to veto a sweeping immigration bill. It’s the latest escalation in a statehouse showdown between DeSantis’ office and the Legislature’s Republican leaders, who have sparred over whose proposals would best carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown
 
A mother thanks notary Adela Morales, right, and Nora Sandigo, left, after she signed documents giving Sandigo legal guardianship of her children, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. Since December, Sandigo has become the legal guardian of at least 30 children. She has been doing so for 15 years and is the legal guardian to more than 2,000 children of undocumented immigrants. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Florida lawmakers pass sweeping immigration bill to help with Trump crackdown
Florida lawmakers have passed a sweeping immigration bill, setting aside half a billion dollars in public funds to help carry out President Donald Trump’s crackdown on people in the country illegally.
 
Rep. Randy Fine, R-South Brevard County, closes on a gambling bill during a special session, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon, File)
What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
A slate of congressional hopefuls are vying to win their Florida primaries in special elections to replace two high-profile House Republicans. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz held one of the seats before he was briefly considered for attorney general.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Heritage Foundation 50th Anniversary Celebration leadership summit, Friday, April 21, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Florida Republicans defy DeSantis to push their own immigration bill
Florida Republican lawmakers have defied Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session on immigration by tossing out the governor’s proposals and convening their own special legislative session to carry out President Donald Trump’s federal immigration orders.
 
Lina Rojas prepares her dachshund Petunia with a warm vest and gloves for her first walk in snow, in Tallahassee, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)
Sledding on boogie boards, ice hockey on Canal Street: The Gulf Coast embraces a rare snow day
When the sun rose on the Gulf Coast Wednesday, palm trees were dusted with snow, waves crashed on icy beaches, and overjoyed Southerners grabbed whatever would slide and headed for the closest hill.
 
Citadel cadets engage in a snowball fight during a very rare snow day to their campus on Wednesday Jan. 22, 2025 in Charleston, S.C. (Ed Wray/The Citadel via AP)
Winter storm spreads across the Deep South, creating icy danger and snowy fun
The winter storm spreading snow, sleet and freezing rain across the southern United States has broken records, treating the region to unaccustomed perils and seasonal joy.
 
In this image made from video, a crime scene is taped off by Miami police after an “unprovoked” attack Thursday, Jan. 16. 2025, in Miami. (WPLG-TV via AP)
A man with a stick killed 2 homeless people in Miami in an ‘unprovoked’ attack, police say
Two people in Miami are dead following what law enforcement officials say was an “unprovoked” attack on four homeless people by a man wielding a stick.
 
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody delivers remarks after Governor Ron DeSantis announced her appointment as U.S. senator to replace Marco Rubio, during a news conference in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Things to know about Ashley Moody, appointed to be Florida’s next US senator
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to be the state’s next U.S. senator, making her the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber.
 
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks at a news conference, Jan. 26, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will take Marco Rubio’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment on Thursday, making Moody only the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber.
 
Rep. Randy Fine, R-South Brevard County, closes on a gambling bill during a special session, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon, File)
Florida bill would ban students in the US without legal permission from some public universities
A Florida state lawmaker has filed a bill that would ban some of the state’s public colleges and universities from admitting students who are in the country without legal permission. The proposal was filed on Tuesday. It comes a day after Gov.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company offices in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
DeSantis calls special session to implement Trump’s immigration policies
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling state lawmakers into a special session to help carry out President-elect Donald Trump’s promises for a swift crackdown on immigration. But he’s facing pushback from the legislature’s Republican leaders.
 
The entrance to Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla. is shown Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson)
Florida man convicted of killing couple set to die in state’s first scheduled execution of 2025
A Florida man convicted of murdering a husband and wife during a fishing trip in 1997 is scheduled to be executed next month. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for James Ford on Friday.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)
DeSantis nominee for UWF board says women shouldn’t delay motherhood for higher ed, career
For years, political scientist Scott Yenor has advocated for overhauling colleges and universities, which he’s argued undermine traditional American families by encouraging women to pursue careers and put off childbirth.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company offices in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Florida grand jury investigating COVID-19 vaccines finds no evidence of criminal activity
A statewide grand jury convened at the request of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has found no evidence of criminal activity concerning COVID-19 vaccines.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)
DeSantis appoints conservative think tank members to university board
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed five new members to the board overseeing the University of West Florida in Pensacola, including two people affiliated with The Heritage Foundation.
 
In this photo provided by Jacob Burmood, the artist poses for a portrait with one of his sculptures entitled "Current Sequence" in Kansas City, Mo., July 2021. (Jacob Burmood via AP)
Artists who boycott Israel push back against Florida government’s ban on hiring them
Some artists hoping to lease their work to Florida cities for public exhibits are protesting a state law that requires government contractors to affirm they are not “engaged in a boycott of Israel.”
 
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