Governor Ron DeSantis

DeSantis has earmarked $30 million to pay for efforts to reduce blue-green algae in Caloosahatchee River and increase water quality

With his presidential campaign in the background, Gov. Ron DeSantis used his annual State of the State address Tuesday to tout Florida’s accomplishments — while offering few new details of priorities for the 2024 legislative session.DeSantis’ speech in the state House chamber formally launched the 60-day session and came six days before the crucial Iowa caucuses in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler indicated Saturday he does not plan to step aside from his leadership post amid an investigation into an alleged sexual battery in October in Sarasota.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he’s arranged to send drones, weapons, and ammunition to Israel as it prepares for an incursion of Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack. It’s the latest official response DeSantis has taken to back Israel as he competes in the 2024 Republican primary.

Legal experts are skeptical over a move by the DeSantis administration to shut down pro-Palestinian student organizations on college campuses in Florida by employing a state law intended to punish providing material support to terrorists.

Republican lawmakers Wednesday backed proposals intended to nullify development agreements involving the Walt Disney Co. that incensed Gov. Ron DeSantis.The House State Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules Committee approved amendments to broader development bills (HB 439 and SB 1604) that would override agreements the entertainment giant reached with outgoing board members of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The Florida House on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, setting up a showdown at the state Supreme Court that could determine the future of abortion rights in Florida.The Republican-controlled House voted 70-40 to pass the six-week limit (SB 300), which also was approved April 3 by the Senate. The bill is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102, also called the Live Local Act. It allocates $711 million for housing projects through the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation (FHFC). DeSantis says this is the state's largest investment ever in housing.

Florida, Missouri and West Virginia announced they're pulling out of the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, the only system states have to share voter registration data.

A crowd of supporters fanned out in front of the Old Capitol as Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, CFO Jimmy Patronis and new Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson took their oaths.