Florida Coverage

DeSantis plans to announce 2024 bid Wednesday on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk, sources tell AP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, long seen as Donald Trump's leading rival for the Republican nomination, plans to launch his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday in an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

Shark bites Florida angler on dock, in second incident of the week

A shark bit a Florida angler on the foot Friday, in the second shark bite incident of the week, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

CNN

Fact check: Trump says DeSantis sealed 'all beaches' during COVID-19 lockdown

"Surprise, Ron (DeSantis) was a big lockdown governor on the China virus, sealing all beaches and everything else for an extended period of time," former President Donald Trump said in a March 22 statement.

Yacob Reyes, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Newsom says 'DeSantis' bill' would remove Florida's concealed carry rules

As California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, promoted a new bill restricting who can carry a concealed firearm in his state, he said Florida was moving in the "exact opposite direction." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Yacob Reyes, PolitiFact reporter

Student attacks school employee after Nintendo Switch taken away

The Matanzas High School student has been charged with felony aggravated battery with bodily harm, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

By Paradise Afshar and Rebekah Riess, CNN

Fact check: Trump says he sent agents to stop Florida 'steal' and help DeSantis win

Former President Donald Trump said that, in the 2018 Florida governor's race, "votes were being stolen" and that he "sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys" and "stopped his Election from being stolen." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Yacob Reyes and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

Baby boy was born as hurricane arrived in Florida. He won't be named Ian.

With the hurricane barreling toward their stretch of the Florida coast on Tuesday afternoon, Amanda Mahr and her husband, Matthew Mahr, got an urgent call from their doctor: They had to schedule an emergency C-section.

Victoria Kim, New York Times

Fact check: Does DeSantis oppose background checks for criminals?

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist warned in a new TV ad that another term for Gov. Ron DeSantis "opposes any background checks on guns, even for violent criminals." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Yacob Reyes, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Does Florida require college professors to 'register political views' with the state?

On July 6, author and "King of Horror" Stephen King warned his Twitter followers that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill "requiring Florida students, professors to register political views with (the) state." PolitiFact checks the tweet.

Grace Abels, PolitiFact reporter

Air guitar concert takes place in Florida Keys

Participants dressed as mermaids and other marine creatures for the annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

Tropical Weather Threatens Florida With Heavy Rain and Floods

KEY WEST, Fla. -- Three days into hurricane season, and South Floridians were already being warned to rehearse a familiar drill: Clear storm drains, get sandbags if your neighborhood tends to flood and watch out for standing water.

Frances Robles, Derrick Bryson Taylor and Nick Madigan, New York Times

2 rescued after minivan crashed into Florida alligator-infested retention pond

According to Florida authorities, a driver lost control of their minivan and drove into a retention pond. Rescue crews had to be called because the pond was infested with massive alligators.

Fact check: How does new Florida law affect Disney's tax status?

A popular Facebook post says that Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis recently passed a new law that "erases" the Walt Disney World Resort's "tax exempt law," potentially costing the company $200 million a year. PolitiFact checks the claim.

Yacob Reyes, PolitiFact reporter

Key West Bed Race celebrates island's quirky side

It's billed as the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on, and teams had plenty of fun Saturday afternoon, when the Conch Republic Blue Ribbon Bed Race took place in Key West.

14-year-old who died at Florida attraction may have not been not properly secured in his seat

The attraction, dubbed the "World's tallest free-standing drop tower" is more than 400 feet tall. The attraction is now closed indefinitely after a 14-year-old was killed.

Justice Department to Pay About $130 Million to Parkland Shooting Victims

MIAMI -- The Justice Department will pay about $130 million to 40 survivors and families of victims of the 2018 massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida, over the FBI's failure to properly investigate two tips in the months before the shooting that suggested the gunman might open fire at a school.

Patricia Mazzei and Katie Benner, New York Times

Disney Cruise Line to require vaccine from kids 5 and up

The vaccine requirement for those passengers 5 and older takes effect on January 13th, and it's forcing some families to cancel their pre-planned trips.

Fact check: DeSantis says Florida had 'almost half' of the U.S. job growth

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, posted on Oct. 22 that "Florida is driving the nation's economy forward -- the nation reported adding 194,000 jobs in September, and Florida accounted for 84,500." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

Officials return to Florida reserve to search for Brian Laundrie

Search teams are continuing to comb through a Florida nature reserve in search of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in Gabby Petito's death.

Florida church sees wave of COVID-19 deaths

Six church members died within 10 days of each other after contracting COVID-19. None of the victims were vaccinated, and four were healthy and under the age of 35, according to the pastor at Impact Church in Jacksonville.

A COVID Surge in Florida Challenges Gov. Ron DeSantis, Again

MIAMI -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis snapped this week at a reporter who asked if masks might help keep children safe in a state that now has more COVID-19 hospitalizations, including for pediatric patients, than anywhere else in the nation.

Patricia Mazzei, New York Times

Miami mayor explains 'very difficult decision' to shift away from rescue efforts

The mayor says crews "exhausted every option" in finding survivors.

Tropical Storm Elsa aims for Florida's 'Big Bend'

Forecasters warn Tropical Storm Elsa could force a major storm surge into some areas on Florida's Gulf coast.

Elsa brings rain, wind and isolated tornado threats to Florida

Tropical Storm Elsa is moving north-northwest, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the lower and middle Florida Keys.

A look at Key West, Fla. as Elsa approaches U.S.

A look at Key West, Florida as Tropical Storm Elsa closes in on the Sunshine State.