DEP blesses major modification to St. Johns River conservation easement. "This amendment is not in the public interest, sets an alarming precedent and will cause harm to the St. Johns River," Lisa Rinaman of St. Johns Riverkeeper said. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

UPDATE: Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M. DEP recommends the purchase based on the budget language while including a pair of appraisals submitted by the landowner that sets value compared to a high-rise condominium. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M. DEP recommends purchase based on the budget language while including a pair of appraisals submitted by the landowner that sets value compared to a high-rise condo + marina. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

On Saturday, Trump publicly urged AG Bondi to prosecute his rivals and said the lack of charges was “killing our reputation and credibility.” “We can’t delay any longer,” the president wrote on Truth Social.

Here’s what happens when big-time lobbyists become big-name Trump officials

FL Gov. Ron DeSantis says electrical grid capacity for data centers 'isn’t even close' to what's needed. "Consumers will see electricity rates spike — and to what end?" DeSantis continued on X. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Ohio won the national parks gold medal award this year at @NRPA_news annual conference in Orlando. Florida was up for an unprecedented fifth award this year. aapra.org/Portals/0/Go...

Florida agencies request nearly $500M for land conservation but face headwinds. "This industry relies on available agricultural lands to grow and remain strong," Ag Comm Wilton Simpson said. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Justice Sonia Sotomayor appeared to rebuke calls to target “hate speech” in an apparent swipe at Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Every time I listen to a lawyer-trained representative saying we should criminalize free speech in some way, I think to myself, that law school failed,” said Sotomayor.

Florida Constitution: SECTION 24. Access to public records and meetings.— (a) Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, ...

Florida PSC hearing officer rejects public counsel's counter-settlement in FL Power & Light rate case. Chair Mike La Rosa wrote in an order that the alternative proposal, backed by energy justice groups but opposed by FPL, won't resolve the case. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida local governments plan challenge to regulatory restrictions in new hurricane emergencies law. "It is the worst growth management legislation I've seen in my career," land use lawyer Richard Grosso said. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

After public outrage at #Florida water agency's talk of selling it, Chassahowitzka River campground will likely stay in public hands. www.tampabay.com/news/environ... via @maxchesnes.bsky.social

DeSantis has been clamoring for open carry despite pushback from local sheriffs. Now, a Florida appeals court has thrown out the state's nearly 40-year-old prohibition on openly carrying guns, saying that it is unconstitutional due to recent Supreme Court rulings.

Farmers have a record harvest. But with Trump’s tariff war, they may have nowhere to sell it. Smart new piece from my colleagues Daniel Desrochers and Grace Yarrow for @politico.com. www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Florida Power & Light allies, opponents spar over business groups' membership questions subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

More than 20 years after it stopped, feds evaluate resumption of Apalachicola River dredging in Florida. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

A federal appeals panel blocks a judge’s ruling requiring state and federal agencies to shut down the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center.

Federal appeals court blocks judge's order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

NEW: Lawmakers unwilling to battle Trump directly have been quietly hopeful the courts would resolve President Trump's bid to commandeer their power of the purse. It hasn't happened, and now the hour of reckoning has arrived. w/ Jen Scholtes www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Aww, actor Graham Greene of "Dances with Wolves" and many other films passed away on Monday. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_...

Aww -- none in Florida. What state park would you nominate? www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/t...

Putin has been hard to bargain with, but many familiar with peace negotiations say Trump fixer Steve Witkoff has made talks even more difficult.

The European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine says it’s time for the EU and the United States to force Russia to engage in peace talks with tough new transatlantic sanctions, following Moscow’s deadly overnight bombardment of Kyiv.

When agencies create anonymous email addresses for press inquiries, the goal usually seems to be to ignore the press inquiries.

Two years later. Not a happy anniversary. But she wouldn't want me whining and dragging around. So off to work I go, to write more stories about Florida environmental policy and politics. www.tallahassee.com/obituaries/t...

FL Gov. Ron DeSantis suggests colorful crosswalk removals were backed by bipartisan legislation, but Dems say he's wrong Senate Democratic leader Lori Berman said DeSantis was "using a bad faith argument to shift the blame." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Public counsel, groups opposing FPL rate hike settlement, file their own deal. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

FEMA staffers accuse Trump of weakening disaster programs, via @zcolman.bsky.social . subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025... via

Meanwhile in Atlanta www.politico.com/news/2025/08...

Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler says FL Power & Light Co. settlement benefits special interests. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

FL Power & Light files rate hike settlement that it says cuts original request by 30 percent. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said he will file comments on Thursday with the PSC that "address the problems with this proposed settlement." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Another state lands chief resigns at Florida DEP amid dealmaking. Andrew Fleener, who was appointed interim state lands director in May after the abrupt resignation of Callie DeHaven, resigned the post on Tuesday. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Former GOP state Rep. Bobby Payne, FL PSC aide Ana Ortega among 6 to be interviewed for 2 commission seats. All 6 will likely be nominated since that's the minimum number of nominations required. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida moves to reopen Apalachicola Bay to oyster harvesting in January, sooner than recommended, and to anyone who applies and is qualified. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Environmentalists challenge proposed Everglades water project associated with rock mine. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida DEP announced the purchase of a new state forest. The $32M price tag approved by the governor and Cabinet last December is nearly TWICE the amount appropriated in 2025-26 for DEP's land acquisition program for parks, forests, wildlife management areas, etc.

Apalachicola River oil drilling update via Florida Playbook. Special counsel to FL Attorney General James Uthmeier tells company DEP says "no" to mediation on permit denial. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Federal judge in 'Alligator Alcatraz' lawsuit pushes back against state arguments for moving case. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

US Dist Judge Kathleen Williams just ended a hearing in Miami on "Alligator Alcatraz" w/o ruling on the state's arguments that case should be held elsewhere. A lawyer for the state denied Florida is "judge shopping" after Williams previously held @AGJamesUthmeier in contempt. via Kimberly Leonard

Two federal judges now are telling Florida and the federal government to turn over documents showing who runs "Alligator Alcatraz." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Florida leased property it bought from Colliers back for one-third of estimated value. "It was obviously a rotten deal that stunk to high heaven," Sierra Club's Cris Costello said. "Now, it appears we had not imagined how putrid it was." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

A longtime Everglades scientist was handcuffed in a #Florida courtroom & taken to jail Thursday to begin serving a 10-day jail sentence in a case that caps a 3-year battle between him & his former bosses at the Everglades Foundation. www.wlrn.org/environment/... via @jenstaletovich.bsky.social

DeSantis touts agreement with feds to expedite Everglades reservoir completion. The governor said the deal would accelerate Everglades restoration and move up the EAA reservoir completion date from 2034 to 2029. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

From POLITICO Florida Playbook: Mediation sought on Apalachicola River drilling permit.

Column: Get ready for a hike -- a hike in the price to use our national parks & forests, now that steep budget cuts are leaving concessionaires in charge. My latest for @floridaphoenix.com includes shout-outs to Ken Burns & Teddy Roosevelt. floridaphoenix.com/2025/07/17/p...

Florida tells federal court: No rush in deciding Alligator Alcatraz lawsuit. "The Court is permitted to take the time it needs to study the case, while balancing the hundreds of other important matters on its docket," the lawyers wrote in response. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

Oil drilling company files appeal on Apalachicola River permit denial. The notice doesn't give a basis for appeal. But the company told Florida DEP in May that a judge's denial recommendation was "fundamentally flawed" on key issues. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

"I'm not asking anyone to move here. Because we've got a lot of people and you've got to build roads. Honestly, I'm fine if we just chill for a while." — Ron DeSantis, July 16, 2025. I think this is the first time I've ever heard him express any concern about population growth in Florida.

Florida appeals court judges question how to move forward with 2018 beach access law repeal. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...