Ron DeSantis

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida school districts can opt to allow volunteer chaplains under a bill signed Thursday, April 18, 2024, by DeSantis, who dismissed critics who say religion shouldn't be mixed with public education. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

Florida will open schools to volunteer chaplains

Florida school districts will soon have the option of allowing volunteer chaplains in as student counselors. Republican Gov.
 
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. DeSantis admits the book challenge law he enacted two years ago is causing problems for school districts. He signed a bill Tuesday, April 16, 2024, that adjusts the law that made it easy for anyone to have any book removed from school libraries and classrooms, either temporarily or permanently. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

DeSantis tweaks Florida book challenge law, blames liberal activist who wanted Bible out of schools

 
FILE - Former State Attorney Andrew Warren speaks during a news conference Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 in Tampa. Changing course, Warren, a Democratic Florida prosecutor suspended from office by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday, April 16, 2024, he will seek reelection while a court battle continues over his 2022 removal from the post. (Chris Urso//Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

Changing course, Florida prosecutor suspended by DeSantis to seek reelection

 
FILE - The Cinderella Castle is seen at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in a lawsuit over who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Disney allowed to pause its federal lawsuit against Florida governor as part of settlement deal

 
FILE - Participants wave signs as they walk back to Orlando City Hall during the March for Abortion Access, Oct. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. The Florida Supreme Court on Monday, April 1, 2024, upheld the state's ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which means a subsequently passed six-week ban can soon take effect. (Chasity Maynard/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

Florida Supreme Court upholds state’s 15-week abortion ban, but voters will soon have a say

 

AP Top Stories March 27 P

Here’s the latest for Wednesday, March 27: Investigators began collecting evidence from cargo ship that caused Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse; Israeli airstrike on Lebanon killed 7 people,; Gov. DeSantis and Disney comes to settlement agreement; Someone in New Jersey won the 1.13 billion dollar mega millions jackpot lottery.
Watch More

Florida’s DeSantis signs one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors

14 Florida residents evacuated from Haiti arrive in Sanford

Florida rivals ask courts to stop online sports gambling off tribal lands

More News

DeSantis bans local governments from protecting workers from heat and limits police oversight boards

Florida is seeing two more recent instances of state government under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis limiting the powers of local government with newly-signed bills that deal with worker safety and police oversight.
 

Migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can sue charter flight company

A federal judge has ruled that lawyers representing migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard nearly two years ago by Florida Gov.
 
FILE - The Cinderella Castle is seen at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in a lawsuit over who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies

Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney have reached a settlement agreement in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the Florida governor.
 
FILE 0 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis applauds during a press conference at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District headquarters at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Florida will have one of the country's most restrictive social media bans for minors — if it withstands expected legal challenges — under a bill signed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, March 25, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

Florida’s DeSantis signs one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors

Florida will have one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors, if it withstands expected legal challenges. Republican Florida Gov.
 
FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Oct. 1, 2021. Almost a year after Florida lawmakers passed a law giving Florida’s governor control over Walt Disney World’s governing district, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, called the takeover a success, despite an exodus of workers, ongoing litigation and accusations of cronyism by the new leadership. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Attorneys try to stop DeSantis appointees from giving depositions in Disney lawsuit

Attorneys for the Walt Disney World governing district taken over last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ supporters don’t want the governor’s appointees answering questions under oath as part of a lawsuit against Disney.
 
FILE - A man lies in a park covered with a blanket against the cold, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Miami. Florida’s homeless will be banned from sleeping in public spaces such as sidewalks and parks under a law signed Wednesday, March 20, 2024, by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Florida homeless to be banned from sleeping in public spaces under DeSantis-backed law

Florida’s homeless will be banned from sleeping in public spaces such as sidewalks and parks under a law signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
 

DeSantis signs bills that he says will keep immigrants living in the US illegally from Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bills Friday that increase the prison and jail sentences for immigrants who are living in the United States illegally if they are convicted of driving without a license or committing felonies.
 

DeSantis orders Florida resources to stop Haitian migrants despite no sign of increased activity

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is ordering more than 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys to help stop what he anticipates to be an increase in Haitian migrants fleeing violence in their country.
 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board chairman Martin Garcia, right, deliver remarks during a news conference at CFTOD headquarters at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 22, 2024. The shake-up of Walt Disney World's governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov. DeSantis' appointees continued Wednesday, March 13, 2024 with the departure of its board chairman who had been highly critical of Disney. Garcia's departure as chairman is coming a week after the district's administrator, Glen Gilzean, left to accept an appointment by DeSantis as interim elections supervisor in Orange County, the home of Orlando, at half the salary. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, file)

Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees

The shakeup of Walt Disney World’s governing district more than a year after it was taken over by Gov.
 
FILE - Florida House Representative Michele Rayner, left, hugs her spouse, Bianca Goolsby, during a march at city hall in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Saturday, March 12, 2022, to protest the controversial "Don't say gay" bill passed by Florida's Republican-led legislature and now on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk. Florida's state government and LGBTQ+ advocates have settled a lawsuit challenging a law that bars teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. (Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

What to know about a settlement that clarifies what’s legal under Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

Florida’s state government and LGBTQ+ advocates have settled a lawsuit challenging a law that bars teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
 
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Parental Rights in Education bill, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, at Classical Preparatory School, March 28, 2022, in Shady Hills, Fla. Students and teachers will be able to speak freely about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction, under a settlement reached Monday, March 11, 2024, between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged a state law which critics dubbed “Don't Say Gay.” (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

Florida teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender ID under ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill settlement

Students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction.
 
FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Oct. 1, 2021. Almost a year after Florida lawmakers passed a law giving Florida’s governor control over Walt Disney World’s governing district, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, called the takeover a success, despite an exodus of workers, ongoing litigation and accusations of cronyism by the new leadership. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Fight between Disney and DeSantis appointees over district control gets a July court hearing

The court fight between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees over control of Walt Disney World’s government won’t be decided until at least this summer, provided the two sides don’t reach a settlement beforehand.
 
FILE - The guitar shaped hotel is seen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Hollywood, Fla. The state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be raking in hundreds of millions of dollars from online sports betting this decade, thanks to a compact between the tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis that gave the tribe exclusive rights to run sports wagers as well as casino gambling on its reservations. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Florida rivals ask courts to stop online sports gambling off tribal lands

The state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are raking in millions of dollars from online sports betting, thanks to a compact that gave the tribe exclusive rights to run sports wagers and casino gambling on its reservations.
 
The traditional "Sine die" hanky drop signifies the end of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, Friday, March 8, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)

With DeSantis back from Iowa, Florida passes $117B budget on final day of 2024 session

Florida lawmakers are heading home after raising the the minimum age for strippers from 18 to 21 and passing a $117 billion state budget on the final day of their 60-day annual session.
 
FILE - A property owner posts a bear warning sign on private property near a recent bear attack, July 22, 2012, In Ankorage, Alaska. So long as they don't eat them, stuff them or turn them into hats for the British royal guard, Floridians will be able to kill black bears threatening them on their property with no consequences under a bill sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Bill Roth, File)

Floridians can ‘stand their ground’ and kill threatening bears under bill going to DeSantis

People in Florida will be permitted to kill black bears threatening them on their property with no consequences under a bill being sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
 
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis smiles after publicly signing HB7, "individual freedom," also dubbed the "stop woke" bill during a news conference at Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., on April 22, 2022. A federal appeals court has ruled that a Florida law pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that limits diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces is unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday upheld a Florida federal judge’s August 2022 ruling that the so-called “Stop WOKE” act violates the First Amendment as it applies to businesses. The governor’s office Tuesday, March 5, 2024 was considering options for a further appeal. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald via AP, file)

Court rules Florida’s ‘stop woke’ law restricting business diversity training is unconstitutional

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A Florida law pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that limits diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court has ruled.
 
A Miami Beach police car cruises Ocean Drive, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla. After three consecutive years of spring break violence, including two fatal shootings last year, Miami Beach officials have announced a series of measures for the month of March that includes parking restrictions for non-residents, closing sidewalk cafes on busy weekends and scanning vehicles with license plate readers. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Beach is breaking up with spring break — or at least trying to

Miami Beach is trying to break up with spring break, but it’s not yet clear whether spring break will take the hint.
 
FILE - Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board administrator Glen Gilzean listens to chairman Martin Garcia, left, during the board's meeting in the headquarters of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Aug. 23, 2023. Less than a year after being picked to lead Walt Disney World's government after it was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis' allies, the district's administrator was appointed by the Florida governor on Monday, March 4, 2024 to run elections in the county that is home to the Disney theme park resort and other theme parks. Gilzean was appointed by DeSantis to be supervisor of elections in Orange County, Florida's fifth largest county. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

DeSantis names Disney World district administrator to run elections in Democratic Orange County

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a new job for the longtime supporter who has led Walt Disney World’s government since his allies took it over.
 

Florida passes bill to compensate victims of decades-old reform school abuse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Restitution for decades of abuse at two now-shuttered reform schools where boys were beaten, raped and killed is now in the hands of Republican Gov.
 
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during a press conference at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District headquarters at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. The University of Florida is eliminating its chief diversity officer position, Friday, March 1, scrapping the program’s staff jobs and halting any contracts involving the subject because of a new law passed last year by the Republican-dominated state Legislature. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

U of Florida axes diversity and inclusion office under GOP-led law aimed at ridding similar programs

The University of Florida is eliminating its chief diversity officer position, scrapping the program’s staff jobs and halting any contracts involving the subject because of a new law passed last year that was pushed by Republican Gov.
 
Florida's Republican House Speaker Paul Renner discusses Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto of a bill that would have banned kids under 16 from social media regardless of parental consent, in Tallahassee, Fla., Friday, March 1, 2024. A new proposal lowers that age to 14. He was joined by Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner, left, and Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, right. (AP Photo/Brendan Farrington)

DeSantis vetoes social media ban for kids under 16. Florida lawmakers offer new option

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed what would have been one of the most far-reaching social media bans for minors.
 
FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Oct. 1, 2021. Almost a year after Florida lawmakers passed a law giving Florida’s governor control over Walt Disney World’s governing district, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, called the takeover a success, despite an exodus of workers, ongoing litigation and accusations of cronyism by the new leadership. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

DeSantis calls takeover of Disney government a ‘success’ despite worker exodus, litigation

Almost a year after Florida lawmakers passed a law giving Florida’s governor control over Walt Disney World’s governing district, Gov.
 
FILE - Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach Rep. asks a question in the Florida House of Representatives, May 25, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida is on the verge of passing one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media. The state Senate passed a bill Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 that would keep children under the age of 16 off popular platforms regardless of parent approval. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Grall. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)

Florida lawmakers pass ban on social media for kids under 16 despite constitutional concerns

A bill that would be one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media is heading to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
 
FILE - Minnie and Mickey Mouse perform for guests during a musical show in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Disney has requested a second court delay in its legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees over who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district. The request this week comes as the company is accusing the appointees and the governor’s office of failing to produce documents it had requested as part of the litigation. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Disney wants trade secrets kept confidential in lawsuit with DeSantis appointees

Disney wants to keep confidential any proprietary information or trade secrets that comes out of its state court fight with Gov.
 
Supporters cheer after learning that Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump has won the New Hampshire primary,at a primary election night party in Nashua, N.H., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

How Donald Trump went from a diminished ex-president to the GOP’s dominant front-runner

When Donald Trump left the White House three years ago, he was a one-term president whose refusal to accept his reelection defeat culminated in an insurrection at the U.S.
 
FILE - Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Wally's bar, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Hampton, N.H. A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Disney's First Amendment lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, leaving the company's hope of regaining control of a district that governs Walt Disney World in its fight in another state court challenge. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Disney appeals dismissal of free speech lawsuit as DeSantis says company should ‘move on’

Disney is appealing a federal judge’s dismissal of its free speech lawsuit over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ takeover of Walt Disney World’s governing district.
 
FILE - Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters during a caucus night party, Jan. 15, 2024, in West Des Moines, Iowa. Before launching his ill-fated campaign for the White House, DeSantis was a star. Again and again, Republican voters said they saw him as the future of the party. But after a bitter scorched-earth primary in which Trump pounded DeSantis viciously for the better part of a year, interviews with voters across early-voting states suggest the Florida governor may have an uphill battle if he chooses to run again in 2028. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

The failed political operation to make DeSantis the GOP presidential nominee cost $168 million

The failed campaign and expansive political operation to make Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the Republican nominee for the White House cost $168 million.
 
Former President Donald Trump visits Café du Monde in New Orleans, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Inside Donald Trump’s curious relationship with Fox News — and what it means for other candidates

At Fox News, the presidential primary appears over and has been for some time. That has left Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis visibly annoyed at the network for perceived signs of favoritism to Donald Trump, yet doesn’t appear to make the former president any happier.
 
FILE - Minnie and Mickey Mouse perform for guests during a musical show in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Disney has requested a second court delay in its legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees over who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district. The request this week comes as the company is accusing the appointees and the governor’s office of failing to produce documents it had requested as part of the litigation. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Federal judge dismisses Disney’s free speech lawsuit against DeSantis

A federal judge has dismissed Disney’s free speech lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Wednesday’s ruling deals a setback to the company’s hopes of regaining control of a district that governs Walt Disney World.
 
FILE - Edward X. Young, of Brick, N.J., arrives before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Laconia, N.H., Jan. 22, 2024. Before launching his ill-fated campaign for the White House, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was a star. Again and again, Republican voters said they saw him as the future of the party. But after a bitter scorched-earth primary in which Trump pounded DeSantis viciously for the better part of a year, interviews with voters across early-voting states suggest the Florida governor may have an uphill battle if he chooses to run again in 2028. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)

‘Traitor': After bitter primary, DeSantis may struggle to win over Trump supporters if he runs again

Before launching his ill-fated campaign for the White House, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was a star. Again and again, Republican voters said they saw DeSantis as the future of the party.
 
Load More