Politics

Ron DeSantis dodges another question about endorsing Jay Collins to succeed him

Published

6 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Gov. Ron DeSantis is passing up yet another opportunity to endorse his appointed Lieutenant Governor to succeed him.

When asked about when he might formally back Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who finally launched his campaign after months of dithering, DeSantis spoke for more than eight minutes on subjects ranging from the political evolution of the state since 2016 to legislative expectations without directly addressing the question.

“Look, I’ve been focused on, you know, delivering the State of the State, making sure that our priorities are going,” DeSantis said.

“There’ll be time to do the political stuff. What I would just say is we have a record of success here in Florida. Obviously, I went through all the metrics and all the achievements. You know, we’ve got more to do, and we’ll definitely run through the tape on that. But, you know, if I were one of those guys (running), I would say, ‘Here’s how I supported the success Florida’s had. And here’s what I’ll do to build on it going forward.’ And I would, you know, articulate things that you want to tackle. So we’ll see how that goes.”

DeSantis made the comments Wednesday at Seminole High School, in his second refusal to endorse the man he used to call the “Chuck Norris of Florida Politics.” On Tuesday, DeSantis told radio host Jenna Ellis that Collins and former House Speaker Paul Renner “have got to get out there and make the case.”

“I get involved in Primaries when I have someone I believe in, and someone that really reflects what I think the state needs, and that is really bold in that,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “That’s just something people have to prove as they announce candidacies and get out there and do it.”

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Politics

Jacksonville official warns Instagram followers about ICE arrests, advises on how to avoid ‘targeting’

Published

5 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

May Greene

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are making the rounds in Jacksonville, and a city official is advising her Instagram followers on how to avoid arrest and how to react if they are taken into custody.

Yanira Cardona, the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator appointed by Mayor Donna Deegan, says people who are taken in should “comply,” but they should have a plan because “they’re out in Jacksonville.”

“We are living in very difficult times, but my best advice is: 1. Have a plan in place with your lawyers. 2. Give someone you trust power of attorney for your business and your children. 3. If you are stopped by law enforcement, please cooperate and follow their instructions/orders,” she wrote Wednesday, with a video explaining where people should be most careful.

The video was posted during business hours on a weekday and appears to be filmed in an office in City Hall, though the barking of a dog at one point suggests that may not be the case.

“ICE is out and about,” she said. “They are doing speed traps. They are, they’ve been seen on Emerson, on Beach Boulevard, on Atlantic and on the highway. They are targeting, literally, they’re targeting any lawn care companies, any AC company construction vans. They’re literally stopping them just to make sure that they have their paperwork.”

“I wish I could do more, and I wish I could say more. But this is the best I could do,” Cardona added.

We have reached out to the Mayor’s Office to see if this video was officially sanctioned, if it was filmed on city property with public resources, and if Cardona’s post on her private Instagram account reflects the city’s official position.

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Politics

Florida’s aerial highway could take off in 2027

Published

36 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

May Greene

“Flying cars” carrying passengers will be coming to Florida in late 2027 or 2028 as the skies turn into a booming multimillion-dollar industry, transit officials said during a House subcommittee hearing.

“There’s a lot of anticipation. There’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of private equity to get this moving forward quickly,” said Will Watts, the Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Watts said demonstration flights will be happening this year to show off the technology that officials believe will transform transportation.

In developing a statewide aerial network, the Interstate 4 corridor is the top priority route to be established so vertiports can fly passengers, carry micro freight and help with emergency management, officials said.

The rest of the phase one plan for city-to-city travel targets routes from Port St. Lucie to Miami, Tampa to Naples, Miami to Key West and Pensacola to Tallahassee, according to FDOT’s presentation to state lawmakers.

Phase two listed the routes from Daytona Beach to Jacksonville, then Sebring out east and west, followed by Orlando to Lake City and Tampa to Tallahassee followed by Jacksonville to Tallahassee.

Appealing to business travelers and tourists, vertiports could be responsible for anywhere from 220,000 trips to 1.4 million trips in the opening year.

“These numbers can grow, we believe, when we get into 2050 to over 11 million on the low end and almost close to 20 million annual trips on the high end,” Watts said.

Watts estimated that the first year could bring a more than $40 million profit as vertiports could fly to large commercial hubs, executive airports and also provide inner city transportation.

Watts gave an update during the House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.

The state is preparing to help usher in a new era of transportation.

“What was originally as sci-fi in movies and old cartoons like the Jetsons is potentially becoming a reality,” Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue said during Wednesday’s hearing. “This is here to stay and it’s going to happen and it could potentially have a very big impact on congestion relief and safety for transportation in the state of Florida. We have fully embraced the concept.”

The vertiports will be a privately operated service, though FDOT officials are currently in discussions to plan for zoning and what infrastructure is needed, as the amount of traffic in the sky would likely overwhelm air traffic controllers.

In addition to transporting passengers and goods that weigh 1-2 tons, the vertiports could help with emergency management, such as for organ donors, where every minute matters.

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Politics

John Guard selected to fill 2nd District Court of Appeal opening

Published

1 hour ago

January 14, 2026

May Greene

The job isn’t his first choice.

While John Guard was not selected to fill the latest opening on the Florida Supreme Court, he likely will end up in the judiciary nonetheless.

The former acting Attorney General and current Senior Counselor to Attorney General James Uthmeier has been picked for the 2nd District Court of Appeal, pending Senate confirmation.

His future was clouded by his role in money moving from a Medicaid settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation back in 2024, money that didn’t go to charitable aims, but instead was routed ultimately to political advertising during that year’s political cycle.

Guard was among those subpoenaed over his role in the Hope Florida scandal. He signed the controversial settlement with Medicaid insurer Centene, but not before privately raising concerns, according to the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times, which obtained emails documenting the conversations.

The emails show Guard removed references to his office in drafts of the settlement in a series of back-and-forth conversations over the course of 22 days.

Guard’s nomination last year for a U.S. District Court judgeship by President Donald Trump was ultimately stalled, with an administration source claiming it wanted to avoid a “nasty confirmation fight.” His nomination was not renewed this year.

During his interview with the Supreme Court’s Judicial Nominating Commission, Guard said the appellate court position was not his first choice.

“I think the best legal job is probably to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. And I say that because you’re the head of the judicial branch. You’re kind of responsible for helping with the legitimacy of our core system and maintaining the rule of law,” Guard said.

“If I were to rank them … I would say Supreme Court Justice, (U.S.) District Court Judge, and District Court of Appeals Judge. But I think between the District Court and the District Court of Appeals, there’s not that much difference,” he added.

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