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Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – US Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), a representative of parts of Pinellas County, is pushing for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress and their families. “If you want to be an equity trader, you’re going into another career field, but don’t do that in Congress,” Luna said in an interview with Jesse Watters of Fox News. Similar efforts have been made by several members of Congress over the years, but the law on the issue has not been passed since 2012. The Stock Act required members of Congress to submit financial disclosures regarding…

In compliance with federal and state law, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings signed an addendum to the county’s 287(g) contract with U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, allowing local corrections officers to transport immigrant detainees to federal detentions. “We really had to do, so I signed the damn thing. We were put in a tough place,” Demings told reporters at an Orlando press conference late Friday. “We cannot take the entire county commission and myself out of our office.” The addendum gives the corrections staff in Orange County authority to transport detained individuals to ice-approved facilities. Earlier in the…

Publix saw both revenue and net income increase in the second quarter of 2025, in part due to increased investment revenue. The Florida-based grocery chain saw revenues for the quarter ended June 29th, up from $15.4 billion in the same period last year. Equivalent store sales increased by 0.1%. Net income rose to $1.3 billion, or $0.39 per share, compared to $1.1 billion in the same period last year, or $0.33 per share. Publix believes that part of revenue growth is due to increased investment returns. The company’s share price, available only to current employees and board members, rose from…

PayPal is expanding its cryptocurrency capabilities by enabling US users to use digital currencies to fund purchases. A new feature called “Checkout with Crypto” allows PayPal customers with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Bitcoin Cash in their accounts to use those holdings to pay globally with millions of online merchants. Once you purchase, users can select crypto options at checkout, and PayPal instantly converts cryptocurrency to US dollars without additional transaction fees. The process is designed to be seamless, allowing users to choose their preferred payment format, whether in crypto or traditional currency, in their PayPal wallet. PayPal CEO Dan Schulman…

Jessica Who, Seattle Times The appeal of retiring abroad is particularly appealing, facing a stubbornly high cost of living. But before you go, experts recommend thorough research and planning. Resigning abroad is accompanied by complications such as lifestyle changes, immigration hurdles and health insurance disruptions. According to people who help Americans move abroad, here are some important considerations. Make a long-term plan It assesses not only the cost of daily life, but also what moving abroad means to your life. “You need to think about what’s important to you,” said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, an international retirement…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two systems in the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina, and could become a tropical storm in the coming days. According to the NHC, low-pressure non-tropical regions have formed, providing a 30% chance of tropical cyclones over the next two days. “We expect low pressure areas will be generated from the Carolina coast, which is likely to develop at 30%, but the storms that move and form will live in Atlanti, C.” “Tropical waves are projected to migrate from the African coast, and are not expected to migrate northwest…

(Hill) – Florida Republicans are increasingly pushing to redraw the state’s legislative boundaries following a similar move by the Texas GOP. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Wednesday he was considering asking the state legislature to redraw the map of the state legislature, claiming the 2020 census was flawed. Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FLA.) came out in support of rezoning in a post on Social Platform X, writing that “Texas can make it, and Florida can have 10 times better freedom.” Florida Republicans say they are already heading in this direction following a state Supreme Court decision that upheld a map…

Q. We are considering establishing revocable trust. Should I include co-holding accounts? A. This is a question to discuss with an attorney with trust expertise. It has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, one advantage is that it avoids probate. However, there are drawbacks. For example, changing the terms of a trust once established is complicated and expensive. You need the advice of an experienced lawyer before including a joint account in a revocable trust. Q. A recent column showed that if you have a money market account in a state that evaluates the state’s income tax on money market…

Josh Balk and Christopher Rugber WASHINGTON (AP) – On all of President Donald Trump’s promises in the economic “golden age,” this week’s weak indicator Smart tells a potentially worrying story as the impact of his policy is focused. The profits from work are declining. Inflation is upwards. Growth has slowed compared to last year. More than six months after his term, Trump’s tariff hikes and his new tax and spending bills transformed American trade, manufacturing, energy and tax systems into his own preferences. He wants to praise the potential victory that may arise, and is hunting so that someone else…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd made National News this week after opposing immigration and customs enforcement as he attempted to recruit his agent. ICE is under pressure from the Trump administration to hire 10,000 new agents, but some local law enforcement agencies aren’t happy with the way they are going for it. Judd said Polk County representatives are currently receiving recruitment emails from ICE staff who offer $50,000 in signature bonuses and other benefits to join federal law enforcement. NBC News reported that emails were primarily sent to officers participating in the 287(g) program where agencies…