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TALHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – For six years, Gov. Ron Desantis has been a solid grasp of Florida’s legislature. In his penultimate legislative session, that’s not the case. Top lawmakers once stood beside DeSantis on issues ranging from parental rights and DEI programs to abortion and gun rights. A national profile of these padded Desantis ahead of the 2024 presidential bid. This year, the Republican governor enforced President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, sought to remove the state’s property taxes and address the crisis in apartments in South Florida. Instead, his influence fell as fellow Republicans publicly raised questions about the handling…

A Fort Lauderdale senior living home that skirted state and local regulations by removing all of its residents to convert to luxury apartments last month is connected to a family of notorious New York landlords.Jay Podolsky, a convicted felon, and his son, Lee, were instrumental in operating Oasis Living Quarters beginning in 2022 and transforming much of it into what is now Waterview Rental luxury apartments, according to former employees, residents and public records. Starting last year, elderly residents were forced to move multiple times without notice under the guise of “renovations” while their quality of life deteriorated to the…

By Kevin DoyleFlorida lawmakers are standing up to protect those who maintain our lights during hurricanes and other natural disasters by recognizing them as fellow firefighters and other first responders, such as EMS. The new law will strengthen penalties for assault on utility workers who are regaining power after a storm or working on critical infrastructure. We would like to thank Senator Clay Yarborough and Senator Jennifer Kincart Jonsson for the leadership.Utility workers are genuine first responders and work with emergency services to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. They prioritize important facilities such as hospitals and emergency…

Basements are rare in Florida. A 6,200-square-foot basement with 18 underground garages that reach the elevator of a cleverly disguised car? Well…it’s a shortpper. This bold touch of design is why the National Association of Home Builders chose the 15,176 square feet of property currently under construction at Lake Osceola in Winter Park as the showcase home for the 2026 International Builders Show. Alair Homes Orlando is building the 43rd edition of the association’s centerpiece The New American Home and the final edition in Orlando. The annual builder show will relocate permanently to Las Vegas in 2027. The outdoor entertainment…

The clampdown of citizens who flock to China’s capital and seek justice for widespread frustration has intensified over the past two weeks.Ahead of the 20th anniversary of China’s petition system, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) escalated its efforts to intercept petitioners who arrived in Beijing.Activists said dozens of Chinese people flocked to the police-detained Chinese capital for the past two weeks, seeking justice for justice for wider complaints.The Chinese administration established a petition system decades ago, inviting citizens to directly address the issues and injustice caused by local officials. Many people across the country travel to Beijing to file petitions,…

Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate.com The reality is that the home is very affordable and pushing stressed buyers to consider fixer uppers. Older homes may offer bargains in advance, but there is a catch. Aging property saddle owners have maintenance costs that will narrow down their budgets and test their patience. Buying an old one that requires work isn’t necessarily the ideal solution, as home buyers need a household income of nearly $117,000 to buy a home. How old is your American home? The American housing stock is grey. According to the US Census Bureau, from 2005 to 2023, the median age…

TAMPA – Over the past five years, Tampa Bay has seen a surge in population growth. And of course, the increase has driven a wave of new developments. Other apartments, condominiums, retail and commercial developments are underway, from Water Street in downtown Tampa to Gas Wax in Eversity and the historic gas factory district in St. Petersburg. But with the continued impact of storms, sea level rise and other effects of climate change continuing to affect Tampa Bay and beyond, how can our communities continue to grow in ways that protect our future? The Tampa Bay Times will collaborate with…

The 94-year-old Berkshire CEO also announced that he plans to retire at the end of the year.On May 3rd, Warren Buffett urged long-term investors not to be shaken up by short-term fluctuations and not to focus on the foundations amid recent market volatility.”There’s really nothing that’s happened in the last 30 or 45 days,” he told shareholders at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3rd. “This wasn’t a dramatic bare market or anything like that.”Buffett has made it clear that while he is unsure at this point, the shaking of the wild market will not panic.”You…

There is no bear huntingFlorida is considering their first black bear hunt in less than a decade. You can weigh yourself. | February 27thIn 2015, Florida black bears were massacred in a two-day trophy-killing frenzy, with over 100 Cubs orphaned and vulnerable. More than half of the bears killed are women, including many who are still nursing. Chaos didn’t stop there – violations included illegal bait, hunting without permission, killing a low-weight bear, perhaps the Cubs themselves.Currently, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee proposes a new bear hunt in 2025, but this time it could get even worse. A month-long…

Senator Roger Wicker opposes what the White House saw when cutting the defensive budget for the settlement bill.On May 2, the White House shared its $1 trillion military budget proposal for 2026, with some Congressional Republicans saying the funds aren’t perfectly suited.Las Vault, White House executives and budget director, wrote to Sen. Susan Collins (R Maine), who decided on the 2026 budget. Vought told Senate Budget Committee Chairman Collins that the plan provided a 13% increase in the military budget, bringing the total to $1.01 trillion.Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, quickly challenged Vought’s budget.”The…