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I write a lot about politics. That’s important, but a lot of it bore me. But as we approach 2026, if you hear more, it’s how Florida’s affordability crisis will shape future elections.That should surprise anyone. For years, Floridians have complained about the high costs of housing, insurance, utility and other daily basics. They have seen omissions from Tallahassee, obstructions from Washington, and tax and regulatory policies that have been massaged over time to support large corporations.However, it takes time for public opponents to enter into action. Voters get the opportunity to do something about it every two years in…

Since the 1950s, US tax laws have prohibited churches from publicly supporting political candidates. If so, they risked losing their tax-free status. However, recently the IRS announced that political candidates from the church pulpit are currently permitted to support them. The change follows a lawsuit filed by two churches and the state Religious Broadcasting Stations in Texas, and argued by previous restrictions on the support of candidates who have been violated by their initial rights to amendments to free speech and free religious exercise. The lawsuit also alleged that the treatment of a church, which differs from other organizations, violated…

FullSale University is expected to break through the ground later this year based on its first student housing project across the street from the Winter Park campus. Ian McCook, president of Maitland-based Nvision Development, confirmed that the developer has applied for all building permits and expects construction to begin this fall. The first phase is planned for 580 beds, but two additional already approved phases could ultimately exceed 2,000. Full Sail is a private, for-profit organization specializing in the media and entertainment industry. It says there are over 20,000 students, but includes students taking online courses. The planned five-storey building…

Over the past few years, local governments have complained about how state legislators take control of their local areas on issues such as local land use and regulatory decisions. A small list published by the James Madison Institute details some of the areas the state has overwritten local governments. Travel and housing issues. Rideshare drivers like Uber and Lyft. Climbing the commercial, industrial and complex spaces that make residential possible, give them some names. George Gibbs, a policy expert at the Center for Economic Prosperity, notes that the role of anti-growth special interests in the state has grown, prompting Tallahassee…

In the first six months of this rampage we call the second Trump administration, I’ve mostly managed to come up with columns that had something hopeful, or at least darkly cheerful. Barry Golson ( Courtesy of Barry Golson )God knows Donald Trump has a taste for the absurd. Though, as far as I can find, he’s incapable of making a self-deprecating joke, his pepper spray of coarse insults (he punches in only one direction: down) and his carousel of wacky branding ideas is in perpetual motion. We ought to expect it for the next three years. But there’s no question he can…

Anne D’Hynenzio, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) – The first day of retail sales, which competed with Amazon’s Prime Day event, launched Tuesday, encouraged solid online spending compared to a year ago, according to two data sources. Adobe Digital Insights, which tracks visits to ecommerce sites, reported that US consumers spent $7.9 billion on their online stores on Tuesday, up 9.9% from a comparable day last year. Adobe said the retailer offered discounts ranging from 9% to 23%, comparable to the July 2024 sales event. The data company said shoppers were particularly keen to utilize transactions relating to electronics, electronics…

Living in Florida has long fascinated Canadians, but new analysis shows that they rarely see it as a destination. The number of Canadians looking for homes in Miami and Orlando fell by about 30% in each region compared to the previous year in May, and Fort Lauderdale saw a 21% DIP, according to data compiled by Redfin, a real estate service and data provider. And “Before the US sets sudden tariffs on Canada, fewer Canadians are looking for homes in the US than in early 2025,” Redfin said. Shortly after the Trump administration implemented a 25% tariff on imports from…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced Monday that more than 85,000 illegal hemp products have been seized in the first three weeks of a statewide enforcement initiative targeting child safety violations. The crackdown, dubbed the “Operation Safe Summer,” is led by Florida Agricultural Consumer Services (FDACS), and focuses on HEMP retailers and manufacturers across the state. This operation is intended to enforce recently updated rules designed to prevent the product from being sold or packaged in a way that appeals to children. “Florida does not tolerate the sale of dangerous and illegal hemp products that put children…

TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Signing the Sunshine Genetics Act has established Florida as a national leader in pediatric genetic medicine, but lawmakers and advocates say this is just the beginning. After being signed by Governor Ron Desantis, the Sunshine Genetics Act will implement a five-year pilot program for newborns. Families can choose to sequence the family’s complete genetic codes for free. “The Meaning is Fearful”: Cybersecurity Experts Consider Following AI Impersonator Marco Rubio The goal is to catch serious, treatable genetic conditions before symptoms appear, providing access to family responses and care when timing is most important.”It’s only a matter…

By Michelle Chapman Pharmaceutical giant Merck is buying Verona Pharma, a company focused on respiratory diseases in a deal of about $10 billion. The agreement gives Merck access to Verona Pharma’s new chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medication. US regulators approved an inhaled medication more than a year ago to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. “Ohtuvayre will complement and expand our cardiopulmonary disease treatment pipeline and portfolio while delivering close and long-term growth and value to shareholders.” Verona CEO David Zaccardelli added that Merck’s commercial reach will help Ohtuvayre reach more COPD patients. According to the National Institutes…