Governor Ron DeSantis released his 2025/2026 budget proposal this week. Tristan Wood reports the governor wants to cut the state budget by more than 3 billion dollars.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services have both signaled support for a proposal to allow the open carry of firearms. Adrian Andrews reports that’s coming at the same time, that the governor is pitching a sales tax holiday giving purchasers a break on things like guns and ammunition. Adrian Andrews has the story.
The Department of Government Efficiency, run by President Donald Trump’s advisor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has reportedly gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.WGCU’s Mike Kiniry (kin-EYE-ree) talks about this with bestselling author, Andra Watkins, who has been closely following Project 2025 since it was released last year. They also discuss how Trump’s executive actions so far have aligned with what’s in The Heritage Foundation’s policy blueprint.
That was WGCU’s Mike Kiniry (kin-EYE-ree) talking with Andra Watkins, she has been closely following Project 2025 on her Substack titled “For Such a Time as This.”
A directive by the new Trump Administration opens up churches and other previously protected locations to raids by government agents looking for undocumented immigrants. That has raised concerns for Florida churches serving immigrant families. Some church leaders worry about religious freedom and say the change is making people afraid to come in and worship, as Joe Byrnes reports.
As President Donald Trump’s administration doubles down on immigration enforcement, many migrants in Florida fear arrest and deportation. In response, a coalition of immigration aid groups created an initiative and hotline to support those at risk. WLRN’s Joshua Ceballos (seh-BYE-yohss) spoke with Sui Chung [SOO-ee CHUNG], executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice about the new initiative.
That was Americans for Immigrant Justice director Sui Chung [SOO-ee CHUNG] speaking with WLRN’s Joshua Ceballos. People looking for immigration assistance can call the RAISE hotline. We have that number and more information at WFSU dot org.
A bill aimed at improving the lives of children with autism has the support of Florida’s Senate president and the appreciation of families who want the best for their children. Margie Menzel talks with one mom who says a measure like this could have made a difference for her son.
Last year, 3 hurricanes caused billions in damage and devastated thousands of Floridians. On WGCU-TV's "Southwest Florida in Focus," Sandra Viktorova (vick-tor-OH-vuh) asked hurricane forecaster, Dr. Phil Klotzbach ("KLAHTS-bock"), Colorado State University's Senior Research Scientist of Atmospheric Science, if we need to be prepared for more seasons with numerous hurricanes.