TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Discord, alleging the popular online chat platform marketed itself to Florida families as safe for children while failing to verify users’ ages, shield minors from strangers, or keep predators off the app.

“We’ve arrested more than 2,100 child predators in this state since I took office,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Again and again, their trail to our kids leads back to Discord. Discord told parents that safety is at the core of everything they do. That was false. It’s time for this app to get serious about protecting our children or face serious consequences.”

“Invisible predators are locating Florida’s children online,” said Patti Rendon, District Four, Hillsborough County School Board. “The Attorney General’s office is ensuring that online platforms know they have a responsibility to keep our children safe. Attorney General Uthmeier and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister are critical partners in this mission.”

“Online chat platforms are powerful tools that can connect, inform, and support people,” said Joe Pepe, EdD, Florida Department of Health. “Thanks to Attorney General Uthmeier’s leadership, we are ensuring these benefits are maximized while protecting users, especially young people, from preventable harms.” Continue reading →

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Tom Wells, former Democratic congressional candidate and longtime progressive advocate in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, has endorsed Independent candidate Mike Klein, joining the growing coalition supporting Klein’s campaign to unseat Republican incumbent Kat Cammack in the November 3 general election.

Wells, who challenged Cammack as the Democratic nominee in 2024 and has campaigned for the congressional seat since 2016, brings years of political activism, grassroots organizing, and a commitment to progressive causes.

As demand for missile defense interceptors continues to rise around the globe, the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $9.8 billion contract for Patriot missiles, the largest in the company’s history.

It is the largest order ever of Patriot missiles, covering close to 2,000 missiles and related hardware. Lockheed is manufacturing the newest version of the interceptors that arm the Patriot, known as PAC-3 MSE, which costs about $4 million each, according to Army budget documents.

The Navy also anticipates integrating the Lockheed Martin-made missiles with ships’ air defenses.

The defense contractor will quadruple production of its high-end Thaad missile-defense systems

Dear Neighbor,

It was another busy week in Florida’s Third District, focused on supporting our local businesses, strengthening American innovation, and fighting for our hardworking communities!

This week, I had the opportunity to visit local businesses, connect with some of North Central Florida’s brightest minds in agriculture and healthcare, and see the exciting innovations happening right here in our backyard. I also traveled to Cedar Key to hear firsthand about the community’s continued recovery from devastating hurricanes and the challenges still facing our hardworking seafood producers.

Every stop was an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand the needs of our communities. I’m taking those conversations back to Washington and continuing to fight for more opportunities, stronger communities, and a brighter future for North Central Florida.

As always, thank you for the trust you place in me to serve as your voice in Washington.

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Standing with Cedar Key as Florida’s Rural Coast Rebuilds Continue reading →

Dear Neighbor,

It was another busy week in Florida’s Third, and I spent it with the people who make North Central Florida such a special place to call home.

This week, I secured more than $3 million to keep homeless veterans in Ocala and Gainesville housed, fought for greater accountability in the People’s House, and called attention to the challenges facing Florida’s farmers as we work to break through gridlock in the Senate.

From celebrating leaders for their dedicated service to our community to bringing healthcare leaders together and enjoying some Friday night football, this week was all about showing up, listening, and fighting for the people I’m proud to represent. I was also honored to send veterans from North Central Florida to D.C. for the First Coast Honor Flight, a chance to recognize the heroes who sacrificed so much in service to our nation.

Whether I’m in Washington or on the road across North Central Florida, my job is the same: get results for the people I represent and make sure your voices are heard.

As always, thank you for the trust you place in me to serve as your voice in Washington.

Dear Neighbor,

This week was all about bringing more opportunities home to North Central Florida and hearing from the hardworking folks who make Florida’s Third District the best in the nation!

We helped deliver $3 million for Florida Gateway College’s new construction trades center and kept up the push for water infrastructure funding for our counties. I also sat down with community leaders and business owners to hear what’s holding them back. I’m taking that straight to Washington.

In the news, I talked about H.Res. 500, my resolution to require background checks for House staff, and my work as Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus to combat sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. The People’s House should set the standard for accountability.

Whether I’m helping create opportunities here at home or fighting to clean up Congress, my mission is clear: deliver results for North Central Florida and make sure Washington works for you.

As always, thank you for the trust you place in me to serve as your voice in Washington.

Inflation is often described as “too few dollars chasing too few goods” While that may be an oversimplification of a complex issue, it captures an important truth: prices rise when the supply of money and purchasing power grows faster than the supply of products and services available for purchase. Let’s see how the FAIRtax addresses the “too few goods” side of that equation by encouraging more production.

The current income/ payroll tax system taxes wages, profits, interest, dividends, capital gains and business income. The FAIRtax removes federal taxes from the production process and places the tax at the point of final retail sale. By doing so, the FAIRtax would stop penalizing work, savings, investment and business expansion.

Under our present system, businesses face corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, tax compliance costs, depreciation rules and other federal burdens that raise the cost of producing goods. Those costs are built into the prices we pay. They also discourage investment that would otherwise increase factories, equipment, inventory, transportation capacity and employment. As the saying goes, “the more something is taxed, the less you get of it”. Continue reading →

LAKELAND, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is back for a second year, providing tax relief on firearms, ammunition and a wide range of hunting, fishing and camping supplies through December 31. The Governor also broke ground on the new Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc in Lakeland, expanding opportunities for Floridians to participate in shooting sports and enjoy the outdoors.

“Since I became governor, we have enacted billions of dollars in tax cuts. This year’s hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday—ongoing through December 31—will provide Floridians with even more tax relief,” said Governor DeSantis. “We are proud to protect Floridians’ Second Amendment rights while helping hunters, anglers, and sportsmen keep more of their hard-earned money.”

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday began September 1 and runs through December 31, 2026. During the holiday, Florida will suspend the collection of sales tax on eligible firearms, ammunition and hunting, fishing and camping equipment.

Eligible purchases include:

Ammunition;

Firearms, including pistols, rifles and shotguns; Continue reading →

Since 2022, nearly 12,500 new law enforcement officers across the state have received bonuses through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, totaling more than $83 million.

LAND O’LAKES, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $10 million in bonuses to 1,506 new law enforcement officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, including 38 new recruits in Pasco County. Since 2022, nearly 12,500 new law enforcement officers across the state have received bonuses through the program, totaling more than $83 million.

“In 2022, while some cities were reaping the disastrous results of “defund the police” experiments, I signed landmark legislation to strengthen law enforcement recruitment and retention in Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.  “In the four years since, we have awarded nearly 12,500 bonuses totaling more than $83 million to our law enforcement officers. We have also made record-breaking investments in officer pay, benefits, training, and protections for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the people of our state. We continue to build on this foundation to keep Florida the most law enforcement-friendly state in the country.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s initial list of eligible short-term workforce programs for purposes of implementing the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. This program is a Trump Administration priority and provides federal financial aid to students enrolled in short-term workforce training programs that lead directly to employment in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations.

Aligned with state workforce demand, the Workforce Pell Grant supports students’ continued education and career advancement while strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline. Workforce Pell eligible programs must prepare students for occupations that demonstrate strong labor market demand or fulfill critical workforce needs within Florida’s economy and communities.

“Florida is number one in workforce education, and the Workforce Pell Grant funding enables us to build on our track record of success,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The programs eligible for Workforce Pell funding are preparing students for high-wage, in-demand careers. We’re glad that thousands more Floridians will be able to take advantage of these opportunities without needing to take out loans or break the bank.” Continue reading →