EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM—Today, as part of the International Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, Governor Ron DeSantis commemorated the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s landmark work, The Wealth of Nations, by presiding over the signing of a Letter of Friendship between Florida International University (FIU) and Heriot-Watt University at Adam Smith’s historic Panmure House in Edinburgh. The agreement establishes a framework for academic cooperation that advances the study of free markets, moral philosophy, and political economy while further strengthening the longstanding relationship between Florida and Scotland.

The partnership builds upon the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor DeSantis and then-U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch, which expanded bilateral investment, strengthened commercial relationships, and fostered academic partnerships that continue to promote economic opportunity and innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.

“In the Free State of Florida, we understand that economic freedom is the foundation of prosperity,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Adam Smith was the greatest economic thinker in history, and his timeless principles of free markets, limited government, and individual enterprise remain just as relevant today as they were 250 years ago. I was proud to establish the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University to ensure the next generation studies the ideas that have lifted more people out of poverty and created more prosperity than any other economic system. This partnership between FIU and Heriot-Watt University builds on that foundation, strengthens the enduring ties between Florida and Scotland, and prepares students for economic advancement.”  Continue reading →

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM—As part of Florida’s ongoing Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, Governor DeSantis and Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky participated in a series of meetings with leaders in Britain’s insurance and reinsurance industry—capped off by joining Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley for a fireside chat to discuss insurance and reinsurance. These discussions build on the successful and productive partnership established between the U.K. and Florida during the Governor’s April 2023 visit—further bolstered by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in November 2023 to increase bilateral investment, strengthen business ties, and grow academic partnerships while ensuring economic opportunities that promote resilience and increase opportunity for innovative industries.

“Florida represents the 7th largest insurance market in the world,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We had great discussions furthering the UK-Florida partnership established in 2023. This partnership has informed Florida’s game-changing industry reforms—supporting Florida’s insurance market and highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between Florida and the United Kingdom.”  Continue reading →

H.Res. 500 would require criminal background checks for House employees and public disclosure of foreign government payments, contracts, and citizenship.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today called on the House to immediately bring H.Res. 500 to the floor for a vote. The resolution would strengthen security standards for congressional staff by requiring criminal background checks and public disclosure of foreign government payments, contracts, and citizenship.

The renewed push comes as congressional staff security has drawn renewed public attention, underscoring the need for stronger vetting and transparency standards in the House of Representatives.

“Congressional staff handle Americans’ most sensitive personal information every day, from Social Security numbers on casework files to veterans’ records,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “Americans are shocked when they learn that those staffers face no required background check. Federal employees across the executive branch are vetted before they ever get a badge. Not here. That should concern every member of Congress, regardless of party.” Continue reading →

Updated standard will allow processors to use more Florida-grown oranges and reduce reliance on imported juice.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final rule modernizing the federal Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice during an announcement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, Senator Ashley Moody, and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15).

The updated standard lowers the minimum Brix level from 10.5 to 10 degrees, allowing processors to produce 100 percent orange juice using more of the fruit Florida actually grows, in response to a 2022 petition from Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Citrus greening and repeated hurricanes have lowered the natural sugar content of Florida oranges, and the previous standard forced processors to blend in imported juice to meet a threshold today’s Florida crop could not reliably reach. FDA estimates the rule will save manufacturers more than $50 million annually.

“For years, Congressman Scott Franklin and I have been working alongside Florida’s citrus growers because they kept telling us the same thing: Washington’s rules no longer matched the reality in Florida’s groves. Citrus greening, hurricanes, and freezes changed the fruit, but the federal standard never changed with it. We introduced legislation, worked directly with FDA, and kept pushing until Washington finally listened,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Acting Commissioner Diamantas for delivering a commonsense, science-based solution. Now, more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice, helping strengthen one of our state’s signature industries and ensuring this proud Florida tradition can continue for generations to come.” Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined area fire and law enforcement leaders at Marion County Fire Rescue Station 28 today to champion the Answering the Call Act of 2026 (H.R. 8637), her legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“First responders see the worst of the worst, day in and day out, and it takes a toll. This bill creates a resource dedicated solely to them, with counselors trained to understand exactly what they are going through,” said Rep. Cammack. “They answer the call every single time, and it is high time we answer the call in return.”

The Answering the Call Act directs dedicated outreach and support to first responders through the 988 Lifeline. It funds specialized training for the counselors who answer those calls so they understand what first responders face, provides grants for states and departments to raise awareness of the resource, and keeps access completely anonymous so no one fears retaliation or judgment for reaching out. The bill covers firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel.

Research has found that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and the crisis has hit Marion County directly. Continue reading →

Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today welcomed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final rule modernizing the federal Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice during an announcement with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas,  Senator Ashley Moody, and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15).

The updated standard lowers the minimum Brix level from 10.5 to 10 degrees, allowing processors to produce 100 percent orange juice using more of the fruit Florida actually grows, in response to a 2022 petition from Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Citrus greening and repeated hurricanes have lowered the natural sugar content of Florida oranges, and the previous standard forced processors to blend in imported juice to meet a threshold today’s Florida crop could not reliably reach. FDA estimates the rule will save manufacturers more than $50 million annually.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Collier County jury has convicted Chandler Christian Jones, 30, of Naples on dozens of felony counts, including multiple counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, and transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment.

“Snap continues to fight us in court over their dangerous app while we keep arresting and prosecuting predators who use Snapchat to trade in vile material,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “I want to thank the proactive policing by FDLE and Deputy Statewide Prosecutor Julie Chaikin and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Agnieszka Thomas who built this strong case and secured justice. It’s past time for Snap to fix its dangerous app, protect kids, and pay for these unconscionable harms!”

In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was assigned multiple NCMEC cybertips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) South Task Force. The tips involved uploads of child sexual abuse material to Kik Messenger and Snapchat applications from IP addresses traced to Jones’ residence and accounts linked to him. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a civil subpoena to General Mills, Inc. and General Mills Operations, LLC, as part of an investigation under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act into the supply chain of products containing potassium bromate sold in Florida.

“This investigation is about protecting Florida families and providing transparency to our consumers,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Floridians have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed their children. We are investigating the supply chain for the presence of potassium bromate in products sold across our state, including any disclosures made to purchasers and research on its potential health effects.”

Potassium bromate, used as a flour improver and dough conditioner in certain bakery flours, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The chemical compound has been banned as a food additive in the European Union since 1990, Canada since 1994, China since 2005, India since 2016, and in Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Peru, and numerous other countries due to health concerns, including evidence of tumors in animal studies. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit delivered its largest single reimbursement to date—a check for $710,000—to a Florida victim of a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud scheme.

“Instead of setting records, we prefer to prevent fraud, but are proud to deliver justice and make this victim whole,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Through our collaboration with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the dedication of Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor John Paul, we have recovered these funds from transnational criminals and returned them to their rightful owner.”

“Recovering more than $700,000 and returning it to the victim is an outstanding result and reflects the dedication of our detectives and the strong partnerships that make cases like this possible,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. “I want to thank Attorney General James Uthmeier and his team for their collaboration and commitment to holding fraudsters accountable.”

The victim fell prey to a remote work-from-home scam involving “product reviews.” Scammers convinced him he needed to match the value of review items by depositing cryptocurrency to earn commissions, with promises that all funds would be returned plus profits. As the supposed “products” grew larger, so did the required investments. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state offices will be closed on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and Monday, July 6, 2026, in celebration of Independence Day weekend, which this year marks America’s 250th anniversary of its independence.

“America’s 250th anniversary is a historic milestone and an opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and enduring principles that established the United States as the freest and most prosperous nation in the world,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As Florida leads the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, I am pleased to provide state employees additional time to celebrate our country’s founding, participate in America 250 events, and spend time with family and friends honoring the blessings of liberty that generations of Americans have fought to preserve.”

State offices will be closed on Thursday, July 2, and Monday, July 6, in addition to the regular state holiday observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3. These office closures will create a five-day holiday weekend and will benefit nearly 100,000 employees in the State Personnel System.

The additional holiday time reflects Florida’s commitment to recognizing this once-in-a-generation milestone and providing state employees with the opportunity to participate in celebrations taking place across the state and nation.

Throughout 2026, Florida is commemorating America’s 250th anniversary through educational initiatives, community events, historical exhibits, and celebrations that honor the founding of our nation and the principles of freedom, self-government, and individual liberty. As part of these efforts, Florida is encouraging citizens to learn more about the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States and continue to inspire future generations. Floridians can find more information at America250FL.com, the state’s official hub for the Semiquincentennial celebration.