Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Florida prepares to build Camp Blanding ICE center”

A sign marks the entrance to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center on July 15, 2025. | David Fischer, AP file

Florida prepares to build Camp Blanding ICE center

The administration has awarded at least one contract for the state’s second immigration detention center.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Florida’s record executions lead nationwide increase”

Abraham Bonowitz of the national advocacy group Death Penalty Action speaks at an event outside the state Capitol in Tallahassee on March 19, 2025, to advocate against the execution of Edward James scheduled for March 20, 2025. | Kate Payne, AP

Florida’s record executions lead nationwide increase

Under Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida has executed nine people in 2025, more than any other state.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”

Work progresses on a new migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades on July 4, 2025. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP

Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Officials have estimated the facility will cost $450 million a year, fronted by Florida taxpayers.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Emails show state blindsided local officials on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”

Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump visited and toured the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in July.

Emails show state blindsided local officials on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

County officials were trying to chase down a rumor about the facility while state officials began construction.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Judge weighs blocking Florida’s ballot initiative law”

Voters cast their ballots in Florida's primary election, Aug. 20, 2024, at a polling place inside the Indian Creek Fire Station in Miami Beach. | Wilfredo Lee, AP file

Judge weighs blocking Florida’s ballot initiative law

Campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana contend the law is unconstitutional.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida”

Casey DeSantis speaks during a campaign event for Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2, 2023, in Lexington, South Carolina. |

Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida

The program, led by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, has been under scrutiny in connection with a Medicaid settlement.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “FSU students gather at vigils the day after shooting”

Students gather on a stretch of sidewalk near the center of the Florida State campus in sight of the Student Union building in Tallahassee on Friday, April 18, 2025. | Gary McCullough, AP

FSU students gather at vigils the day after shooting

Some FSU studentsreturned to retrieve their belongings less than a day after they had barricaded classroom doors.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America and Curt Anderson - Associated Press

Featured image for “FSU shooting kills 2 and injures 6; deputy’s son suspected”

People comfort each other on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, where law enforcement responded to a reported active shooter incident Thursday, April 17, 2025. | Kate Payne, AP

FSU shooting kills 2 and injures 6; deputy’s son suspected

Police say the 20-year-old gunman used his mother’s former service weapon in the shooting.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America and David Fischer - Associated Press