Rep. Madison Cawthorn loses primary battle after series of controversies

Rep. Madison Cawthorn was a rising star in the Republican party until he was involved in scandals. Cawthorn claimed he was invited to orgies where people snorted cocaine. He also was caught twice with guns at the airport.

Governor DeSantis signs bill creating election crimes unit to investigate violations in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to create a police force dedicated to pursuing voter fraud and other election crimes in Florida. The new law increases the penalty for ballot harvesting from a misdemeanor to a felony and requires election supervisors to perform voter list maintenance yearly.

Intel: Putin may cite Ukraine war to meddle in US politics

Given Vladimir Putin’s antipathy toward the West and his repeated denunciations of Ukraine, officials believe he may see the U.S. backing of Ukraine’s resistance as a direct affront to him, giving him further incentive to target another U.S. election.

Republicans widen registration lead in Florida

After overtaking Democrats last year, Florida Republicans have widened their lead in registered voters.

Pence eyes 2024 White House run of his own as he distances himself from Trump

In a speech to top Republican donors, former Vice President Mike Pence urged the GOP to move on from Trump's 2020 grievances and declared “there is no room in this party for apologists" for Vladimir Putin after Trump praised the Russian leader's maneuvering as “genius" before his brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Proposed laws stir up controversy as they move through Florida's Legislature

The proposed laws range from restricting curriculum related to critical race theory, election laws, and security and abortion rights. Many of the laws have been positioned as protections for the rights of parents, the unborn, and democratic processes, but the bills' opponents say the so-called protections may do more harm than good.

Florida House Republicans pass redrawn legislative maps

The Florida House on Wednesday approved new legislative districts over the objections of Democrats, who anticipate legal challenges about minority representation and how the lines were drawn.

Florida election police bill clears Senate committee

A voting law package was approved Tuesday in a Florida Senate committee that would establish a police unit for election crimes.

President Trump tried to seize voting machines during 2020 election, report says

About six weeks after President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, he told his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to contact the Department of Homeland Security to ask if the department could lawfully seize voting machines in key swing states, according to a report in The New York Times.

Biden, Harris visit Atlanta to push for voting reform bill

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Atlanta on Tuesday to discuss the need for federal legislation to protect the right to vote. But some civil rights activists, uninterested in another speech, don’t want to hear it.

Biden, Harris to visit Atlanta Tuesday to discuss right to vote legislation

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Atlanta on Tuesday to discuss the need for federal legislation to protect the right to vote.

DeSantis takes aim at elections -- again

Despite glowing reviews for the way Florida runs them, Governor Ron DeSantis is urging state lawmakers to take an extra step to ensure the security of elections. He wants them to create a state office dedicated solely to investigating election crimes. 

St. Pete’s new mayor floats waterfront stadium idea for Rays

Ken Welch has personal ties to St. Petersburg's Edge District and the Tropicana Field site. His grandfather's wood yard was displaced to make way for I-175 and his church for the Trop. Welch said Wednesday he has redevelopment ideas that could pave a path forward.

Key takeaways from election results 2021, Youngkin’s Virginia win

Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday’s election, including what the results from Virginia and New Jersey governor races could mean down the line.

Welch declares victory in St. Petersburg mayoral race

After seven years of Rick Kriseman at the helm, residents in St. Petersburg, so far, seem to agree to let his policies and priorities continue through a new candidate. 

Referendum supporting school funding renewed by Manatee County voters

Manatee County schools superintendent Cynthia Saunders thanked voters for renewing a referendum that helps fund school programs in Tuesday's municipal elections.