Steve Wilson
Verified
Gulf Coast, Mississippi
As seen in:
MSN,
Aol,
Fox News,
WIRED Magazine,
ZDNet,
Flipboard,
Yahoo Sports Canada,
Miami Herald,
The Orange County Register,
Washington Examiner
and
Articles by Steve Wilson
Landry orders investigation of criminal case files dumped in landfill Original
(The Center Square) — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered the Louisiana State Police on Friday to investigate Orleans Parish Criminal Court case files which were dumped in a landfill. "The disposing of these case files is a disgusting abuse of power and a slap in the face to crime victims," Landry said in a statement. "Those who participated in this deliberate crime must be held accountable.
Federal judge puts restraining order on 'Alligator Alcatraz' construction Original
(The Center Square) — A federal judge in Miami imposed a temporary restraining order on Thursday on construction of the migrant detention facility dubbed by Florida officials as "Alligator Alcatraz." U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, a President Barack Obama appointee, issued the restraining order, which stops any construction at the site, but allows it to continue to accept migrants.
'Big, Beautiful Bill' bolsters Coast Guard shipbuilding programs Original
(The Center Square) — Passage of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" this summer has provided a jolt to the U.S. Coast Guard's shipbuilding program as it seeks to replace most of its aging fleet. The service's most important shipbuilding program, the Heritage class Offshore Patrol Cutter, is years behind schedule and its cost has ballooned from $12.5 billion in 2012 to $17.6 billion by 2022. The "Big Beautiful Bill" provides $4.3 billion for OPC procurement.
Report: Florida didn't comply with federal requirements Original
(The Center Square) – A report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General found that the state of Florida didn't fully comply with federal oversight and reporting requirements for its grants to fund an opioid abuse prevention program. State officials said they concurred with the audit findings, but blamed issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic for problems with oversight and other findings.
Commercial rent phaseout could cost state budget more than $1B per year Original
(The Center Square) – According to state estimates, the ending of sales tax on commercial rentals could cost the state's general fund and local governments more than $1.5 billion annually by 2030. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research did a recent analysis on the legislation passed in the legislative session that concluded on June 17. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget into law in June and part of that deal was the elimination of the levy of sales tax on commercial rentals.
DeSantis: Florida has arrested nearly 3,000 migrants
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Friday that state law enforcement officers "have apprehended almost 3,000 illegal aliens," with 500 of them having criminal records. DeSantis also said at a news conference in Orlando that 600 of them have been processed through the detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades.
Report: Census undercount cost Florida at least one U.S. House seat
(The Center Square) – A report says an undercount of 750,000 Floridians in the 2020 Census cost the state one U.S. House seat, could cause titanic policy swings in a divided Congress, and could even affect presidential elections. The report by Florida TaxWatch also says correcting the undercount with U.S. Census Bureau methodology would've shifted three U.S. seats from Democrat strongholds such as Colorado, Minnesota, and Rhode Island to Republican states such as Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
Report: Census undercount cost Florida at least one U.S. House seat
(The Center Square) – A report says an undercount of 750,000 Floridians in the 2020 Census cost the state one U.S. House seat, could cause titanic policy swings in a divided Congress, and could even affect presidential elections. The report by Florida TaxWatch also says correcting the undercount with U.S. Census Bureau methodology would've shifted three U.S. seats from Democrat strongholds such as Colorado, Minnesota, and Rhode Island to Republican states such as Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
Florida's school sales tax holiday to start on Friday Original
(The Center Square) – Florida's back to school sales tax holiday will start on Friday, but some experts think the policy is a misguided one. The sales tax holiday will end on Aug. 31. Florida's back to school sales tax holiday includes exemptions for several categories of items. They include school supplies selling for $50 or less such as binders, notebooks, pens and pencils, lunchboxes, clothing, along with shoes priced at $100 or less.
Audit: Only 7% of Florida charter schools had financial, governance issues
(The Center Square) – According to the year-end report by the Florida auditor general's office, only 7% of the 708 reports on the state's public charter schools had findings such as issues with finances, transparency or governance. According to the report, there were 67 findings included in 46 of the 708 audit reports for fiscal 2023-24. Thirty-three percent of them were repeat findings and 41 of them (67%) were considered by auditors to be significant deficiencies.
Florida's Uthmeier launches investigation into climate change groups Original
(The Center Square) – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Monday that his office has issued subpoenas against two climate change groups involved in environmental, social and governance advocacy.
Congress approves Coast Guard outlay as service begins reorganization Original
(The Center Square) — Amid issues with its shipbuilding programs, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the spending bill for the U.S. Coast Guard this week. passed by a 399-12 vote on Wednesday and will run until 2029. It comes on top of the $25 billion the service will receive in reconciliation. The bill is now headed to the Senate.
Florida state investments reached record highs in fiscal 2025 Original
(The Center Square) – Florida officials say the state's investments, which support its pension funds and local governments, hit a record high on its asset values in the recently-concluded fiscal year. This comes as lawmakers required the State Board of Administration to protect its investments from environmental, social, and corporate governance considerations and focus exclusively on its fiduciary duty to maximize returns for the state's investments.
DeSantis orders state audits of Broward County, Gainesville Original
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the launch of state Department of Government Efficiency audits on Tuesday for Broward County and the city of Gainesville that he says are the first in a series of examinations of local governments. The second-term Republican governor said the Gainesville and Broward County audits will start on July 31, with officials from several state agencies reviewing data systems and personnel and other data with the two local governments.
Florida regulators approve Duke Energy transmission line project
(The Center Square) – The Florida Public Service Commission unanimously approved a Duke Energy project on Tuesday. The 26.5-mile new 230 kilovolt transmission line will connect two counties in central Florida, extending from the DeLand West Substation in Volusia County to the Dona Vista Substation in Lake County and is projected to be in service by January 2030. The company will also build a 69-kV line on the same route to improve reliability.
Unemployment remains constant in Florida for third consecutive month Original
(The Center Square) – Florida's June unemployment rate was 3.7%, the same as the past two months, but the state's labor force participation rate ticked down slightly. That's below the national rate of 4.2%, but more than it was during the same period last year. In June 2024, it was 3.4%. Out of a labor force of nearly 11.2 million Floridians, there were 415,000 without a job. The state lost 20,000 jobs, a decrease of 0.2%, in June, but has gained 142,000 jobs for the year so far.
Everglades project signed over to Florida by Army Corps of Engineers Original
(The Center Square) – Florida officials announced a deal on Friday that would allow the state to take over a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project designed to enhance water quality and help restore the Everglades. The state will take over management of the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir project, which is a 10,000 acre reservoir with an additional 6,500 acre stormwater treatment area capable of holding 78 billion gallons of water.
Florida regulators hold final public hearing on Peoples Gas rate hike proposal Original
(The Center Square) – The Florida Public Service Commission held the final of two public hearings on Thursday concerning a request by the state's largest natural gas company to increase its rates for customers. In both hearings, there was no feedback from ratepayers, but emails opposing the rate hike continue to populate the rate case docket.
Florida senators introduce Flood Insurance Relief Act Original
(The Center Square) – Florida U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody introduced a bill on Thursday that would provide tax relief on flood insurance premiums. The Flood Insurance Relief Actwould provide a nonrefundable tax deduction on flood insurance premiums paid through the National Flood Insurance Program or through private insurers.
Florida finishes first in religious liberty score
Florida finished first nationally for its policies on the protection of religious liberty, according to a recent report from the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy. The annual report, Religious Liberty in the States, measures legal safeguards for religious liberty in the US. The report says the Sunshine State protects 75% of the legal safeguards that it measures and uses to compare states. Last year, the Sunshine State finished second and eighth in 2023.
DeSantis appoints Ingoglia as state's chief financial officer
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a new chief financial officer, long-time ally Blaise Ingoglia, at a news conference in Tampa on Wednesday. The former state senator, representative replaces U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, who was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District.
DeSantis appoints Ingoglia as state's chief financial officer
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a new chief financial officer, long-time ally Blaise Ingoglia, at a news conference in Tampa on Wednesday. The former state senator, representative replaces U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, who was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District.
Florida officials celebrate opening of reservoir for Everglades restoration Original
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials celebrated the opening on Tuesday of the Caloosahatchee Reservoir, a vital cog in the restoration of the Everglades. C-43 in Hendry County is intended to act as a catch basin for 170,000 acre-feet of local basin stormwater runoff and releases from Lake Okeechobee. This is intended to reduce the volume of discharges into the Caloosahatchee Estuary in southwestern Florida during the spring and summer wet season.
Report: Rays nearing $1.7B sale to Florida developer Original
(The Center Square) — The sale of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays to a Florida developer could be finalized by September, according to a report in The Athletic. The story says the $1.7 billion deal by a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski, Bill Cosgrove, Ken Babby and prominent Tampa Bay investors will likely keep the team in the Tampa Bay area. The team announced sole negotiations with the consortium in June.
Report: Florida finishes first in religious liberty score Original
(The Center Square) — Florida finished first nationally for its policies on the protection of religious liberty, according to a recent report from the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy. The annual report, Religious Liberty in the States, measures legal safeguards for religious liberty in the US. The report says the Sunshine State protects 75% of the legal safeguards that it measures and uses to compare states. Last year, the Sunshine State finished second and eighth in 2023.
Survey of Florida small business owners' optimism remained steady in June
(The Center Square) – A survey by Florida's small business advocacy group says owners retained nearly the same level of optimism in June as in May. The monthly Florida National Federation of Independent Businesses Optimism Index edged down 0.2 of a point to 98.6, which is slightly above the 51-year average of 98. The biggest driver of the slight downward trend was owners reporting excess inventories.
Survey of Florida small business owners' optimism remained steady in June
(The Center Square) – A survey by Florida's small business advocacy group says owners retained nearly the same level of optimism in June as in May. The monthly Florida National Federation of Independent Businesses Optimism Index edged down 0.2 of a point to 98.6, which is slightly above the 51-year average of 98. The biggest driver of the slight downward trend was owners reporting excess inventories.
Report predicts cost increases for Floridians due to tariffs Original
(The Center Square) – A report released on Tuesday says Florida consumers could see big impacts from tariffs levied on imports by President Donald Trump's administration. According to the report by the nonprofit group Florida TaxWatch, the price of a newly-constructed home in Florida could increase by $10,000. Floridians buying new cars might pay $6,000 to $7,000 more for their vehicle and the average weekly grocery bill could increase by 10% to 15%. Imports are critical to Florida's economy.
Report: Commercial sexual exploitation of children in Florida increased in 2024 Original
(The Center Square) – A report by the Florida Legislature's research arm found that the number verified cases of children involved in commercial sexual exploitation reached a four-year high in 2024. According to the annual report by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, there were 379 verified commercial sex exploitation victims in 2024, up 11.8% compared to 2023 (339 verified victims).
Report predicts cost increases for Floridians due to tariffs
State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed...
Report predicts cost increases for Floridians due to tariffs
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Store and/or access information on a device You can choose how your personal data is used.
DeSantis lauds improvements in Florida school accountability ratings Original
(The Center Square) – The Florida Department of Education released its accountability scores for individual public schools and districts on Monday and no school district received a failing score. Grades for individual schools were also up, as the number of A-rated schools increased from 38% in 2024 to 44% this year and the number of failing schools decreased from 117 to 71, a decrease of 39.3%.
Louisiana test scores show slight improvement for third through eighth grades
(The Center Square) – The Louisiana Department of Education released its annual Louisiana Educational Assessment Program test results on Thursday and while slight progress was made for grades third through eighth, high school scores declined slightly compared to last year. The LEAP tests evaluate proficiency in English language arts, math, science, and social studies for third grade through 12th. The release was the earliest for the test scores since 2016.
Florida gas prices nearly 40 cents less than last year Original
(The Center Square) – Gas prices in Florida are holding steady at $3.13 per gallon of regular unleaded, according to data from the American Automobile Association, before the start of Independence Day weekend. According to AAA, the national price is $3.16 per gallon, 1 cent cheaper than last week and a whopping 35 cents less than the same time last year. Florida's price is up 8 cents from last month's $3.05 per gallon and 40 cents less than last year's $3.53.
Louisiana test scores show slight improvement for third through eighth grades
(The Center Square) – The Louisiana Department of Education released its annual Louisiana Educational Assessment Program test results on Thursday and while slight progress was made for grades third through eighth, high school scores declined slightly compared to last year. The LEAP tests evaluate proficiency in English language arts, math, science, and social studies for third grade through 12th. The release was the earliest for the test scores since 2016.
DeSantis has vetoed nine bills, $590M in budget line items
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed nine bills from this session with only a few measures remaining for a decision, along with $590 million in line items from the state budget. To override any vetoes, including line items, lawmakers would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Among some of the larger line-item vetoes: • $35.1 million for grants and aids to local governments for energy programs. • $14 million for a new hangar for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Audit finds Louisiana stadium commission received less hotel tax revenue in 2024 Original
(The Center Square) – According to a state audit, hotel tax revenues that support some Louisiana sports facilities, such as the Caesars Superdome, were down last year. The report by Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack said hotel tax revenues from a 4% levy in Jefferson and Orleans parishes for the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District were down by $1.88 million in 2024 at $56.1 million compared to nearly $58 million in 2023.
Gulf Coast Amtrak route to start on Aug. 18, cost $15 per trip Original
(The Center Square) – Amtrak announced on Tuesday it will start new, twice-daily service connecting Mobile, Ala., with New Orleans on Aug. 18 and cost $15 per ticket, one way. The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will offer four trips daily with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay Saint Louis in Mississippi.
Mississippi River bridge project hit with another delay
(The Center Square) – Louisiana officials expressed concern on Monday about a project to build a new Mississippi River Bridge south of Baton Rouge, which will now be delayed another few months. The Capital Area Road and Bridge District met to discuss progress on the new bridge, which is to be located at one of three sites under review south of the Horace Wilkinson Bridge, which carries Interstate 10 into Baton Rouge.
Mississippi River bridge project hit with another delay
(The Center Square) – Louisiana officials expressed concern on Monday about a project to build a new Mississippi River Bridge south of Baton Rouge, which will now be delayed another few months. The Capital Area Road and Bridge District met to discuss progress on the new bridge, which is to be located at one of three sites under review south of the Horace Wilkinson Bridge, which carries Interstate 10 into Baton Rouge.
DeSantis signs oft-delayed $115.1B budget for Florida Original
The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's $115.1 billion budget and a tax relief package worth $1.3 billion in tax relief in a ceremony in Wildwood on Monday. The second-term Republican governor put his signature on the budget which he says includes about $590 million in line-item vetoes. "I think signing the budget underscores the fact that Florida is the best-managed state in these United States," DeSantis said.
DeSantis unveils alternative university accreditation apparatus
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov.
Analysis: Operation Midnight Hammer likely cost taxpayers at least $200M Original
(The Center Square) — The cost for the U.S. strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, likely cost taxpayers more than $200 million, according to analysis by The Center Square of open-source data on flight hours, per-weapon costs and other expenses.
Florida governor signs bills to provide needed mental health reforms Original
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills on Wednesday designed to bring reforms to the state's behavioral health apparatus and assist with the mentally ill in the criminal justice system. The second-term GOP governor signed Senate Bills 1620 and 168 in a ceremony in Tampa. SB1620 implements some of the key recommendations by the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.
Budget could provide another flashpoint between DeSantis, House Original
(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration are closely examining the state's budget and a showdown is likely with the Republican-led House once he uses his line-item veto pen. At a news conference earlier this week, the second-term Republican governor blasted House leadership, blaming them for the budget impasse. He also said he plans to prune the state's appropriations by $500 million.
DeSantis signs bill into law that ensures public access to Florida beaches Original
(The Center Square) – With one signature by Gov. Ron DeSantis, visitors to Florida will no longer have to worry about potential trespassing charges for walking on the beach. The governor signed Senate Bill 1622 on Tuesday, which overrides a 2018 law that limited public assess to privately-owned beaches and prohibited counties from passage of "customary use" ordinances that allowed beach access. The measure also streamlines beach restoration efforts.
DeSantis signs condominium reform bills into law Original
(The Center Square) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law on Monday a pair of bills designed to help assist Florida condominium owners with crippling assessments stemming from laws passed in 2022 in the wake of the 2021 Surfside building collapse.
Middle East bases could be threatened by Iranian retaliation Original
(The Center Square) — After an attack on Saturday by U.S. forces against Iranian nuclear targets, Iranians could have several U.S. bases in the region in their sights for a retaliatory strike. In Kuwait, only 78 miles across the Persian Gulf, is Camp Arifjan, the U.S. Army's primary logistics base in the region and home to Patton Army Heliport. The next closest base is Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama, which is the U.S. Navy's primary base in the region.
Florida lawmakers pass historic tax relief, fluoride ban, condo reform Original
(The Center Square) – After 104 days of sniping between the two chambers in Florida's Republican majority Legislature, the session ended late Monday night with a vote on the state's budget. But before the two chambers took weeks to arrive at a $115.1 billion budget 3.2% less than last year's, lawmakers passed sweeping agricultural and condominium reform legislation. They also approved increased speed limits on multi-lane state highways if second-term Republican Gov.
Possible sale of MLB's Rays could mean new stadium deal in Tampa Bay Original
(The Center Square) – Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays could be sold to a Jacksonville developer, according to a statement by the team. A deal could keep the team in the Tampa Bay area and possibly reignite discussion over a new stadium for the team, whose ballpark deal expires in 2028.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Steve
Contact Steve, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack