Politics

Senator Jason Pizzo, NPA-Sunny Isles Beach, stepped down from his position as Senate Minority Leader on Thursday. In a speech on the Senate floor, Pizzo called the Florida Democratic Party 'dead.' Is he right, or does it have a pulse after all? UCF Political Science Professor Aubrey Jewett joined FOX 35 News+ to discuss.

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost hosted a press conference on the mounting threats he believes Elon Musk’s DOGE and the Trump Administration pose to the 113,000 Central Floridians who count on Social Security benefits to survive. He said the threat comes at a time when the increasing cost of living continues to put at risk the livelihood of those on fixed incomes.

On Thursday, Russia launched a deadly strike on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The attack ended with 12 people dead, including two children, and injuring more than 70. In a social media post, President Donald Trump said he was "not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv." FOX News Correspondent Doug Luzader joins FOX 35 to talk about the latest political headlines.

President Donald Trump is taking part in a bilateral meeting with Jonas Store, the prime minister of Norway. The leaders will meet on Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office.

State Attorney Monique Worrell shared a quarterly update at a news conference hosted on Thursday morning in Orlando. Worrell reported a "strong and successful start" to her first quarter back in office and said her office has made significant progress in advancing the mission of serving justice and protecting the community. Worrell discussed convictions in several high-profile cases and said her office has taken 61 felony cases to trial in Orange and Osceola counties in the quarter, resulting in a 70% conviction rate. Worrell also discussed her hopes and goals for the upcoming future quarters.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted a news conference to highlight Hope Florida on Thursday morning in St. Augustine at the Anchor Faith Church. Others positively impacted by Hope Florida also shared their experiences at the event. The nonprofit organization has been under intense scrutiny following questions from lawmakers over the handling of a $10 million settlement. The allegations center on whether the funds were appropriately funneled into Hope Florida’s nonprofit arm instead of the state’s coffers.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted a news conference on Thursday morning in St. Augustine at the Anchor Faith Church. At the event, Casey DeSantis advocated for the program she spearheads: Hope Florida. The nonprofit organization "empowers individuals to embrace their full God-given potential." Recently, the program has faced some backlash. The controversy concerns a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation, which is tied to the welfare assistance program and has led to criticism from some state House Republicans. Critics say the money was inappropriately used to help campaign against a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state last November. Both Ron and Casey DeSantis have dismissed the accusations, saying they are wildly untrue.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis hosted a news conference to highlight the benefits of Hope Florida on Thursday morning in St. Augustine at the Anchor Faith Church. There has been a multitude of ongoing controversy surrounding Hope Florida, which is a nonprofit organization spearheaded by Casey DeSantis that "empowers individuals to embrace their full God-given potential." The controversy concerns a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation, which is tied to the welfare assistance program and has led to criticism from some state House Republicans. Critics say the money was inappropriately used to help campaign against a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state last November.