It's been hard to keep a track of immigration detentions, even as another 500,000 people are eligible for deportation. Hurricane season starts with doubts about hurricane forecasting in the age of government budget-cutting. Elon Musk is gone from DOGE, and so apparently is as much as $53 million in funding at Florida State University. Listen to the Inside Florida Politics podcast with Ana Goni-Lessan, Kimberly Miller and Antonio Fins.
Jun 05, 2025•26 min
Officials in Florida want more resources to detain everyone they suspect is here illegally, regardless of whether the individual has a criminal background or even a removal warrant or deportation order. USA Today Florida Network's Antonio Fins, Ana Goñi-Lessan and John Kennedy discuss. Also on deck, LGBTQ+ advocates in the state celebrate the lack of anti-gay legislation passed this year. And can Gov. Ron DeSantis convince the Legislature to cut back on Florida's property taxes?
May 22, 2025•25 min
Antonio Fins, Ana Goñi-Lessan and John Kennedy discuss the biggest capture of undocumented immigrants ever which draws into question the level of "violent criminal" status for the detained. Also, President Donald Trump begins his second hundred days in his Florida office and why is trouble brewing between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers ahead of the looming special session.
May 08, 2025•22 min
In this week's Inside Florida Politics podcast, Antonio Fins, James Call and John Kennedy break down the fallout from a deadly and tragic shooting at Florida State University, friction between the governor and Republicans in the Florida Legislature and the local impact of the death of Pope Francis across the Sunshine State.
Apr 24, 2025•20 min
President Donald Trump paused his Liberation Day tariffs stunner, but the lack of clarity in trade duties makes for fuzzy budgeting in Tallahassee. The immigration crackdown leaves hundreds of children in heart-wrenching limbo. And the intriguing reason behind the power player dynamic between Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Danny Perez. Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Ana Goni-Lessa discuss it all in the Inside Florida Politics podcast.
Apr 10, 2025•24 min
A key piece of the gun control legislation passed after the horrific shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland could be on the chopping block if lawmakers efforts succeed. USA TODAY Florida Network journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Ana Goñi-Lessan discuss the possible drop in Florida's gun ownership age. Also, Rep. Byron Donalds? Casey DeSantis? Still nearly two years out, candidates are already laying plans for the governor's mansion. And Is Tallahassee trying to sq...
Mar 27, 2025•19 min
From Mar-a-lago to Tallahassee, President Donald Trump is obviously on the minds of Florida Legislators with bills on deck to ratify changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and shielding his future presidential library from local regulations. USA Today Florida Network journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Ana Goñi-Lessan talk about Trump heavy session in Tallahassee. The team also discusses the various ways state law enforcement is interpreting directives to help ICE with illegal...
Mar 13, 2025•21 min
A clash between Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders over immigration may be a sign that DeSantis is losing some of his grip on state lawmakers. Journalists Zac Anderson, Ana Goñi-Lessan, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the immigration fight, President Donald Trump’s own immigration agenda and the effects trade wars with Canada and Mexico could have on the state.
Feb 06, 2025•23 min
Trump is returning to power with a Make America Florida agenda. Journalists Zac Anderson, Ana Goni-Lessan, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss Trump's Florida-themed agenda, how the president’s immigration crackdown could impact Florida residents and Gov. Ron DeSantis' efforts to cozy up to Trump.
Jan 24, 2025•27 min
Trump is governing from Mar-a-Lago with press conferences and Truth Social posts. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy, Ana Goni-Lessan and Antonio Fins discuss the incoming president's Florida administration in waiting, Trump's rising popularity as he stays out of the public eye and a progressive firebrand making a bid for mayor of Orlando that could position her for bigger things down the road.
Dec 19, 2024•27 min
Gov. Ron DeSantis has been in the mix for a Trump Cabinet position. Journalists Zac Anderson, Ana Goni-Lessan and John Kennedy discuss Trump's flirtation with DeSantis as Defense secretary, the president-elect picking former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz as his attorney general nominee and the Florida Legislature gets two new leaders.
Dec 05, 2024•27 min
Donald Trump carried Florida by 13 percentage points and ended any speculation that it's still a swing state. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss Florida's hard right shift, ballot measures on recreational marijuana and abortion rights failing and Rick Scott's return to the U.S. Senate.
Nov 08, 2024•27 min
Florida Republicans are blasting a Trump rally speaker’s remarks calling Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage." Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Ana Goni-Lessan discuss the fallout from the "garbage" comments, President Joe Biden weighing in and putting Democrats on the defensive and Gov. Ron DeSantis aggressively campaigning against two ballot items ahead of Election Day.
Oct 31, 2024•25 min
Gov. Ron DeSantis opted not to meet with Joe Biden during the president's tour of hurricane damage in Florida. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the president's visit, how back-to-back hurricanes could disrupt voting and the state's remarkably quiet presidential campaign.
Oct 17, 2024•27 min
President Joe Biden traveled to Florida to assess Hurricane Helene damage. Reporters Zac Anderson, Antontio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the president's visit, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris sparing over the federal government’s hurricane response and Gov. Ron. DeSantis saying Florida doesn’t need more federal help with Helene recovery.
Oct 03, 2024•25 min
A golf outing in West Palm Beach became a crime scene after the Secret Service stopped another alleged assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Journalists Antonio Fins, Ana Goni-Lessan, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the fallout from the foiled Florida plot, Gov. Ron DeSantis stepping in to open a state investigation into the incident and Florida health officials continuing to recommend against COVID vaccines.
Sep 19, 2024•26 min
Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration is backpedaling amid criticism over plans for golf courses, pickle ball courts and hotels at state parks. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and Gray Rohrer discuss the backlash against the state park proposal, dueling ads released in Florida by the presidential campaigns and another new poll showing a tighter race than expected in Florida between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Aug 29, 2024•24 min
The race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is tightening in Florida. Journalists Zac Anderson, Wayne Washington and Mark Harper discuss the new surveys showing Harris within striking distance, where ballot measures on marijuana and abortion stand with voters and the state's upcoming Aug. 20 primary.
Aug 15, 2024•24 min
Florida Democrats are rallying around Kamala Harris, the party's new presidential candidate. Journalists Ana Goni-Lessan, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss whether Harris could make Florida more competitive, wrangling over the abortion rights measure that will be on Florida ballots and how the controversial Project 2025 plan tied to Trump’s campaign has lots of Florida overtones.
Aug 01, 2024•24 min
It’s Florida, Florida, Florida at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with Ron DeSantis, Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds and many other Florida leaders speaking at an event turned on its head by the attempted assassination last week of Donald Trump. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the Florida highlights from the convention.
Jul 19, 2024•20 min
President Joe Biden's campaign chair said recently that Florida isn't a battleground state. Journalists John Kennedy, Ana Goni-Lessan and Zac Anderson discuss the reaction in Florida to the Biden campaign comments, a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could impact how Florida communities handle their homeless populations and the reaction in Florida to Biden's poor debate performance.
Jul 03, 2024•25 min
Democrats believe Florida is in play after a pair of polls indicate a tight race for president. Journalists John Kennedy, Ana Goni-Lessan and Zac Anderson discuss whether Florida will be competitive this cycle, the outflow of Florida women traveling to other states for abortions after a strict new ban took effect and Gov. Ron DeSantis finally signing the state budget.
Jun 20, 2024•24 min
Marco Rubio aligns himself more closely with Trump as the former president considers the Florida senator as a running mate in 2024. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Ana Goni-Lessan discuss Rubio’s MAGA makeover, the Florida Department of Education sticking with history standards that say Black people benefited from slavery and whether Trump’s felony conviction puts his right to vote in question.
Jun 06, 2024•24 min
Former President Donald Trump is bringing controversial political figures back into his orbit for the 2024 campaign. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and Ana Goni-Lessan discuss the pardoned felons and conspiracy theorists surrounding Trump, Florida universities cracking down on campus protests and Gov. Ron DeSantis ensuring bridges aren’t lit in rainbow colors form LGBTQ pride month.
May 24, 2024•25 min
Former President Donald Trump held a lunch event in Palm Beach recently with many of the individuals who he is considering as a running mate. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss how Trump's vice presidential selection process is heating up, the Florida GOP's resolution against a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana and Gov. Ron DeSantis opposing efforts to fight climate change.
May 09, 2024•30 min
A new poll shows Gov. Ron Desantis has a higher favorability rating, including among Republicans, than Donald Trump in Florida after their contentious presidential primary contest. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss DeSantis's standing in Florida, Trump leading President Joe Biden in the state and the uncertainty surrounding ballot measures on abortion and marijuana.
Apr 17, 2024•29 min
The Florida Supreme Court cleared the way for abortion rights and recreational marijuana constitutional amendments to be on the Florida ballot this year. Journalists John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss the ballot measures, Trump eyeing two Floridians as possible running mates and a legal settlement between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney.
Apr 05, 2024•29 min
Florida held a meaningless presidential primary after Trump clinched the GOP nomination, but the results may signal some turbulence for the GOP nominee. Journalists John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss the primary vote totals, Florida's increasingly uncompetitive status and Moms for Liberty's continued clout.
Mar 20, 2024•28 min
Former President Donald Trump became the GOP presidential nominee without Florida voters weighing in after Nikki Haley dropped out of the race. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss whether Trump can win over Haley supporters, Republicans in the Florida Legislature spurning their own party's legislative wish list and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott considering a bid for Senate leadership.
Mar 07, 2024•26 min
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' actions continue to invite speculation that he still has his eyes on the White House. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss DeSantis' moves to stay in the national spotlight, whether national Democrats are taking another look at Florida's U.S. Senate race and where DeSantis' priorities stand in the final weeks of Florida's 60-day legislative session.
Feb 22, 2024•28 min
