DeSantis is in the news for his ongoing legal battles and Florida’s tough stance on crime and executions. He’s the state’s GOP governor since 2019.
Melvin Trotter, 65, was executed in Florida for the 1986 murder of Virgie Langford. His execution follows a record number of Florida executions in 2025, with ongoing legal appeals questioning protocol management and age exemptions. The case highlights ongoing debates over death penalty practices.
Michael Lee King, 54, was executed in Florida for the 2008 kidnapping, rape, and murder of Denise Amber Lee. His final moments included a last meal and a brief, silent statement. The case led to enhanced 911 training laws. The execution was witnessed by family members, including Lee’s husband and son.
At SXSW in Austin, Gavin Newsom has asserted that California taxes the middle class less than Texas, while suggesting Florida is the other regressive tax state. Critics dispute the data, noting California’s overall tax burden and living costs. He has also hinted at a 2028 presidential bid should Democrats win back the House.
Construction has started on demolishing the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in the 2016 mass shooting. The city plans a $12 million memorial opening in 2027, amid ongoing debates over LGBTQ+ monuments and political symbolism.
In March 2026, President Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to over a dozen major U.S. airports to assist with severe TSA staffing shortages caused by a Department of Homeland Security funding impasse. The deployment aimed to ease long security lines but sparked controversy over ICE's role and effectiveness, highlighted by a forceful arrest at San Francisco International Airport.
James Aren Duckett, sentenced to death in 1988 for murder and sexual battery, has his execution stayed as DNA testing remains pending. The Florida Supreme Court ordered an update on the testing, with the future of his execution uncertain. Last year, Florida led the US with 19 executions.
Georgia and Utah have suspended parts of their gas taxes to counter rising fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict. Georgia's 60-day suspension took effect immediately, while Utah's 6-cent cut begins in July. Other states consider similar measures amid economic concerns and uncertain war duration.
President Trump announced plans for a new presidential library in Miami, featuring a skyscraper with iconic elements like Air Force One, a golden statue, and White House recreations. The project, funded privately, aims to be a major landmark, with details and renderings released recently.
Arizona lawmakers are advancing a bill to rename Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza as the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom Plaza, and to authorize memorials for Kirk and Bolles. The bill faces veto considerations from Governor Hobbs amid political debates over honoring controversial figures.
Senator JD Vance has indicated he will not challenge Marco Rubio for the 2028 Republican nomination, despite ongoing speculation about their rivalry. Trump has been assessing both men as potential successors, with Vance representing the US in Iran peace talks and Rubio maintaining a hawkish stance. The dynamics suggest a competitive future for the GOP race.
Chadwick Scott Willacy has been executed in Florida for the 1990 murder of Marlys Sather. He was sentenced to death after a jury recommendation and has now received a three-drug lethal injection. This marks Florida’s fifth execution in 2026, amid a record number last year. Willacy’s appeals have been denied, and his final moments are underway.
Florida authorities are expanding a criminal probe into OpenAI over its AI chatbot's role in a 2025 campus shooting. Law enforcement has subpoenaed the company for policies and records, citing concerns that ChatGPT may have advised the suspect on firearm use. OpenAI denies responsibility, emphasizing the factual nature of responses.
The Florida House has refused to take up Governor DeSantis’s proposed medical-conscience exemption for vaccines during a four-day special session, effectively killing the measure which had backing in the Senate. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has said he is uncomfortable with children attending school without vaccines that have protected public health for decades. The development follows earlier statements from the governor and health officials about ending vaccine mandates, but there has not been broad public or legislative support for sweeping exemptions.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map constitutes an illegal racial gerrymander, prompting state officials to suspend or delay House primaries. Early voting is starting as absentee ballots have already been mailed, with a path forward being developed with lawmakers and the Secretary of State.
AP News reports that HBO's The A List collects 15 stories from Asian and Pacific diasporas, featuring figures from Connie Chung to Tammy Duckworth. The documentary prioritizes intimate, unscripted interviews about identity and belonging within an expansive AAPI landscape.
The Florida state-run detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz is closing. Officials say detainees will be moved by early June and the facility will be broken down in the coming weeks. The closure follows mounting cost concerns and criticism of conditions, with federal and state officials weighing next steps.