NIKKI FRIED

State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Wednesday, her agency is working on a full analysis of the ICON Park ride that killed Tyre Sampson. Fried’s...

ORLANDO, Fla. — State leaders will talk about the future of ICON Park on Wednesday after a teenager fell to his death on one of the rides. Tyre Sampson died on the Orlando FreeFall in March. READ: ICON Park introduces new ride, The Carousel on The PromenadeState Sen. Randolph Bracy and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will hold what they call a “community conversation” about where the park should go from here. Channel 9 will let you know what happens at the news conference. Check back and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

Florida officials said there is no timeline for reopening the Orlando drop tower at ICON Park in Orlando after a 14-year-old boy fell to his death from the thrill ride earlier this year.

ORLANDO, Fla. — COVID-19 vaccines are now available at some pharmacies for children under 5 years old. Ron DeSantis announced that he is not using state resources to give out the vaccine to the new age group. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running for governor, argued that DeSantis is making a huge mistake. READ: Coronavirus: CDC director signs off on vaccines for children 5 and under“The entire ordeal seems to have created chaos and confusion, making it appears as that there would be no vaccine available,” Fried said. READ: Coronavirus: FDA authorizes first COVID-19 shots for children 5 and youngerInstead of state-run vaccination sites, doses will be available at some pharmacies, doctor’s offices and hospitals that pre-ordered shipments from the federal government.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has cancelled a meeting of the Florida Cabinet again, prompting complaints of evasion from Nikki Fried.

A lawyer representing Florida municipalities wants the state Supreme Court to overturn a Florida law that bans local governments from restricting gun and ammunitions sales.

VIDEO: Florida's gun preemption law heads before state Supreme Court VIDEO: Florida's gun preemption law heads before state Supreme Court (WFTV)ORLANDO, Fla. — Since 1987, Florida has banned cities and counties from regulating firearms. In 2011, the state went a step further and created financial punishments for any local lawmaker who passes a gun regulation. But now that could be changing, with the Florida Supreme Court set to hear a challenge to the 2011 law. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, whose office oversees concealed-weapons licenses, joined the challenge to the law in 2019. Under the Florida Constitution, local elected officials and local governments possess legislative and governmental immunity.”Read: 10-year-old girl facing murder charges for Memorial Day shooting of neighborBoth Florida Carry and the NRA have filed briefs in the case supporting the law, which will be heard on Thursday by the state Supreme Court.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has uttered not a peep about the Uvalde massacre beyond ordering flags at state and local facilities flown at half staff.

VIDEO: State officials differ in response to high gas, groceries costs State officials differ in response to high gas, groceries costsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — People in Central Florida are eager for prices to drop at local gas stations and grocery stores. READ: Central Florida economist: Anticipate another recessionThe governor’s office said that move would hurt drivers further. The average cost of a gallon of gas in Florida remains at $4.50, an all-time high. DeSantis passed a tax relief package for a quarter off a gallon of gas in October. However, University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith said none of these are an answer that will stick.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is pushing for a televised debate among Democratic candidates.

Gas prices hit a record high in Florida (and across the US) on Thursday, according to a report from AAA. The automotive support club reported...

ORLANDO, Fla. — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced on Monday that they are providing free starter seed packets to Floridians at locations across the state as part of the new Unity Gardens Initiative. Starting Monday, Floridians can pick up their free seed packets from one of 59 locations of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences across the state. People can receive up to three seed packets and an IFAS Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide to start their own Unity Garden. The mission of the Unity Gardens Initiative is to bring Floridians together to encourage positive community engagement, and to connect with our food systems and production. Read: Orlando mayor names next police chiefFlorida gardeners are invited to share pictures of their Unity Gardens on social media using the hashtag #FLcommUNITYGardens.

VIDEO: SCOTUS could overturn Roe v. Wade: Central Florida reacts SCOTUS could overturn Roe v. Wade: Central Florida reactsCentral Florida dignitaries and politicians reacted late Monday to news that a draft opinion involving the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling circulated among Supreme Court Justices earlier this year indicating that a majority of them at that time supported overturning the case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a report published Monday night in Politico. My full statement is below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/M2N1talbCX — Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) May 3, 2022READ: Leaked draft opinion suggests SCOTUS could overturn Roe v. WadeRep. Val Demings“Striking down Roe v. Wade and taking away a woman’s right to make her own decisions is appalling and dangerous. We refuse to go back to being treated as second-class citizens whose personal decisions are made by politicians like Marco Rubio, who has fought relentlessly against the right of Florida women to control their own destiny. Let me be clear: I will always stand up, speak out, and fight to codify Roe v. Wade into law, no matter what.”Agriculture Commissioner Nikki FriedThe women of our country are under direct attack by right-wing radicals. We must defeat DeSantis.https://t.co/mvOsf9btxA — Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) May 3, 2022What You Need to Know - Roe V. Wade What You Need to Know - Roe V. Wade (NCD)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

With less than four months until the primary election, Congressman Charlie Crist is stressing a need for party unity among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, who...

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave “constitutional carry” his full endorsement during a news conference on Friday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Attorneys for the family of Tyre Sampson will file a lawsuit on Monday over the death of their son. The 14-year-old fell to his death from the free-fall ride at Icon Park one month ago. READ: Family of teen who died on Orlando drop ride expected to file lawsuit Monday, lawyers sayState investigators said changes made to two seats on the Orlando FreeFall led to Sampson’s death. WATCH: Lawyer for Sampson family demands answers, says video proves teen was not secured in rideThe report reveals that the seats were manually adjusted after the inspection. READ: Report: Orlando FreeFall’s operator made manual adjustments to ride that made it unsafeWe’ll have updates on the specifics of the cases throughout the day.

It’s Monday, April 25, and this week political dominoes will start to fall as politicians start lining up for down-ballot races because of the now-enacted congressional map.

Ron DeSantis signed the bill to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District on Friday afternoon. Central Florida leaders on both sides of the political spectrum responded to the news. — Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 22, 2022READ: DeSantis signs bill to dissolve Disney’s self-governing powerRep. Randy FineBREAKING: Disney is a guest in Florida. — Scott Randolph (@ElectRandolph) April 20, 2022READ: End of Reedy Creek: Disney won’t pay more taxes, but you willRep. Carlos Guillermo SmithGood AM. #DontSayBlack pic.twitter.com/8zHwGlN2r6 — Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) April 22, 2022State Rep. Michael GriecoThe FL Legislature cannot unilaterally dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

An investigation into the accidental death of a Black teen in an Orlando, Florida, amusement park has found a park employee tampered with the ride’s […]

Fried is challenging federal restrictions that prevent people from buying and possessing guns if they obtain medical marijuana in Florida.

Fried unveil a proposed rule to require that utilities operating in the state generate 100% of their electricity from renewable sources of energy by 2050. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Florida utilities would gradually increase their electricity to 100% renewable by 2050 under a proposed rule unveiled Thursday by the state's agriculture commissioner. Ten years after that, in 2050, the rule envisions 100% renewable energy for utilities. “As Florida's renewable energy leader and the leader of the nation's largest solar expansion, we will continue to work with state leaders to smartly move Florida with even more cost-effective renewable energy,” the FPL statement said. The agency will take public comment on the proposed rule for 21 days; there is also the possibility of a hearing and potentially a challenge through an administrative law judge.

Florida utilities would gradually increase their renewable electricity, reaching 100% by 2050 under a proposed rule unveiled by the state’s agriculture commissioner.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging federal restrictions that can prevent people from buying and possessing guns if they obtain medical...

ORLANDO, Fla. — Investigators said Tyre Sampson’s restraint was modified to allow larger visitors to go on the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park. State investigators said changes made to two seats on the ride led to 14-year-old Sampson’s death. READ: Report: Orlando FreeFall’s operator made manual adjustments to ride that made it unsafe“The next phase of how and why it occurred, and we will look towards potential penalties,” Fried said. Orlando FreeFall at ICON ParkREAD: Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando“It shocks me the companies can be this irresponsible,” said attorney Michael Haggard. READ: Investigation into 14-year-old’s death on free-fall ride continues“This was an accident waiting to happen,” Haggard said.

An independent forensic engineering firm hired in the investigation into a teen’s fatal fall from an Orlando drop tower found the operator of the thrill ride manually adjusted the sensors in the seat he was in, which made the ride unsafe.

Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s abortion ban bill into law while in Kissimmee. Ron DeSantis signs 15-week abortion ban into law in KissimmeeRep. Anna EskamaniGovernor Ron DeSantis just signed HB5 into law. This is a 15 week abortion ban w/no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking. Ron DeSantis signed a despicable 15-week abortion ban with no exception for rape, incest, or human trafficking. — Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) April 14, 2022Ron DeSantis just signed the strictest abortion ban in Florida history — no exceptions for rape or incest.

The Florida orange forecast by more than 7 percent from the March update, pushing the decline to nearly 19 percent.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is expected to arrive in Central Florida on Tuesday morning. The teen died last month after falling from the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park. READ: Safety expert: ‘I have serious concerns’ about harness in teen’s death on Orlando FreeFallOn Monday, inspectors for the state were looking at the ride’s seats, measuring and using diagrams to recreate the incident. READ: Investigation into 14-year-old’s death on free-fall ride continuesThe state hired a team of forensic engineers and failure analysis to do the inspection. READ: ICON Park calls for FreeFall, SlingShot rides to suspend operations following teen’s deathThe accident report reveals the ride did not malfunction.

ORLANDO, Fla. — State investigators say it could be months before they know what exactly went wrong the night 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was killed when he fell from a free-fall ride at Icon Park. On Monday state inspectors were back out at the park, taking measurements and trying to recreate the incident that led to the teen’s death. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted an initial inspection of the ride in December and found no deficiencies. “ICON Park looks forward to working with elected officials, regulators, and the amusement industry to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again. “As the landlord at ICON Park, our mission is to provide safe family entertainment.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried has hired a forensic engineering firm to get to the bottom of what went wrong with the Orlando FreeFall...

14-year-old Tyre Sampson from St. Louis, Missouri, fell to his death in a freak accident on a 430ft high ride at the ICON Park, Orlando, Florida.

The state hired a forensic engineering firm to help investigate the Orlando FreeFall incident that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a news conference in Orlando on Friday to discuss the state’s investigation of a teen’s death on a free-fall ride last week. WATCH: Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park in OrlandoTyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell from the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park. Fried said state leaders are not going to jump to any conclusions about how Sampson died until their investigation is complete. Photos: Florida hires forensic engineers as investigation into Orlando free-fall ride death continuesExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Florida hires forensic engineers as investigation into Orlando free-fall ride death continuesFried said the state has hired a team of forensic engineers from Quest Engineering and Failure Analysis. WATCH: Team investigating 14-year-old’s death on free-fall ride speaks outFried said that based on those findings, state leaders will decide if they need to make changes to the rules under their existing authorities.

It’s been over a week since the death of Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old who was killed in a fall from an Orlando thrill ride while he was vacationing in Florida.

The cause of a 14-year-old’s fatal fall from an Orlando drop tower attraction last week has not yet been determined as an investigation continues, according to the state agency leading the investigation.

A teen’s fatal fall last week at an Orlando amusement park has sparked a senator to urge shut down of the Orlando FreeFall ride.

Florida Sen. Randolph Bracy sent a letter to the state department in charge of investigating what led to the death of a 14-year-old who fell from a thrill ride at ICON Park on Friday, urging it to permanently close the Orlando Free Fall.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, the state's agricultural commissioner, will conduct the event in an official — not campaign — capacity.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried had her Twitter account hacked on Saturday. READ: Disney updates policy after video shows high school drill team chanting ‘scalp ‘em’ in Magic KingdomOfficials said her account is the victim of a phishing attack. READ: Florida makes its mark as the boating capital of the worldFried’s press office released the following statement after the hack:“Earlier this evening, Nikki Fried’s Twitter account was compromised through a fishing attack. We are doing everything we can to get Twitter support to fix it as quickly as possible.”READ: ‘Goats need Jesus too’: Deputies wrangle goats who broke into churchHer press office asked followers not to not click on any links tweeted from Fried’s account. Fried has been agriculture commissioner since 2019 and is running to be the governor of Florida.

Two Orlando residents were arrested for tampering with a fuel pump in Lakeland, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Ron DeSantis (R) proposed suspending the state’s gas tax for a few months as he looked over a budget awash with cash from unexpectedly high revenues and American Rescue Plan dollars. “Over a billion dollars in gas tax relief for Florida families,” he marveled. The Florida Legislature and Ron DeSantis could reduce the price of gas by 27.3 cents a gallon right now by suspending state gas taxes. Via @richardcauxier https://t.co/WisSREbx1Z — Tax Policy Center (@TaxPolicyCenter) January 14, 2022Walczak said the gas tax added up to a fraction of the overall price consumers pay. “When you do something like a one-time tax rebate or an earned income tax credit, you’re going to get 100% of the benefit of the state tax policy,” Auxier said.

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon to announce funding for more cybersecurity and information technology training opportunities. Some of the students laughed nervously and some took their masks off, while others kept their masks on. The executive order later became law, with DeSantis saying decisions such as wearing masks should be left up to parents. Following Florida, the CDC has even stopped recommending mask wearing for most Americans.

Campaign stops in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and the unwelcome return of Rod Blagojevich.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said last week that the tests weren't distributed because of "low demand."

Touting Florida as a “free state,” Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a State of the State address Tuesday that outlined priorities for the 2022 legislative session...

Ron DeSantis made it clear in his State of the State speech Tuesday that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn't like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons. “Florida has become the escape hatch for those chafing under authoritarian, arbitrary and seemingly never-ending mandates and restrictions,” DeSantis said. Companies who are facilitating the movement of illegal aliens from the southern border to Florida should be held accountable,” DeSantis said. “As he walked in, there was no decorum in the recognition,” said Fried, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge DeSantis. She also said DeSantis' speech was more of an appeal to a national audience than it was an outline of goals for the state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made clear in his State of the State speech that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn’t like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made clear in his State of the State speech that he likes teachers, first responders and freedom and he doesn’t like Dr. Anthony Fauci, critical race theory, abortion, illegal immigration and Burmese pythons.

Officials admitted to the expired tests the same day the state changed its COVID testing guidance.

800,000 to a million Covid tests expired in a state stockpile, with the omicron variant spreading and residents facing long lines for testing.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia-Flagler Rainbow Alliance has begun accepting scholarship applications for the 2022 school year. These scholarships are available to LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled in college, trade school, or an educational internship. “We hope to be able to reach a greater number of potential applicants by making the process not only easier but less intrusive,” said Rainbow Alliance Scholarship Chair Dr. Meg Young. Read: Commissioner Nikki Fried and FDACS launch LGBTQ resources pageThe deadline to apply is April 1, 2022. Read: ‘A safe place.’ For LGBT asylum seekers, a new shot at lifeYou can apply HERE.

Following the removal of anti-bullying resources from the Florida Department of Education website, including information regarding LGBTQ students, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is providing that information instead. In a Tuesday press release, Fried announced a set of LGBTQ resources hosted on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website. “That’s why I believe it’s imperative that we make these resources available.”Advocates complain that removing resources for LGBTQ students is the latest attack on LGBTQ Floridians by the DeSantis administration. The state education website also provided resources for targeted groups, including students with disabilities, LGBTQ students, and for discrimination based on race or ethnicity. Republican lawmakers have provided parents with a tool to direct the education of their students and the Florida education system.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The controversy over an effort to select a new logo for Osceola County continues. In response, Osceola School Board member Jon Arguello announced a contest for students to design the new logo, saying the winning design would be presented to the county as another option. Osceola County Logo Design Contest Rules Will your child design the next county logo??? Here are the logo contest rules … Please submit your designs to jon.arguello@osceolaschools.net Please share with your friends. Posted by Jon Arguello, Osceola County School Board Member - District 3 on Friday, October 22, 2021Arguello announced his plan at a school board meeting in October.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education removed anti-bullying and LGBTQ resources from its website. On Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the launch of a new resource page for LGBTQ Floridians. The page, which can be found on the FDACS website, contains anti-bullying resources, information for parents and educators, resources for inclusive schools, suicide prevention information and background on LGBTQ initiatives taken by FDACS. “It’s so important that LGBTQ Floridians know that they matter, there are resources to help and that we will continue to advocate for them. Our LGBTQ students experience bullying and harassment at higher rates,” said Nathan Bruemmer, an LGBTQ consumer advocate at FDACS.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried accuse d says that current Governor Ron DeSantis squeezed campaign donations out of sitting state university trustees, threatening their position...

Several trustees in the state's university system have already donated to DeSantis's reelection campaign or the state GOP, some with the exact figure.

Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education,...

As she runs for governor in 2022, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will have to fend off allegations that she violated state law by not...

A Florida ethics panel says it has found probable cause that Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried violated state law for failing to properly disclose her income on financial forms.

Officials want to put millions of gallons of wastewater in a deep injection well. But with a long history of incidents and issues, locals and some officials say they have "zero confidence" there won't be any problems.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Agriculture and consumer services commissioner Nikki Fried is calling for an investigation into the high gas prices in the state. In her letter, Fried asks Attorney General Ashley Moody to investigate the high gas prices under the Florida Antitrust Act. Expect to pay more to fill up your gas tankRead her full letter in the tweet below:Oil companies are reaping record profits while consumers are paying high gas prices, even as fuel costs decrease. pic.twitter.com/1TZgvcfYvg — Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) November 17, 2021Fried said since September her Division of Consumer Services has received 80 consumer complaints about high gas prices as company profits soar. “I hope our Attorney General will take action to help us protect Florida consumers at the gas pump,” Fried tweeted.

In this Feb. 14, 2013, file photo, a Dunkin' Donuts' foam cup is discarded in a trash bin in New York. Dunkin' Donuts said Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, that the polystyrene foam cups will be completely phased out from all its stores globally by 2020. In this Feb. 14, 2013, file photo, a Dunkin' Donuts' foam cup is discarded in a trash bin in New York. Dunkin' Donuts said Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, that the polystyrene foam cups will be completely phased out from all its stores globally by 2020. Fried said there is no data on how polystyrene food packaging is being used in Florida businesses.

The 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit kicked off Tuesday in Orlando.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will seek re-election next fall.

A state attorney is still fighting to exonerate Lake County’s Groveland Four, a group of men wrongfully convicted of rape in 1949.

After weeks of controversy that became a political issue between Gov. Ron DeSantis and one of his potential rivals in the 2022 gubernatorial election, Florida children are set to receive over $1 billion in federal relief funding.

A miracas-holding, dancing hard-shell taco GIF was posted to the Broward County government’s Facebook page Tuesday morning and it sparked social outrage, according to the Washington Post.

Florida will start issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools and government agencies that require people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried is expected to discuss the spike in cases across the state.

A group run by one of former President Donald Trump's most prominent election conspiracy adherents is now registered in Florida.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced a plan on Tuesday she hopes will get to the bottom of energy inequity.

With Gov. Ron DeSantis saying lockdown restrictions and mask mandates meant to stop the spread of COVID-19 did more harm than good, the state clemency board on Wednesday pardoned all Floridians who were arrested or fined for violating local-government requirements about wearing masks or social distancing.

Gov. Ron DeSantis took swipes on Wednesday at the latest Democrat to announce their run for the governor's office ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial race.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is expected to announce a run for governor.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is backing legislation aimed at cutting down on skimmers at gas station pumps.

A mandatory evacuation order near a leaking Florida wastewater reservoir that affected more than 300 homes and additional businesses has been lifted.

A mandatory evacuation order near a leaking Florida wastewater reservoir that affected more than 300 homes and additional businesses has been lifted.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried held a virtual chat to discuss modernizing policies after a Brevard County teacher was fired for using medical marijuana.

“Those who have had their voting rights restored under Amendment 4, it makes sense to also restore the other civil rights,” DeSantis said. Since taking office in 2019, Fried has pushed DeSantis and other clemency board members to make it easier for felons to have their rights restored. Wednesday’s action reversed five- and seven-year waiting periods imposed by the clemency board when it was made up of former Gov. Florida’s labyrinthine and lengthy clemency process has been assailed for decades as a system designed to keep Black people from voting. Under the old rules, restitution had to be paid in full before felons could apply to have their rights restored.

And that was despite $100 million spent by Michael Bloomberg to help Democrats in the state. When the spending tally is complete, the last election cycle in Florida is expected to rank as among the most expensive in state history. Ad“I don’t know anybody who’s happy with investing $100 million and not winning,” said Manny Diaz, the new chair of the Florida Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Florida’s Democratic Party ran up debts of up to $860,000 and had to cancel health insurance coverage for party employees late last year — prompting the national party and other states' party organizations to provide some assistance. Diaz, the state party chairman, is trying to reverse the slide in its voter registration advantage over Republicans.

Democrats hope to make deeper strides in changing their fortunes in a state that has become friendlier place for Republicans. And that was despite $100 million spent by Michael Bloomberg to help Democrats in the state. When the spending tally is complete, the last election cycle in Florida is expected to rank as among the most expensive in state history. Ad“I don’t know anybody who’s happy with investing $100 million and not winning,” said Manny Diaz, the new chair of the Florida Democratic Party. Diaz, the state party chairman, is trying to reverse the slide in its voter registration advantage over Republicans.

Bruce Rauner, last week gave the Florida governor's campaign committee $250,000. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in calling for federal officials to probe the DeSantis administration’s vaccine distribution programs. AdDuring a Thursday news conference, DeSantis expressed no misgivings about the early vaccinations at the exclusive Key Largo community. In recent weeks, other reports have surfaced of wealthy retirement communities getting exclusive access to vaccine doses through pop-up vaccine sites. Bruce Rauner to the Florida governor's campaign committee.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Palm Beach County defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' Tuesday afternoon order directing its U.S. and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff. He also ordered the Town of Palm Beach and the State Capitol in Tallahassee to fly their flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday. Trump also lives in Palm Beach at his Mar-a-Lago club and he and Limbaugh were close friends. DeSantis called Limbaugh a legend during a news conference two days later and indicated he would direct flags to be flown at half-staff to honor him.

(AP Photo/Julie Smith, File)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Palm Beach County defied Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, refusing to lower its courthouse flags to half-staff in honor of the late conservative broadcaster Rush Limbaugh — a move that the governor's office called “petty.”The county's courthouse flags remained at full staff, ignoring Gov. Ron DeSantis' Tuesday afternoon order directing its U.S. and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff. He also ordered the Town of Palm Beach and the State Capitol in Tallahassee to fly their flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday. Trump also lives in Palm Beach at his Mar-a-Lago club and he and Limbaugh were close friends.

FILE - This Nov. 5, 2018 file photo shows radio personality Rush Limbaugh introducing President Donald Trump at the start of a campaign rally in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)Following the death of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, Gov. Ron DeSantis said flags will be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday in his honor. @FLCaseyDeSantis and I are saddened to learn of the passing of fellow Floridian and our friend, Rush Limbaugh. @GovRonDeSantis is lowering Florida's flags to half-staff for Rush Limbaugh.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried intends to defy a call by Gov. Ron DeSantis to lower flags to half-staff to honor conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died last week. Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, issued a statement Monday that she will direct offices within her Cabinet agency not to lower flags. On Friday, DeSantis said Florida will lower flags to half-staff after funeral plans are set for Limbaugh, a Palm Beach resident who died Wednesday after a battle with cancer. “When there’s things of this magnitude, once the date of internment for Rush is announced, we’re going to be lowering the flags to half-staff,” DeSantis said during a campaign-style press event at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport in West Palm Beach.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A restaurant manager credited with rescuing a boy from severe child abuse by using a secret sign was honored Thursday by a Florida cabinet member. “You saved somebody’s life.”The proclamation declares January 28, 2021 as Flaviane Carvalho Child Advocacy Day in the state of Florida. Following the proclamation, Carvalho wanted to share a message about her experience and what people can take away from it. Wilson was arrested on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse and child neglect. “When one woman took that advice to heart, she rescued a boy from some dangerous abuse,” OPD said in a news release.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Capitol will be illuminated amber on Tuesday as part of the Biden-Harris inauguration’s national moment of unity and remembrance for the more than 397,000 American lives lost to COVID-19. Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried requested the capitol lighting, according to a news release from her office. State capitols and town halls across the nation are set to illuminate on Tuesday alongside the first-ever lighting display around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Poll in Washington. More than 24,136 Floridians have died from COVID-19 since the coronavirus began in March. “It’s my honor to request that Florida’s Capitol be lit in their memory, with hope for brighter days ahead,” Fried said in the news release.

Javier Crespo, can administer a COVID-19 vaccine shot at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. State officials have moved quickly to disavow such scuttlebutt. Ron DeSantis said stories of people flying to Florida, getting vaccinated and returning home are overblown. She praised Florida officials for allowing outsiders to get shots. This has nothing to do with where you’re from.”___Lush reported from St. Petersburg, Florida, and Calvan from Tallahassee, Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida set a record earlier this year when it comes applications for concealed weapons licenses. Statistics show there were 38,349 new CWL applications in October, in addition to 8,590 CWL renewal applications. There have been at least 36,000 new CWL applications every month since July 2020, with the department projected to process a record 305,043 new applications and 143,749 renewal applications in 2020. In 2019, Florida received 202,698 new CWL applications, and in 2018, there were 188,900 new CWL applications. That’s why we’re hiring more staff and further streamlining our processes to reduce both application review times and customer service times.

The 2,000-acre (809-hectare) fire in Santa Rosa County, located just east of Pensacola, prompted the evacuation of 1,100 homes Wednesday. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a news conference Thursday afternoon that fire officials are working around the clock to contain the wildfires. Rich Aloy, with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, was patrolling Wednesday when he and other deputies rescued an older couple trapped by a burning power line. The Santa Rosa County fire began Monday when a prescribed burn by a private contractor got out of control, Fried said. In neighboring Walton County, a 575-acre (233-hectare) fire in Walton County prompted about 500 people to evacuate.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has posted a list of locations families can find free meals for kids during coronavirus school closures. Some counties will begin the free meal program on March 16, other counties will begin on March 23. “That’s why we’re activating our Summer BreakSpot locations, to offer families an alternative way to find healthy, nutritious meals. For many children, these meals will be the only meals they can count on. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

Florida lawmakers push to have Groveland Four exoneratedPublished: December 10, 2019, 6:18 pmFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida lawmakers will renew their effort Tuesday to exonerate four men, known as the Groveland Four, who were wrongfully convicted of rape in 1949 in Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida lawmakers will renew their effort Tuesday to exonerate four men, known as the Groveland Four, who were wrongfully convicted of rape in 1949 in Lake County. Last year, the Florida Clemency Board posthumously pardoned Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Charles Greenlee and Walter Irvin. “Pardons were a major step forward, and the Greenlee family is very grateful to the Cabinet members for their actions earlier this year,” said Carol Greenlee, the daughter of Charles Greenlee. Thompson announced Tuesday she would push for a joint House-Senate resolution, to exonerate the men and ensure that the state officially recognizes their innocence. “I was proud to stand with my cabinet colleagues to issue a pardon of the Groveland Four — but more action is needed.