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Navy veteran Rocky Rochford seeks to turn Tampa Bay red, unseat 20-year House incumbent

Fri, 15 May 2026 18:42:47 -0400

Navy veteran Rocky Rochford served his country for 33 years, holding the title of commodore. Now, he's on a mission to flip Tampa Bay from blue to red, in the midst of a spirited campaign to unseat 20-year incumbent Kathy Castor in Florida's 14th congressional district.

Rochford recently sat down to discuss his campaign with Fox News Digital.

"So in 20 years, Kathy Castor has been the author of two bills that became law. And both of those were to rename post offices. So I would say that Kathy Castor has been ineffective. She hasn't really helped Tampa Bay in the ways that matter the most. Affordability is probably the biggest thing on everyone's kitchen table list of discussion points. Gasoline, groceries, electricity, insurance. I mean, the list goes on and on and on."

Rochford emphasizes that his leadership experience has prepared him to be ready to represent the people of Tampa Bay from day one.

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"So it's about leadership. I have spent my entire adult life…33 years in the Navy, four years at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. I got to go back to the age of 18 for the first time before I was actually part of the military. So, it's been entrenched in my being, it is in my soul, I'm very strong in my faith.

And I believe that we need someone who is not only going to bring leadership to the process, but is going to bring their faith to the process up in D.C., and be part of the solution. People who are anti the other side, whether it doesn't matter what side you're sitting on, when they are against the other side to the point where they won't even talk to them, that's problematic. We're not gonna get anything accomplished, we're not going to get anything done. And that's exactly what's happening up in DC right now, we see a lot of that."

Children's rights is an issue at the forefront of Rochford's campaign.

"I have three major bills that are the highlight of what I've been working on. And the first is my children's bill of rights. I do believe that children are the future, and they need to be protected far better than they're being protected now. So the laws that govern children are written amongst 11 different government agencies. Those agencies don't overlap and they don't talk to each other. This bill is designed to create a shield, an organization that oversees all of those laws.

"This covers everything from AI for kids, online predators, and it provides new penalties with teeth. This is we're going to get after those folks. The predators have been exploiting four different avenues on children across state lines. I'm going to close every one of those doors. Parental rights, no boys in girls sports. I mean, this bill covers adoption. It covers foster care, egg donor, IVF. It is complete."

Rochford argues that foreign influence plays a large role in shaping electoral outcomes, and particularly singles out China-based political donor and activist Neville Roy Singham.

"There's a lot folks who have nothing to do with the United States…that are influencing our elections, they're influencing the people…We know that Neville Singham, who's a U.S. citizen living in Shanghai, is taking money from the CCP to disrupt America from the inside. China calls this the smokeless war, and it really is and and they're not the only ones.

"Iran is doing the same thing, we know North Korea is involved, Russia so there's a lot of influence happening in here that are that are causing wreaking havoc but we as a society need to see beyond that. We are one America, and I'm America first. I'm American first before politics, America first before party."

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Florida's 14th district is hardly politically monolithic, and Rochford emphasizes that he seeks to represent the entire district, not merely Republicans.

"I'm about listening. So I'm here to not only listen to the right, I'm here to listen to the center, and I'm here to listen the left. Because if we can't come together and find the commonalities that will make us a better country, then we are doomed as a country. So we must support what we're all after, which is a great America, a great society that takes care of its own and helps around the world."

He views energy policy and independence as the foundation of affordability for American workers and families.

"So I've been talking about affordability for some time. To me, the foundation of affordability for just about everything runs off of energy. The price of oil drives the price of gas, which is in our trucks, in our trains, in our airplanes, in ships. And so we need to get control. And so one of the bills that I have drafted will propose that…we first have to become energy independent. We're the largest producer of energy in the world. So our people should be benefiting from it, not hurting from it."

Among the most important policy issues for Rochford is the national debt, which he has spent a great deal of time researching. He has a plan that would retire America's national debt by the 2060s:

"We don't want to leave a legacy of debt to our children and grandchildren. So I had go back 40 years to try to figure out where this all started, and where we went off the tracks. And I now understand the entire policy. Balancing the budget is only treating a symptom. It does not treat the disease. So the disease is Congress, I'm sorry, but it's true.

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"Every bit of money that comes in that's extra from Congress goes into the general pool and they spend it. And all of the great ideas that have been used in the past, because I studied them all in the past on how to get after the national debt, balance the budget, the things that'll help us get there. They were only policy, they were never law. So this suite of bills is law and it has teeth. And so the very first bill will design, it will create a trust and it is the American National Debt Trust. And when the money goes in there, it cannot come out and it cannot be spent by Congress in any other way. So if we enacted [my legislation] it would still take us to the 2060s to retire the national debt, but if we do nothing, and we're on the path of doing nothing, in 10 years the national debt will be $61 trillion."

Florida's primary election is August 18.

This Midwestern state leads the nation in home foreclosures as US filings jump by 26%

Fri, 15 May 2026 06:00:58 -0400

Home foreclosures in the U.S. are up 26% from last year as inflation rates and rising costs are catching up with homeowners.

Indiana was hit hardest and logged one foreclosure filing for every 739 housing units in the first quarter of 2026, according to findings from property data firm ATTOM. This is nearly two-thirds higher than the nationwide rate of one in every 1,211 house facing foreclosure in that same period.

The latest data released in April shows that red states are being hit the hardest by the sweeping affordability crisis — and with the 2026 midterm elections approaching, economic woes are at the top of mind for many voters and policymakers.

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The top three states with the worst foreclosure rates at the start of 2026 all voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. South Carolina came in second behind Indiana with one in every 743 properties with foreclosure filings in the first quarter of the year, and Florida was in third with one in every 750 housing units facing the same fate.

While foreclosure activity is on the rise across the U.S., it remains well below levels seen during the 2008 housing crisis. But that isn't stopping Democrats from pouncing on the issue, and using affordability, inflation and rising housing costs as their candidates' leading messaging ahead of the November elections.

A total of 118,727 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing in the first quarter of 2026, up 6% from the previous quarter and 26% from a year ago.

Foreclosure filings came in for 45,921 properties for March alone, increasing 18% from February and 28% from March of last year.

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Looking more closely at the data, more homes are entering the foreclosure process, a potential sign of future distress. A total of 82,631 properties started foreclosure processes in the first quarter of 2026, up 20% from the year prior, while lenders repossessed 14,020 properties, marking a 45% annual increase.

Blue states like Delaware and Illinois are also facing high foreclosure rates — showcasing that the issue crosses party lines. Among major metro areas, cities like Cleveland, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana ranked among the highest for foreclosure rates.

The revelation of spiking foreclosure rates comes as the U.S. grapples with a slew of housing challenges that have helped contribute to today’s crisis.

Against that backdrop, experts say rising mortgage rates, higher living costs and other homeownership expenses are putting increasing pressure on some homeowners, pushing up monthly payments and making it harder to keep up with housing costs.

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The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.37% for the week ending May 7, up from 5.98% in late February.

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Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM, said that while foreclosure levels remain below those seen during the housing crisis, the recent uptick suggests more homeowners may be coming under financial strain.

Taken together, the data points to a housing market that remains stable overall, even as affordability challenges persist for some homeowners.

Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchers

Fri, 15 May 2026 08:00:15 -0400

Florida students are uncovering remnants of the past in a place many associate with the future: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

University of Central Florida students and faculty are currently excavating the DeSoto site at Cape Canaveral, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

The site dates back to the Malabar II Period, which lasted from roughly 900 to 1565 A.D. It consists of black earth midden deposits — meaning it sits atop layers of ancient refuse.

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Middens "contain the garbage that people left behind after undertaking their daily tasks," said Sarah "Stacy" Barber, an anthropology professor at the University of Central Florida.

Barber told Fox News Digital that "obtaining and preparing food" was an important daily activity for the people who lived there.

"They didn’t farm, although research by Neil Duncan has shown that at least some people in the region had access to ground corn, which was being farmed by the Indigenous people of North Florida," she said.

Instead of farming, Native Americans in the area largely relied on local resources, though some people in the region had access to imported foods such as corn and beans.

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They also dined on seafood, including shark, fish, clams and other local species — remains of which have turned up in the midden.

"We have found the refuse of many dozens of meals," she said. "We know from our finds this year at DeSoto that turtles, shark, black drum, and coquina clams were on the menu."

Barber added, "So, ancient people fished the lagoon and the beachfront. Once we can add in the plant remains, which take longer to process in a lab, we’ll know whether these animals were supplemented with plant foods like acorns and greenbriar."

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The professor said there is even evidence of seasonings — suggesting ancient people "spiced up their food just like we do."

"We have made a number of really interesting finds this year," she said.

Those finds include the "complete vertebral column of a shark," which the Native Americans would have eaten, as well as "something that is either a fossil or a whale bone near the shark."

The anthropologist said the unidentified object "has really stumped us."

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"We look forward to figuring out what that is," she said.

Archaeologists have also found hundreds of pottery sherds, as well as "the remnants of at least one hearth where food was likely cooked."

Barber added that samples still need to be sent to an outside lab for radiocarbon dating.

At the site, archaeologists also found tools such as conch shell hammers and shark tooth knives used to prepare food.

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Researchers say the remains show that Indigenous people made deliberate choices about what they ate, with shark remains found at the site but little evidence that dolphins were hunted.

Finds suggest the Native Americans relied largely on local resources for centuries, while also having contact with other tribes.

"The Indigenous people of Cape Canaveral lived in relatively dense communities and relied 100% on locally obtained food," Barber said.

"They did it for thousands of years, and they didn’t put the kind of stress on the local environment that we have in far less time."

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Rather than living hand-to-mouth, Barber said the community was well-connected and far from isolated.

"Our sites show an abundance and diversity of food, time to produce pottery when needed, and the opportunity to either travel or interact with people in distant regions," she said.

"It was probably a comfortable, beachfront lifestyle."

Above all, Barber said the excavations show how the past and present can exist side by side.

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"There are few places in the world highlighting the role of the past in the present than somewhere like Cape Canaveral, where the future of space flight literally sits atop and among Native American landscapes," she said.

Feds could bring charges in Bahamas disappearance case without ever finding body, expert says

Thu, 14 May 2026 06:00:07 -0400

A maritime law expert says that federal authorities could bring charges in the Bahamas disappearance of Lynette Hooker even if they never find her body.

Images taken by Fox News Digital on Tuesday show crime tape around portions of Lynette and Brian Hooker's sailboat, Soulmate, as it's docked at the U.S. Coast Guard's station in Fort Pierce, Florida, after a source said it was seized over the weekend.

The source said investigators were processing evidence onboard the sailboat on Tuesday, which appears to have continued on Wednesday.

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Brian Hooker initially told Bahamian officials that his wife fell off a dinghy after leaving shore at Hope Town at around 7:30 p.m. on April 4, saying that Lynette fell off with the ignition key. Local authorities said that he arrived at a marina at Marsh Harbour at around 4 a.m. on April 5 after paddling to shore, roughly eight hours after his wife went overboard. Despite a weekslong search, authorities haven't been able to locate Lynette Hooker.

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Brian Hooker hasn't been charged with a crime. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is probing Lynette Hooker's disappearance.

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Kenneth Engerrand, an adjunct professor of maritime law at the University of Houston Law Center and shareholder in the Brown Sims law firm, told Fox News Digital that even if investigators aren't able to find Lynette Hooker's body, the Coast Guard's investigation could still result in criminal charges.

"They can't file charges without substantial evidence, but that's why they're on the boat. They're looking for evidence. And what will have to happen is the Coast Guard can develop the evidence that's necessary in conjunction with the U.S. attorney in Florida," he said. "Sometimes it takes more effort to develop evidence, and this is the case where that's the situation because you don't have the body."

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"That's a much more difficult process without the body, but it's not impossible to do," Engerrand said.

Engerrand said that Coast Guard investigators didn't need a warrant to search Brian and Lynette Hooker's sailboat since it's American-flagged.

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"They have a specific federal statute for that, and the courts have upheld that, with just a few limitations and so the Coast Guard can conduct a complete investigation with respect to the boat and activity that occurred on the boat under that statute that's valid until they get to the point where they are doing a focused criminal investigation. They don't need a warrant for any of that and once they get to the point of focusing on him, all they need is reasonable suspicion," he said. "They don't even have to have a warrant then to do investigation in connection with activity on a vessel that is an American flagged vessel."

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Brian Hooker was detained for five days by Bahamian police after his wife disappeared, but wasn't charged. His Michigan-based attorney previously asked Americans to give him the benefit of the doubt.

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"I would ask those watching to treat him the way you would want to be treated, to give him the benefit of the doubt, and to consider that not all of us, nor you, considering your own relationships, the way you speak to one another, we all handle things in different ways," Crystal Marie Hauser said.

Brian Hooker left the island for the U.S. to tend to his "very ill" mother, his Bahamian attorney previously said.

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After Lynette Hooker went missing, Brian said in a Facebook post that he was "heartbroken."

"I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas," he wrote. "Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus."

Mother charged after 2 toddler daughters found drowned with cocaine in their systems in Texas

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:42:43 -0400

A mother was arrested in Florida three months after her two young daughters allegedly drowned in Texas with cocaine in their systems, according to authorities.

The case dates back to Feb. 11, when deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Katy, Texas, for reports of two children drowning. The victims, ages 2 and 3, were later found to have cocaine in their systems.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have raised questions about how the children were exposed to the drug and what alleged role their mother, Laura Nicholson, 23, may have played, according to authorities.

Before being arrested Monday in Fort Myers, Florida, Nicholson was charged May 8 with two counts of injury to a child in the deaths.

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Under Texas law, injury to a child can include acts or omissions that cause serious bodily harm or place a child in imminent danger, though officials have not publicly detailed the specific actions that led to the charges in this case.

Authorities have not said when toxicology results confirmed the presence of cocaine or what specific evidence led to charges being filed nearly three months after the incident.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said its Violent Criminals Apprehension Team coordinated with the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force to locate Nicholson in Florida.

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Nicholson was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Fort Myers, according to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

Members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, who are also deputized as part of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, located Nicholson at a local mental health treatment facility around noon and took her into custody without incident.

She was transported to the Lee County Jail.

"This arrest highlights the strong partnership the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has with the U.S. Marshals Service and law enforcement agencies across the country, working together to locate and apprehend wanted fugitives," Marceno said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two young toddlers — sisters — in our community," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, wrote on X, announcing Nicholson's arrest. "May these little ones rest in peace."

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Authorities have not said how the toddlers were exposed to cocaine or whether investigators believe the substance was ingested accidentally or through neglect.

It also remains unclear whether anyone else could face charges in the case or when Nicholson will be extradited to Texas to face the charges.

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It was not immediately clear whether Nicholson has retained an attorney. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for additional details.

Investigators have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the drowning deaths, and the case remains under investigation.

Florida Attorney General subpoenas NFL as part of new probe into Rooney Rule and other DEI programs

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:41:21 -0400

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who in March put the NFL on notice that the league's Rooney Rule may violate the state's Civil Rights Act, on Wednesday issued a subpoena as part of a formal investigation to determine if the league has been discriminating in its hiring practices and other matters of employment.

The subpoena sent to the NFL offices in New York -- a copy of which was obtained by OutKick and Fox News -- orders the league to appear at the Department of Legal Affairs, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Civil Rights, in Tallahassee on June 12 at precisely 9 a.m.

The subpoena compels the NFL to produce extensive records dating back to 2020 (and earlier for some items) covering the Rooney Rule, the Offensive Assistant Mandate, Resolution JC-2A, the Accelerator Program and the Mackie Development Program. It seeks internal policies, communications with government agencies, legal challenges (including those tied to the Brian Flores lawsuit), compliance tracking, enforcement actions and detailed hiring datahiring data -- including candidate race and sex.

Notably, the subpoena zeroes in on how the NFL defines "minority," verifies demographic status, and uses race or gender in hiring decisions or incentives. It also demands evidence of the league’s intent and justification for these programs.

NFL ROONEY RULE AND OTHER DEI INITIATIVES MAY SOON BE IN RETREAT

The Florida attorney general also wants the NFL's communications with the EEOC, United States Department of Justice, or other federal or state agency concerning the Rooney Rule, Resolution JC-2A, the Offensive Assistant Mandate, the Accelerator Program, or the Mackie Development Program.

This sweeping investigative demand makes it obvious that the AG is investigating practically every Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program related to coaching, front office and other executive advancement initiatives that might provide an advantage for one class of people while ignoring or not serving another class.

The NFL had no immediate comment.

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But this should not come as a big surprise.

Uthmeier originally delivered a letter dated March 25 containing "a word of caution" to the league, contending that the Rooney Rule "brazenly violates Florida law" and outlining to the league how its rule violates the Florida Civil Rights Act.

Uthmeier wrote, "the Rooney Rule and its offshoots require precisely what Florida law forbids. They require teams to limit, segregate, and classify applicants for certain employment and training opportunities because of race and sex. And they do so in a way that tends to deprive applicants of opportunities for employment."

In that initial letter of contact, the AG gave the NFL until May 1 to reply. The NFL did indeed respond within the allotted time but the response from NFL General Counsel Ted Ullyot did not satisfy Florida's chief law enforcement officer.

Uthmeier on Wednesday continued to press the issue in a letter obtained by OutKick and Fox News. In his correspondence, the AG contends the NFL actually changed its website page for the Rooney Rule.

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"My office appreciates the NFL’s stated commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. We also appreciate how quickly the NFL changed its website in response to our letter, as well as the NFL’s assertion that it no longer requires the consideration of race or sex in the hiring of at least one offensive assistant," Uthmeier wrote.

"Unfortunately, neither your letter nor the changes to your website assuage our concerns over the NFL’s violations of Florida law. In fact, they raise new ones."

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Uthmeier continued to take aim at the Rooney Rule: "You also claim the Rule "does not license clubs to consider race or sex in making hiring decisions. But according to your own statements, its very point is to do just that. "Through hiring best practices, the Rooney Rule aims to increase the number of minorities hired in head coach, general manager, and executive positions.

"Or to quote the NFL’s own Executive Vice President, "the Rooney Rule and other policy adjustments are necessary" "[u]ntil [the NFL] see[s] organizations doing the right thing for the right reasons in hiring individuals."

"In the end, year after year, the NFL has bemoaned the hiring of 'white' coaches rather than 'coaches of color.' This obsession with hiring based on race is wrong. It also violates Florida law."

Wednesday's step by Florida is ultimately intended to have the NFL relieve the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from having to apply what the attorney general deems are illegal hiring practices for the clubs' most visible employees, namely coaches and personnel department executives.

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If this hasn't been said before, it should've been — you can't hide in the bushes at a bachelorette pool party

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:47:30 -0400

It should go without saying that showing up to a bachelorette party uninvited isn't a polite move. This is time allocated for friends to come together for a proper send-off for the bride-to-be.

There's often a guest list and a budget and if you're not on the list you can’t just show up, especially if you don’t even know anyone. That's not going to be well-received under most circumstances.

It should also go without saying that hiding in the bushes with your pants down as those who were invited to party in the pool at an Airbnb they've rented for the occasion isn't polite either.

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It's rude and, more importantly, it's criminal.

An uninvited creep who was spotted in the bushes near a West Palm Beach, Florida Airbnb on Sunday afternoon is now facing charges of voyeurism and exposure of sexual organs, 12 News reports.

Noel Roblero Mazariegos, 51, was arrested by officers from the West Palm Beach Police Department and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail after reports of a prowler and peeping Tom.

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He allegedly was hiding behind bushes watching women at a pool during a bachelorette party with his pants down. One of the women told police that when she approached him and asked him to leave, he responded by exposing himself again.

This guy clearly doesn’t understand any of the rules we live by in order to have a relatively civil society. He shows up uninvited, hides in the bushes and won't stop exposing himself.

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As if it was even a question, the women who had their bachelorette pool party ruined by the man in the bushes reportedly told investigators they wanted to press charges.

Police found Mazariegos, who fit the description of the lunatic hiding in the bushes, nearby, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Florida judge rules prosecutors can access Tiger Woods' prescription drug history after DUI arrest: report

Tue, 12 May 2026 11:41:32 -0400

A Florida judge reportedly ruled that prosecutors will have access to Tiger Woods' recent prescription drug history.

An April court filing showed that a subpoena was to be issued for Woods' prescription drug records following his DUI arrest in March, but his attorneys fought it. But according to the TC Palm, the records will be released to prosecutors only and not made available to the public.

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Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after taking field sobriety tests following a two-vehicle crash in which his Range Rover turned onto its driver's side.

The aforementioned court filing showed that a subpoena will be issued to "seek copies of any and all prescription medication on file" for Woods from Jan. 1 through March 27, the date of his car crash and arrest.

Woods' attorney, Douglas Duncan, wrote in a motion that the subpoena goes against Woods' constitutional rights to privacy, requesting Tuesday's hearing to determine whether prosecutors should be allowed to obtain the records.

Woods told law enforcement that "I take a few" prescription medications amid seven back surgeries and "over 20 operations" on his leg. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.

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He also mentioned that his ankle was fused, and he walks with a limp due to the injuries. Due to the nature of his injuries, authorities made him do a field sobriety test while sitting down. He blew "triple-zeroes," authorities said, but "lethargic" movements warranted exercises anyway.

Woods participated in four exercises before a deputy placed him in handcuffs. The deputy stated she believed Woods was under an "unknown substance."

Deputies found two white pills on Woods, which were later identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used to treat pain.

Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge but announced several days after the wreck he would "seek treatment." At the scene of the crash, he said he was "hoping to" play in the Masters, but his treatment put his eventual return to the course on hold.

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Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country "to enter into comprehensive inpatient treatment."

Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage, refusal to submit to testing and careless driving. He pleaded not guilty and waived his arraignment, demanding a trial with a jury.

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Mother’s Day dinner dispute turns violent as man accused of stabbing grandmother 11 times: police

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:53:19 -0400

A Florida man is behind bars after allegedly stabbing his grandmother nearly a dozen times over a dispute regarding Mother’s Day dinner.

The incident unfolded around 1:26 p.m. on May 10, when authorities with the West Palm Beach Police Department were called to a home regarding reports of a woman being stabbed multiple times, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.

Upon arriving at the scene, police said they encountered a physical altercation between two individuals, later identified as Keo Nottage, 29, and his cousin, in the driveway where the alleged stabbing took place.

Officers subsequently located the victim, identified as Nottage’s 74-year-old grandmother, who said a fight between Nottage and her other grandson broke out after Nottage was asked to help carry groceries inside the house after the pair went shopping for Mother’s Day dinner.

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The victim told police Nottage allegedly became increasingly agitated and said, "Someone is going to die today," before retrieving a knife from the kitchen, according to court documents.

Nottage then allegedly stabbed the victim "approximately 11 times," authorities said.

Following the alleged incident, Nottage’s cousin told police he attempted to help his grandmother before Nottage allegedly threatened to turn the knife on him.

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The cousin was able to escape the home and call for help, according to police.

Nottage was subsequently arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond on charges of attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to court documents.

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His grandmother was later transported to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery and remains in critical condition, FOX 12 reported.

Fox News Digital reached out to Nottage’s attorney and the West Palm Beach Police Department for comment.

Viral teen takeover explodes into chaos as police round up 22 in park pandemonium

Mon, 11 May 2026 12:50:42 -0400

Florida authorities arrested nearly two dozen individuals after yet another viral teen takeover turned chaotic over the weekend.

The incident unfolded in the area of Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa on Friday night, where the rowdy group caused "significant disruptions, fights, and other issues in the park and surrounding areas," according to the Tampa Police Department.

Officers were subsequently dispatched to the scene, and the department deployed air patrols to monitor the youngsters, with body camera footage showing the chaotic moment police officers rushed onto the scene and began making arrests.

"This type of reckless and criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our city," Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "What began as a large gathering quickly escalated into disorder and activity that placed others at risk."

WILD BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS COPS STORM CHAOTIC TEEN ‘TAKEOVER’ AS BUSINESSES TRASHED: 'THEY COME TO FIGHT'

The incident led to 22 individuals between the ages of 12 and 21 years old being taken into custody, with only four of the arrestees over the age of 18, police said.

The arrests were on various charges, including affray, possession of narcotics, resisting without violence and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Authorities also seized two firearms and one vehicle from the scene.

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"Parents need to know where their children are and who they are with," Bercaw added. "Unfortunately, the poor decisions made by these 22 individuals last night could have lasting consequences that follow them well into adulthood."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Tampa Police Department for comment.

Pulling a gun on your sister's boyfriend and telling him to strip is one way to make family events awkward

Sun, 10 May 2026 11:37:44 -0400

A man's early morning trip to his girlfriend's house took an unexpectedly bizarre turn when he was allegedly greeted by his girlfriend's sister at gunpoint. She's also accused of trying to rob him before hitting him in the face with the gun.

According to the arrest report, the man arrived at his girlfriend's house around 2 a.m. on Wednesday thanks to a friend who gave him a ride.

After arriving at the house, WEAR News reported that Adrianna Barron, his girlfriend's 18-year-old sister, approached him with a gun. She is accused of then pointing it at him, telling him to "strip" and empty his pockets.

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According to the arrest report, she hit him in the face with the gun after making her demands, which it's safe to assume he didn’t comply with. He and his girlfriend allegedly ran and jumped into his friend's truck.

Barron allegedly pointed the gun at the boyfriend's friend and told him to empty his pockets. Why wasn’t he asked to strip? That's a question he's in all likelihood going to be asking himself for some time. He ran to his truck and the three of them drove away, according to authorities.

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Now, all of this went down in Escambia County, Florida, and that means the awkward family event didn’t end there. Barron allegedly followed the truck in another vehicle and tried to push it off the road before deputies arrived and tried to pull Barron over.

The report states that she was initially able to flee deputies, but was found shortly after that. According to deputies, "Adriana spontaneously stated she only wanted to help her sister."

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Barron's unusual way of helping landed her in the Escambia County Jail. She was charged with battery, robbery with a weapon (attempted, two counts), aggravated assault (two counts), fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and driving without a valid driver's license.

She also, undoubtedly, made any future family events that the boyfriend attends with his girlfriend's family much more awkward than they need to be.

Nearly a dozen injured after possible boat explosion at popular Florida tourist destination

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:18:57 -0400

Nearly a dozen people were injured Saturday after a possible boat explosion at Haulover Sandbar, a popular tourist attraction in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed to Fox News Digital 11 victims were taken to the hospital for treatment, though the total number of injuries has not yet been released.

The victims' conditions are unknown, as of 5 p.m.

Fire officials sent more than 25 units to the scene just after 12:55 p.m. local time, including Fireboat 21, Ocean Rescue units, along with partner agencies including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard.

FIERY BOAT EXPLOSION IN FLORIDA MARINA LEAVES ONE DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED

Officials have not yet confirmed if the incident involved an explosion.

"As we’re in the midst of boating season, we want to remind our community to always prioritize safety while out on the water," fire officials told Fox News Digital. "Make sure your vessel is equipped with a working fire extinguisher and all required safety equipment. Before departure, perform a thorough safety check to ensure your boat is in good working condition and free of potential hazards.

"Taking a few extra precautions can help prevent emergencies and keep everyone safe."

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and FBI Miami did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.

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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

DeSantis reveals which dictatorship should be 'put out to pasture' next

Sat, 09 May 2026 07:00:31 -0400

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the time has come for Cuba’s government to be "put out to pasture" while speaking at a bill-signing event on Friday afternoon.

"If you look at the state of Cuba today and in 2026, it is time for the Cuban communist dictatorship to be put out to pasture once and for all," DeSantis said.

"That would be a good thing for our country. It would be a good thing for Florida," he continued.

Although he stopped short of calling on President Donald Trump to take military action to liberate the communist island that sits just 100 miles off the coast of Florida, DeSantis’ comments show that Trump isn’t the only Republican keeping an eye on instability in Havana.

RUBIO SAYS CUBA NEEDS ‘NEW PEOPLE IN CHARGE’ AS BLACKOUTS, UNREST GRIP ISLAND

His comments framed his reasoning around a new Florida law that looks to restrict Cuban-linked businesses operating in the Sunshine State in violation of U.S. sanctions.

"You can't do business with criminals," DeSantis said.

DeSantis noted that, under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. has taken a renewed, aggressive posture toward securing its interests in the region, positing that some degree of American intervention would be consistent with the administration’s outlook.

"Certainly, President Trump, and how he's viewed the importance of our own hemisphere, [has] kind of reinvigorated the Monroe Doctrine," DeSantis said, referring to the interventionist geopolitical philosophy espoused by U.S. President James Monroe.

Trump sparked speculation that the U.S. might take military action against Cuba earlier this year, hinting that he might "take" the island.

"I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba... That's a big honor. They're a very weakened nation right now. They were for a long time," Trump told reporters in March.

TRUMP DECLARES NATIONAL EMERGENCY OVER CUBA, THREATENS TARIFFS ON NATIONS THAT SUPPLY OIL TO COMMUNIST REGIME

Trump did not expand on what recourse the U.S. could take against the island or when such an action could occur. His comments came on the heels of a military operation that had removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and, as a consequence, spurred local unrest in Cuba over energy shortages.

Cuba, which has depended on Maduro’s regime and Venezuelan oil to power its energy grid for much of the past 30 years, has found itself struggling to prevent rolling blackouts.

DeSantis’s comments on Cuba came as he signed the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act on Friday — a bill that grants Florida the power to revoke business licenses with ties to Cuba, among other countries.

"It does a lot of different things, but particularly with respect to Cuba, it authorizes local governments and tax collectors to revoke business tax receipts for businesses operating in Cuba in violation of federal law.

PAIR OF DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS SLAM 'BLOCKADE OF FUEL' TO CUBA, 'ECONOMIC BOMBING' AFTER VISIT TO ISLAND

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"It creates accountability for false declarations regarding business activities in Cuba; knowingly submitting a false declaration related to unlawful activity involving Cuba will now constitute a third-degree felony in the state of Florida," DeSantis said.

When asked about DeSantis' comments, a White House spokesperson didn't comment on whether the U.S. would intervene in Cuba's current situation, but reaffirmed that the administration believes the regime's days are numbered.

"As the President stated, Cuba is a failing nation that has been horribly run for many years and whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela. As the President stated, Cuba is a failing country. Within a short period of time they will fall, 'and we will be there to help them out,'" the spokesperson said.

Video shows ICE officers arresting alleged MS-13 gang member, a 'known suspected terrorist' in Florida

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:22:35 -0400

State and federal immigration officers arrested a criminal illegal alien and MS-13 gang member in a takedown captured on camera.

Luis Merary Peralta-Sevilla, a criminal illegal alien and MS-13 gang member from Honduras, was arrested during an operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol on April 14.

In a video shared exclusively with Fox News by ICE, officers apprehend and arrest the Honduran national.

"Driver, hands out the window, now!" a yells as a translator repeats the commands in Spanish.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CARRIES OUT MULTIPLE RAIDS TARGETING ‘CRIMINAL ALIENS’ IN FIRST WEEKEND

After Peralta was in handcuffs, officers circled the truck he was driving. Authorities said they found "some minor narcotics."

Florida police, ICE said, also seized Peralta's vehicle due to violations related to driving without a valid license.

Peralta-Sevilla first illegally entered the United States in July 2013, officials said. U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered him in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where he admitted he was a citizen and national of Honduras and acknowledged he was in the country illegally. A Justice Department immigration judge granted him bond, and he remained in the United States pending removal proceedings.

ICE ARRESTS MS-13 MEMBER WITH LENGTHY RAP SHEET AFTER VIRGINIA COUNTY REFUSED TO COOPERATE

He is in the Palm Beach County Jail pending transfer to ICE custody for removal proceedings.

"What happened today is just another perfect display of our partnership with our local law enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol and other federal partners," an ICE deputy said in the video.

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"We got a lead on this individual here, Honduran national. He's associated with the MS-13 transnational gang, is also a known suspected terrorist," he said.

"He's gonna be going over to the Palm Beach County Jail tonight, and we'll be moving him over to ICE custody shortly and also following up on the criminal investigation we have going on this individual."

Florida jury convicts 4 men who plotted assassination of Haiti's president from South Florida hub

Fri, 08 May 2026 16:14:02 -0400

A federal jury in Florida convicted four men Friday for their roles in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, a brazen plot organized in the Sunshine State that has plunged the Caribbean nation into unprecedented gang violence.

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages were found guilty of conspiracy to kill or kidnap Haiti’s elected leader, providing material support and violating the U.S. Neutrality Act. The men now face potential life sentences.

Federal prosecutors revealed that South Florida served as the central hub for financing and planning the deadly July 7, 2021, home invasion.

UN STAFF IN HAITI TOLD TO STAY OFF STREETS AFTER GANG COALITION FLEXES MUSCLE, US MARINES FACE GUNFIRE

The conspirators aimed to oust Moïse and install a new leader, dual Haitian-American citizen Christian Sanon, hoping to profit financially through the new regime.

Ortiz and Intriago ran a Miami-area security firm known as Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), while Veintemilla headed a South Florida capital lending group.

During the trial, which kicked off in March, Moïse’s widow, Martine, delivered harrowing testimony about the night roughly two dozen foreign mercenaries, mostly Colombians, stormed their home near Port-au-Prince.

VIOLENT CRIMINAL GANGS HAVE 'NEAR-TOTAL CONTROL' OF WORLD NATION'S CAPITAL, UN SAYS

Speaking through a Creole interpreter, she recalled her husband's chilling final words as gunfire erupted: "Honey, we are dead."

Martine Moïse was wounded in the attack and flown to the U.S. for emergency medical treatment.

Defense attorneys argued the men were manipulated into taking the blame for an internal coup and believed they were executing a legitimate Haitian arrest warrant to "liberate" the country from a president who had overstayed his term.

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The Florida verdicts add to the growing list of convictions in the U.S., with at least five other people serving life sentences after pleading guilty.

In Haiti, 20 people, including 17 Colombian soldiers, are facing charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

'Looksmaxxing' influencer Clavicular charged after allegedly shooting dead alligator on livestream

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:55:05 -0400

Clavicular, the popular "looksmaxxing" influencer famous for producing viral videos, has landed himself in legal trouble yet again after Florida authorities allege he repeatedly shot a dead alligator on a social media livestream.

The 20-year-old social media tycoon, whose real name is Braden Eric Peters, is facing a misdemeanor charge of discharging a gun in public, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

The accusations stem from an incident in which Peters allegedly livestreamed himself repeatedly shooting a dead alligator at the Francis Taylor Everglades Wildlife Management Area in the Everglades March 26, People reported.

Video of the incident subsequently went viral online. In the video, an airboat carrying Peters stops in front of the deceased animal.

FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING NEIGHBOR'S PREGNANT COW AFTER IT WANDERED ONTO HIS PROPERTY

"Should we shoot it?" one of the men is heard asking in the clip.

"Is it dead?" Peter appears to say in response. "Let’s just test how dead it really is."

The video prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to release a statement on social media that it was "aware of a video depicting individuals in the Everglades on an airboat who appear to be discharging firearms at an alligator," and officials are "looking into the incident."

FLORIDA MAN SHOT BY DEPUTIES AFTER ALLIGATOR ATTACK, CHARGING OFFICERS WITH GARDEN SHEARS

The FWC did not mention Peters by name in the post.

"Our client has been summoned to appear for a misdemeanor charge that stems from following the instructions of a licensed airboat guide," Peters' attorney wrote in a statement to People. "He relied on that guidance. No animals or people were harmed. We are confident that once the full picture is understood, people will see this for what it is."

Peters, who has not been arrested in the incident, was reportedly charged alongside Yabdiel Anibal Cotto Torres and Andrew Morales, who are facing the same allegations. If convicted, the three men each face up to one year in prison.

TIKTOK INFLUENCER WHO BRAGGED ABOUT STEALING FROM TARGET ARRESTED AGAIN

In a statement to the outlet, a lawyer for Morales said, "We encourage the public to keep an open mind while the legal process moves forward. At this point, there is no claim that any animal suffered injury, and much of the public reaction has been driven by incomplete or misleading portrayals online.

"My client relied on representations made by individuals in positions of authority and never acted with criminal purpose or intent," the statement continued. "Mr. Morales intends on resolving this matter in a way that promotes the rule of law and respect for law enforcement."

The charges are not the first time the influencer has faced legal woes in the Sunshine State.

FLORIDA INFLUENCER, 41, ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHING, EXPOSING HERSELF TO TEENAGE SON'S FRIEND

In March, Peters was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on a warrant for alleged battery and criminal conspiracy to commit battery issued by officials in Osceola County.

The charges stemmed from an incident in which Osceola County deputies responded to an Airbnb near Kissimmee for an alleged altercation Feb. 2, according to a statement from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office sent to Fox News Digital.

When authorities arrived, an unidentified 19-year-old woman told police she had been battered by 24-year-old Violet Marie Lentz, who is reportedly Peters' girlfriend.

NFL INDEFINITELY BANS YOUTUBER WHO WALKED ONTO DRAFT STAGE AND GRABBED THE MIC DURING STEELERS' PICK

Upon further investigation, detectives revealed Peters had allegedly instigated the fight between the pair and posted a video of the altercation on social media to "exploit the two women," authorities said.

Peters was subsequently taken into custody on $1,000 bond, and authorities also issued a warrant for Lentz on charges of misdemeanor battery.

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Fox News Digital reached out to attorneys for Peters, Torres and Morales for comment and the FWC and Miami-Dade Prosecutors' Office Prosecutors Office.

Fox News Digital’s Olivia Palombo contributed to this report.

Top Dem legal boogeymen tee up 'battle royale' in red state's redistricting crusade

Fri, 08 May 2026 06:00:21 -0400

Democrat-aligned legal heavyweights moved swiftly this week to block Florida’s congressional map after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the redistricting plan into law on Monday, setting up new high-stakes court fights following the Supreme Court’s landmark Voting Rights Act decision clearing the way for red states to reconfigure their lines.

Prominent election lawyer Marc Elias and vocal anti-Trump lawyer Norm Eisen were among those spearheading a trio of lawsuits challenging the map, designed to give Republicans four new seats on President Donald Trump's home turf. Elias is best known for leading high-profile election lawsuits on behalf of Democrats, while Eisen led House Democrats' first impeachment probe into Trump.

One conservative election expert said their new lawsuits might be successful in state court.

"If they can delay, even if they eventually get the injunction overturned, by then it'll probably be too late for these new districts to be put in place," Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, told Fox News Digital.

DESANTIS SIGNS FLORIDA REDISTRICTING MAP TO POTENTIALLY FLIP 4 HOUSE SEATS RED

The fast-moving litigation, brought in Leon County, alleges that the 24-4 map violated a unique provision of the state constitution called the Fair Districts Amendment, which bans partisan gerrymandering.

The Supreme Court's decision involving Louisiana's map found that congressional lines should not typically be drawn based on racial demographics. DeSantis has signaled that the decision bolstered Florida's mid-cycle redistricting plan. The Democrat-led lawsuits in Florida, meanwhile, were unable to make race-based claims because of the high court ruling, von Spakovsky said, noting the legal challenges all rested on claims that the newly drawn districts were unfairly crafted to suit Republicans' political needs.

"I think they're going to have a battle royale in court," von Spakovsky predicted.

"All of the different groups that filed these Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, all of them talk to each other, and they don't work in isolation, and I can tell you, the reason they filed three different lawsuits is that they're hoping they'll get at least one of the three judges to issue an injunction, even if they ultimately lose the case," von Spakovsky said. "The whole point of these lawsuits is to impose delay."

Republicans are up against the clock to defend the map as Florida’s candidate qualifying period begins in early June, while the state’s congressional primaries are scheduled for Aug. 18.

A spokesperson for Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd told Fox News Digital the office could not comment on pending litigation.

MEDIA OUTRAGE OVER SUPREME COURT’S VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION COLLIDES WITH REALITY

One of the lawsuits was brought by Eisen and others on behalf of voting rights groups including Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. Another was brought by Elias on behalf of the Equal Ground Education Fund and several individual Florida voters, and the third was brought by the Campaign Legal Center and the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Florida is among several red, southern states hoping to rework their maps in time for the midterms. The stakes in Florida, an increasingly red state where Trump lives when not in D.C., are highest with four seats up for grabs, while Tennessee is aiming to break up its one Memphis-based majority-Black district and Alabama has only two Democratic-leaning districts.

When reached for comment, a spokesman for Elias pointed to his firm's statement calling Florida's map "one of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders ever recorded."

"This new map would have one of the largest pro-Republican skews ever recorded," the statement read, noting that Florida voters "sent a clear message" when they approved the state constitutional amendment banning partisan gerrymandering in 2010.

The lawsuits in Florida also come against the backdrop of a broader pre-existing war over mid-cycle redistricting that began with California and Texas. The Supreme Court has greenlit both states' maps, which gave five new seats to Democrats and Republicans, respectively.

In Virginia, Democrats secured a 10-1 advantage in a state that typically leans slightly blue. The state Supreme Court is now examining that map after Republicans alleged in multiple lawsuits that a ballot measure approving the map originated from an illegal special legislative session and that the ballot language was deceiving.

BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS RULING IGNITES REDISTRICTING WAR ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES

Asked about his redistricting efforts and whether it was a coordinated effort to reverse DeSantis' plan, Eisen told Fox News Digital DeSantis improperly leveraged the 6-3 Supreme Court decision. The high court's decision came down on April 29, and DeSantis signed into law the state-legislature-approved map the following Monday, May 4.

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"Gov. DeSantis has used the excuse of [Louisiana v. Callais], really within hours of that decision coming down from the Roberts court, to do a plainly partisan redistricting in Florida," Eisen said. "We and the coalition of civil rights and democracy groups and clients have filed a lawsuit to stop that. We cannot see the Callais decision, which itself is wrong, being further abused to drive additional illegal behavior."

DeSantis told Fox & Friends the Supreme Court ruling supported Florida's new congressional lines both because they dismantled an illegal racial gerrymander and because they reflected population growth.

"We actually had a racial gerrymander that the Supreme Court just said is unconstitutional," DeSantis said. "I knew that was going to happen, so we called the special session back in January for April. ... The other thing is, the Florida today is not the same Florida of 2020. We've netted two million people. ... It does reflect that we have had explosive growth in parts of our state."

Fox News Digital reached out to DeSantis' office for comment, as well as lawyers for the Campaign Legal Center.

Haitian illegal immigrant who fatally beat Florida store clerk with hammer will face the death penalty

Thu, 07 May 2026 17:45:21 -0400

A man who entered the U.S. illegally from Haiti and murdered a Fort Myers store clerk will face the death penalty, prosecutors said.

State Attorney Amira Fox announced Thursday that a Lee County grand jury returned an indictment against Rolbert Joachin, 40, in connection with the April 2 killing of Nilufa Easmın, a 51-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, at a gas station in Fort Myers, Florida.

According to prosecutors, Joachin is accused of attacking the victim outside a gas station, striking her repeatedly in the head with a hammer and killing her.

DAYLIGHT HAMMER ATTACK SUSPECT IS ILLEGAL ALIEN RELEASED UNDER BIDEN POLICIES: DHS

Surveillance video captured the assault, which showed the victim being repeatedly struck in the head with a hammer after confronting the suspect for smashing her car window. Authorities described the video as "extremely brutal and incredibly violent."

Investigators say Joachin fled the scene following the attack, prompting a citywide search before Fort Myers police located and arrested him.

GOT A TIP?

"This crime was so violent, so extreme, so unwarranted. It is something that once seen, is never to be forgotten. I want to thank the Lee County Grand Jury who watched and reviewed the gruesome evidence in this case and gave their full attention. I know it was not easy. This defendant entered the United States illegally and brutally ended the life of a mother simply at her job, working to provide for her family," State Attorney Fox said.

DA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACCUSED IN NUNGARAY MURDER CASE

"He will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We will seek the death penalty in this case," Fox said.

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President Donald Trump condemned the violent video, and blasted the Biden administration for releasing the suspect in 2022.

"An Illegal Alien Criminal from Haiti, who was released into our Country by the WORST President in History, Crooked Joe Biden, and the Radical Democrats in Congress, just beat an innocent woman to death with a hammer at a gas station in Florida," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "The video of her brutal slaying is one of the most vicious things you will ever see.

BIDEN ADMIN MARKED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, ALLEGED MURDERER AS 'NON-ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY,' DHS REVEALS

"This one killing should be enough for these Radical Judges to STOP impeding my Administration’s Immigration Policies, and allow us to END THIS SCAM ONCE AND FOR ALL," he added.

WATCH:

Joachim first entered the U.S. in August 2022, and was released into the country under former President Joe Biden, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A federal judge later issued a final order of removal against Joachim, but he was granted Temporary Protected Status, which Trump has described as "a massively abused and fraudulent program." He has also blamed what he called "radical liberal district court judges" for blocking efforts by his administration to end it.

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While a federal judge issued a final order of removal against him, Joachim was reportedly granted Temporary Protected Status, a program Trump called "massively abused and fraudulent" and difficult to eliminate due to Democratic support.

The suspect then remained in the country after his status expired in 2024.

Fox News' Alexandra Koch and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

Future of Ron DeSantis’ controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' ICE holding facility revealed

Thu, 07 May 2026 17:01:39 -0400

Governor Ron DeSantis' famed "Alligator Alcatraz" U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding facility in the Florida swamp will "return to the Everglades" after it is no longer needed, a senior Florida government official has told Fox News.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Florida is in talks with the Trump administration to shut the facility down, citing massive operational costs amounting to hundreds of millions. The outlet also reported that the Department of Homeland Security determined the facility was too expensive to continue operating.

Though calling Alligator Alcatraz a "massive success," the Florida official emphasized that the facility's purpose was "to provide Florida and the Trump administration with a rapid, temporary solution to four years of Biden’s open border invasion."

"President Trump secured record funding from Congress to set up permanent sites for detaining and deporting illegal aliens," the official noted, explaining, "As those sites come online, the need for Alligator Alcatraz as a holding area will wane."

DESANTIS HITS OBAMA WITH BRUTAL ONE-LINE RESPONSE TO DOJ POLITICIZATION ACCUSATION: ‘WOULD LIKE A WORD’

The official said Florida "is glad to see DHS rebuilt" under President Donald Trump.

"We continue to fully support the mission," they said. "And when it’s no longer required, Alligator Alcatraz will return to the Everglades with Florida's commitment that it will never be developed."

That said, the official said the facility’s 2.5-mile runway will remain available for large flights from neighboring ICE facilities.

Regarding the operational costs, the official said, "We also appreciate the federal government’s commitment to reimbursing Florida for its immediate efforts to step in and help with this mission."

FLORIDA OFFICIALS REVEAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS OF MIGRANTS HELD AT 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ'

The official said that "since its inception, Alligator Alcatraz has processed over 21,000 illegal aliens for deportation."

"Needless to say, Alligator Alcatraz was a massive success," they added.

This comes shortly after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Florida’s favor that Alligator Alcatraz could remain open, following a judge’s order for the facility to wind down operations for failing to comply with federal environmental law.

In a 2-1 decision, the majority on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals found the state-run facility was not under federal control and was not subject to federal law requiring an environmental impact review.

WATCH: CHAOS ERUPTS AS FLORIDA DEM IN PINK JUMPSUIT GRABS BULLHORN MID-VOTE: 'IT'S ILLEGAL!'

"Florida, not federal, officials constructed the facility," the majority wrote. "They control the land and 'entirely' built the facility at state expense."

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The facility is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site, an area surrounded by protected wetlands within the Everglades ecosystem, according to court filings.

The New York Times reported that Florida has been spending more than $1 million a day to run the center.

Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this report.

Americans keep moving to Texas and Florida — but one other red state is growing even faster

Thu, 07 May 2026 06:00:56 -0400

Texas and Florida are drawing the largest number of new residents, but South Carolina is growing faster than any other state as Americans continue to relocate across the country, according to new IRS data.

The trend highlights a broader shift toward the South, as Americans say they're making the move for lower taxes, more jobs and higher quality of life.

For its size, South Carolina is seeing the biggest influx per capita of new residents from other states, equal to just over 1% of its population. In other words, for every 100 people living in the state, one new person moved in from elsewhere in the country.

THIS STATE ISN’T JUST GROWING — ITS ECONOMY IS GETTING RICHER PER RESIDENT

The Palmetto State added more than 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023, based on the most recently available IRS data.

The movement isn’t just about people. It’s also about income.

With the influx of residents, South Carolina gained more than 29,000 new tax filers and roughly $4.1 billion in income. This shift is likely to boost local economies in the state as new residents bring spending power and help fill open jobs in growing industries.

Zooming out, Texas and Florida are still drawing the most people overall because they’re much bigger states by size and population, so even smaller increases add up to larger total gains.

Texas led the nation in new residents with 56,473 new tax filers in 2023, followed closely by Florida with 55,349, according to the data.

The gains come as some of the nation’s most expensive states, which are run by Democrats, are seeing the biggest losses. California is down more than 100,000 tax filers and New York by nearly 72,000 from 2022 to 2023.

CALIFORNIA’S LOOMING CAPITAL FLIGHT PROBLEM COULD RESHAPE STATE IN 3 KEY AREAS

The income losses mirror the population decline, with California losing nearly $12 billion and New York about $10 billion — especially as some of their highest earners relocate.

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Taken together, the shifts suggest Americans aren’t just moving — they’re redistributing income and economic power.

If the trend continues, it could further reshape population growth and state economies in the years ahead.

Miami woman allegedly lured man to luxury condo via Instagram, then robbed him with 2 accomplices

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:42:11 -0400

A blonde Florida woman was arrested after allegedly messaging a man on social media and inviting him to her Miami apartment, only to rob him blind, police say.

Nicole Cano, 30, faces charges of false imprisonment and strong-arm robbery after allegedly inviting the victim to her luxury Biscayne Bay condo on April 11 around 8 p.m., according to an arrest affidavit cited by Local 10.

Cano allegedly asked the man over on Instagram to "have drinks," but the meet-up quickly took a turn.

While the victim was on her balcony, two other women emerged from a bedroom and joined Cano in confronting him, police said.

FLORIDA WOMAN STOLE THOUSANDS DURING TAROT CARD READINGS, SPIRITUAL CLEANSINGS SCAM: REPORT

The trio demanded money, but the man told them he didn’t have any cash, according to the report.

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When he tried to leave, a struggle broke out and the women told him he was "going to pay," authorities said.

During the scuffle, the victim’s gold chain was yanked from his neck. He managed to keep the chain, but a $300 gold cross pendant was taken before he broke free, fled the apartment and screamed for help, the affidavit states.

He later called police.

On May 1, the victim identified Cano in a six-photo lineup, according to the charging document.

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Cano was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

She pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was assigned a public defender, court records show.

Florida man allegedly caught going 101 mph gives deputies wild excuse when busted

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:11:49 -0400

A Florida man’s rush to make it to a wedding ended in handcuffs instead after deputies say he was caught speeding more than 100 mph and told officers he was running late for the ceremony.

Christopher Jones, 29, was pulled over around 9 a.m. Saturday in Brevard County during a traffic enforcement effort dubbed "Super Speeder Saturday," where deputies were targeting dangerous drivers.

Deputy Caleb Sanchez was conducting speed enforcement when he spotted Jones coming "in hot," clocking his vehicle at 101 mph in a 70 mph zone, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Jones, who was dressed in a black suit and white dress shirt, allegedly told deputies he was speeding because he was late to a wedding.

FLORIDA MAN CITES BARBER APPOINTMENT AFTER GETTING CLOCKED GOING MORE THAN 100 MPH

A photo shared by the sheriff’s office shows Jones standing in front of a patrol vehicle in his formal attire, paired with casual slide sandals and socks, a detail that quickly caught the internet’s attention.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey highlighted the arrest in a social media post, calling it "Super Speeder Saturday — Wedding Crashers Edition," and noting that Jones was "dressed to impress" when he was taken into custody.

SANTA WITH CCW GETS PULLED OVER, TELLS OHIO DEPUTY 'YOU GOT TO PROTECT YOURSELF' DURING FESTIVE TRAFFIC STOP

But Ivey made clear that in Brevard County, drivers hitting triple-digit speeds shouldn’t expect a warning.

"Unfortunately for him, he didn’t realize that in Brevard County we don’t give you any warnings when it comes to violations," the sheriff said.

GOT A TIP?

Instead of making it to the ceremony, Jones was taken to the Brevard County Jail — jokingly referred to by Ivey as "Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge."

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Jones, of Orange Park, was charged with operating a vehicle at 100-plus mph while threatening persons or property, a misdemeanor. He was released later that day on a $500 bond, according to jail records. A court date has not yet been set.

The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.

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"Everybody focused on the slides... I wanna know how you're late for a wedding at 9AM???" one commenter wrote.

"Well, the sandals don’t scream ‘dress to impress’ for a wedding," another added.

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Others joked about the circumstances of the event itself, with one person writing, "I gotta know. Was he the groom for said wedding?" while another quipped that if so, "it looked like she got stood up at the altar."

Authorities say the enforcement push is aimed at cracking down on reckless driving and keeping roadways safe and officials suggest there will likely be more high-speed stops to come.

Florida man in 'No Christ No Life' T-shirt caught on video allegedly attacking, robbing woman, 82, at bus stop

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:04:02 -0400

Video footage shows a Florida man wearing a T-shirt reading "No Christ No Life" violently attacking and robbing an 82-year-old Tampa woman at a bus stop, an alleged assault and theft that left her unconscious and led to his arrest days later, police said.

The Tampa Police Department said 56-year-old Joseph Patrick Wren was arrested Tuesday and charged with robbery.

According to police, the attack occurred around 7:45 p.m. on May 1 near the intersection in the Wellswood area of the city.

BLUE CITY BUS ATTACK HEIGHTENS COMMUTERS' FEARS AFTER CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING

Authorities said the woman was walking past the suspect when he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness.

Investigators said the suspect then took the woman’s bag and fled the scene on a bicycle. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. She is now recovering at home.

Police launched an investigation and asked the public for help identifying the suspect.

The case gained momentum after a community member provided detectives with video footage from his Tesla that captured the attack. In the video, the suspect is seen wearing a white T-shirt bearing the phrase "No Christ No Life," along with a blue hat.

CHARLOTTE BUS STABBING SUSPECT ARRESTED 15 TIMES IN 3 YEARS, FREED WEEKS BEFORE ATTACK

Authorities said the suspect matched the description of a person involved in a bicycle theft earlier the same day, which helped investigators narrow their search.

Officers later spotted Wren near N. Nebraska Avenue and E. Annie Street while patrolling for leads and took him into custody.

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"The outstanding investigation, community assistance, and pro-active policing that led to a quick arrest in this case is a testament to the strength of our city," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. "It should be clear that in Tampa we all work together to hold criminals accountable, especially those who would foolishly choose to target our neighbors."

Wren is being held without bond in the Hillsborough County Jail.

Florida man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Trump, Rubio and Bondi

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:29:06 -0400

Nathaniel Sanders II, 32, is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Tuesday.

Sanders, who appeared in federal court Monday, allegedly sent numerous social media posts between January and April that threatened to kill the three leaders.

Sanders allegedly threatened to bomb the White House and mentioned first lady Melania Trump in social media posts while referencing the fact that he owned a gun, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.

"Imma bomb the (expletive) White House," he posted on X, according to the complaint.

FAA EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO KILL PRESIDENT TRUMP IN EMAIL TO WHITE HOUSE

"I don't know what to do Melania, like, all I got is a gun. It's the only thing I can use now is a gun," Sanders said in a video posted to Instagram, per the complaint.

Another video allegedly targeted Rubio. "Like when I get my hands on him, I'm gonna hurt him. Simple as that," Sanders said.

"Threats against public officials are not political speech," U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said in a statement.

SUSPECT WITH LENGTHY RAP SHEET ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED PAM BONDI 'MURDER-FOR-HIRE' SCHEME: FBI

"They are serious federal crimes that endanger public safety and the rule of law. The complaint alleges that this defendant repeatedly threatened to assassinate the President of the United States and other senior officials," he added. "Those allegations will now be tested in court. Our Office will continue working with the U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners to investigate threats, protect public officials, and ensure that those who violate federal law are held accountable."

The U.S. attorney's office charged Sanders with threatening the president of the United States and transmitting threats in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Investigations into his threats involve the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and Miami Beach Police Department.

"Making threats against the President of the United States is a federal crime, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves every time," Special Agent in Charge Michael Townsend of the U.S. Secret Service, Miami Field Office also said.

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"It does not matter where the threat is made or what platform is used, our agents will identify you, investigate you, and work alongside our federal and local partners to bring charges when appropriate. We remain relentless in our mission to protect the President and to act swiftly against anyone who puts others at risk."

Sanders' arrest was the result of a protected intelligence investigation which highlighted the efficacy of the Secret Service to identify threats "before they can make a plan," a Secret Service spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital contacted the U.S. Attorney for Florida's Southern District for additional comment.

SPLC-backed coalition sues Florida over new congressional map it alleges is an unconstitutional gerrymander

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:00:10 -0400

A coalition of groups represented by the embattled Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is suing Florida over its new congressional map, arguing that it favors one political party over another.

The 41-page lawsuit was filed by Common Cause, an ethics watchdog; the League of Women Voters of Florida; and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The organizations allege the map violates the Fair Districts Amendment, which prohibits the Republican-controlled state legislature from drawing maps that favor a specific political party.

"The fact that this is a partisan gerrymander is as obvious as it is unconstitutional," said Bradley Heard, deputy legal director for the SPLC. "And while this unnecessary map is egregious in how it advantages Republicans and disadvantages Democrats, the people who will suffer the most if it is allowed to stand are once again Black and Brown communities, whose voices are consistently silenced in these redistricting battles. The SPLC will not allow this governor to turn back the clock on voting rights in Florida."

DESANTIS SIGNS FLORIDA REDISTRICTING MAP TO POTENTIALLY FLIP 4 HOUSE SEATS RED

The lawsuit is the second filed in as many days against the new map. The first was filed hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the map into law; the plaintiffs in that suit are the Equal Ground Education Fund, a voting rights group, and 18 Florida voters.

Fox News Digital has reached out to DeSantis' office for comment.

The Fair Districts Amendment was approved by voters in 2010 in an effort to set redistricting standards to prevent partisan gerrymandering, the favoring of political parties, or the reduction in power of minority groups.

"The governor’s ploy to impose maps for an unfair partisan advantage is exactly why voters made it illegal in 2010—and why we’re going to court," said Amy Keith, the executive director for Common Cause Florida. "This governor and Republican lawmakers will stop at nothing to put their finger on the scale because they are afraid of being held accountable by the people.

"We expect the courts to be the adults in the room and honor the Florida Constitution and the will of Florida voters."

REDISTRICTING BATTLES BREWING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS PARTIES COMPETE FOR POWER AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS

The plaintiffs are asking a judge to declare the map unconstitutional and impose an injunction to prevent state officials from enacting it. Additionally, they want the state to reinstate the previous 2022 congressional map or order the adoption of a completely new redistricting plan that is compliant with the state constitution.

"When a map is distributed in a red/blue format to the media before being transmitted to the legislature, and when the governor’s staff openly acknowledges in committee that there is no new Census data being used to justify a new map, Florida voters can’t help but suspect that this is a partisan gerrymander," said Jessica Lowe-Minor, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida.

The SPLC is one of several groups representing the plaintiffs. The organization currently faces federal charges for allegedly secretly transferring money to extremist groups it claimed to be fighting, with the goal of infiltrating and monitoring their activities.

AL SHARPTON RAGES AT FLORIDA GOV DESANTIS' IMPRESSION OF HAKEEM JEFFRIES

The SPLC is accused of paying $3 million to people associated with violent extremist groups — including the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Movement, and the American Nazi Party — between 2014 and 2023.

Amid the battle over Florida's redrawing of its congressional map, Democrats have repeatedly decried the move as a GOP power grab.

Currently, Florida Republicans have a 20–8 majority in the House, but the new map could extend the GOP's power to 24–4 following the redrawing of districts. This shift could impact several Democratic incumbents, including Reps. Darren Soto, Kathy Castor, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Jared Moskowitz.

Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said the new map disenfranchises millions of Black, brown, and Jewish voters in the state.

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"This type of voter suppression is nothing new in Florida—from Jim Crow and the Ocoee massacre to election police and the enactment of the most extreme voter suppression laws in the country since 2021, unfortunately, Florida has always been a testing ground for conservative extremism," she said Monday.