Politics
US Appeals Court Rules Against Governor DeSantis’ Andrew Warren Suspension
Published
2 years agoon
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN) – In a 59-page ruling, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote Wednesday that the federal judge who declined to return Warren to office should reconsider some aspects of the case.
Andrew Warren’s Press Statement:
Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren – and the voters of Hillsborough County – won a major legal victory today as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated and remanded the District Court’s opinion regarding the illegal suspension by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Today’s decision vindicates the arguments made by Warren’s legal team that have been at the core of their case—that Warren was duly elected by the voters to serve as State Attorney and that the governor violated federal law when he was suspended from office in August of 2022.
“This is what we’ve been fighting for from the beginning—the protection of democracy. We look forward to returning to the District Court to obtain the relief that has been denied to me and all the voters of Hillsborough County for 17 months: reinstating the person elected by the voters,” Warren said, following today’s decision.
“The appellate court found that the First Amendment protects the rights of elected officials to share their views and opinions on important issues with voters. That’s what State Attorney Warren did,” said J Cabou, one of Warren’s lead attorneys from the law firm of Perkins Coie. “Further, the appellate court reiterated that the voters elected Mr. Warren to his post, and if alignment with the Governor’s political ideology is a prerequisite for holding elected office that there would be no point in having elections at all.”
In his January 20, 2023 decision, Judge Robert Hinkle in the Northern District of Florida, found that DeSantis broke federal law by suspending Warren in retaliation for Warren’s speech on matters of public importance and for his association with the Democratic Party, which violated Warren’s First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. The court, however, wrote that it lacked the authority to reinstate Warren under the Eleventh Amendment.
In sending the case back to Judge Hinkle, the Court of Appeals wrote, “The Eleventh Amendment permits federal courts to remedy First Amendment violations”—clearly explaining that Judge Hinkle has the authority to reinstate Warren.
The case will now return to Judge Hinkle to make a new finding under the parameters laid out in today’s opinion.
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Florida
Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrests in Central Florida Medicaid Fraud Case
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests of Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison in connection with a scheme to defraud Florida’s Medicaid program.
“Medicaid fraud is a clear example of theft from taxpayers,” Uthmeier said. “In Florida, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will safeguard public funds and aggressively pursue anyone who exploits these programs.”
An investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that McKinnie submitted tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims for non-emergency medical transportation gas reimbursements for trips that never occurred.
Investigators said McKinnie fraudulently billed Medicaid for more than $65,000 in medical services that were never provided. Morrison assisted in the scheme by submitting approximately $7,000 in false reimbursement claims.
McKinnie is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud exceeding $50,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both charges are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Morrison is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud under $10,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
McKinnie was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, while Morrison was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
Central Florida News
Orange County Government Updates Temporary Warming Center Schedule
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County officials announced updated operating hours for the county’s temporary warming centers following revised weather forecasts indicating temperatures will not fall below 40 degrees for at least four consecutive hours.
As a result, warming centers will be closed Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The centers will reopen Saturday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. and remain open continuously through Monday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m.
Warming Center Locations and Hours
Temporary warming centers are located at the gymnasiums of Barnett Park Recreation Center and Goldenrod Recreation Center and will operate on the following schedule:
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: 5 p.m. – 9 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29 – Friday, Jan. 30: Closed
Saturday, Jan. 31: Opens at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 1: Open 24 hours
Monday, Feb. 2: Closes at 10 a.m.
Transportation Services Available
For residents in rural East Orange County, Bithlo Community Park will continue to serve as a transportation hub, with LYNX bus service providing access to the Goldenrod Recreation Center.
LYNX Bus Schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 31 – Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026: 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
LYNX buses provide free transportation to warming centers.
Pet Policy and Additional Shelter Resources
Secured pets are permitted on buses and at warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and all necessary food and supplies.
Warming center operations are subject to change based on weather conditions. For the latest updates, visit www.ocfl.net/cold.
Additional Homeless Services Network partner locations include:
Coalition for the Homeless, 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
Matthew’s Hope, 611 Business Park Blvd., Winter Garden
Orlando Union Rescue Mission, 3300 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Salvation Army Orlando (Men Only), 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando
The Salvation Army Orlando (Women and Children Only), 400 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Politics
Gov. DeSantis: Florida Opts Into Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit to Expand School Choice
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will opt in to the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, a new program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, further expanding school choice opportunities for families across the state.
“Florida families have access to the nation’s top-ranked and largest school choice program,” DeSantis said. “About 1.4 million students are enrolled in school choice options in Florida—more than most other states’ entire K-12 school population. This new federal program will allow Florida families to supplement their existing scholarships.”
Federal Tax Credit Expands Education Freedom
The Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for contributions that help K-12 students cover educational expenses. By opting into the program, Florida enables families to combine federal benefits with existing state-based scholarships, further broadening access to educational options.
Florida’s Leadership in School Choice
Florida enacted universal school choice in 2023, ensuring every family has access to education options that meet their needs. Nearly half of all students in the state now participate in school choice programs, including private schools, charter schools, virtual education, and homeschooling.
National Recognition and Rankings
Florida continues to lead the nation in education freedom. The Heritage Foundation ranked Florida No. 1 in Education Freedom for the fourth consecutive year, also awarding top marks in Education Choice, Civic Education, Academic Transparency, and Teacher Freedom. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranked Florida No. 1 for Education Freedom for the third straight year, citing student-centered funding, charter schools, and homeschooling. The Center for Education Reform also ranked Florida No. 1 on its Parent Power Index for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the state’s leadership in transformational learning and choice programs.
