Florida
Vilchez Santiago Wins Union Backing; Daisy Morales Says Voters — Not Political Endorsements — Decide Elections
Published
4 months agoon
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The Democratic primary for Florida House District 43 intensified this week after candidate Samuel Vilchez Santiago announced endorsements from a coalition of labor organizations, prompting former State Rep. Daisy Morales to respond that while endorsements are important, elections are ultimately decided by voters.
Vilchez Santiago announced support from 12 labor organizations, including the Florida AFL-CIO, Central Florida AFL-CIO, SEIU Florida, the Florida Education Association, the Orange County Fire Fighters Association, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 606, the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 517, SMART Transportation Division PAC, and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1596.
“I am incredibly honored to earn the support of these outstanding labor organizations,” Vilchez Santiago said.
He said the endorsements were especially meaningful because he grew up in a union household.
“These endorsements are deeply personal to me. As someone who grew up in a union household, I understand firsthand that unions create pathways into the middle class and give working families the opportunity to build a better future.”
Vilchez Santiago said he would continue advocating for workers’ rights and policies that strengthen Florida’s middle class if elected.
Morales Congratulates Opponent, Recognizes Union Members
In response, Morales congratulated Vilchez Santiago on receiving the endorsements while recognizing the contributions of organized labor across Florida.
“I congratulate Mr. Vilchez Santiago on earning the support of these organizations and appreciate every group that participates in our democratic process,” Morales said.
Morales praised union members working as teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, skilled trades workers, transportation employees and others who contribute to Florida’s economy.
“Every worker deserves respect, opportunity, safe workplaces, fair wages, and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”
Morales Points to 2020 Democratic Primary
Morales said endorsements are valued but do not determine election outcomes.
She cited the 2020 Democratic Primary for Florida House District 48, when Vilchez Santiago received endorsements from elected officials, political organizations and advocacy groups before Morales defeated him and three other Democratic candidates to win the Democratic nomination.
Following that election, Florida Politics wrote that endorsements “didn’t matter” after Morales emerged victorious.
“That election demonstrated a principle that remains true today,” Morales said. “Political endorsements are valued expressions of support, but they never replace the judgment of the voters. The people—not political insiders or special interests—have the final say on Election Day.”
Morales later won the general election and represented House District 48 from 2020 to 2022.
Contrasting Campaign Messages
The exchange highlights the different messages each campaign is emphasizing as the Aug. 18 Democratic primary approaches.
Vilchez Santiago has focused on labor support, workers’ rights, affordability, housing, healthcare and reducing the influence of special interests.
Morales has centered her campaign on her legislative experience, bipartisan record and accomplishments during her term in the Florida House.
Morales said her official legislative record includes sponsoring and co-sponsoring more than 110 bills during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions and helping secure more than $12.5 million in state appropriations supporting higher education, healthcare, workforce development, nonprofit organizations, infrastructure improvements and community projects.
Among the legislative priorities Morales highlighted were educational opportunities for disabled veterans, property tax relief, consumer protection, public safety, workforce development, healthcare initiatives, infrastructure investments and services benefiting veterans, seniors and individuals with disabilities.
“Working families deserve representatives who deliver results—not just campaign promises,” Morales said.
Leadership and Experience
Morales said voters should evaluate candidates based on their accomplishments in public office.
“There is a clear difference in this race. My opponent is asking voters to consider who has endorsed his campaign. I am asking voters to examine my record of public service, legislative accomplishments, and proven results. Experience matters because results matter.”
She encouraged voters to review her official legislative record on the Florida House of Representatives website, which includes sponsored and co-sponsored legislation, committee assignments, voting history and appropriations.
Primary Election Approaches
The Democratic primary for Florida House District 43 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, with early voting scheduled for Aug. 3–16. The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
House District 43 includes portions of east Orange County, including Azalea Park, Union Park, Alafaya, Orlando, Rio Pinar and surrounding communities.
Both campaigns are expected to continue emphasizing their respective strengths as voters begin casting ballots in one of Central Florida’s most closely watched Democratic legislative primaries.
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Crimes and Courts
Florida Gambling Crackdown Earns International Award After 14000 Slot Machine Seizures
Published
5 days agoon
October 28, 2026The commission reports more than $24 million in gambling proceeds seized since July 2022, with international recognition highlighting its coordinated enforcement efforts.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — The Florida Gaming Control Commission has won the 2026 Regulatory Excellence Award from the International Association of Gaming Regulators, recognizing the agency’s coordinated efforts to combat illegal gambling.
The commission announced the award Oct. 26. The honor recognizes excellence in gaming policy, regulation, compliance and enforcement outcomes.
International Recognition for Coordinated Enforcement
IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally praised the commission’s collaboration with enforcement partners and its support for international efforts against illegal online gambling.
“The Florida Gaming Control Commission’s coordinated approach to combating illegal gambling has produced impressive results,” Mullally said. “Its strategy illustrates the power of collaboration.”
He also recognized the agency’s willingness to support IAGR’s international work targeting illegal online gambling.
Agency Reports 14,000 Illegal Slot Machines Seized
Since beginning operations in July 2022, the commission says it has seized more than 14,000 illegal slot machines and more than $24 million in illegal gambling proceeds.
In the past year, the agency reported shutting down 184 illegal gambling arcades and making 160 arrests.
According to the commission, its investigations have also helped authorities combat illegal narcotics, illegal firearms and dog betting rings connected to criminal gambling operations.
The enforcement figures describe seizures, closures and arrests reported by the agency; arrests do not establish guilt.
Commission Chair Credits Staff and State Support
Commission Chair Julie Brown said the award recognizes the agency’s employees and the support of Florida’s elected leaders.
“We are thrilled to receive such a tremendous honor for our very young agency,” Brown said.
Brown credited Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature and Attorney General James Uthmeier for supporting the commission’s work.
Attorney General Calls for Tougher Penalties
Uthmeier said his office will continue working with the commission to investigate illegal gambling and pursue stronger criminal penalties.
“Illegal gambling operations pose a serious threat to public safety and jeopardize the integrity of gaming in our state,” Uthmeier said.
He said stronger penalties would help hold illegal gambling operators accountable and support law enforcement efforts.
Oversight Extends Beyond Illegal Gambling
The commission’s responsibilities also include regulating authorized gambling activities, including pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms and slot machine facilities, along with overseeing the state’s gaming compacts. Its authority excludes the Florida Lottery.
Central Florida News
Attorney General James Uthmeter announces 100 felony counts against Kissimmee man, sues AI platform
Published
5 days agoon
October 28, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, that a Kissimmee man faces 100 felony counts involving child sexual abuse material and images depicting sexual activity with animals. In a separate action, the state sued an artificial intelligence company accused of enabling users to generate sexualized images of children and other people without their consent.
The criminal case names Jerry Jesus Reyes, 26. The civil lawsuit targets Rengstorff Consulting Ltd., the company operating the A2E artificial intelligence platform.
“There is nothing more evil than the sexual exploitation of children, and anyone who possesses, shares, or creates these images is an active participant in that abuse,” Uthmeier said in a statement.
Tip leads to criminal investigation
According to the attorney general’s office, the Reyes investigation began with a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children concerning activity on a Snapchat account.
Detectives with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit used subpoenas and search warrants to link the account to Reyes, authorities said. Investigators reported finding files depicting the sexual abuse of children and sexual activity involving an animal.
The charges include:
- 86 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child.
- 13 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual activity with animals.
- One count of transmitting child pornography by electronic device.
According to the announcement, the child sexual abuse material possession charges were reclassified as first-degree felonies because the case involved 10 or more images. First-degree felonies generally carry a maximum sentence of 30 years per count under Florida law.
The second-degree felony transmission charge carries a five-year mandatory minimum, according to the announcement, and a statutory maximum of 15 years. Third-degree felonies generally carry up to five years per count.
Reyes could face decades in state prison if convicted. His total sentence would depend on the convictions, applicable sentencing provisions and whether the judge orders sentences served concurrently or consecutively.
The attorney general’s office said Reyes was being held at the Osceola County Jail on $100,000 bond, with conditions of release prohibiting internet access and contact with minors.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day is prosecuting the case in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Separate lawsuit targets AI platform
In the civil case, the state alleges A2E allows users to upload photographs or videos of real people, including children, and generate nude or sexually explicit depictions without their consent.
The complaint also alleges the platform permits users to digitally alter adults to appear underage in sexualized imagery.
Although A2E’s terms prohibit certain abusive content, the state alleges the company failed to enforce those restrictions through adequate monitoring, consent verification and reporting of illegal material.
The complaint cites separate criminal investigations in Tampa and Tallahassee in which people allegedly used A2E to generate child sexual abuse material.
“Predators who traffic in the abuse of children and animals have no place in Florida,” Uthmeier said.
He added that companies profiting from AI tools that facilitate child sexual abuse material or nonconsensual sexual imagery “will be held accountable.”
State seeks injunction and financial penalties
The lawsuit, filed in Sarasota County, alleges violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The state seeks a permanent injunction restricting the company’s provision of the challenged AI tools, restitution, recovery of profits and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per willful violation.
Reyes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The allegations against Rengstorff Consulting have not been proven in court. Responses from Reyes or his attorney and the company were not included in the materials available for this report.
Central Florida News
FBI Director Kash Patel Addresses Global Threats, Crime-Fighting Partnerships at International Police Conference in Orlando
Published
6 days agoon
October 28, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — FBI Director Kash Patel discussed bureau priorities, violent crime and cooperation across jurisdictions during the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police conference at the Orange County Convention Center.
The annual conference and exposition, held Oct. 24-27, brought together law enforcement professionals from the United States and abroad for training, presentations and discussions about public safety.
Patel addressed the evolving global threat environment and the importance of partnerships among federal, state, local, territorial and international law enforcement agencies confronting violent crime and transnational threats.
FBI priorities and violent crime
Violent crime enforcement was among the priorities Patel discussed during his Orlando visit.
Published coverage of his weekly update from Orlando described a broader agenda encompassing cybercrime, fraud and other investigative responsibilities. The update also highlighted cooperation among the FBI, the Justice Department and state and local authorities.
The conference provided an opportunity for bureau leadership to discuss those priorities with police executives whose agencies work alongside federal investigators.
Cooperation across jurisdictions
Partnerships were a central theme of Patel’s appearance, including coordination among agencies at different levels of government and cooperation with international counterparts.
Transnational investigations can involve suspects, evidence and criminal activity spanning multiple jurisdictions, requiring agencies to work across geographic and institutional boundaries.
Published coverage of Patel’s visit also reported plans for meetings with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the IACP Board of Directors.
Patel highlights partnerships in X post
“Great to be in Orlando visiting with our brilliant law enforcement partners,” Patel wrote in a post on X about the conference.
Patel described the gathering as drawing more than 20,000 law enforcement professionals, leaders and partners. He credited cooperation with the FBI for reductions in crime.
In the post, Patel cited a 20% reduction in the national murder rate and more than 54,000 FBI violent crime arrests, which he described as a 90% increase.
The post did not specify the reporting periods or underlying datasets for those figures. The statistics were not independently verified for this article..
Global threats and local policing
The changing threat environment was another focus of Patel’s remarks, connecting the FBI’s national responsibilities with challenges facing police departments and their international partners.
The gathering offered law enforcement leaders an opportunity to discuss shared concerns, exchange professional knowledge and strengthen relationships that support investigations.
FBI Director Kash Patel, right, participates in a fireside chat with IACP President David B. Rausch during the Closing General Assembly of the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Florida National News.
Training and professional development
Beyond executive presentations, the four-day conference featured educational sessions, networking opportunities and an exposition showcasing products and services for law enforcement.
Organizers identified training, networking and exhibit hall education as the conference’s three central components.
The Orlando event brought those activities together to help police leaders develop their agencies and exchange approaches to public safety.
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Florida National News Staff | News@FloridaNationalNews.com