SUMMARY: Governor Ron DeSantis is set to appoint a new Lieutenant Governor for Florida following the February resignation of Jeanette Nuñez. Tampa State Senator Jay Collins, a Green Beret veteran and strong conservative known for championing gun rights, is a leading contender. Collins supports Governor DeSantis’s policies and has backed permitless carry and gun law rollbacks. Democrats, however, hope for an independent voice to counterbalance DeSantis’s expanding executive power. Other potential candidates include former House Speaker Paul Renner and possibly First Lady Casey DeSantis. The appointment will influence Florida’s political future, especially ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race.

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The post Sen. Collins talks DeSantis loyalty, Fla. Lieutenant Governor spot appeared first on www.abcactionnews.com

SUMMARY: In the early 2000s, the U.S. Border Patrol nearly doubled its agents, hiring aggressively to expand quickly. This rapid growth led to lowered hiring and training standards, increased employee misconduct, and challenges with retention. With Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now planning to add 10,000 staff over five years to support President Trump’s mass deportation efforts, experts warn such rapid expansion risks similar problems. Despite increased funding—ICE’s budget is nearly ten times larger—recruiting qualified personnel remains difficult amid stiff competition and complex demands. Critics caution that broad deportation targets may cause confusion, wrongful arrests, and enforcement abuses.

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The post Border Patrol hiring spree offers lessons as another immigration agency embarks on massive growth appeared first on www.news4jax.com

SUMMARY: Scattered morning showers and storms are affecting South Florida, especially near Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Miami, with rain chances peaking around midday before decreasing in the afternoon. Temperatures are warm, reaching highs near 90°F, but with humidity, “feels like” temperatures will climb into the triple digits—over 100°F in areas like Coral Springs and Big Pine Key. Breezy conditions off the ocean are bringing moisture inland. The weekend will be hotter and drier with increasing humidity, raising concerns about dangerous heat indices and potential heat advisories. Meanwhile, a Gulf Coast low-pressure system has a 30% chance of tropical development, bringing heavy rain and flooding risks there.

NEXT Weather meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez says scattered showers and storms will push inland toward the west in the afternoon.

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