Bill Requiring New FL Voters To Prove U.S. Citizenship Clears First Committee

The Senate Ethics ⁘ Elections Committee discussing election bill on Feb. 4, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) A bill to impose heightened requirements for first-time voters, including mandating presentation of documents such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate — received its first hearing in this year's legislative session, and was approved by a party-line vote in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Wednesday. The proposal ( SB 1334) is sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach. It would make a number of revisions to election laws, but by far the most contentious would require a voter to provide specific documents to prove he or she a U.S. citizen if records from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) indicate that they are not.

Grall says that only voters who lack a driver's license that is REAL ID-compliant would have to prove their citizenship. (A 2005 federal law called the REAL ID Act requires standardized driver's licenses and ID cards to be issued by all U.S. states). She later said that 99% of Floridians are already REAL ID-compliant. A current and valid Florida driver license of Florida ID card — if that card indicates U.S. citizenship; Senator Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, questioned Grall about why an expired U.S. passport would not be sufficient to prove one's U.S. citizenship (new U.S. passports are valid for 10 years). According to a report by the liberal D.C-based Center for American Progress , more than 8 million Floridians lacked a U.S. passport in fiscal year 2024. You might also find this interesting: Visit website

Civil Rights Groups Warn International Tourists Of Potential Dangers In Florida Ahead Of 2026 FIFA...

Civil rights groups have issued a travel alert for international tourists heading to Florida, citing concerns over potential dangers to their rights, liberty, and physical security. The warning, issued on February 4, advises reconsideration of travel to the state, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, which will bring millions of soccer fans from around the world to South Florida. According to The Palm Beach Post, multiple cases of tourists and U. S. citizens being detained for immigration enforcement purposes have prompted this warning from groups such as the ACLU of Florida, Florida Immigrant Coalition, and American Friends Service Committee. These organizations express concern that international fans, especially people of color and those from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, may be targeted or questioned without cause. Mark Pieth, a Swiss attorney, has urged fans to skip the World Cup, adding to the growing unease. As The Palm Beach Post reports, the groups involved in issuing the travel alert are strongly advising against travel to Florida, highlighting the potential risks to international visitors. With the World Cup scheduled to begin in June, fans and travelers would do well to exercise caution and consider the warning issued by these civil rights groups.

A travel alert was issued Feb. 4 for international tourists traveling to the United States “particularly in Florida,” warning their rights, liberty ...

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Snapchat To Groom 2 Florida Teenage Girls

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. ⁘ A 19-year-old man from Nebraska used popular gaming and messaging apps to groom two teenage sisters he later kidnapped in Florida, according to investigators. During a recent news conference , Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Hser Mu Lah Say used Roblox gaming to connect with 12-year-old Lunabella and 14-year-old Kaelani Lozano last summer.

“There is no application online that is safe ... If you can communicate with somebody away from your house in the quiet of your room, it can be a problem, so parents have to be vigilant,” Budensiek said. “In this case, they were vigilant.” Budensiek said the teens' family told Martin County Sheriff's Office deputies that they had set limits on Roblox after the girls received gift deliveries, and had seized their phones after they went to a park without permission on Saturday morning.

“The family members suggested to our deputies that an individual on that app may be involved,” Budensiek said. Looking to read more like this: See here

Florida Gators' 2026 SEC Outlook Mixed In Wake Of Coaching Change

As published in Yahoo Sports:

Florida Football Sees Mixed Outlook in 2026 SEC Power Rankings. The Florida Gators find themselves in the middle of the pack in CBS Sports' 2026 SEC power rankings, a reflection of both uncertainty and quiet optimism surrounding the program as Jon Sumrall takes the reins. Ranked 10th in the SEC, Florida is firmly placed in the conference's crowded middle tier. This ranking comes after a chaotic transfer portal cycle and a full coaching reset. Sumrall, the new head coach, inherited a group that needed significant turnover. The Gators lost key contributors to the portal and rebuilt large portions of their depth chart. Several position battles remain unresolved heading into spring practice. CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello noted that quarterback uncertainty is a major storyline, with Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo competing against Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting position. This competition could ultimately swing Florida's ceiling one way or another. According to Marcello, "Jon Sumrall arrives with a major rebuild on his hands in Gainesville. The former Tulane and Troy coach has never won less than 10 games in a single season, but make sure to temper your expectations for Year 1 in the SEC. He had to overhaul a roster depleted by transfers, and we don't

Florida football finds itself right in the middle of the SEC pack in CBS Sports' power rankings for the 2026 season, a reflection of both ...

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Florida Woman Harvests Hundreds Of Pounds Of Frozen Iguanas To Eat

As the Sunshine State grapples with an unexpected cold front, a peculiar phenomenon has unfolded. Iguanas, once basking in the warmth, now lie stunned and helpless, having fallen from trees. Amidst this chaos, a Florida woman, Jessica Kilgore, has seized the opportunity to collect dozens of frozen iguanas, intending to have them cooked and consumed. Kilgore, associated with Iguana Solutions, has amassed hundreds of pounds of iguanas, which she plans to ship to Trinidad for culinary purposes. Her rationale is multifaceted; she views iguanas as an invasive species, detrimental to South Florida's native environment. By harvesting them, she believes she is contributing to the reduction of their population. The notion of consuming iguanas may seem unorthodox to some, yet it is rooted in cultural practices. As Kilgore notes, various cultures relish iguanas, consuming not only the meat but also the eggs, legs, and tails. This unusual circumstance has given rise to an unanticipated food source. For further insight into this unusual story, BroBible provides a comprehensive account, shedding light on the complexities of invasive species and the creative solutions being explored to mitigate their impact.

South Florida is currently dealing with a falling Iguana epidemic, and one woman is taking advantage of the situation.

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Florida's Segregated Shores: The Hidden History Of Racial Tension On The Sunshine State's Beaches

Information column from wtsp.com:

Florida's Pristine Beaches: A Turbulent Past of Racial Segregation. The Sunshine State's breathtaking coastline, renowned for its beauty, once harbored a dark secret. For decades, laws and social norms prohibited African Americans from accessing these public spaces. The battle for integration was fierce, marked by organized protests and strategic litigation that reached the United States Supreme Court. Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, lamented the lack of discussion about Tampa Bay's role in the Civil Rights Movement. "Rarely do you hear about Tampa Bay, which is unfortunate," he said. The Tampa Bay area was indeed a hub for protests, including sit-ins and connections to Freedom Riders. However, what set Florida apart was its extensive coastline. Miles of public beaches were segregated, sparking a unique chapter in the country's racial segregation narrative. Wade-ins, similar to sit-ins, became a form of protest. Groups of Black demonstrators would organize and visit whites-only beaches to challenge racial restrictions. One notable example was a series of wade-ins that began in October 1955 at Lido Beach in Sarasota County, led by Grimes. These courageous acts of defiance aimed to bring attention to the injustices faced

Florida's pristine beaches span hundreds of miles and are considered some of the most beautiful in the world.

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Florida Renaissance Festival Returns For 34th Annual Celebration

The Florida Renaissance Festival, affectionately known as Ren-Fest, is set to transport visitors to a bygone era. This year's 34th annual celebration will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from February 7 to March 29 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Bobby Rodriguez, the festival's founder and organizer, described the event as a delve into fantasy, featuring jousting knights, swordfighters, archers, musical minstrels, and animatronic installations. The festival will showcase over 100 entertainers and 100 artisans, with costumes encouraged. Each weekend will have a unique theme, ranging from Viking valor to steampunk style. Rodriguez noted that the steampunk area, introduced last year, will return due to popular demand. Rodriguez emphasized that, despite being in its 34th year, the festival continues to evolve and improve. "People say to me all the time, 'After doing it for so many years, it's got to be easy doing this.' I said, 'No, it actually gets harder every year.'" Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid VIP parking fees and lengthy wait times. According to the Sun Sentinel, the festival promises an immersive experience, with a focus on attention to detail and new decorations

Well, here comes the Florida Renaissance Festival to — in the most entertaining way — mess up all those plans by taking you to the past.

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