Jim Turner, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A close-up of a media event on an airfield. The central figure wears a red hat and a dark suit, flanked by two others. The person on the left is speaking with an open hand gesture, while the person on the right is looking toward the press.

Trump says ‘One Rulebook,’ but DeSantis has objected to the possibility of the feds preempting state AI laws

DeSantis was among opponents of a proposal in the federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ that, for a decade, would have prevented states from regulating artificial intelligence.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

President Donald Trump on Monday pushed again for the federal government to control regulation of artificial intelligence as Florida lawmakers begin to delve into the effects of AI on the state.

Close-up of a Florida black bear in water, looking up at the camera with its black fur wet and its muzzle a lighter brown color.

Florida judge rejects request to stop the 2025 bear hunt

The hunt could lead to as many as 172 bears being killed in four regions of the state.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium inside an outdoor supply store, with a large, taxidermied brown bear standing to his right. The podium sign announces a "2ND AMENDMENT SALES TAX HOLIDAY."

Opponents ask DeSantis to stop the 2025 Florida bear hunt

The hunt is scheduled from Dec. 6-28.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 17, 2025November 19, 2025

Two men on a small motorboat filled with freshly harvested oysters in Apalachicola Bay. One man stands and poles the boat while the other sits, with foggy, open water surrounding them.

FWC ends five-year ban on oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay

Areas of the bay will be open to permitted commercial harvesting on weekdays, with permitted recreational harvesting on weekends.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

To cut I-4 traffic, DeSantis wants to test flying car rideshares in Polk County

He brought up the idea during an announcement focused on new express lanes on I-4 in Hillsborough County.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

Close-up of a store window with stickers and signs, including one that reads "FOOD STAMPS ACCEPTED" and "SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could could force Florida to pay the feds for food stamp errors

An increasing number of food-stamp recipients will have to meet work requirements to remain eligible.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

Florida’s Attorney General says open carry is “the law of the state”

An appeals court reversed a long-standing open carry ban.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Florida’s tax ‘holiday’ on guns and ammo started this week

It runs through the end of the year.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Paul Renner standing at a podium.

DeSantis ally Paul Renner enters race to become Florida’s next governor

But the governor called Renner’s entrance ‘an ill-advised decision.’

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Taxpayer costs for protecting and transporting DeSantis surged during failed presidential campaign, says report

DeSantis’ announced his presidential candidacy on May 24, 2023, and he suspended the campaign on Jan. 21, 2024.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Turner August 27, 2025September 1, 2025

FWC approves Florida’s first bear hunt season in 10 years

It starts in December.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Turner August 13, 2025August 26, 2025

Florida’s 3-week bear hunt could return this winter

Opponents say killing bears for sport won’t reduce human-bear interactions, and that the commission should expand the use of non-lethal options.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida July 24, 2025September 1, 2025

Hernando County Republican Blaise Ingoglia sworn in as Florida CFO

The DeSantis pick is expected to face a Trump-favored Sarasota Republican in the 2026 Republican primary.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida July 22, 2025August 5, 2025

Florida AG enforces new chemtrail law after suggesting ‘weather modification’ contributed to Texas floods

He also dismissed the notion that cloud seeding was a culprit.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida July 18, 2025July 25, 2025

Thanks to ‘Courage’ book deal, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ net worth is now over $2 million

The book was released in February 2023 as DeSantis prepared to formally launch a presidential campaign.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida July 3, 2025September 1, 2025

Law shielding Florida lawmakers addresses among those that took effect this week

With Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a state budget and a flurry of other bills, the dust has settled on the 2025 legislative session.

by Jim Saunders, Jim Turner and News Service of Florida July 2, 2025July 15, 2025

USF will rename mental health institute to honor Tampa Bay’s Sen. Darryl Rouson after all

Rouson sponsored one of the two bills (SB 1620) DeSantis signed on Wednesday.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida June 25, 2025July 2, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Florida officials free up $22.5M so state universities can share revenues with student-athletes

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida June 19, 2025July 17, 2025

Florida’s Republican lawmakers want voters to let them pump up the rainy day fund in case of recessions

The proposal couldn’t go before voters until November 2026

by Jim Turner, Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida June 6, 2025June 18, 2025

Visit Florida data shows a first quarter dip in international visitors

Visit Florida showed 1.227 million Canadians traveled to Florida during the first quarter, down about 3.4% from 1.269 million in the same period a year earlier.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 22, 2025July 9, 2025