Students are preparing to head to Florida to push for gun control measures

Some 100 students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will travel 400 miles to Florida's capital on Tuesday to urge politicians to act to prevent a repeat of the massacre that killed 17 students and teachers last week. The students plan to hold a rally on Wednesday in the hope that it will put pressure on the state's Republican-controlled legislature to consider a sweeping package of gun-control laws, something some GOP politicians said on Monday they would consider.

Few states let courts take guns from people deemed a threat

The warnings around Nikolas Cruz seemed to flash like neon signs: expelled from school, fighting with classmates, a fascination with weapons and hurting animals, disturbing images and comments posted to social media, previous mental health treatment. In Florida, that wasn't enough for relatives, authorities or his schools to request a judicial order barring him from possessing guns.

Fla. officials found shooting suspect to be low risk after 2016 probe: report

Florida officials found the alleged shooter who killed 17 people and injured 14 others at a Florida high school last week to be a low-level risk after a 2016 probe into his home life, according to The Washington Post. The Florida Department of Children and Families report, obtained by the Post, concluded in the investigation that Nikolas Cruz's "final level of risk is low," but found the teenager had behavior difficulties and had planned to purchase a firearm.

Russian election plot touched even minor Trump supporters

In this July 21, 2016 file photo, Republican Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Rallies in Florida to support Republican Presidential candidate Trump requested by Russian adversaries are one small facet of the indictment issued Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, by special counsel Robert Mueller charging 13 Russians and three Russian companies with interfering in the 2016 election.

The Latest: Thousands rally for gun control after massacre

Maria Creed is overcome with emotion as she crouches in front of one of the memorial crosses at Pine Trails Park in Parkland, Fla., Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, that were placed for the victims of the Wednesday shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Creed's son, Michael Creed, is a sophomore at the school.

Trump focuses on first responders after Florida shooting

President Donald Trump has made a grim trip to a Florida community reeling from a deadly school shooting, meeting privately with victims and cheering the heroics of first responders. But he extended few public words of consolation to those in deep mourning, nor did Trump address the debate over gun violence that has raged since a 19-year-old gunman killed 17 and injured 14 others.

Warning signs were reported about suspect in Florida school shooting Posted at

Disciplined repeatedly in school, treated for mental health issues, crushed after his mother died - more signs of unheeded red flags are emerging about the young man accused of murdering 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland this week. Nikolas Cruz, 19, faced a judge Thursday for the first time since authorities say he rode an Uber to his former school at dismissal time with an AR-15 and fired more than 100 shots.

Democrats say Florida statehouse race a bellwether for US

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A Democratic win in a Florida statehouse district that's firmly Republican is being called a bellwether for national politics, a referendum of sorts on President Donald Trump and his conservative agenda.

This disgraced politician will give back $500,000 to donors. But hea s keeping millions

Former state Sen. Jack Latvala announced this week that he has begun the process of returning half of the $1 million raised for his failed campaign for governor. But while it's virtually unprecedented for a candidate for governor to return money to nearly all 1,288 of his contributors, even donors who didn't asked for the money back, Latvala is doing what politicians have been doing in Florida for years - retaining his political committee even after his campaign has been dismantled to buy influence, contribute to campaigns and finance expenses under Florida's loose campaign-finance laws.

2018 gubernatorial races could provide 2020 snapshots

There are 36 states and U.S. territories holding gubernatorial elections this year and these races could be the biggest referendum of all on President Donald Trump 's presidency. All eyes will be on key 2020 states to look for predictions regarding the next White House race, particularly what insights can be gained for which ever party takes power.

Federal judge knocks down Florida’s voting ban for ex-felons

In a ruling that could have reverberations on this year's crucial elections, a federal judge Thursday ruled that Florida's current ban on former felons voting is unconstitutional and needs to be changed as soon as possible. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a blistering ruling that says the state's current process to restore voting rights - which can take years - is flawed.

Crime and sanctuary movement are the focus in Florida

In a campaign video ad produced for Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran , an "illegal immigrant" wearing a hoodie is depicted shooting a young, red-haired woman who is walking through a suburban neighborhood as she smiles and texts on her phone. In a voice-over, Corcoran says, "This could have happened to any family, anywhere," and added, "Incredibly, some Tallahassee politicians want to make Florida a sanctuary state."

Florida observes Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

Florida's Prescribed Fire Awareness Week is being observed to call attention to the need for slow-moving, low-grade fire to decrease wildfire danger. "Following one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent history and a devastating hurricane season, forecasts predict an extremely dry spring," said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Florida Quietly Worked Out Deal To Cap Fees In Water Wars

Florida has worked out a deal to cap the amount of money that will be paid to law firms hired to help the state in its long-running water war with Georgia. Some Republican legislators last year complained about the escalating costs - which began to rise sharply after the state took its case to the U.S. Supreme Court - and initially refused to sign off on any additional payments.

Lawmakers learn Ryan Zinke can’t be trusted in debate over offshore drilling

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, foreground, and President Donald Trump want to open huge offshore areas to oil and gas drilling. CREDIT: Paul Morigi/Getty Images Sen. Bill Nelson doesn't trust Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's pledge to remove Florida from the Trump administration's five-year offshore drilling plan.