Today’s awards support Florida teachers and local community churches to help with recovery efforts CHIEFLAND, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced more than $1.6 million in awards through the Florida Disaster Fund to support Florida families recovering from Hurricane Idalia. The Florida Disaster Fund has raised over $3.7 million to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of James Scholl, Jamal Sowell, and Don Quinn and the reappointment of Steven “Reeves” Valentine to the Florida Defense Support Task Force.   James Scholl Scholl is a Monroe County Commissioner. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and the recipient of the […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jesse Biter, Michael Dyer, Jay Feaster, Sean Flynn, Frank Gernert, Daniel Malasky, Michelle McGann Satter, Caroline O’Connor, and Marc Weinroth to the Florida Sports Foundation Board of Directors.   Jesse Biter Biter, of Sarasota, is an experienced entrepreneur with his most recent startup being […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the Florida State Guard’s efforts to help impacted Floridians following Hurricane Idalia. In preparation for Hurricane Idalia, the Florida State Guard was activated for the first time in more than 75 years after the Governor re-established the Guard in 2022. Florida State Guard soldiers helped with damage assessments, […]

~ 44 Florida small businesses approved for funding one week after storm’s landfall ~   TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $1.6 million to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, zero-interest loans to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts and announced the opening of six Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison and Suwannee counties to provide impacted Floridians with recovery resources and assistance with the FEMA application process. A complete list of DRC locations can be found […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Kimberly Richey to the Education Commission of the States.   Kimberly Richey Richey is a Senior Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education. Previously, she served as the Deputy Superintendent of the Virginia Department of Education and was the Acting Assistant Secretary/Principal Deputy Assistant […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brad Drake to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.   Brad Drake Drake, of DeFuniak Springs, is the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation. He served as a Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Emery Gainey as Sheriff of Alachua County. This appointment is effective October 2, 2023.   Emery Gainey Gainey is the former Chief of Staff for the Florida Attorney General’s Office. Previously, he was appointed as the Sheriff of Marion County and served as Chief of […]

MEMORANDUM   TO:                Tom Berger, Director of Real Estate Management and Development Craig Cates, Mayor, Monroe County Teri Johnston, Mayor, City of Key West   FROM:          Governor Ron DeSantis   DATE:            Thursday, September 7, 2023   RE:     […]