New report details abuses at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
The now defunct Everglades migrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" did not meet federal standards for health and safety.
A new report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General found that detainees were not given adequate living space, recreation time and access to clean water.
Another report was released on the same day and details how much the state has spent on immigration efforts during the past year.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has spent about $989 million during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Nearly $568 million of that went toward immigration-related expenditures
If Florida experiences two major storms before the end of the year, the agency projects a $1.5 billion deficit for the state’s emergency fund.
Guests:
- Meghan Bowman, Your Florida state government team reporter.
- Sen. Shevrin Jones, (D) Miami-Dade County.
Florida rolls back Flock cameras amid backlash
Florida has banned Flock cameras and other Automated License Plate Readers or ALPRs from state highways.
The controversial technology is used to track license plate numbers, vehicle details and even bumper stickers for law enforcement.
Police and sheriff's departments across Florida have since announced they will stop using the cameras. But some law enforcement officials say the cameras have been a valuable tool in combatting crime.
Guests:
- Juan Caro, senior fellow for Law and Justice Policy at the America First Policy Institute.
- A.J. “Tony” Smith, Franklin County Sheriff.
Weekly news briefing
In education news, the Florida Department of Education released a report that shows nearly 600 books were removed, restricted or discontinued from public schools across the state during the last school year. The removals come from 10 of the state’s 67 counties, most of them rural.
State education officials have approved new artificial intelligence regulations for K-12 public schools.
More counties are looking to ban or impose a moratorium on building new AI data centers.
In Bradenton, a new nonprofit is hosting group board game sessions to improve mental health.