Casey DeSantis

Florida’s child welfare agency has sent a letter to a newspaper telling it to “cease and desist” its reporting on foster families for a story about a nonprofit associated with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wife. The foundation is the subject of an investigation.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation related to the Hope Florida Foundation, the nonprofit behind the welfare program that has been touted as the signature achievement of Florida first lady Casey DeSantis.

A charity meant to help people stay off public assistance was the signature project of Florida’s popular first lady, Casey DeSantis. But over three years, it had managed to raise only about $2 million to help struggling families in Florida. Then last fall, a $10 million windfall suddenly arrived from an unlikely source: a Medicaid contractor embroiled in a case of overbilling.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration deny that the Hope Florida Foundation has done anything wrong.

Amid ongoing scrutiny of first lady Casey DeSantis' signature welfare-assistance program Hope Florida and an affiliated foundation, the executive director of the program is poised to step down from the job. Erik Dellenback said he submitted his resignation to the governor's office on March 10.

Hope Florida, First Lady Casey DeSantis' signature welfare-assistance program, is under scrutiny over questions surrounding $10 million in spending.

News reports allege that the nonprofit founded by the governor's wife Casey DeSantis gave $5 million grants to two groups. Politico reports the grants were for non-political purposes — but those groups subsequently donated similar amounts to a political committee against legalizing marijuana, that was led by the governor's then chief of staff.

The governor called the settlement "100% appropriate" and said Republican lawmakers were "grasping at straws" to reflect negatively on the settlement, which he said has "nothing to do with Hope Florida."

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approaches the end of his second term in office, he's talking up one potential heir to succeed him in 2026: his wife, Casey DeSantis. And he's taking a shot at President Donald Trump 's pick to be the next governor, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

The first lady had a 30% favorability rating among respondents. Most of the other potential candidates suffered from a lack of recognition. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz had a 39% unfavorable rating.

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis chose Eglin Air Force Base in the panhandle this week to announce the initiative called Continue the Mission.

The state of Florida ups pressure over vaccine mandates. The battle against breast cancer. And the deadly year for one of Florida’s favorite marine mammals.