The Florida Roundup Florida ‘Doge’ audits, DOJ questions Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, impacts of public media funding cuts, weekly news briefing
Jul 25, 2025
This week, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward tackles the state's audit of local spending, raising concerns about transparency and waste. Miami Herald reporter Alexandra Glorioso dives into the Ghislaine Maxwell inquiry, linking it to the Epstein case. Public media leaders Paul Grove and Judith Smelser discuss the severe impact of federal funding cuts on local stations in Florida, stressing the importance of community support to sustain vital programming. They highlight innovative partnerships needed to navigate these financial challenges.
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Gainesville Tax Increase Disputed
- Gainesville's alleged 80% tax increase is unsubstantiated according to Mayor Harvey Ward.
- Actual budget growth mainly reflects public safety funding increases, with an overall conservative fiscal approach.
Gainesville's Green Spend Context
- Gainesville pursues grants for electric buses as part of sustainability efforts.
- Budget constraints limit wider solar and green investments despite community support.
Audit Targeting Driven By Politics
- State DOGE audits target local governments lacking supportive resolutions more than mere compliance.
- Politics likely influence selections with Democratic strongholds like Gainesville and Broward under scrutiny.