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Lawrence Mower - Tallahassee Correspondent
Lawrence Mower

Tallahassee Correspondent

How did I end up in Florida’s capital city? I’m a Las Vegas native (yes, they do exist), and that’s where I got my journalism chops, working the night cops beat for my hometown paper. I covered enough celebrity arrests and police shootings there to make it to the investigative team at The Palm Beach Post, where I wrote about bizarre lottery winners and even weirder elections. I like stories and ideas that challenge what we think we know about the world. Got one? Let me know. Just don’t screen your calls from a 702 area code. Chances are it’s not a vacation offer — it’s just your friendly Capitol journalist.

  1. DeSantis admin diverted child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads
    • Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference on May 20 in Tampa. The governor came out in strong opposition to two citizen-led ballot initiatives in 2024 and marshaled state resources against them.
  2. Amid Hope Florida grand jury probe, key questions still unanswered
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida Govornor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on July 29, 2024 in Tampa. During the conference, the Governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis handed out multiple checks to local churches, as a part of their Hope Florida program.
  3. Former Hope Florida charity leader at courthouse on 2nd day of grand jury
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Former Hope Florida Foundation President Joshua Hay, right, leaves the Leon County Courthouse on Wednesday. Hay’s appearance is another sign that the State Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee’s grand-jury investigation is tied to the DeSantis administration’s diversion of $10 million from a Medicaid settlement through the Hope Florida Foundation for political purposes last year.
  5. Hope Florida grand jury starts with testimony from key witnesses
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Amy Ronshausen of Save Our Society From Drugs is seen with her attorney, Ken Sukhia, on Tuesday after leaving the Leon County Courthouse.
  6. Future of DeSantis’ Hope Florida in doubt amid funding requests
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    A Hope Florida truck seen outside the Florida Department of Children and Families in April. State agencies are not asking for additional money next year to expand Hope Florida.
  7. Prosecutors convening grand jury in Hope Florida investigation
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    First lady Casey DeSantis speaks alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference on July 29, 2024, in Tampa. During the conference, the governor and first lady handed out multiple checks to local churches as a part of their Hope Florida program.
  8. DeSantis sued to hold election for vacant Tampa Senate seat
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Former Sen. Jay Collins, center, speaks moments after being sworn in as Florida’s new lieutenant governor on Aug. 12. Gov. Ron DeSantis, at right, has not set a date for a special election to replace him.
  9. 3 board members leave embattled Hope Florida charity
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Former Hope Florida Foundation board president Joshua Hay is one of three board members who have recently left the foundation.
  10. DeSantis’ surgeon general won’t say if kids should be vaccinated
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, pictured, and Gov. Ron DeSantis have proposed removing all vaccination requirements.
  11. Facing DeSantis, Ladapo vaccine proposal, Florida lawmakers are lukewarm
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida lawmakers say they want to see more details about Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo's proposal to end vaccine mandates for school children before saying where they stand on the idea.
  12. Driver in fatal big rig crash had immigration status checked two days later
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Harjinder Singh is escorted onto an airplane by Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and law enforcement last week in Stockton, Calif.
  13. DeSantis says Trump isn’t trying to ban mail voting in Florida
    • Elections
    President Donald Trump, right, and Gov. Ron DeSantis are pictured on 31, 2020. Trump said he plans to "lead a movement" to get rid of mail ballots. DeSantis on Tuesday said he thought that only applied to states that send mail ballots to every voter.
  14. Florida GOP removes new immigration merch after Home Depot objects
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    The Home Depot is taking issue with the Republican Party of Florida's latest "The Deport Depot" line of merchandise. The party's logo has the same font and color as the hardware retailer's.
  15. Lawyers distanced clients from Hope Florida Medicaid deal, records show
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis have championed the Hope Florida program. The state last year directed $10 million from a settlement with a Medicaid contractor to the Hope Florida Foundation.
  16. Hope Florida charity says DeSantis officials didn’t need to report gifts
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Attendees of last year's Governor's Cup charity event had the chance to golf with Gov. Ron DeSantis. The event raised money for the Hope Florida Foundation.
  17. How Florida missed out on $2.2 billion in Medicaid funding for schools
    • The Education Gradebook
    Letterboards like these, used by an occupational therapist in New Port Richey, are among the tools given to students with autism who have difficulty communicating. Medicaid funding, billions of dollars of which which Florida has missed out on over the past decade-plus, can be used for programs and materials like these.
  18. Here are the contractors who helped build Alligator Alcatraz
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
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  19. DeSantis vetoes bill aimed at limiting corruption in office
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
  20. Could the $10M transferred from Hope Florida Foundation harm its tax status?
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    A Hope Florida truck seen outside the Florida Department of Children and Families in April.
  21. DeSantis budget vetoes hit some critical GOP lawmakers
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis, center right, is applauded by, from left, House Speaker pro tempore Rep. Wyman Duggan, House Speaker Rep. Daniel Perez, and Senate President Ben Albritton, as he gives his State of the State address to a joint session on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session, Tuesday, March 4, at the state capitol in Tallahassee.
  22. Lawmakers leave Tallahassee without action on insurance
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    House Speaker Daniel Perez, left, and Senate President Ben Albritton, right, watch the ceremonial "hankie drop" marking the end of the legislative session Monday night.
  23. Florida’s long-awaited budget cuts spending, saves money for future downturns
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, hands Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, the gavel during the first day of the legislative session on March 4 at the Capitol in Tallahassee. After a grueling extended session, lawmakers appear to be close to finalizing the state budget.
  24. Hope Florida charity paid for hotel rooms, perks for DeSantis officials
    • The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year said the 2024 Governor's Cup charity golf weekend was a fundraising success for the Hope Florida Foundation. Documents provide more detail on how that weekend came together.