Gov. DeSantis announces DOGE audit in Gainesville

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a press conference on Tuesday morning in Gainesville. During the press conference, DeSantis announced on-site audits of city and county governments starting July 31, targeting areas with complaints from taxpayers of wasteful spending. Over the last five years, DeSantis said taxpayers in Gainesville have watched as the local government has increased burdens on property owners. He said there was more than $30 million in additional ad valorem tax collections, which represents an increase of almost 86% since 2020. He said part of the increased spending is in the Gainesville operating budget, which has expanded by more than $90 million a year.

Maddie Soto case: Life in prison for Stephan Sterns

Stephan Sterns was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the sexual assault and murder of Madeline Soto, part of a plea deal that avoided two public trials and removed the death penalty as a potential penalty. Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree murder in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline and guilty to several counts of sexual abuse. A Florida judge accepted the plea deal and adjudicated Sterns guilty, before sentencing him to multiple life sentences in prison. Lauren Cadilac, attorney at Cadilac Law, joins FOX 35 News+ to talk about the plea deal.

Central Florida first responders returning from Texas

Six members of the US&R Task Force 4 were deployed to Texas earlier this month as part of a small Swift Water Rescue Team. The members of the team included first responders from Seminole County, Orange County and Orlando. Tod Zellers, assistant chief at the Seminole County Fire Department, joins Good Day Orlando to talk about the rescue efforts.

Sterns given 21 life sentences in death of Maddie Soto

Stephan Sterns was found guilty of first-degree murder and sexual battery, among other charges, in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday, July 21. Sterns pleaded no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Attorney Whitney Boan joins Good Day Orlando to talk about the plea deal.

Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's actions in Gaza

President Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by the recent Israeli strikes in Syria and on a Catholic church in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday. “In both accounts, the president quickly called the prime minister to rectify those situations,” Leavitt said. FOX News Correspondent Doug Luzader talks all the latest political headlines.