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.

A criminal investigation is now underway into the Hope Florida Foundation. The nonprofit foundation is connected to a program created by First Lady Casey DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced a program to bring Hope Florida to school districts at an event at Fruitland Park Elementary School in Lake County Wednesday.

Scrutiny of a welfare program that is the signature initiative of Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is threatening to undermine a potential run to succeed her husband as governor, as well as his own presidential ambitions.

A questionable transfer of money from a state legal settlement into the private foundation that funds Hope Florida, the welfare program started by Casey DeSantis., has been in the spotlight among Florida lawmakers.

The state legislative investigation involving funding for First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida program had an abrupt, surprise end Thursday when the witnesses called to testify about a $10 million money trail declined to show up.

Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the legality of a controversial $10 million donation during a Wednesday visit to Fort Pierce. He was there to announce grants for vocational training that included $4.9 million to Miami Dade College’s aircraft mechanics program.

Just one day after testifying before a state House subcommittee, Hope Florida’s executive director has resigned.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a press conference at Pensacola State College on Tuesday.

State financial records show the Hope Florida Foundation granted $5 million apiece to two dark money political committees linked to the governor and his then-chief of staff.

Speaking in Sweetwater on Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the allocation of $10 million in taxpayer funds to his wife’s charity.

Hope Florida is a program that connects people in need with services that was launched in 2021.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the first lady met with the Florida Sheriffs Association on Tuesday in Tallahassee.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis held a news conference at the Tampa History Center on Monday morning where they awarded several churches through the Hope Florida Initiative.