Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin is once again at the center of controversy after making inflammatory comments about Muslims. Langevin, known for past remarks praising the Confederacy and aligning with Christian nationalist views, recently declared that Muslims “do not belong in this great nation.” His comments have ignited widespread condemnation, especially in Brevard County, where a large Muslim community plays an integral role in the local economy and culture

Mayfield, a longtime Republican legislator, previously held the Senate seat until November 2024, when she was forced out due to term limits. She subsequently won election to the Florida House of Representatives in District 32 but resigned to pursue her former Senate seat following Sen. Randy Fine’s departure to run for Congress. However, state officials determined that her bid to return to the Senate violated constitutional restrictions on consecutive service.

During a workshop meeting on Monday, the council revisited the issue of finding long-term leadership. While Councilman Langevin proposed former City Manager Gregg Lynk for the position, his recommendation was not supported, given Lynk’s controversial past, including allegations of bribery that led to his firing in 2020.

The Brevard County primary election results are in, setting the stage for a series of critical runoffs and general election contests in November. Several races have been decided, while others will continue to November, with significant implications for the future governance of the region.

The qualifying period for Palm Bay’s upcoming elections in August and November ended on Friday, June 14th.  Included in this article are Financial Disclosures (FORM 6) Filed by 10 Candidates.

Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a law targeting squatters, making it easier for property owners to have them removed and imposing harsher penalties for squatting. The legislation, effective July 1, allows immediate law enforcement action against squatters and criminalizes the presentation of false property documents. It introduces stringent penalties for those occupying properties without permission, including criminal charges for using false documents to claim property rights. The law specifies offenses ranging from misdemeanors for minor infractions to felonies for causing significant damage or unlawfully advertising property sales or rentals. It also makes it a felony to cause $1,000 or more in damage to the property. Squatting has recently become a national issue. Many states treat squatting as a civil matter, which takes time to resolve. Florida’s new law lets property owners remove squatters without having to go through a formal process.