June 9, 2025.

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. The foundation is the subject of an investigation. The Orlando Sentinel received the letter on Friday from the Department of Children and Families. The letter claims the newspaper’s Tallahassee reporter intimidated foster families who had received money from the Hope Florida Foundation when he contacted them for interviews. The welfare program is the signature initiative of Casey DeSantis, Florida’s first lady. Orlando Sentinel Executive Editor Roger Simmons says the agency’s characterization is “completely false.”