Tropic Press: J.C. Bruce | Substack

Donald Trump The Movie. A mashup of three classics: Star Wars, The Monster from the Deep Lagoon, and Groundhog Day

Here at Tropic Press, we know the truth is often stranger than fiction, but sometimes reality is an imitation of art.

18 hrs ago

WEEKLY DEBRIEF: Concealed carry ban overturned; property tax proposal may be unconstitutional

Your curated summary of the top news from the previous week, plus a look ahead to coming events. And more.

23 hrs ago • J.C. Bruce

A favor for a billionaire car dealer and Republican megadonor, tucked inside a transportation law

A new law meant to make car companies sell through more middleman car dealers was pushed behind the scenes by Braman Management, the Miami dealership…

Published on Seeking Rents • Jun 20

ASK THE BIRD: Would I eat Sally's Shrimp? Only if she offered it to me

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

Jun 20

Rescue Mission to Reel Back “Bros”

Trump’s Cage Wrestling Circus on the White House Lawn

Published on Markschulman’s Substack • Jun 19

Recent posts

Such an artful deal. Now every country will want the Iran package--minus the bombs

News and commentary for concerned Americans straight out of Florida

Jun 19

Geographically challenged Trump says we can 'boom, boom' walk from Qatar to Iran

News and commentary for all Americans concerned about the direction of our country

Jun 18

Now we all can own a piece of Trump's ballroom or bomb shelter or whatever it is this week

News and commentary for all Americans from a Florida state of mind

Jun 17

More than politics are stormy: We could have our first actual tropical event this week

News and commentary from a Florida perspective for all of the Americas

Jun 16

Ladies and gentlemen, straight from the White House, our latest freak show

Essential news and commentary for all Americans from a Florida perspective

Jun 15

Florida remains in bottom half of child wellbeing in annual databook

Special report on the state of our kids by guest contributor Florida Phoenix

Jun 15

WEEKLY DEBRIEF: Midterm election ballots are set, and Democrats have turned out en masse

Your curated summary of the top news from the previous week, plus a look ahead to coming events. And more.

Jun 14 • J.C. Bruce

ASK THE BIRD: Are we great again yet? What makes you think we never were?

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

Jun 13

Florida's Republican Supreme Court rejects efforts to block the state's gerrymandering

All seven members of the high court were appointed to the bench by Republican governors, including Ron DeSantis

Jun 12

Could Donald Trump demolish Lady Liberty if he wanted to? First the East Wing, then her?

News and commentary for all Americans, including those living in the 'Free' State of Florida

Jun 11

Since he's a Florida resident, could Donald Trump be Baker Acted?

News and commentary for all Americans from a Florida perspective

Jun 10

Trump's mind seems evidence-free. Where are the responsible adults?

News and commentary for concerned Americans from a Florida perspective

Jun 9

Miss Mingo

ASK THE BIRD: Would I eat Sally's Shrimp? Only if she offered it to me

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

Jun 20

ASK THE BIRD: Are we great again yet? What makes you think we never were?

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

Jun 13

ASK THE BIRD: The idea of Cubans bombing Key West will make your blood pressure spike

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. Some not. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

Jun 6

ASK THE BIRD: So how can Trump sue himself and the rest of us have to pay for it?

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. Some not. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

May 23

ASK THE BIRD: How big a 'savings' was Alligator Alcatraz? And will we be moving buffalo there?

Got a question? Ask Miss Mingo. She's got answers, some of which she's actually researched. Some not. She writes every Saturday for Tropic Press.

May 16

Books

Follow the adventures of our own weird news reporter Alexander Strange

The six book series is available in a variety of formats including eBooks, paperbacks, hard covers and the final two installments, Mister Manners and…

Aug 13, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Order Your Copy of Scribbles From Space

Earth's first visitor from outer space is named Daxion Xantharix. But you can call him Scribbles. Get your copy of his story for only 99 cents! Yes…

Aug 13, 2025

Novel by Naples journalist and author named Book of the Year

Aug 13, 2025

'Strange Timing' wins Book of the Year in annual Royal Palm Literary Awards

It also brought home Gold Medals for Best Thriller and Best Science fiction novel

Aug 7, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Here's how to get your copies of The Strange Files series, chronicling the adventures of Alexander Strange, America's only full-time weird news…

Jun 2, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Scribbles From Space, my new novella, has left the launchpad. Here's how you can get your very own copy.

May 9, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Cool as a Moose Egg

A Short Short Scifi Story

May 1, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

A Short Short Science Fiction Story

Apr 18, 2025

Start Your Book Publishing Journey

In a recent column celebrating Make A Book Day, I offered to share some links to help would-be self-publishers get started. Here they are.

Apr 18, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Inside America's Armed Forces

Apr 15, 2025 • J.C. Bruce

Kirkus Reviews Calls STRANGE TIMING ‘Highly Entertaining’

Read Time:1 Minute, 41 Second

Jul 29, 2024 • J.C. Bruce

Hot off the Presses. The Latest Adventure in The Strange Files Series is Out!

Read Time:32 Second

Jul 1, 2024 • J.C. Bruce

The Strange Files

News of the Weird

We live in strange times. People are getting drunk without drinking, cheap jewelry is saving lives, the rise of the robots, the secrets of the Egyptian…

Jun 7, 2024 • J.C. Bruce

STRANGE SCIENCE : Use This Info to Impress Your Friends

How far can the human eye see? While the majority of us wouldn’t consider our vision to be extraordinary, the human eye can see much farther than most…

Apr 26, 2024 • J.C. Bruce

YOUR HEALTH: Six Minutes of Exercise Wards off Dementia

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise is enough to produce a key protein in the brain, one that’s important in brain formation, function, and memory…

Mar 26, 2024 • J.C. Bruce

STRANGE CRITTERS: Hiss-terical Encounter of the Slithering Kind

A Tucson woman returned home after a four-day trip and said she was "looking forward to using my own restroom in peace."

Sep 9, 2023 • J.C. Bruce

STRANGE CRITTERS: Vampire Fish Stalk the Great Lakes

The sea lamprey, a fish with an eel-like shape and an appetite for blood, is making a comeback in the Great Lakes.

Aug 2, 2023 • J.C. Bruce

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: Swear You've Never Fought a Duel

Most states have some weird laws on the books, but this one from Kentucky is one of the strangest:

Aug 2, 2023 • J.C. Bruce

What? Pythons Weren't Enough? Now Dangerous Snails?

Giant African land snails have been spotted on Florida's east coast prompting officials to place a quarantine on Broward County.

Jun 29, 2023

CUTE BUT DEADLY: Beware the Blue-Ringed Octopus

Mystery writers are always looking for new ways to kill off characters.

Jun 28, 2023 • J.C. Bruce