Jim Turner - News Service of Florida
Featured image for “Florida may allow bear hunting for first time in nearly a decade”
2 days ago

Florida may allow bear hunting for first time in nearly a decade

The state will consider proposals for the first sanctioned bear hunt since a controversial hunt in October 2015.…

Featured image for “Florida senators start filing bills for legislative session”
The Florida Capitol. | News Service of Florida
December 10, 2024

Florida senators start filing bills for legislative session

Senators are gearing up for the 2025 legislative session, which will begin March 4.…

Featured image for “FPL will increase bills to cover $1.2B in hurricane costs”
FPL workers restore power after Hurricane Helene in Madison County. | Mike Exline, News Service of Florida
December 3, 2024

FPL will increase bills to cover $1.2B in hurricane costs

The Florida Public Service Commission gave FPL approval to raise bills about $12 per month for the average customer.…

Featured image for “State Sen. Randy Fine seeks to replace U.S. Rep Mike Waltz”
State Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
November 26, 2024

State Sen. Randy Fine seeks to replace U.S. Rep Mike Waltz

With the backing of President-elect Donald Trump, state Sen. Randy Fine said Tuesday he will run for a congressional seat…

Featured image for “Hunting rights approved; partisan school races nixed”
Voters decided to add hunting and fishing rights to the state Constitution. | Charlie Riedel, AP
November 5, 2024

Hunting rights approved; partisan school races nixed

Voters rejected partisan school board races but added hunting and fishing rights to the state Constitution.…

Featured image for “Rescue efforts underway on Gulf Coast; 2 people dead”
Workers remove debris from Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. | Gerald Herbert, AP
September 27, 2024

Rescue efforts underway on Gulf Coast; 2 people dead

Many people did not evacuate, remaining in areas hit by storm surge as Helene moved north.…

Featured image for “These new laws will take effect Oct. 1 in Florida”
A homeless person sleeps on a bench. A new Florida law bars local governments from allowing people to sleep in public places. | Srdjan Randjelovic/Srdjan, Stock-Adobe.com
September 26, 2024

These new laws will take effect Oct. 1 in Florida

Nearly three dozen new laws will go into effect on Tuesday, including a contentious measure that will limit where homeless…

Featured image for “DeSantis defends abortion information posted by state agency: ‘not electioneering’”
A 30-second PSA posted by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration was posted to X Monday | AHCA via X, screenshot
September 9, 2024

DeSantis defends abortion information posted by state agency: ‘not electioneering’

With Democrats accusing the state Agency for Health Care Administration of improper politicking, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday described as…

Featured image for “Lodge and pickleball proposed at Anastasia State Park”
Anastasia State Park/ | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
August 21, 2024

Lodge and pickleball proposed at Anastasia State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is considering similar developments around the state to expand access to parks.…

Featured image for “Back-to-school sales tax ‘holiday’ starts Monday”
July 26, 2024

Back-to-school sales tax ‘holiday’ starts Monday

Floridians can save on clothes, school supplies, computers and more beginning Monday.…

Featured image for “NIL deals approved for high school athletes”
Andrew Jackson's TayVion Lawson finishes beyond the outstretched arm of Raines' forward Zion Kemp during the 2024 Gateway Conference boys basketball tournament final on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Lawson and the Tigers won 57-48. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 25, 2024

NIL deals approved for high school athletes

The Florida Board of Education allowed high school athletes to make money through endorsements and other kinds of deals.…

Featured image for “Hurricane forecasters ratchet up predictions after Beryl”
Flooding strands vehicles near downtown Houston on Monday, July 8, 2024, after Hurricane Beryl came ashore in Texas. | Maria Lysaker, AP
July 9, 2024

Hurricane forecasters ratchet up predictions after Beryl

Experts at Colorado State University now forecast 25 named storms, including 12 hurricanes.…

Featured image for “Black history museum moves forward in St. Johns County”
Sen. Geraldine Thompson chairs the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
June 28, 2024

Black history museum moves forward in St. Johns County

A state task force voted Friday to submit a report to the governor to create a Black history museum in…

Featured image for “Jimmy Buffett highway will run through Northeast Florida”
Jimmy Buffett performs in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on June 30, 2010. | Dave Martin, AP
June 28, 2024

Jimmy Buffett highway will run through Northeast Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill designating State Road A1A as Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway from Key West to…

Featured image for “Florida’s ‘Freedom Month’ tax breaks start Monday”
Voters decided to add hunting and fishing rights to the state Constitution. | Charlie Riedel, AP
June 26, 2024

Florida’s ‘Freedom Month’ tax breaks start Monday

The tax “holiday” will allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on a wide range of recreational items and activities…

Featured image for “New laws start next week — from communism to AI”
The Florida Capitol. | News Service of Florida
June 25, 2024

New laws start next week — from communism to AI

More than 200 new laws will take effect in Florida’s 2024-2025 fiscal year. Here are a number that will arrive…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill allowing homeowners to shoot bears”
June 24, 2024

DeSantis signs bill allowing homeowners to shoot bears

Starting July 1, people can shoot bears to defend themselves or property. Opponents are considering legal action to halt the…

Featured image for “It’s still OK to drive in the left lane; DeSantis vetoed changes”
Northbound motorists approach Downtown Jacksonville on Interstate 95. | Bill Bortzfield, Jacksonville Today
June 24, 2024

It’s still OK to drive in the left lane; DeSantis vetoed changes

Gov. Ron DeSantis said a bill approved by the Legislature was too broad and could lead to more traffic congestion.…

Featured image for “Florida is kicking off another hurricane tax-free holiday”
Shoppers can save on hurricane supplies during the 2-week sales tax holiday. | Daylina Miller, WUSF
May 23, 2024

Florida is kicking off another hurricane tax-free holiday

The tax holiday will run from June 1 to June 14. It is timed with the start of the six-month…

Featured image for “Task force backs St. Johns for Black history museum”
St. Johns County hopes to develop a campus-style museum of African American history, performing arts, cultural exhibits and more. | St. Johns County
May 22, 2024

Task force backs St. Johns for Black history museum

St. Johns County was picked over competing proposals from Central Florida and South Florida.…

Featured image for “Tourists can still get free orange juice entering Florida”
Florida orange juice will continue to flow at welcome centers targeting tourists who travel to the state, despite a promotional budget cut. | Florida Welcome Centers
May 9, 2024

Tourists can still get free orange juice entering Florida

Free orange juice will continue to flow at interstate welcome centers despite a budget cut for promotional efforts.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill increasing penalties for street racing”
A state trooper on patrol along the Gandy Bridge in Tampa pulled over a Nissan GTR traveling over 100 mph on Oct. 20, 2023. The driver was charged with street racing. | Florida Highway Patrol via WUSF
May 8, 2024

DeSantis signs bill increasing penalties for street racing

Rep. Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican, co-sponsored the bill. She said current penalities have not been a deterrent for many…

Featured image for “Qualifying period begins for Florida congressional races”
April 24, 2024

Qualifying period begins for Florida congressional races

A lawsuit over a North Florida congressional district continues to work its way through the courts.…

Featured image for “Forecasters predict ‘very, very busy’ hurricane season”
Colorado State University predicts 23 named storms this year and 11 hurricanes.
April 5, 2024

Forecasters predict ‘very, very busy’ hurricane season

Researchers at Colorado State University are projecting 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, including five major hurricanes.…