News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Lawmakers unveil ideas to reduce property taxes”
Some Floridians report wanting to sell their homes due to high property taxes. Others say the local government services they fund make them worth it.
October 17, 2025

Lawmakers unveil ideas to reduce property taxes

Floridians may see these property tax proposals on the 2026 ballot.…

Featured image for “Judge blocks donation of Miami land for Trump library”
The Freedom Tower is seen in downtown Miami on Aug. 8, 2025. | Daniel Kozin, AP
October 15, 2025

Judge blocks donation of Miami land for Trump library

A Miami activist sued after Miami Dade College donated downtown land to the state.…

Featured image for “Proposed law would require teachers to take an oath”
October 14, 2025

Proposed law would require teachers to take an oath

Teachers would take an oath pledging to support the Constitution and to act in a “nonpartisan manner.”…

Featured image for “Florida communities buy up properties to limit flooding damage”
High tides cause damage and erosion along the coast of Northeast Florida.
October 13, 2025

Florida communities buy up properties to limit flooding damage

More than a dozen communities, including St. Johns County, have voluntary home buyout programs.…

Featured image for “Fleming Island lawmaker designated as House speaker”
Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, was formally designated Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, to become the next Florida House speaker. | Tom Urban, News Service of Florida
October 9, 2025

Fleming Island lawmaker designated as House speaker

Republican Rep. Sam Garrison will be the first House speaker from Clay County since John Thrasher in 1999 and 2000.…

Featured image for “2 Jacksonville roads would be renamed for Charlie Kirk under proposed bill”
Charlie Kirk speaks during a town hall meeting on March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. | Jeffrey Phelps, AP
October 9, 2025

2 Jacksonville roads would be renamed for Charlie Kirk under proposed bill

A state lawmaker has filed a bill to rename roads for Charlie Kirk at UNF and other colleges and universities.…

Featured image for “Treasure hunters recover $1M in coins from shipwreck”
A diver shows coins recovered off the Treasure Coast. | 1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels, LLC via AP
October 6, 2025

Treasure hunters recover $1M in coins from shipwreck

Divers uncovered a load of centuries-old Spanish coins on a shipwreck off the Treasure Coast.…

Featured image for “New Florida law prohibits using AI to ‘nudify’ people”
Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Cantonment, speaks about a bill that makes it illegal to produce sexual images of a person using artificial intelligence or similar technologies without their permission, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on April 2, 2025, in Tallahassee. |
October 2, 2025

New Florida law prohibits using AI to ‘nudify’ people

The law makes it illegal to use AI to generate a nude image of an actual person without their consent.…

Featured image for “Squalls and flooding headed our way this weekend”
Florida expected rainfall through the weekend
October 2, 2025

Squalls and flooding headed our way this weekend

An area of disturbed weather moving across Florida could lead to flooding and heavy rain, especially east of I-95.…

Featured image for “October weather outlook shows warm month ahead”
Clouds roll in over St. Augustine Beach.
October 2, 2025

October weather outlook shows warm month ahead

Forecasters expect warmer-than-average temperatures and higher probabilities of rain.…

Featured image for “These Florida laws will go into effect Oct. 1”
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum and State Capitol in Tallahassee.
September 29, 2025

These Florida laws will go into effect Oct. 1

Nearly 30 new laws, including part of a wide-ranging tax package, will take effect Wednesday.…

Featured image for “East Coast can expect indirect effects from Imelda”
September 29, 2025

East Coast can expect indirect effects from Imelda

Tropcial Storm Imelda could produce choppy seas, 12-foot waves and a high risk of rip currents.…

Featured image for “Meet the man at the center of Florida’s open carry ruling”
Pensacola police officers surround Stanley Victor McDaniels and remove his loaded pistol from his waistband ahead of his arrest on July 4, 2022. The image is taken from a video McDaniels made documenting his encounter. A Florida appeals court on Sept. 10, 2025, overturned McDaniels' conviction and ruled that Florida's law against people openly carrying guns was unconstitutional. | Image courtesy of Stanley Victor McDaniels, via Fresh Take Florida)
September 26, 2025

Meet the man at the center of Florida’s open carry ruling

The case of Stanley Victor McDaniels led to the open carry ruling, but he can’t personally carry a gun.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers move toward property tax changes”
Margie Morrison Richardson's Carrabelle home — and the "For Sale" sign out front. | Courtesy
September 26, 2025

Florida lawmakers move toward property tax changes

Voters would have the final say. Property tax proposals are expected on the 2026 election ballot.…

Featured image for “Humberto is a hurricane, but all eyes are on potential Imelda”
Satellite imagery shows Invest 94L and Hurricane Humberto on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
September 26, 2025

Humberto is a hurricane, but all eyes are on potential Imelda

Invest 94L could become Imelda and brush the East Coast, but the future is still uncertain.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Humberto forms as another storm threatens”
September 25, 2025

Tropical Storm Humberto forms as another storm threatens

Humberto is the eighth named storm of the season, and another may form in the next few days.…

Featured image for “More than 160,000 apply for Florida bear hunt”
Citizens attend a Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission hearing while wearing T-shirts opposing a bear hunt, May 21, 2025, in Ocala. | John Raoux, AP
September 24, 2025

More than 160,000 apply for Florida bear hunt

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will award 172 bear hunt permits by random lottery.…

Featured image for “Florida pharmacists get OK to give COVID-19 vaccines”
Amid widespread debate and questions about COVID-19 vaccines, the Florida Board of Pharmacy said pharmacists are able to provide the vaccines to patients.
September 24, 2025

Florida pharmacists get OK to give COVID-19 vaccines

Publix and Walgreens said they would be offering the vaccine without a prescription to eligible recipients.…

Featured image for “As Hurricane Gabrielle moves on, what’s coming next?”
September 24, 2025

As Hurricane Gabrielle moves on, what’s coming next?

As Hurricane Gabrielle moves toward Europe, Invest 93 and Invest 94 are showing signs of organization.…

Featured image for “Fall arrives, but temperatures rebound to summer levels”
September 23, 2025

Fall arrives, but temperatures rebound to summer levels

Much of Florida is starting the season warmer than average.…

Featured image for “Two storm systems brewing behind Hurricane Gabrielle”
September 22, 2025

Two storm systems brewing behind Hurricane Gabrielle

Hurricane Gabrielle is not expected to affect Florida, but two other disturbances in the Atlantic bear watching.…

Featured image for “Drought conditions worsen in North Florida”
Drought monitor released on Sept. 18.
September 19, 2025

Drought conditions worsen in North Florida

Recent rains have eased the drought in South Florida, but North Florida is now drier than most of the state.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Gabrielle becomes 7th storm of season”
Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to remain at sea.
September 17, 2025

Tropical Storm Gabrielle becomes 7th storm of season

Gabrielle is forecast to become a hurricane this weekend but will stay away from the Florida coast.…

Featured image for “Florida attorney general says it’s legal to carry guns openly”
Jeff Meling shoots a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun at Shoot GTR in Gainesville on Sept. 20, 2023. | Augustus Hoff, Fresh Take Florida
September 15, 2025

Florida attorney general says it’s legal to carry guns openly

Attorney General James Uthmeier says a court ruling made open carry of guns “the law of the state.”…