News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “More moisture coming for Labor Day Weekend”
August 28, 2024

More moisture coming for Labor Day Weekend

Rain chances are likely to increase across the northern half of Florida by Monday as a cold front approaches.…

Featured image for “The fight to protect the mysterious Rice’s whale”
TO24Sp
August 27, 2024

The fight to protect the mysterious Rice’s whale

Researchers estimate that fewer than 100 Rice’s whales remain in the Gulf of Mexico, the only place on Earth where…

Featured image for “Appeals court allows ban on transgender care for minors”
August 27, 2024

Appeals court allows ban on transgender care for minors

The law prohibits transgender minors from being prescribed puberty blockers and hormonal treatments, even with their parents’ permission.…

Featured image for “Second hurricane tax-free holiday set to start in Florida”
Generators are among the items that can be purchased during Florida's tax-free holiday. | Daylina Miller, WUSF
August 23, 2024

Second hurricane tax-free holiday set to start in Florida

The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs from Aug. 24 through Sept. 6.…

Featured image for “Most young women in Florida support abortion, survey finds”
Doctors with Planned Parenthood say despite state health officials' attempts to clarify exceptions to the six-week abortion ban, they're still worried for patients. | Stephanie Colombini, WUSF
August 23, 2024

Most young women in Florida support abortion, survey finds

Support for abortion access in Florida cuts across party lines, according to a survey published this month by the KFF…

Featured image for “What is a tsunami? Could it happen along the East Coast?”
August 23, 2024

What is a tsunami? Could it happen along the East Coast?

Tsunamis can happen pretty much anywhere where the ocean’s floor moves.…

Featured image for “State offers credit monitoring after cyberattack”
bankrx, stock.adobe.com, WFSU
August 22, 2024

State offers credit monitoring after cyberattack

The Florida Department of Health says it is notifying people whose personal data might have been affected.…

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 “Former UF President Ben Sasse defends his spending”
Sen. Ben Sasse responds to questions by the University of Florida Board of Trustees in Gainesville on Nov. 1, 2022, as trustees decided whether to select Sasse as the school's next president. | Fresh Take Florida
August 19, 2024

Former UF President Ben Sasse defends his spending

Sasse responded to a report in The Independent Florida Alligator that spending more than tripled during his tenure.…

Featured image for “Florida opts out of summer food assistance for kids”
Grab-and-go lunches are being prepped at a Summer BreakSpot location in July. The meal sites, which are backed by Florida's Department of Agriculture, ramped up services in rural communities this summer after receiving additional funding from No Kid Hungry, according to a spokesperson. | Anais Rice, No Kid Hungry Florida
August 16, 2024

Florida opts out of summer food assistance for kids

For the second year, the state did not accept federal assistance through the Sun Bucks program, which helps parents cover…

Featured image for “Rare cold front brings a less humid, sunnier weekend”
August 16, 2024

Rare cold front brings a less humid, sunnier weekend

North Florida will still be humid, but not the oppressive humidity we’ve had for two months.…

Featured image for “Florida’s abortion law drives women to other states”
Some pregnant women are bypassing Florida's six-week abortion ban by traveling to other states where the procedure is less restricted. | NUTAWUT, Day Of Victory Stu, stock.adobe.com
August 15, 2024

Florida’s abortion law drives women to other states

Abortions have declined in Florida since a six-week law took effect, but many women are traveling to other states or…

Featured image for “Hurricane Ernesto could bring dangerous surf to Florida”
August 15, 2024

Hurricane Ernesto could bring dangerous surf to Florida

Ernesto is a large and powerful hurricane that will churn up the seas. Eventually, this movement will reach Florida’s coastline.…

Featured image for “FAMU’s interim president calls on senior leaders to resign”
August 14, 2024

FAMU’s interim president calls on senior leaders to resign

After holding the position for only a week, Interim President Timothy Beard said a change in leadership is necessary to…

Featured image for “Next tropical system forecast to turn away from Florida”
August 12, 2024

Next tropical system forecast to turn away from Florida

Potential Hurricane Ernesto is taking a similar track to Debby, but it is expected to turn to the north and…

Featured image for “In Debby’s wake, heat and floodwaters remain a concern”
August 9, 2024

In Debby’s wake, heat and floodwaters remain a concern

As people begin the cleanup process this weekend, high temperatures and humidity will make efforts more difficult.…

Featured image for “Migrant farmworkers left vulnerable in disasters”
A couple of farmworkers walk home in Immokalee after Hurricane Irma struck the small town in 2017. | Andrea Melendez, WGCU
August 9, 2024

Migrant farmworkers left vulnerable in disasters

Language barriers and immigration status are major hurdles to seeking emergency relief when natural disasters strike.…

Featured image for “Teachers unions target Florida’s pronoun law”
August 6, 2024

Teachers unions target Florida’s pronoun law

The unions are fighting a law that requires educators to use pronouns that align with their sex assigned at birth.…

Featured image for “What’s next as Tropical Storm Debby creeps out of Florida?”
August 5, 2024

What’s next as Tropical Storm Debby creeps out of Florida?

Jacksonville could still receive 8 to 10 inches of rain as Debby moves up the Southeast coast.…

Featured image for “More Floridians are giving up their landlines”
August 5, 2024

More Floridians are giving up their landlines

The number of the landlines in Florida dropped 17.7% from 2022 to 2023, according to a new report by the…

Featured image for “Hurricane Debby makes landfall; Jax expects deluge”
August 5, 2024

Hurricane Debby makes landfall; Jax expects deluge

Hurricane Debby came ashore Monday morning in the Big Bend area of Florida and was expected to creep across the…

Featured image for “Tropical system is nearly certain to develop”
August 2, 2024

Tropical system is nearly certain to develop

Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency in Northeast Florida and across much of the state.…

Featured image for “Debby to bring heavy rain, risk of tornadoes, strong winds Monday”
August 1, 2024

Debby to bring heavy rain, risk of tornadoes, strong winds Monday

The tropical wave, labeled Invest 97L, is likely to develop over the next seven days.…

Featured image for “More locations open to private and charter schools”
Primer has 16 microschools in South Florida with three more to launch this year in Miami Shores as a result of HB1285. | Primer
August 1, 2024

More locations open to private and charter schools

Schools can now open in libraries, museums, theaters, cinemas, arts venues and others regardless of zoning rules.…