News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Lawmakers may repeal later school start times”
Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, is sponsoring a bill to repeal requirements for later school start times. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida file
March 4, 2025

Lawmakers may repeal later school start times

A bill sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, would reverse a law approved in 2023.…

Featured image for “FPL proposes rate increase to keep up with growth”
FPL lineworkers restore power after Hurricane Milton. l Florida Power & Light Co.
February 28, 2025

FPL proposes rate increase to keep up with growth

FPL’s typical bill in Northeast Florida would rise from $134.14 currently to $151.99 in 2029.…

Featured image for “10 issues to watch during Florida’s legislative session”
The 60-day Florida legislative session will begin next week. | Sam Thomas, Fresh Take Florida
February 25, 2025

10 issues to watch during Florida’s legislative session

Lawmakers will consider hundreds of bills during a session that begins next week.…

Featured image for “DeSantis announces state DOGE to root out waste”
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a state DOGE task force during an appearance Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Tampa. | Gov. Ron DeSantis Facebook
February 24, 2025

DeSantis announces state DOGE to root out waste

Gov. Ron DeSantis is creating a panel to review about 900 state positions, university spending and local government.…

Featured image for “Florida sues Target over stock loss from Pride campaign”
Florida's new attorney general has sued Target. | AP
February 21, 2025

Florida sues Target over stock loss from Pride campaign

Florida’s new attorney general, James Uthmeier, alleged that Target should have disclosed the risks of its campaign.…

Featured image for “What would it cost to eliminate property taxes?”
February 19, 2025

What would it cost to eliminate property taxes?

A state senator has filed a proposal to study the possibility of eliminating property taxes in Florida.…

Featured image for “Storm system brings more cold to North Florida”
February 19, 2025

Storm system brings more cold to North Florida

The storm system that brought heavy snow to the Central Plains will drag a cold front across North Florida by…

Featured image for “Toasty Florida cools off as cold, rainy Florida returns”
February 14, 2025

Toasty Florida cools off as cold, rainy Florida returns

Several fronts are on the horizon. Could winter be back soon?…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers crack down on illegal immigration”
The Florida Legislature. | Gary McCullough, AP
February 14, 2025

Florida lawmakers crack down on illegal immigration

Here’s how Northeast Florida legislators voted on the immigration measures.…

Featured image for “What the latest data shows about Florida’s abortion ban”
Members of the The National Women's Liberation group and Planned Parenthood paint a wall commemorating the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on Jan. 10, 2019. in Gainesville. | Chris Day, Fresh Take Florida
February 13, 2025

What the latest data shows about Florida’s abortion ban

Abortions in Florida have declined for the first time since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.…

Featured image for “February brings 40 more minutes of daylight”
February 13, 2025

February brings 40 more minutes of daylight

Days have been growing longer since Dec. 21, but the increase will accelerate quickly this month.…

Featured image for “DeSantis wants to stop ‘intrusive’ checks on boaters”
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to stop the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from making "intrusive" checks on boaters. | WFSU
February 12, 2025

DeSantis wants to stop ‘intrusive’ checks on boaters

Gov. Ron DeSantis says FWC officers use boat safety inspections as a pretense to pull over boaters.…

Featured image for “Legislators reject ‘bailouts’ for condo owners”
February 12, 2025

Legislators reject ‘bailouts’ for condo owners

Condo owners shouldn’t expect the state to pay for complying with new state laws after the Surfside collapse.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers move to block development at state parks”
Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County was on of nine parks where the state proposed lodges, golf courses and other development last year.
February 11, 2025

Lawmakers move to block development at state parks

The state last year proposed lodges, pickleball courts and other development at Anastasia State Park and eight others.…

Featured image for “COVID pushed kids outdoors. Now they’re into birdwatching.”
Members of the Manasota chapter of the Florida Young Birders Club watch birds through binoculars at Red Bug Slough in Sarasota on Jan. 25, 2025.
February 11, 2025

COVID pushed kids outdoors. Now they’re into birdwatching.

More young birder groups are popping up for teens and tweens who enjoy getting outdoors together to gawk at wildlife.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers call another special session on immigration”
February 11, 2025

Florida lawmakers call another special session on immigration

The latest session reflects new cooperation between the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

Featured image for “February’s rapid warmup could bring an early spring”
February 6, 2025

February’s rapid warmup could bring an early spring

For the next few weeks, expect warmer temperatures and drier weather across Florida.…

Featured image for “DeSantis proposes $115.6 billion state budget”
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks on May 9, 2023. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
February 3, 2025

DeSantis proposes $115.6 billion state budget

The budget includes pay raises for first responders and a sales tax holiday on guns and ammunition.…

Featured image for “January brought record cold; February means winter heat”
February 3, 2025

January brought record cold; February means winter heat

Jacksonville should see high temperatures in the low-80s most of the week.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers rebuke DeSantis on special session and budget”
A general view of the Old Capitol and current Florida Capitol buildings on Feb. 8, 2023, in Tallahassee. | Phil Sears, AP
January 27, 2025

Lawmakers rebuke DeSantis on special session and budget

The rebuke included overriding the governor’s budget veto from last year.…

Featured image for “Here’s what to watch ahead of Florida’s special session”
The 60-day Florida legislative session will begin next week. | Sam Thomas, Fresh Take Florida
January 27, 2025

Here’s what to watch ahead of Florida’s special session

Republican lawmakers filed a flurry of bills for the special session dealing with immigration and ballot initiatives.…

Featured image for “Florida’s frosty forecast continues through Saturday”
January 24, 2025

Florida’s frosty forecast continues through Saturday

Temperatures in Jacksonville were below 40 degrees for 42 straight hours.…

Featured image for “Gulf of America: The view of people who live there”
Johnny McDonald, who was visiting Florida from his home in Tennessee, sits on a park bench facing the open Gulf on Jan. 14, 2025, in Cedar Key. He doesn't think the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed. | Libby Clifton, Fresh Take Florida
January 22, 2025

Gulf of America: The view of people who live there

President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico has left residents along the Gulf Coast sharply divided.…

Featured image for “After a dusting of snow, deep freeze persists on First Coast”
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office blocks the Hart Bridge on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
January 22, 2025

After a dusting of snow, deep freeze persists on First Coast

Roads remained treacherous Wednesday after Northeast Florida awoke to a freeze, sleet and, in some place, snowflakes.…