News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “House passes reforms on medical malpractice suits”
Photo by WLRN
March 27, 2025

House passes reforms on medical malpractice suits

See how your legislators voted on the malpractice bill.…

Featured image for “32 years ago: The ‘No Name Storm’ hit Florida”
March 26, 2025

32 years ago: The ‘No Name Storm’ hit Florida

The unusual March storm brought snow, tornadoes, storm surge and winds gusts of 90 mph.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers may further ease work rules for children”
Teen worker Courtney Collins, 19, makes a drink at Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, on July 16, 2021. | Kristina Serafini, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via AP
March 25, 2025

Lawmakers may further ease work rules for children

Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville spoke against a bill that would roll back restrictions on kids as young as 14.…

Featured image for “FWC seeks comments about proposal for black bear hunting”
An adult Florida black bear and cub. | Jean Blom, Florida Wildlife Federation
March 20, 2025

FWC seeks comments about proposal for black bear hunting

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled a series of virtual meetings about bear hunting.…

Featured image for “Florida legislation could lead to more schoolbook removals”
Books at the Palm Harbor Library. | Meghan Bowman, WUSF Public Media
March 19, 2025

Florida legislation could lead to more schoolbook removals

Under the bill, school districts could not consider a book’s literary value when the book is challenged as harmful.…

Featured image for “Sides clash over malpractice bill from Jacksonville senator”
Clay Yarborough speaks while a member of the Florida House of Representatives. | Florida House
March 18, 2025

Sides clash over malpractice bill from Jacksonville senator

Sen. Clay Yarborough sponsored a bill that would clear the way for more malpractice lawsuits over patient deaths.…

Featured image for “Spring break in Florida: Dangerous seas and fire risk”
March 18, 2025

Spring break in Florida: Dangerous seas and fire risk

North Florida can expect temperatures in the 40s this week as spring break begins with a cold front.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers debate term limits for county officials”
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, wants eight-year term limits for county commissioners. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
March 18, 2025

Florida lawmakers debate term limits for county officials

Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island voted against the term limit proposal in a committee meeting Monday.…

Featured image for “It’s only mid-March, but a tropical system is possible”
March 18, 2025

It’s only mid-March, but a tropical system is possible

A tropical system could form in the Atlantic within 48 hours, but forecasters say the chances are low.…

Featured image for “St. Johns parents appeal in suit over schoolbook removals”
March 17, 2025

St. Johns parents appeal in suit over schoolbook removals

The parents say Florida’s law on schoolbook removals gives them no way to challenge the restrictions.…

Featured image for “Appeals court allows age restrictions on gun purchases”
Florida law bars most people under 21 from buying rifles and long guns, but it's okay for them to possess and use such guns. | VlaDee, stock.adobe.com
March 17, 2025

Appeals court allows age restrictions on gun purchases

The court upheld a Florida law that raised the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns.…

Featured image for “‘Granny flats’ would be allowed everywhere under Florida housing proposal”
March 11, 2025

‘Granny flats’ would be allowed everywhere under Florida housing proposal

As Florida continues to struggle with a lack of affordable housing, lawmakers are looking at “granny flats” to help address…

Featured image for “Some lawmakers hesitant to wipe out property taxes”
March 6, 2025

Some lawmakers hesitant to wipe out property taxes

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been pushing the idea of eliminating property taxes altogether.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers say they have plan to fix condo crisis”
Jacksonville City Council is considering a bill that would set aside $3 million to invest in an affordable housing fund. | Darryl Brooks/dbvirago, stock.adobe.com
March 6, 2025

Florida lawmakers say they have plan to fix condo crisis

Sen. Tom Leek of St. Augustine wants to increase home improvement grants offered through a state condo program.…

Featured image for “Fact-checking DeSantis on insurance, education and guns”
House Speaker Rep. Daniel Perez, left, and Senate President Ben Albritton react as Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address to a joint session on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
March 5, 2025

Fact-checking DeSantis on insurance, education and guns

PolitiFact reviews Gov. Ron DeSantis’ assertions in his annual State of the State address.…

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.…