News from around the state of Florida
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 “Controversial ethics changes signed into law”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses attendees during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on July 22, 2022, in Tampa. | Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
June 24, 2024

Controversial ethics changes signed into law

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that carries new requirements for filing ethics complaints against public officials.…

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 deadliest state for lightning. How to stay safe.”
June 24, 2024

Florida is deadliest state for lightning. How to stay safe.

This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week, and the message is: “When thunder roars, stay indoors.”…

Featured image for “Florida turns down federal subsidy to feed poor children”
Food service assistant Brenda Bartee gives students breakfast at Washington Elementary School in Riviera Beach in August 2021. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
June 21, 2024

Florida turns down federal subsidy to feed poor children

Nonprofits say the federal aid could have decreased food insecurity during the summer, when children no longer have easy access…

Featured image for “Justices say peaceful protests are OK under riot law”
A protester confronts police in Miami. | Al Diaz, Miami Herald
June 21, 2024

Justices say peaceful protests are OK under riot law

Siding with the state and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Supreme Court rejected arguments that the law is ambiguous.…

Featured image for “Citizens Insurance seeks 14% rate hike in 2025”
June 20, 2024

Citizens Insurance seeks 14% rate hike in 2025

Although Florida’s property insurance market is improving, Citizens still hopes to reduce its number of policies.…

Featured image for “Dangerous heat in cars can be lethal to people and pets”
June 18, 2024

Dangerous heat in cars can be lethal to people and pets

So far this year, 18 children have died nationwide after being found in a hot car.…

Featured image for “Supreme Court turns down Florida sports betting challenge”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. reached a gambling deal in 2021. | News Service of Florida
June 17, 2024

Supreme Court turns down Florida sports betting challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to upend a multibillion-dollar deal giving the Seminole Tribe control of sports betting throughout Florida.…

Featured image for “There’s a new way to get a hazardous weather forecast”
June 13, 2024

There’s a new way to get a hazardous weather forecast

The National Weather Service is experimenting with a graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook to see how users like the feature.…

Featured image for “Federal judge blocks law restricting transgender care”
Florida has been among the 25 states that have restricted access to gender-affirming care for minors, and one of six that made it a felony to provide such care to minors. | Nadzeya, Stock.Adobe.Com
June 12, 2024

Federal judge blocks law restricting transgender care

A federal court blocked Florida from enforcing a law that bans gender-affirming care for minors and restricts it for adults.…

Featured image for “Teacher unions say pay raise isn’t enough”
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference May 9, 2023, to sign several education bills and increases in teacher pay. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
June 11, 2024

Teacher unions say pay raise isn’t enough

Florida ranks near the bottom nationwide in average teacher salaries, according to the Florida Education Association.…

Featured image for “DeSantis vetoes bill targeting hemp industry”
June 10, 2024

DeSantis vetoes bill targeting hemp industry

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the bill placed “debilitating regulatory burdens” on small businesses.…

Featured image for “Florida justices consider UF’s COVID shutdown”
A statue of a gator appears outside Heavener Hall at the University of Florida in Gainesville. | Brooke Johnson, Fresh Take Florida
June 6, 2024

Florida justices consider UF’s COVID shutdown

A University of Florida graduate student wants a refund for services that were not provided during a COVID-19 campus shutdown…

Featured image for “Record heat returns to Florida, followed by big rain”
June 5, 2024

Record heat returns to Florida, followed by big rain

With high humidity, temperatures will feel like 105 to 110 degrees.…

Featured image for “A look inside a Hurricane Hunter plane”
June 5, 2024

A look inside a Hurricane Hunter plane

Hurricane Hunters fly into the world’s worst weather to help predict the strength and path of storms.…

Featured image for “FHSAA approves NIL deals for high school athletes”
St. Augustine wide receiver Trenton Jones breaks through the attempted tackle of a pair of Menendez players on Sept. 15, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 4, 2024

FHSAA approves NIL deals for high school athletes

The Florida High School Athletic Association will allow student-athletes to earn money from business arrangements such as endorsements.…

Featured image for “Nemours lawsuit continues in fight over duPont money”
A Florida appeals court has ruled that the Delaware attorney general can pursue a lawsuit about whether Delaware is being shortchanged due to Nemours children's hospitals in Florida and other states. | Nemours Children's Health
June 4, 2024

Nemours lawsuit continues in fight over duPont money

An appeals court cleared the way for a lawsuit from Alfred I. duPont’s native state, Delaware.…

Featured image for “Elections supervisors wary of ballot rule”
A Duval County ballot for the election Nov. 8, 2022.
June 3, 2024

Elections supervisors wary of ballot rule

Supervisors worry that a rule proposed by the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis could lead to votes being rejected.…

Featured image for “Hurricane season has begun. Know your risk.”
June 3, 2024

Hurricane season has begun. Know your risk.

Sixty percent of people in hurricane-prone state are unlikely to prepare for hurricane season.…

Featured image for “Florida’s property insurance market seems to be improving”
Rescue personnel search for people who may need help in Mexico Beach, one day after Hurricane Michael made landfall near the area in 2018. | Gerald Herbert, AP
May 31, 2024

Florida’s property insurance market seems to be improving

The AM Best financial-rating agency says Florida’s property insurance market is showing signs of improvement — but that time will…

Featured image for “Hurricane season: The terms you must know”
May 31, 2024

Hurricane season: The terms you must know

Knowing basic critical terms could save you lots of time and worries, as well as avoid any confusion in hyped…

Featured image for “Jacksonville murder case leads to death penalty challenge”
May 29, 2024

Jacksonville murder case leads to death penalty challenge

Michael James Jackson was convicted of burying a couple alive in 2005. Death penalty opponents say his case illustrates that…