News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Rafael strengthens quickly; here’s what Florida can expect”
58 mins ago

Rafael strengthens quickly; here’s what Florida can expect

Tropical Storm Rafael could bring periods of heavy rain across much of Florida between Wednesday and Thursday.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Rafael forms; watches issued in Florida”
1 day ago

Tropical Storm Rafael forms; watches issued in Florida

The tropical storm is likely to strengthen into a hurricane, but it’s too early to determine its track.…

Featured image for “Potential Hurricane Rafael forms in the Caribbean”
1 day ago

Potential Hurricane Rafael forms in the Caribbean

Tropical Depression 18 has a high potential of becoming the next named storm. Rafael is the next name on the…

Featured image for “Women are voting in larger numbers in Northeast Florida”
A voting signs points toward the polling place in Fleming Island. | Randy Roguski, Jacksonville Today
November 1, 2024

Women are voting in larger numbers in Northeast Florida

The split between men and women voting statewide could push the abortion rights constitutional amendment closer to passage.…

Featured image for “Here’s how to check whether they got your mail-in ballot”
November 1, 2024

Here’s how to check whether they got your mail-in ballot

If you voted by mail, you’ll want to check the status of your ballot to make sure your vote will…

Featured image for “Brothers share their experience growing up undocumented”
Brothers Leo, left, and Diego Dulanto Falcon talk about their experience growing up undocumented. The two applied for and were accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was created in 2012 and gives them temporary relief from deportation and opportunities to work. | Nancy Guan, WUSF
October 31, 2024

Brothers share their experience growing up undocumented

Leo and Diego Dulanto Falcon were undocumented after coming to the U.S. from Peru as young children.…

Featured image for “FPL bills may rise to cover cost of 3 hurricanes”
Florida Power & Light trucks line up in preparation for a hurricane. | FPL
October 30, 2024

FPL bills may rise to cover cost of 3 hurricanes

FPL is seeking approval to increase bills by about $13 a month in Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Amendment 3 marijuana issue fires up people on both sides”
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis speaks against Amendment 3 on Thursday at Jacksonville's FOP lodge. Joining her are Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, right, and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. | News4Jax
October 25, 2024

Amendment 3 marijuana issue fires up people on both sides

Ron and Casey DeSantis are agressively fighting Amendment 3. Critics say they shouldn’t use tax money to fight the marijuana…

Featured image for “Hurricane season isn’t over: What to expect in November”
October 25, 2024

Hurricane season isn’t over: What to expect in November

Notable hurricanes and tropical storms have developed in November, the last month of hurricane season.…

Featured image for “2 weeks after Hurricane Milton, communities remain flooded”
Several Florida communities continue to weather aftereffects from Hurricane Milton more than 2 weeks since it made landfall in Florida. | Lakeland Ledger
October 24, 2024

2 weeks after Hurricane Milton, communities remain flooded

Compounding the flooding, the St. Johns River is rising again.…

Featured image for “Judge rebukes state for threats over TV abortion ads”
October 18, 2024

Judge rebukes state for threats over TV abortion ads

A federal judge ruled the state violated the First Amendment when it threatened TV stations over ads supporting the abortion…

Featured image for “La Niña could bring us a warmer, drier winter”
October 17, 2024

La Niña could bring us a warmer, drier winter

La Niña is slowly developing, and this shift in the pattern is expected to last at least through February 2025.…

Featured image for “By the numbers: What made Hurricane Milton so historic?”
October 17, 2024

By the numbers: What made Hurricane Milton so historic?

Milton was the third hurricane to hit Florida this year. No other year on record has more than three hurricane…

Featured image for “Seniors struggle to recover from back-to-back hurricanes”
Libbie Bowers stands near the last remaining items of her shed in Sarasota on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Before neighbors came to help, her yard was covered with her ruined possessions, Bowers said. | Kylie Williams, WUFT News
October 14, 2024

Seniors struggle to recover from back-to-back hurricanes

The neighborhoods where many seniors live aren’t built to withstand the wrath of a major hurricane.…

Featured image for “What to expect overnight and to end the week after Hurricane Milton’s landfall”
October 9, 2024

What to expect overnight and to end the week after Hurricane Milton’s landfall

Hurricane Milton officially made landfall near Siesta Key on Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. and continues to bring damaging constant winds…

Featured image for “Judge rejects reopening Florida voter registration because of hurricanes”
October 9, 2024

Judge rejects reopening Florida voter registration because of hurricanes

A federal judge Wednesday rejected a request from the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida NAACP to…

Featured image for “Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, but risks ease in Jacksonville”
October 9, 2024

Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, but risks ease in Jacksonville

The latest on Hurricane Milton’s expected impacts on the Jacksonville area, including shelters and evacuations.…

Featured image for “Heavy tropical rain moving into Florida starting this weekend”
October 4, 2024

Heavy tropical rain moving into Florida starting this weekend

Rain chances are creeping up during the weekend, and more are coming next week as tropical moisture arrives…

Featured image for “Here are 4 ways to help Hurricane Helene victims”
October 3, 2024

Here are 4 ways to help Hurricane Helene victims

As cleanup efforts continue around the state, Helene victims are starting to gain some forward momentum in recovery efforts.…

Featured image for “‘Stop WOKE’ lawsuit could cost Florida $750,000”
Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the crowd before publicly signing HB7, dubbed the "Stop WOKE" bill, during a news conference at Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School in Hialeah Gardens on April 22, 2022. | Daaniel A. Varela, Miami Herald
October 2, 2024

‘Stop WOKE’ lawsuit could cost Florida $750,000

Businesses that successfully challenged the Stop WOKE Act want the state to reimburse their legal bills.…

Featured image for “Rescue efforts underway on Gulf Coast; 2 people dead”
Workers remove debris from Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. | Gerald Herbert, AP
September 27, 2024

Rescue efforts underway on Gulf Coast; 2 people dead

Many people did not evacuate, remaining in areas hit by storm surge as Helene moved north.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville city offices remain closed after Hurricane Helene”
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews deal with a downed tree as the first gusts of wind from Hurricane Helene arrived in Jacksonville around 6 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2024. | JFRD via X
September 27, 2024

Jacksonville city offices remain closed after Hurricane Helene

Roads flooded, trees toppled and power lines fell around the city. People were encouraged to stay home as crews cleaned…

Featured image for “UPDATE: Hurricane Helene grows to 120 mph winds”
September 26, 2024

UPDATE: Hurricane Helene grows to 120 mph winds

Helene is one of the biggest hurricanes on record, with effects spreading hundreds of miles toward Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “These new laws will take effect Oct. 1 in Florida”
A homeless person sleeps on a bench. A new Florida law bars local governments from allowing people to sleep in public places. | Srdjan Randjelovic/Srdjan, Stock-Adobe.com
September 26, 2024

These new laws will take effect Oct. 1 in Florida

Nearly three dozen new laws will go into effect on Tuesday, including a contentious measure that will limit where homeless…