News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “Teen drivers will face new requirements next month”
Before teens can get their driver's permit and buckle their seat belts, they'll need to complete a new six-hour course. The updated requirements start Aug. 1. | State Farm, Creative Commons
8 hours ago

Teen drivers will face new requirements next month

Starting Aug. 1, teenagers must complete a six-hour driving course before earning their learner’s permit.…

Featured image for “Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”
Work progresses on a new migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades on July 4, 2025. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
1 day ago

Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Officials have estimated the facility will cost $450 million a year, fronted by Florida taxpayers.…

Featured image for “Florida DOGE launches audits in Broward and Gainesville”
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2 days ago

Florida DOGE launches audits in Broward and Gainesville

The task force wants access to buildings and data systems as well as information on DEI and green initiatives.…

Featured image for “Florida has a new CFO. What does he do?”
Florida's chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, speaks during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, July 21, 2025.
2 days ago

Florida has a new CFO. What does he do?

CFO Blaise Ingoglia oversees the state’s finances, insurance regulation and even fire safety enforcement.…

Featured image for “Supreme Court upholds North Florida redistricting”
This redistricting plan pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis eliminated the old Congressional District 5, a Black-majority district that stretched from Jacksonville to west of Tallahassee.
July 18, 2025

Supreme Court upholds North Florida redistricting

Justices said the plan, which broke up a majority Black congressional district, did not violate the Constitution.…

Featured image for “Emails show state blindsided local officials on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump visited and toured the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in July.
July 18, 2025

Emails show state blindsided local officials on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

County officials were trying to chase down a rumor about the facility while state officials began construction.…

Featured image for “‘Flesh-eating’ bacterium kills 1 in St. Johns County”
Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, also known as the "flesh-eating" bacteria, is found in warm, brackish seawater and undercooked seafood. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
July 15, 2025

‘Flesh-eating’ bacterium kills 1 in St. Johns County

Statewide, four people have died of the bacterium, which is found in warm, brackish seawater and undercooked seafood.…

Featured image for “Tropical system could develop over North Florida and Gulf”
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July 14, 2025

Tropical system could develop over North Florida and Gulf

Heavy rains could lead to flash flooding in parts of the state, especially in parched South Florida.…

Featured image for “Florida’s Planned Parenthood chapters merge”
Planned Parenthood on University Boulevard, in east Orlando.
July 11, 2025

Florida’s Planned Parenthood chapters merge

The state’s two chapters merged as the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” threatens clinics across the country.…

Featured image for “Jax lawmaker joins suit over access to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”
Workers install a sign reading "Alligator Alcatraz" at the entrance to a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility on July 3, 2025, in Ochopee. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
July 11, 2025

Jax lawmaker joins suit over access to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Rep. Angie Nixon and other legislators sued after they were denied access to the immigrant detention facility.…

Featured image for “Judge strikes key part of Florida’s ballot initiatives law”
July 9, 2025

Judge strikes key part of Florida’s ballot initiatives law

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker gave hope to groups proposing marijuana and Medicaid issues.…

Featured image for “NOAA delays cutoff of data for hurricane forecasting”
A water rescue boat moves in floodwaters at an apartment complex in Clearwater after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, 2024. | Mike Stewart, AP file
July 2, 2025

NOAA delays cutoff of data for hurricane forecasting

Meteorologists and scientists warn of severe consequences when the satellite data ends July 31.…

Featured image for “ICE facility at Camp Blanding could house 2,000 detainees”
President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and others tour "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. | Evan Vucci, AP
July 1, 2025

ICE facility at Camp Blanding could house 2,000 detainees

The facility would be the second in Florida. President Donald Trump toured the first facility Tuesday in the Everglades.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs tax cuts for businesses and shoppers”
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks May 1, 2025, during a news conference about immigration enforcement at the South Florida office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations in Miramar. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
June 30, 2025

DeSantis signs tax cuts for businesses and shoppers

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package eliminateding a commercial-lease tax and providing several sales tax breaks.…

Featured image for “Florida business leaders call for better math education”
Associates from RS&H, an architecture and engineering company, talked with students about the projects they're doing and what careers are available in the industry. | Keith Richard, courtesy
June 30, 2025

Florida business leaders call for better math education

Many employers say it’s hard to find people with skills in critical thinking, data analysis and problem solving.…

Featured image for “Tropical development possible heading into July 4th holiday”
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June 30, 2025

Tropical development possible heading into July 4th holiday

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a 20% chance of development over the next seven days.…

Featured image for “Hundreds will get payments for reform school abuse”
Edmund D. Fountain, Tampa Bay Times, file pool photo
June 27, 2025

Hundreds will get payments for reform school abuse

The program will compensate people who were subjected to abuse at the Arthur G. Dozier School between 1940 and 1975.…

Featured image for “Camp Blanding considered for ICE detention center”
The entrance to Camp Blanding. | Google Maps
June 25, 2025

Camp Blanding considered for ICE detention center

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is looking to create detention facilities across Florida and Camp Blanding has the space.…

Featured image for “Florida fast-tracks immigrant detention center in Everglades”
On Sunday, June 22, Betty Osceola called on Love The Everglades Movement and Friends of the Everglades along with other locals to protest a proposed immigrant detention center inside Big Cypress National Preserve. | Andrea Melendez, WGCU
June 25, 2025

Florida fast-tracks immigrant detention center in Everglades

Environmentalists are raising alarms about “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center on a partially-built airstrip in the Everglades.…

Featured image for “Marva Johnson approved as new FAMU president”
Marva Johnson interviews with members of FAMU's board of trustees. | Glenn Beil, used with permission
June 20, 2025

Marva Johnson approved as new FAMU president

The Board of Governors approved Johnson despite loud opposition from segments of the FAMU community.…

Featured image for “Funding slashed for Florida land preservation program”
A Florida panther goes under a highway overpass along the Florida Wildlife Corridor in southwest Florida. | Carlton Ward Jr., Wildpath
June 20, 2025

Funding slashed for Florida land preservation program

Much of the money has been shifted to protect agricultural lands from development.…

Featured image for “Judge finds attorney general in contempt on immigration”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a meeting between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet at the Florida Capitol on March 5, 2025. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP file
June 18, 2025

Judge finds attorney general in contempt on immigration

A federal judge ruled that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier flouted her injunction against a new immigration law.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers pass $115B budget and tax breaks”
Previous Previous State Seeks OK to Enforce Social Media Law TALLAHASSEE — Arguing that a district judge’s ruling “puts millions of kids at r… Next Next Up Next Up Evening Briefs: Fall Committee Weeks Set | Lawmakers Sworn In Featured Lawmakers Pass $115.1B Budget, End Session By Jim Turner and Tom Urban 8 hrs ago Facebook Twitter Email Sine die House Speaker Daniel Perez (left) and Senate President Ben Albritton (right) took part in a traditional hanky-drop ceremony marking the end of the legislative session.
June 17, 2025

Florida lawmakers pass $115B budget and tax breaks

Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville cast one of only two dissenting votes against the budget.…

Featured image for “State budget reignites fight over Rodman dam”
The Rodman Dam near Palatka, some 70 miles southwest of Downtown Jacksonville.
June 16, 2025

State budget reignites fight over Rodman dam

A budget plan finalized Friday sets aside $6.25 million to restore the Ocklawaha River.…