Statewide News

Former state and federal emergency-management chief Craig Fugate speaks Tuesday in Tallahassee. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA, MIKE EXLINE

Former state and federal emergency-management chief Craig Fugate speaks Tuesday in Tallahassee. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA, MIKE EXLINE

Fugate: post-storm rebuilding costs could pose problems

Jim Turner
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
News Service of Florida — As the Atlantic Ocean shows signs of heating up — a disturbance is given a good chance of developing near Florida late in the weekend — a former state and national disaster chief warned this week of working-class Floridians being priced out of communities in post-storm...
President Ronald Reagan waves moments before he was shot in 1981 by John Hinckley. PHOTO/ RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM VIA NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

President Ronald Reagan waves moments before he was shot in 1981 by John Hinckley. PHOTO/ RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM VIA NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

GUEST EDITORIAL -- Trump shooting: sense and logic don't apply

Bill Cotterell
Friday, July 26, 2024
It’s probably human nature to seek logical, sensible explanations for shocking, inexplicable events.Maybe it’s the idea that if we can understand the things we fear, things that make no sense, we can somehow prevent them.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie gives an explanation after Hurricane Ian in 2022. PHOTO/JIM TURNER, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie gives an explanation after Hurricane Ian in 2022. PHOTO/JIM TURNER, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

5 questions for Florida emergency leader Kevin Guthrie

Jim Turner
Sunday, July 7, 2024
News Service of Florida — As director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management since April 2021, Kevin Guthrie has run point on disasters from Category 4 hurricanes to a deadly condominium-building collapse in Surfside.
A well-connected group of Florida business leaders thinks its members can help fill a void that opened last year when lawmakers broke up the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida.

A well-connected group of Florida business leaders thinks its members can help fill a void that opened last year when lawmakers broke up the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida.

State business leaders look to boost economic development

Jim Turner
Friday, July 5, 2024
News Service of Florida — A well-connected group of Florida business leaders thinks its members can help fill a void that opened last year when lawmakers broke up the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida.
The bill to regulate vacation home rentals at the state level was a point of contention among the legislative delegation from Osceola County, called the "Vacation Home Capital of the World." PHOTO/GLOBAL RESORT HOMES

The bill to regulate vacation home rentals at the state level was a point of contention among the legislative delegation from Osceola County, called the "Vacation Home Capital of the World." PHOTO/GLOBAL RESORT HOMES

DeSantis vetoes controversial vacation rental bill

Dara Kam
Sunday, June 30, 2024
News Service of Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed a measure aimed at regulating vacation rentals, saying the proposal would create “bureaucratic red tape” for local officials.
The tax “holiday” will allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on a wide range of recreational items and activities throughout July.

The tax “holiday” will allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on a wide range of recreational items and activities throughout July.

‘Freedom Month’ sales tax breaks start in July

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
News Service of Florida — Retailers hope outdoor enthusiasts planning to buy canoes, fishing gear or tickets to ball games have become more aware of an upcoming tax-free shopping period that lawmakers have dubbed “Freedom Month.
At Tuesday’s Osceola Legislative Delegation Update presented by the Osceola Chamber, from left, Walt Disney World Senior Government Advisory Manager Leticia Adams, Osceola County legislators Sen. Victor Torres and state Rep. Kristen Arrington, Paula Stark and Tom Keen engaged in conversation about the 2024 session. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

At Tuesday’s Osceola Legislative Delegation Update presented by the Osceola Chamber, from left, Walt Disney World Senior Government Advisory Manager Leticia Adams, Osceola County legislators Sen. Victor Torres and state Rep. Kristen Arrington, Paula Stark and Tom Keen engaged in conversation about the 2024 session. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Osceola’s delegation updates legislation at Chamber’s update event

Ken Jackson
Friday, June 21, 2024
The Osceola Chamber can still pack a room, especially when it brings the area’s Tallahassee legislators together for an update on the 2024 legislative session and the bills passed, and signed by the governor, and how they will affect the county.
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed about $950 million in funding projects — including a few local ones — in signing the $116.5 billion budget. NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE PHOTO

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed about $950 million in funding projects — including a few local ones — in signing the $116.5 billion budget. NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE PHOTO

DeSantis signs $116.5 billion budget — local projects vetoed

Jim Turner And Ryan Dailey
Friday, June 14, 2024
Late Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $116.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, after vetoing close to $950 million in spending approved by lawmakers in March.
In the past, municipal officials were required to file what is known as a “Form 1,” which provided less-detailed financial information. The law required them to file a more-detailed “Form 6,” the type of disclosure filed by state elected officials.

In the past, municipal officials were required to file what is known as a “Form 1,” which provided less-detailed financial information. The law required them to file a more-detailed “Form 6,” the type of disclosure filed by state elected officials.

Elected official financial disclosure law blocked

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
News Service of Florida — A federal judge has blocked a 2023 Florida law that required municipal elected officials to disclose detailed information about their personal finances, ruling that the law likely violated First Amendment rights.U.S.
The Florida Supreme Court Thursday upheld Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend 9th Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell. FILE PHOTO

The Florida Supreme Court Thursday upheld Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend 9th Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell. FILE PHOTO

Supreme Court justices back DeSantis' Monique Worrell suspension

Jim Saunders
Thursday, June 6, 2024
News Service of Florida -- The Florida Supreme Court Thursday upheld Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend 9th Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell, saying he made adequate allegations of neglect of duty and incompetence.
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