Statewide News

PHOTO/WILDPATH Collins Ranch in eastern Osceola County is now part of an essential conservation habitat.

PHOTO/WILDPATH Collins Ranch in eastern Osceola County is now part of an essential conservation habitat.

Osceola’s Collins Ranch now part of statewide wildlife corridor

Staff Report
Friday, January 20, 2023
Tuesday, the Florida Cabinet approved five parcels of land, totaling more than 3,500 acres statewide, to connect, protect, and restore essential conservation habitat statewide. Among the five approved parcels is Collins Ranch, located in east of St. Cloud near Holopaw.
The roofing change dealt with part of the Florida Building Code known as the “25 percent rule.” That rule in the past required entire roofs to be replaced to meet code requirements if more than 25 percent of the roofs were damaged. The state is taking up the cause.

The roofing change dealt with part of the Florida Building Code known as the “25 percent rule.” That rule in the past required entire roofs to be replaced to meet code requirements if more than 25 percent of the roofs were damaged. The state is taking up the cause.

Statewide roof damage fight heads to appeals court

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida With the troubled property-insurance industry blaming roof-damage claims for driving up costs, Florida lawmakers in May approved scaling back a requirement to replace roofs.
Gov. Ron DeSantis gave his inauguration speech Tuesday on the steps of the Old Capitol. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave his inauguration speech Tuesday on the steps of the Old Capitol. PHOTO/NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

DeSantis focuses on ‘Freedom’ to start second term

Jim Turner
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
By Jim Turner and Ryan Dailey News Service of Florida   Gov. Ron DeSantis was sworn in Tuesday for a second term, offering a theme of “freedom” in Florida to counter “faddish ideology” nationally.
Florida lawmakers during the Dec. 12-14 special session made changes that will provide “much needed relief” in the troubled property insurance system.

Florida lawmakers during the Dec. 12-14 special session made changes that will provide “much needed relief” in the troubled property insurance system.

Special session report: insurance changes will help, but take time

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
News Service of Florida  Florida lawmakers during the Dec. 12-14 special session made changes that will provide “much needed relief” in the troubled property insurance system, but effects of the legislation won’t be immediate, the AM Best financial-rating agency said in a new report.
As part of an announcement about BlackRock, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis noted in a prepared statement that, “Major banking institutions and economists predict a recession in the coming year.”

As part of an announcement about BlackRock, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis noted in a prepared statement that, “Major banking institutions and economists predict a recession in the coming year.”

Florida CFO Patronis: ‘Economists predicting a recession in the coming year’

Ken Jackson
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Last week, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced that the Florida Treasury will begin divesting $2 billion worth of assets currently under management by BlackRock, a global asset manager — one of the world’s largest.
If your home was damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the state of Florida has announced a new state program to provide verified non-profit organizations with materials to restore a damaged home. FILE PHOTO

If your home was damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the state of Florida has announced a new state program to provide verified non-profit organizations with materials to restore a damaged home. FILE PHOTO

Florida announces program to repair Ian-damaged homes

Staff Report
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has announced a new state program to provide verified non-profit organizations with materials to restore a damaged home to a habitable condition, enabling residents to move back into their own homes.
At a special legislative session next week, lawmakers will consider a series of hot-button insurance issues.

At a special legislative session next week, lawmakers will consider a series of hot-button insurance issues.

Major insurance issues on tap for special legislative session

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
News Service of Florida With Florida’s property insurance system in turmoil, state lawmakers could be poised to take major steps to try to stabilize the market during a special legislative session next week.
Gas is at it's lowest price since October, when a state-wide "gas tax holiday" of its 25-center per gallon fee was lifted. FILE PHOTO

Gas is at it's lowest price since October, when a state-wide "gas tax holiday" of its 25-center per gallon fee was lifted. FILE PHOTO

Florida gas prices continue to drop

Jim Turner
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Gas prices in Florida continue to slacken amid global jitters over the demand for oil and an increase in output from U.S. oil refineries. According to data posted by The Auto Club AAA this week, the average gallon of gas in Florida was selling for $3.25 — the lowest since the price was at $3.
Visit Florida estimated last week the state attracted 35.1 million travelers during the third quarter, a 6.9 percent increase from 2021. PHOTO/VISIT FLORIDA

Visit Florida estimated last week the state attracted 35.1 million travelers during the third quarter, a 6.9 percent increase from 2021. PHOTO/VISIT FLORIDA

U.S. visitors boost Florida tourism industry

Jim Turner
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
U.S. visitors continued to drive Florida’s tourism industry at a record pace, while international travel still struggled to reach prepandemic levels, according to newly released figures for the third quarter of 2022. Tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida estimated last week the state attracted 35.
Republicans overwhelmed Democrats in Tuesday’s elections in Florida. Here are 10 takeaways.

Republicans overwhelmed Democrats in Tuesday’s elections in Florida. Here are 10 takeaways.

10 takeaways from the election in Florida

Jim Saunders
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
News Service of Florida Landslide. Red tsunami. Bloodbath. Call it what you will, Republicans overwhelmed Democrats in Tuesday’s elections in Florida. Here are 10 takeaways: DeSantis’ dominance: Gov.
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