Statewide News

House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, R-Merrit Island, is sponsoring a bill to lower the minimum age for purchasing rifles and other long guns. (Photo Colin Hackley/News Service of Florida)

House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, R-Merrit Island, is sponsoring a bill to lower the minimum age for purchasing rifles and other long guns. (Photo Colin Hackley/News Service of Florida)

Florida House backs lower gun buying age

Jim Saunders
Friday, January 16, 2026
News Service of Florida -- Nearly eight years after a gunman murdered 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the Florida House on Thursday passed a bill that would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18.
Florida’s unemployment rate jumped to 4.2% in November, the highest rate for the state in more than four years and up from 3.5% a year earlier. (Photo/Metro Creative)

Florida’s unemployment rate jumped to 4.2% in November, the highest rate for the state in more than four years and up from 3.5% a year earlier. (Photo/Metro Creative)

State jobless rate increases to 4.2%

Jim Turner
Thursday, January 15, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida’s unemployment rate jumped to 4.2% in November, the highest rate for the state in more than four years. While still considered just above “full employment” by state economists, the November rate was up from 3.
A House proposal that would ask voters to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward Thursday, as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis try to reach agreement on a November ballot measure.

A House proposal that would ask voters to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward Thursday, as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis try to reach agreement on a November ballot measure.

Legislative proposal backed to phase out property taxes

Jim Turner
Thursday, January 15, 2026
News Service of Florida — A House proposal that would ask voters to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward Thursday, as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis try to reach agreement on a November ballot measure.
Senate President Ben Albritton hopes to pass a "rural renaissance" plan during the 2026 session. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Senate President Ben Albritton hopes to pass a "rural renaissance" plan during the 2026 session. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

10 Legislative issues to watch during the current session

Jim Saunders
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Florida lawmakers started the 2026 legislative session Tuesday. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session, here are 10 issues to watch:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of creating what he has dubbed an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.
State Legislature leaders spoke of providing voters the opportunity to pass "meaningful property tax relief" at the start of the legislative session Tuesday.

State Legislature leaders spoke of providing voters the opportunity to pass "meaningful property tax relief" at the start of the legislative session Tuesday.

Tallahassee lawmakers start new 'journey'

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Republican legislative leaders opened the 2026 legislative session Tuesday citing a need to make life more affordable for Floridians.But they offered few clues about what will pass in the coming weeks and downplayed divisions between the House and Senate that emerged during the 2025 session.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced Monday he will run for governor this year. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced Monday he will run for governor this year. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

Republican Jay Collins launches Gubernatorial bid

Jim Turner
Monday, January 12, 2026
News Service of Florida — After months of speculation, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins on Monday announced he will run for governor this year, setting up a Republican primary fight against Congressman Byron Donalds, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and investment firm CEO James Fishback.
With Florida’s regular 60-day session starting next week, DeSantis called the special session for the week of April 20, at least in part to give the U.S. Supreme Court time to rule in a pending Louisiana redistricting case. (File Photo)

With Florida’s regular 60-day session starting next week, DeSantis called the special session for the week of April 20, at least in part to give the U.S. Supreme Court time to rule in a pending Louisiana redistricting case. (File Photo)

Gov. DeSantis sets April redistricting session

Jim Turner
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
News Service of Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called a special legislative session in April to redraw congressional districts, as Republicans seek to maintain control of the U.S. House in this year’s elections.
Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, filed a proposed "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights" on Monday. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, filed a proposed "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights" on Monday. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF File)

AI ‘Bill of Rights’ emerges in State Senate

Jim Turner
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
News Service of Florida — In a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Senate Republican on Monday filed a proposal dubbed the “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.”The proposal (Senate Bill 482), filed by Sen.
In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.

In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.

DeSantis’s proposed state budget tops $117 billion

Jim Turner
Friday, December 12, 2025
News Service of Florida -- In his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law-enforcement officers.
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