Statewide News

An aerial view shows destruction at the Spanish Lakes country club in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024. (Photo by JOHN FALCHETTO/AFP via Getty Images)

An aerial view shows destruction at the Spanish Lakes country club in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024. (Photo by JOHN FALCHETTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Billion-dollar baddies: Florida insured losses mounting for Helene, Milton

Jim Turner
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
News Service of Florida — About $2.126 billion in estimated insured losses had been reported as of Wednesday from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Oct. 9 in Sarasota County and caused widespread damage in the state.
It's "Still too soon to tell” how a trio of hurricanes could affect the state’s jobless figures, the state's Department of Commerce said Friday. FILE PHOTO

It's "Still too soon to tell” how a trio of hurricanes could affect the state’s jobless figures, the state's Department of Commerce said Friday. FILE PHOTO

Florida jobless rate holds steady

Jim Turner
Friday, October 18, 2024
News Service of Florida — Florida’s unemployment rate held for a sixth consecutive month, but a key state economist said Friday “it’s still too soon to tell” how a trio of hurricanes could affect the state’s jobless figures.The state Department of Commerce on Friday estimated 368,000 Floridians...
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Appeals court to weigh Florida gun age law

Jim Saunders
Saturday, October 12, 2024
News Service of Florida: A federal appeals court will hear arguments in the National Rifle Association’s constitutional challenge to a Florida law that prevents people under age 21 from purchasing rifles and other long guns.The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled an Oct. 22 hearing in...
A legal battle is brewing over the DeSantis’ administration’s opposition to a proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.

A legal battle is brewing over the DeSantis’ administration’s opposition to a proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.

Amendment 4: ‘Accurate Information’ vs. ‘Misinformation’

Jim Turner And Jim Saunders
Friday, October 11, 2024
A legal battle is brewing over the DeSantis’ administration’s opposition to a proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.A political committee leading efforts to pass a constitutional amendment on abortion rights—Amendment 4 on voters’ November general election...
Cars gas up ahead of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 23 at the BJs Wholesale in Kissimmee. This scene is playing out in a number of places in Florida as residents evacuate to avoid Hurricane Milton's storm surge and winds. FILE PHOTO

Cars gas up ahead of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 23 at the BJs Wholesale in Kissimmee. This scene is playing out in a number of places in Florida as residents evacuate to avoid Hurricane Milton's storm surge and winds. FILE PHOTO

Fuel supplies key amid Milton evacuations

Jim Turner
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
News Service of Florida — As residents evacuate on congested highways ahead of Hurricane Milton — some headed to Osceola County — Florida officials said the state does not have a fuel shortage amid efforts to ensure that supplies continue to reach gas stations.With the powerful Milton expected to...
Hurricane Milton became a major Category 3 storm at 7 a.m. Monday.

Hurricane Milton became a major Category 3 storm at 7 a.m. Monday.

Milton could lead to large evacuation

Jim Turner
Monday, October 7, 2024
News Service of Florida: With Hurricane Milton already a major hurricane and expected to hit Florida's west coast in the middle of the week, state Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie on Sunday urged residents to immediately start putting storm plans in place, which could include...
A slew of new laws go into effect Tuesday, Oct. 1

A slew of new laws go into effect Tuesday, Oct. 1

Homeless camping, ‘Margaritaville’ laws to take effect Tuesday

Jim Turner
Sunday, September 29, 2024
News Service of Florida — Nearly three dozen new state laws will take effect Tuesday, Oct. 1, including a contentious measure that will limit where homeless people can sleep.Other measures include creating a license plate for Parrot Heads living the life of the late singer Jimmy Buffett and...
While the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1084 that, among other things, bars the sale of “cultivated meat” in Florida, a California group has filed an injunction saying a federal law blocks such a ban. PHOTO/THE FOOD INSTITUTE

While the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1084 that, among other things, bars the sale of “cultivated meat” in Florida, a California group has filed an injunction saying a federal law blocks such a ban. PHOTO/THE FOOD INSTITUTE

Judge to weigh putting cultivated meat law on ice

Jim Saunders
Thursday, September 12, 2024
News Service of Florida — A federal judge will hear arguments next month about whether he should block a new Florida law that bars the production and sale of “cultivated meat” in the state.Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has scheduled a hearing Oct. 7 on a request by the California-based...
The state of Florida — and it's budget — faces potential deficits in coming years as federal coronavirus pandemic money dries up.

The state of Florida — and it's budget — faces potential deficits in coming years as federal coronavirus pandemic money dries up.

State could face tighter budget after pandemic aid

Jim Turner
Thursday, September 12, 2024
News Service of Florida -- Legislative budget leaders said they expect lawmakers to remain “fiscally responsible” after being advised Friday the state faces potential deficits in coming years as federal coronavirus pandemic money dries up.After receiving a presentation about Florida’s...
The newest figures showed 5.38 million active Republican voters, compared to 4.36 million Democrats, in Florida. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

The newest figures showed 5.38 million active Republican voters, compared to 4.36 million Democrats, in Florida. PHOTO/FRESH TAKE FLORIDA

1 million more: Growing Florida GOP tops Democratic voters

Lee Ann Anderson
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Fresh Take Florida — Prior to the Aug. 20 primary election, the number of registered Republican voters in Florida officially surpassed Democrats by more than 1 million, a milestone reflecting political shifts in the Sunshine State and the largest margin for the GOP since the late 1980s.The newest...
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