Statewide News

Madison County sustained damage in Hurricane Helene in 2024, but Florida was not affected by storms in the 2025 season. (Photo/Mike Exline, News Service of Florida).

Madison County sustained damage in Hurricane Helene in 2024, but Florida was not affected by storms in the 2025 season. (Photo/Mike Exline, News Service of Florida).

Hurricane season now envisioned ‘Well Below Normal’

Jim Turner
Thursday, July 16, 2026
News Service of Florida — Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced a single named tropical system.For a season initially anticipated to be “somewhat below-normal,” Colorado State University...
Paula Stark lost her appeal to be on the House District 47 ballot when a judge ruled her ballot was properly rejected for the lack of a financial disclosure form.

Paula Stark lost her appeal to be on the House District 47 ballot when a judge ruled her ballot was properly rejected for the lack of a financial disclosure form.

Leon County Judge rejects Paula Stark's appeal to get on state House ballot

Gray Rohrer
Thursday, July 9, 2026
This story is part of the News Collaborative of Central Florida, an initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida.Paula Stark’s move to be placed on the ballot to retain her District 47 Florida House of Representatives seat was rejected by...
WESH-Channel 2 in Orlando will air debates in the Florida Senate and Governor's races on Oct. 13 and 15. (Graphic/FPA)

WESH-Channel 2 in Orlando will air debates in the Florida Senate and Governor's races on Oct. 13 and 15. (Graphic/FPA)

General election statewide TV debates announced in Florida’s 2026 Races for U.S. Senator, Governor

The Florida Press Association
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The respected, effective non-partisan partnership that has produced live statewide televised debates in Florida for more than 20 years is organized again for the state’s 2026 races for Governor and U.S. Senator.Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton will host this year’s general election debates...
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will vote for ballot item "Amendment 3" regarding homestead property taxes, but “what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal.”(Photo/Joe Raedle, Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will vote for ballot item "Amendment 3" regarding homestead property taxes, but “what the Legislature did wasn't my proposal.”(Photo/Joe Raedle, Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

DeSantis: Property Tax on ballot ‘Wasn’t my proposal’

Jim Turner
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to put some distance between himself and a property tax measure he pushed for that is going before voters in November.DeSantis said Monday he will vote for the ballot item regarding homestead property taxes, but “what the Legislature...
Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

DeSantis signs bills to tamp down local taxes

Gray Rohrer
Monday, June 29, 2026
News Service of Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis has made a large property tax cut ballot measure central to his message in his last year in office, and Wednesday signed two bills in line with that priority.The bills are designed to make it harder for city and county governments to hike property...
A suit was filed Thursday against the property tax cut amendment placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, alleging it is misleading.

A suit was filed Thursday against the property tax cut amendment placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, alleging it is misleading.

Property tax Amendment draws lawsuit

Gray Rohrer
Friday, June 12, 2026
News Service of Florida — Two former local elected officials and a nonprofit group filed suit Thursday in Leon County Circuit Court against the property tax cut amendment placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, alleging it is misleading.The group is called Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot...
Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Property tax overhaul bill headed to November ballot

News Service Of Florida
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
By Jim Turner and Ana Goñi-Lessan — Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping tax cut for homestead property owners pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to the November ballot.The measure increases the existing $50,000 exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 starting in 2027, and it...
After hours of debate, a major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis was changed by lawmakers Monday ahead of scheduled floor votes Tuesday. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

After hours of debate, a major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis was changed by lawmakers Monday ahead of scheduled floor votes Tuesday. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Lawmakers tweak DeSantis’ property tax cut plan in late Monday session

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
By Jim Turner and Ana Goñi-Lessan — After hours of debate, a major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis was changed by lawmakers Monday ahead of scheduled floor votes Tuesday.Democrats warned the measure could “bankrupt” local governments, and GOP members of the House State Affairs...
Florida legislators voted to pass the state's $114.5 billion budget to close a special session Friday. (Photo/News Service of Florida)

Florida legislators voted to pass the state's $114.5 billion budget to close a special session Friday. (Photo/News Service of Florida)

Lawmakers pass $114.5 billion state budget Friday

News Service Of Florida
Friday, May 29, 2026
Jim Turner and Gray Rohrer — Florida lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a $114.5 billion state spending plan Friday, wrapping up a special session to complete the budget more than two months after they failed to do so during the regular session.The Senate voted unanimously in favor of the budget and...
Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday while calling for a special legislative session to take up a property tax cut amendment to appear on the November ballot. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

Gov. Ron DeSantis releases a nearly $114.8 billion budget proposal on Wednesday while calling for a special legislative session to take up a property tax cut amendment to appear on the November ballot. (Photo/Tom Urban, News Service of Florida)

DeSantis calls special session regarding property tax cut plan

Jim Turner
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
News Service of Florida — Many Florida homeowners would see their property tax bills eliminated or severely cut under a plan released Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.DeSantis is calling for the Legislature to convene Monday to consider his proposal, which if they approve it would appear on the...
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