Florida Times

St. Petersburg Business Community Mourns Entrepreneur Bill Edwards

Business and civic leaders in St. Petersburg are paying tribute to longtime entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Edwards following his death at age 81.

Tampa Council Member Lynn Hurtak Says She Will Continue Working During Cancer Treatment

Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak has publicly disclosed a cancer diagnosis while telling constituents she intends to continue performing her legislative duties during treatment.

St. Petersburg Activists Seek Ballot Vote on Municipal Utility Ownership

Local organizers have launched a petition campaign seeking to place the future ownership and operation of St. Petersburg’s electric utility before voters in an upcoming election.

Sarasota County Approves Arts Grants but Withholds Funding From One Theater

County commissioners approved millions of dollars in cultural grants while denying support to a local theater that declined to sign a diversity acknowledgment.

Florida High School Sports Adopt New Eligibility and Transfer Rules

The Florida High School Athletic Association has introduced updated rules governing student-athlete eligibility, transfers and competitive classifications across public schools.

DeSoto County Ranchers Oppose Federal Proposals for Cheaper Beef Imports

Cattle producers in DeSoto County say increased low-cost beef imports could weaken domestic herds and put additional pressure on Florida’s livestock economy.

Florida Officials Prepare Sales Tax Holiday for Firearms and Outdoor Goods

Florida’s Department of Revenue is preparing a scheduled sales tax holiday covering hunting equipment, emergency supplies and sporting goods, including firearms.

Florida Judge Orders Former Lawmaker Released After Flaws Found in Child Abuse Case

A circuit court judge ordered the release of former Representative Caruso after identifying significant evidentiary problems in the prosecution’s child abuse case.

Voting Rights Advocate Desmond Meade Withdraws From Florida Governor’s Race

Independent candidate Desmond Meade has ended his gubernatorial campaign, narrowing the field ahead of Florida’s November election.

Tropical Storm Edouard Forms as Atlantic Hurricane Season Nears Peak

Meteorologists are tracking the season’s fifth named storm, with Tropical Storm Edouard expected to remain to the west while bringing heavy inland rainfall toward the Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Dolly Remnants Bring Heavy Rain and High Surf to Florida

Moisture from Tropical Storm Dolly is producing widespread rainfall and elevated coastal surf across parts of peninsular Florida, prompting safety advisories south of Interstate 4.

Sarasota County Approves $32 Million for Flood and Stormwater Projects

Sarasota County commissioners have authorized $32 million for drainage and flood-mitigation work in Bahia Vista, St. Armands and the Celery Fields following damaging previous weather events.

Pinellas County Seeks Emergency Funding to Protect Wastewater Systems From Flooding

Pinellas County utility officials are requesting state assistance to strengthen coastal wastewater infrastructure threatened by rising sea levels and increasingly severe rainfall.

Palm Beach County Airport Renaming Plan Draws Thousands of Public Comments

A proposal to rename Palm Beach County’s regional airport has triggered extensive public opposition and thousands of comments as local authorities consider the controversial rebranding plan.

Florida Blocks Automated License Plate Readers on State Roads

The Florida Department of Transportation has restricted the installation and operation of Flock automated license plate recognition cameras along designated state highways and transportation corridors.

Companies Linked to Immigration Detention Bid for New Florida Highway Patrol Jails

Private operators with experience running immigrant detention facilities are seeking contracts to build and manage new adult holding centers planned by Florida law enforcement.

Florida Investigative Report Raises Questions Over Extended Immigrant Detentions

A journalistic investigation found that some Florida county jails have used repeated rebooking procedures to hold immigrants beyond standard federal detention guidelines, drawing attention to local enforcement practices.

Florida Grand Jury Report on Hope Florida Intensifies Election-Year Political Scrutiny

Findings involving the state-backed Hope Florida initiative have become a major issue in the November elections, increasing scrutiny of candidates and the program’s administration.

Florida Execution Schedule Remains Elevated Ahead of Autumn Court Deadlines

Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration continues to issue a high number of capital punishment warrants as legal deadlines approach, maintaining Florida’s position as one of the country’s most active states for executions.

Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Project Wins Final Approval From Tampa and Hillsborough County

Tampa and Hillsborough County governing boards have approved a new ballpark and mixed-use development on college property, securing a permanent Tampa home for the Major League Baseball franchise.

Florida Health Officials Move to Drop Four School Vaccine Requirements

Florida health officials are advancing regulatory changes that would eliminate four immunization mandates for children, prompting opposition and debate among medical professionals and religious groups ahead of the academic term.

Tampa Bay Hosts Labor Day Concerts and Waterfront Events

Residents and visitors are attending waterfront concerts in Clearwater and community markets in downtown Tampa as the region marks the Labor Day weekend.

Hernando County Housing Committee Prepares Affordability Planning Meeting

Housing officials in Hernando County are preparing an advisory meeting focused on regional affordability and residential development policy.

Miami Investigates Illegal Removal of Protected Mahogany Trees

Police and environmental inspectors are investigating unauthorized cutting of protected mahogany trees as Miami authorities enforce urban canopy protections along major corridors.

South Florida Tech Incubators Draw Startups and Venture Investors

Entrepreneurs and investors in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are meeting to discuss software growth, artificial intelligence and cross-border funding opportunities in the region’s technology sector.

Florida Transport Officials Manage Labor Day Traffic and Highway Works

The Florida Department of Transportation is coordinating lane closures and traffic measures across major interstate routes to handle heavier travel volumes during the late-summer holiday period.

Florida Universities Complete Fall Enrollment and Student Housing Arrangements

Public universities across the state have completed autumn move-in logistics and introduced updated administrative policies as the new academic semester begins.

Florida Hospitals Adjust Staffing and Emergency Protocols for Seasonal Demand

Healthcare systems across Central and South Florida are updating emergency-room procedures and staffing plans ahead of routine seasonal increases in patient admissions.

Florida Wildlife Officers Step Up Marine Harvest Enforcement

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is increasing coastal patrols to enforce updated quotas and harvesting rules for commercial and recreational fishing.

Florida Opens Recreational Snook Harvest Season Across Most Coastal Waters

State wildlife authorities have opened the recreational snook harvest season along Florida’s East Coast and most western waters, drawing increased participation from anglers.

Florida Airports Adjust Operations for Autumn Passenger Demand

Orlando International and Miami International airports are introducing operational measures designed to improve passenger flows and aircraft turnaround times during the autumn travel period.

PortMiami and Port Everglades Maintain Strong Passenger and Cargo Activity

South Florida’s two major ports are handling steady cruise passenger volumes and cargo operations as regional trade and travel demand remain robust.

Cape Canaveral Launch Teams Prepare for Autumn Space Missions

SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are coordinating payload and launch operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ahead of missions scheduled for the autumn period.

Florida Corrections Department Prepares for September Executions

State correctional authorities are finalizing procedures for scheduled executions in September as several long-running capital cases reach their final legal stages under existing warrants.

Florida Tracks Gulf Moisture and Disturbed Weather

The National Hurricane Center and other forecasters are monitoring a broad area of tropical moisture in the Gulf of Mexico expected to bring localized rain and high humidity to parts of Florida.

Miami River District Advances Mixed-Use Waterfront Redevelopment

Developers along Miami’s historic river corridor are moving ahead with projects combining residential, commercial and dining space as redevelopment of the urban waterfront accelerates.

Florida Housing Prices Show Signs of Stabilizing After Years of Volatility

Single-family home prices in suburban and regional Florida markets are beginning to level off after several years of sharp valuation swings, according to property analysts.

South Florida Schools Adjust Facilities as Enrollment Declines

Miami-Dade education officials are responding to long-term changes in student numbers with targeted campus restructuring and other facility adjustments as the new academic year begins.

Florida Faces Continued Affordability Pressure as Population Shifts Reshape Growth

Economists and policymakers are examining how migration, housing costs and broader living expenses are changing Florida’s long-term outlook as the state balances rapid growth with affordability challenges.

Florida Launches Four-Month Sales Tax Holiday for Hunting, Fishing and Camping Gear

Florida residents can purchase eligible outdoor equipment without sales tax through December 31 under a newly introduced four-month exemption covering hunting, fishing and camping supplies.

Florida Utilities Accelerate Grid Hardening and Transmission Upgrades

Major investor-owned utilities are advancing projects to strengthen substations and distribution networks against hurricanes and other severe weather risks.

Florida Grand Jury Report Sparks Political Clash Over Centene Medicaid Settlement Funds

Republican and Democratic leaders are disputing the findings of a leaked grand jury report examining how the state handled millions of dollars from a Centene Medicaid settlement.

Florida Lawmakers Debate Property Tax Overhaul and New Statutory Caps

State lawmakers and local governments are intensifying discussions over proposed changes to Florida’s property tax system, including potential caps aimed at reducing burdens on homeowners.

Florida Regulators Review New Property Insurers Entering the Market

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is evaluating applications from new property insurers seeking to deploy additional capital in the state’s residential coverage market.