Florida Times

Florida Property Market Gains New Reinsurance Capacity Amid High Catastrophe Costs

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says new private reinsurance providers have entered the state’s property market, offering additional capacity to domestic insurers facing high exposure to catastrophe-related losses.

South Florida Authorities Warn of Fatal Vibrio Infections After Coastal Exposure

Florida health officials are urging people with open wounds to avoid warm brackish and salt water after confirming fatal cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Marion County during peak summer conditions.

Florida Launches Red Tide Monitoring Expansion Along Gulf Coast

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has increased water sampling in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties to track seasonal algal blooms and limit potential effects on coastal tourism and fisheries.

South Florida Faces Dangerous Heat as Heat Index Nears 109 Degrees

National Weather Service advisories cover Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties as extreme humidity pushes heat index values toward dangerous levels, prompting cooling center activations and adding pressure to local power grids.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Denies Affair Allegation as UEFA Confirms Payment to Former Employee

UEFA says a departure payment and MBA fees complied with staff rules then in force, while Infantino faces a separate governance revolt over his abandoned plan to bring private investors into FIFA’s World Cup business.

Florida Students Return to School as School Choice Participation Reaches Record Level

Millions of Florida students have returned to classrooms as expanded school choice programs reach a record 53% participation rate, with families using private, charter and other alternative education options.

Ken Griffin Explores Potential Redevelopment of Historic Downtown Miami Property

Billionaire investor Ken Griffin is reportedly considering acquiring and redeveloping a major historic property in downtown Miami, underscoring continued interest in South Florida's commercial real estate market.

Monroe County Deputies Arrest Georgia Man in $22,000 Florida Keys Phone Scam

Authorities arrested a Georgia resident accused of stealing $22,000 in a phone scam in the Florida Keys, prompting renewed warnings about organized telemarketing fraud targeting elderly residents.

Good Samaritan Subdues Theft Suspect in Miami's Brickell District

A bystander tackled and restrained a robbery suspect in Brickell despite being exposed to chemical irritants, an incident reflecting continuing concern over petty crime in Miami's busy financial district.

Suspect Opens Fire on Police During High-Speed Miami-Dade Pursuit

A pursuit spanning two Miami-Dade municipalities ended after a suspect fired at pursuing officers, highlighting the risks faced by law enforcement during vehicle stops and cross-city chases.

Miami Gardens Delivery Driver Kills Armed Robber in Self-Defense Shooting

A food delivery driver shot and killed an armed assailant during an attempted robbery in Miami Gardens, renewing discussion in Florida over the safety of gig workers and the state's stand-your-ground laws.

Miami-Dade Prosecutors Seek New Venue for High-Profile Attempted Murder Trial

Miami-Dade prosecutors have asked to move the trial of a boater accused of attempted murder, arguing that extensive local media coverage could make it difficult to select an impartial jury in South Florida.

Stopped Freight Train Causes Major Broward County Morning Traffic Disruption

A stalled freight train blocked several major intersections across Broward County during the morning commute, causing severe congestion and prompting renewed calls for stronger rail oversight and infrastructure investment.

South Florida Gas Prices Rise as School Year Begins

Fuel costs are climbing across South Florida as families and school buses return to the roads, adding pressure to household budgets at the start of the new academic year.

SpaceX Prepares Cape Canaveral Launch of 29 Starlink Satellites

SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, continuing the company's high-frequency launch schedule from Florida.

Tampa Council Considers Rays Stadium Proposal Without New Municipal Taxes

Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson has proposed an alternative financing plan for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium that would avoid new municipal taxes, keeping the future of the baseball franchise at the center of regional political debate.

Florida Attorney General Revises Marijuana Ballot Language After Court Rejection

Attorney General James Uthmeier is rewriting the ballot summary for the Amendment 3 recreational marijuana initiative after a Leon County judge rejected the previous wording, leaving limited time for judicial review before the November e...

Manatee County Voters to Decide on $75 Million Land Conservation Tax

The Manatee County Commission unanimously approved a November referendum asking voters to authorize a $75 million property tax increase to preserve agricultural land and wetlands threatened by residential development.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Primary Intensifies Over Water, Conservation and Development

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and challenger Matt Taylor are clashing over land conservation, water use by artificial intelligence infrastructure and development policy as the campaign focuses on protecting Florida's...

Florida Property Tax Exemption Proposal Triggers Debate Over Effects on Renters

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment offering additional property tax breaks to homeowners warn that reduced local revenue could force cuts to transportation, libraries and other public services used by renters and homeowners...

Florida Law Requires Large Data Centers to Use Reclaimed Water

New state legislation requires large data centers to use reclaimed water rather than regional aquifers as artificial intelligence infrastructure expands, addressing concerns over the technology industry's growing demand for water.

Florida Tourism Gains From Surge in International Visitors

Florida is helping drive the broader U.S. tourism recovery, with major destinations across the state reporting a strong return of international travelers from European and Asian markets.

Florida Early Voting Passes 880,000 Ballots Ahead of August 18 Primaries

More than 880,000 Floridians have already voted by mail or in person ahead of the August 18 statewide primaries, with Democrats holding a slight advantage over Republicans in early turnout.

Edison Insurance Seeks Nearly 10% Homeowners Rate Cut in Florida

Edison Insurance has filed for a statewide premium reduction of nearly 10%, offering a potential sign of improvement in Florida's property insurance market after legislative changes and reduced litigation.

Miami Office Rents Surpass Manhattan as Brickell Demand Drives Prices Higher

Miami has overtaken Manhattan for the highest average office asking rents in the United States, with premium properties in the Brickell financial district commanding more than $130 per square foot as corporate wealth continues moving to ...

Florida Leads U.S. Housing Market in Inventory as Mortgage Rates Stay Elevated

One in seven homes currently listed for sale in the United States is in Florida, according to recent data, as the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains near 6.6% and greater supply increases competition among sellers.

Florida Restaurants Face Severe Labor Shortages After Temporary Protected Status Ends

South Florida hospitality businesses are reporting staffing shortages and operational disruptions after federal protections expired for thousands of immigrant workers, renewing debate over the economic effects of national immigration pol...

National Hurricane Center Tracks Three Atlantic Disturbances as Peak Hurricane Season Nears

Forecasters are monitoring three tropical disturbances across the Atlantic, including one off Africa with a 60% chance of development, keeping Florida emergency officials alert as the most active part of hurricane season approaches.

Extreme Heat Advisory Warns of 109-Degree Fahrenheit Heat Index Across South Florida

The National Weather Service warned that the heat index could reach 109 degrees Fahrenheit, placing pressure on the regional power grid and prompting schools to restrict outdoor activities as the new academic year begins.

Florida Health Officials Confirm First Deaths of 2026 From Flesh-Eating Bacteria

The Florida Department of Health confirmed fatal Vibrio vulnificus infections in Palm Beach and Marion counties, prompting warnings for people with weakened immune systems or open wounds as coastal waters reach peak summer temperatures.

Russia’s A7 Builds a State-Linked Payments Network Beyond Western Sanctions

The two-year-old platform says it handles almost one-fifth of Russia’s foreign-trade payments, while Western governments accuse it of helping Moscow bypass financial restrictions through crypto and opaque settlement channels.

Palm Beach County Approves Faster Zoning Rules for Affordable Housing Projects

Palm Beach County commissioners have approved expedited zoning procedures and density incentives for multifamily developments as officials seek to address persistent shortages of workforce housing across coastal and western communities.

Jacksonville Port Expands Container Capacity as International Cargo Volumes Rise

The Jacksonville Port Authority has completed upgrades at its Blount Island terminals, including new gantry cranes and expanded container yards, to handle increasing maritime trade between Florida and global markets.

Florida Property Insurance Market Shows Signs of Stabilization as Private Capacity Expands

State regulators report that several new property and casualty insurers have received licenses to operate in Florida, while Citizens Property Insurance is accelerating efforts to transfer residential policies to private carriers.

Florida Expands Rural Land Protection Program to Preserve Wildlife Corridors

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the purchase of thousands of acres of ranch and forest land under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, protecting sensitive areas from urban development.

Florida Moves to Strengthen Everglades Restoration With New Engineering Contracts

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded major contracts for water filtration and storage infrastructure, advancing a key phase of the state’s long-running Everglades restoration program.

Florida Supreme Court Sets Limits on State and Local Authority Over Coastal Development

A landmark ruling from the Florida Supreme Court defines the respective powers of state and local authorities over coastal construction permits and environmental reviews, with consequences for future development along vulnerable beachfro...

National Hurricane Center Issues Urgent Watches as Intensifying Storm Approaches Florida Coast

The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm and hurricane watches for several Florida coastal counties as an intensifying system moves westward across the Atlantic toward the peninsula.

Hyper-Realistic Reborn Dolls Draw Collectors Seeking Comfort and Craft

Handmade dolls that can cost from hundreds of dollars to well into five figures are gaining attention through specialist conventions and online communities.

Gen Z Cuts Back on Dating as a Night Out Nears $200

Rising restaurant prices, transport, grooming costs and paid dating-app features are pushing many young adults towards cheaper dates, fewer outings or time away from the dating market.

Patients Turn to Artificial Intelligence for Therapy as Psychiatrists Warn of Privacy and Clinical Risks

Mental health professionals are drawing a sharp line between regulated clinical applications and general-purpose chatbots as vulnerable users seek accessible alternatives to traditional counseling.

Couples Embrace ‘Sleep Divorce’ to Protect Rest and Reduce Tension

Separate bedrooms or beds are becoming a practical choice for partners dealing with snoring, incompatible schedules and disrupted sleep, rather than an automatic sign of relationship trouble.

Success: Nvidia Turned Gaming Chips Into the Engine of the AI Boom

The company founded by Jensen Huang built machines that can do many small calculations at once—exactly what modern artificial intelligence needs.

AI’s Next Bottleneck Is Power, Not Just Nvidia Chips

As data centres multiply, technology companies are competing for electricity, grid connections and round-the-clock generation.

Advertising trick: Pepsi’s Harrier Jet Commercial Led to a $700,000 Court Fight

John Leonard tried to redeem seven million Pepsi Points for a military aircraft—and a federal judge decided whether the joke could be a contract.