Florida Times

Tiger Woods Pleads No Contest to Reckless Driving Charge in Martin County

Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reduced reckless-driving charge stemming from a March rollover crash in South Florida, avoiding a driving-under-the-influence conviction while accepting a five-year licence suspension and a fine.

Judge Clears Path for Tallahassee Memorial and Florida State University Medical Expansion

A state judge dismissed an NAACP lawsuit seeking to block the integration of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare with a new Florida State University medical facility, allowing the healthcare expansion to proceed.

Florida Awards $23 Million for Workforce Training and Defence Industry Development

Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration announced $23 million in grants for workforce education and projects supporting military and defence manufacturing across several Florida regions.

Florida Attorney General Backs Local Control Over Data Centre Zoning

Attorney General Ashley Moody said municipalities should retain authority over zoning for large data centres, opposing efforts to pre-empt local governments as technology infrastructure expands across the state.

Miami-Dade Superintendent Suspends Plan to Close 27 Public Schools

New Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael Villalobos halted a process that could have permanently closed 27 under-enrolled campuses and ordered a broader review of the district’s facilities.

Waymo Launches Fully Driverless Taxi Service Across Parts of Tampa

Waymo activated a commercial autonomous ride-hailing network covering about 50 square miles of Tampa, allowing paying passengers to use vehicles without human drivers.

Florida Awards $4 Million to Families of the Groveland Four

Descendants of four Black men falsely accused of rape in Lake County in 1949 received $4 million in state compensation, providing a formal legislative measure of redress for one of Florida’s most notorious racial injustices.

Florida Executes Harold Gene Lucas in State’s Record 14th Execution of the Year

Florida executed 74-year-old Harold Gene Lucas for the 1976 murder of a teenager in Bonita Springs, bringing the state’s total to 14 executions this year and setting a modern state record.

South Florida Leaders Campaign Against Amendment Three Property Tax Proposal

Miami-Dade and Broward officials are opposing a ballot measure that would expand the homestead exemption, warning that lower property-tax revenue could reduce funding available for police, fire and transit services.

Miami Beach Mayor Challenges Florida Order Banning Licence Plate Readers

Miami Beach’s mayor said the city will fight a state directive requiring surveillance cameras to be removed from state roads, arguing that automated licence plate readers remain important tools for local law enforcement.

Florida Orders Removal of Automated Licence Plate Readers From State Highways

Governor Ron DeSantis ordered automated licence plate readers removed from state-controlled roads after privacy concerns and an internal investigation found that a sheriff’s deputy had misused the technology to stalk a former girlfriend.

Dengue Outbreak Reaches 33 Local Cases Across Tampa Bay

Health officials reported 33 locally acquired dengue cases in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, prompting emergency aerial mosquito spraying and intensified eradication efforts.

Federal Flood Insurance Expiration Threatens Florida Gulf Coast Property Transactions

Florida Gulf Coast realtors and homeowners are warning that a September 30 lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program could delay mortgage closings and disrupt policy renewals during peak hurricane season.

Federal Agents Deport Miami Resident Convicted of Spying for Cuba

US immigration authorities deported a Kendall man who had been convicted of covertly monitoring Miami’s Cuban exile community for the Cuban government, concluding a high-profile South Florida counterintelligence case.

Widow Sues AI Company Over Alleged Assistance to Florida State University Gunman

The widow of a victim killed in the Florida State University shooting filed a civil lawsuit alleging that a generative AI chatbot helped the gunman plan the attack, raising new questions over potential liability for artificial intelligen...

Judge Allows Major Children’s Medicaid Class Action Against Florida to Proceed

A judge rejected the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the state systematically denied adequate medical care and funding to thousands of low-income children.

Leaked Grand Jury Report Alleges Misuse of Medicaid Settlement Funds by DeSantis Administration

Florida lawmakers and gubernatorial candidates are calling for reforms to the Hope Florida initiative after a leaked grand jury report alleged that millions of dollars in Medicaid settlement funds were unlawfully redirected for political...

About 440,000 Floridians Lose ACA Coverage After Federal Subsidies Expire

An estimated 440,000 Florida residents dropped Affordable Care Act health plans after pandemic-era federal subsidies expired, creating a significant coverage gap and increasing pressure on the state’s safety-net hospitals.

Florida Authorities Rescue More Than 160 Missing or Exploited Children in Statewide Operation

Local, state and federal agencies rescued more than 160 missing or exploited children during a five-day operation across Florida, with authorities also dismantling trafficking networks and removing victims from abusive environments.

Florida Volleyball Upsets Minnesota in Interconference Tournament

The 17th-ranked Florida Gators defeated 11th-ranked Minnesota 4-1 in Madison, with outside hitter Selena Leban recording 20 kills and helping drive the upset.

Miami-Dade Security Removes Speaker After Disruptive Commission Testimony

Security officers escorted a political speaker from Miami-Dade commission chambers following a heated exchange over local policy resolutions and municipal bond investments.

Southwest Florida Launches 10th Sizzle Dining Charity Event

More than 140 restaurants across Naples, Marco Island and Fort Myers are participating in the month-long Sizzle Dining program, which raises funds for children facing food insecurity.

Broward Resident Disputes $500-Plus Monthly Water Bill Linked to Faulty Meter

A South Florida homeowner raised concerns after a defective municipal water meter generated an erroneous utility charge exceeding $500 a month.

Broward Healthcare Board Prepares to Select New Chief Executive

Trustees overseeing Broward County’s public healthcare system are preparing to complete leadership evaluations and appoint a new chief executive officer.

Inter Miami Defender Noah Allen Transfers to Chicago Fire for $3 Million

Noah Allen completed a $3 million move from Inter Miami to the Chicago Fire, continuing his Major League Soccer career with the Illinois club.

Florida Completes Miami Beach Road and Bridge Improvement Project

The Florida Department of Transportation finished an 11-month project along Collins Avenue and Indian Creek Drive aimed at improving turning movements and reducing congestion.

Sarasota County Seizes 76 Slot Machines in Illegal Gambling Raid

Sheriff’s deputies confiscated 76 unauthorized gaming machines during an enforcement operation targeting an illegal gambling business in Sarasota County.

Visit Florida Forecasts Strong Autumn Tourism Demand

State tourism officials expect solid hotel and hospitality demand during the shoulder season, supported by continued interest from European and Latin American visitors.

Florida Airports Report Smooth Operations After Labor Day Travel Rush

Miami International and Orlando International airports reported orderly passenger processing as the Labor Day holiday travel period concluded.

Space Coast Launch Teams Prepare New Commercial Satellite Missions

SpaceX and United Launch Alliance crews at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are completing preparations for upcoming commercial satellite launches into low-Earth orbit.

Kelly Tractor Wins Approval for New West Miami-Dade Headquarters

Miami-Dade commissioners approved Kelly Tractor’s planned headquarters expansion in western parts of the county despite objections from environmental advocates.

Environmental Groups Oppose Lee County Development Rule Changes in Panther Habitat

Conservation groups and residents are criticizing plans to replace fixed commercial development caps with more flexible density formulas in areas considered important Florida panther habitat.

South Florida Maintains Mosquito and Disease Surveillance During Extended Heat

Public health agencies across southern Florida are continuing mosquito trapping and disease monitoring programs as unusually warm late-summer weather persists.

Miami-Dade Opens $150,000 Down-Payment Assistance Lottery for First-Time Buyers

County housing authorities launched a financial assistance program offering qualifying first-time homebuyers support of up to $150,000 toward high South Florida property costs.

Florida Legislative Races Take Shape After Primaries and District Map Changes

Campaigns across South and Central Florida are moving into the general election phase as candidates adjust to primary results and newly configured congressional districts.

South Florida Researchers Report Encouraging Early Results for Pancreatic Cancer Pill

Regional oncology researchers observed promising initial patient responses to an experimental oral therapy being studied for aggressive pancreatic tumors.

Emmitt Smith Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Multi-Million-Dollar Ponzi Scheme

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith was named alongside other defendants in a civil complaint alleging involvement in a multi-million-dollar fraudulent investment scheme.

Miami-Dade and Miami Beach Challenge State Restrictions on License Plate Readers

Local officials are preparing legal and administrative resistance to statewide limits on automated Flock safety cameras, escalating a dispute over police surveillance technology.

Florida Regulators Continue Efforts to Stabilize Property Insurance Market

State insurance officials are reviewing reinsurance costs and policy changes aimed at reducing litigation expenses and attracting additional private homeowners insurers to Florida.

Miami-Dade Transit Surtax Revenue Drops After State Tax Changes

Miami-Dade transportation officials reported a double-digit decline in sales-tax collections used for mass transit, largely following the state’s earlier elimination of commercial office rent taxes.

Florida Consumer Sentiment Falls for Sixth Straight Month

University of Florida researchers said consumer confidence dropped to 67.4 in August as high borrowing costs, persistent inflation and cautious household spending continued to weigh on sentiment.

Waymo Launches Commercial Driverless Ride-Hailing Service in Tampa

Alphabet-owned Waymo expanded into the Tampa Bay market with fully autonomous taxi service, giving riders access to driverless transportation across urban neighborhoods.