Florida Times

USF Falls 17-13 to Temple as Nine-Game Home Winning Streak Ends

The University of South Florida suffered its first loss of the season before more than 36,000 fans in Tampa, despite a second-half defensive rally against Temple.

South Florida Housing Market Splits Between Tight Single-Family Supply and Condo Glut

Housing reports show single-family homes remaining relatively scarce across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, while condominium inventory is elevated and buyers have greater negotiating power.

Florida Senate Candidate Angie Nixon Calls for Protection of Haitian TPS Holders

Angie Nixon urged Florida’s congressional delegation to support extended deportation protections and residency stability for Haitian immigrants living across South Florida.

Florida Introduces New Reporting Rules for Violent Career Offenders

Law enforcement agencies have begun enforcing annual address, employment and identification reporting requirements for habitual violent criminals and designated violent career offenders.

Florida Raises Penalties for Adults Involving Minors in Animal Fighting

New animal welfare legislation imposes third-degree felony charges and psychological evaluations on adults who involve children in illegal animal fighting or baiting.

Florida Strengthens Penalties for Lewd Conduct and Sexual Observation of Minors

Courts are applying tougher third-degree felony penalties for intentional public sexual exposure and for observing minors under 16 for sexual gratification.

Florida Introduces Felony Penalties for Fraudulent Rental Applications

New legislation makes it a third-degree felony to obtain housing using forged pay stubs, false identities or altered financial documents, giving landlords and rental agencies stronger legal remedies against application fraud.

Florida Expands Gang Identification Rules to Include Social Media Evidence

Law enforcement agencies can now use online statements, digital symbols and social media posts as part of the legal criteria for identifying individuals as criminal gang members.

Florida Imposes Tougher Penalties for Gunfire Near Schools

New state rules require second-degree felony prosecutions for people who discharge firearms within 1,000 feet of active school grounds, exposing offenders to substantial prison terms.

Florida Expands Warrantless Arrest Powers for No-Contact Order Violations

Police can now make immediate arrests when suspects are accused of knowingly violating pre-trial release conditions or domestic violence no-contact orders under newly enacted state law.

Florida Tightens Rules on Xylazine and Nitrous Oxide Distribution

State authorities are enforcing new felony restrictions on the unauthorized sale or possession of xylazine and tighter controls on retail distribution of nitrous oxide cylinders.

Florida Enacts Broad New Laws Covering Public Safety, Housing and Criminal Justice

A wide-ranging package of state statutes has taken effect, changing rules governing landlord verification, criminal procedures, public safety enforcement and labor standards across Florida.

IRS Whistleblower Office Reviews Fund Flows Linked to Hope Florida Initiative

Federal tax investigators are examining financial transfers involving nonprofit groups and political committees connected to state administrative operations, drawing additional scrutiny from government watchdogs.

Florida Tourism Softens as Visitor Numbers Decline

State economists reported weaker domestic, Canadian and overseas visitor volumes in the second quarter, prompting Visit Florida to increase marketing for historic and rural destinations.

Florida Minimum Wage Rises to $15 an Hour

Florida’s minimum wage has reached $15 per hour under the final scheduled increase approved by voters, raising baseline pay for hundreds of thousands of workers in retail, hospitality and other service industries.

SpaceX and NASA Launch Crew-13 Mission From Cape Canaveral to International Space Station

A Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral carrying an international astronaut crew on an eight-hour journey to begin a six-month research mission aboard the International Space Station.

Miami Beach Brings Back Free Outdoor Symphony Screenings

Miami Beach is returning its free SoundScape Park projection series, offering outdoor classical music and film screenings throughout the autumn.

Florida Wildlife Officials Increase Alligator and Boater Safety Messaging

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is stepping up public advisories in parks and waterways during a period of heightened seasonal wildlife activity.

Visit Florida Launches Autumn Campaign Across Southeastern States

The state tourism agency has begun a regional marketing push promoting beaches, parks and cultural festivals during Florida’s shoulder travel season.

Florida Police Adopt New Gang Identification Standards

Law enforcement agencies across the state are implementing updated criteria that allow social media activity and digital symbols to be used in gang identification and investigative processes.

Florida Highway Patrol Joins Regional Interstate Enforcement Blitz

Florida troopers are working with neighbouring states on coordinated commercial vehicle and traffic safety operations aimed at reducing crashes and cargo violations across the Southeast.

ICE Operations in Tallahassee Trigger Debate Over Labour and Immigrant Rights

Targeted federal immigration enforcement in Tallahassee has led to localized business closures and prompted discussion among city officials about economic effects and immigrant protections.

Florida Education Data Show Reading Gains but Persistent Math Gaps

New state accountability reports show improvement in early literacy programs while secondary mathematics performance remains uneven across several urban school districts.

Southwest Florida Launches Seasonal Flu and Respiratory Vaccine Campaign

Healthcare providers are expanding vaccine access and public awareness efforts to protect vulnerable residents ahead of the annual rise in influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

Florida Hospitals Expand Pediatric Emergency Capacity Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season

Major hospital systems in Miami and Tampa are adding staff and triage capacity in preparation for an expected seasonal increase in pediatric respiratory cases.

University of Florida Wins Federal Funding for Flood-Resilience Research

University researchers have secured federal support to model green infrastructure and stormwater solutions intended to protect coastal communities from recurring tidal flooding.

Polk County Permanently Protects 375 Acres of Agricultural Land

Polk County and the Florida Department of Agriculture have secured a conservation easement covering 375 acres of working cattle and farmland, preventing future commercial development.

Florida Agriculture Faces Crop Risks After Extreme Rainfall

Growers in Central and South Florida are warning that prolonged saturation and severe weather could reduce citrus, sugarcane and vegetable yields.

Florida Retailers Report Steady Consumer Spending

The Florida Retail Federation says spending remains resilient across apparel, electronics and home goods, supported by employment and wage growth in major metropolitan areas.

South Florida Luxury Housing Demand Holds Firm Despite High Borrowing Costs

Brokers in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties report continued strength in high-end home sales, supported by cash buyers and ongoing corporate relocations into South Florida.

Florida Begins Smart Traffic Signal Upgrades in Central Florida

The state Transportation Department is installing adaptive traffic signals along congested roads in Orange and Seminole counties to improve traffic flow and reduce peak-hour delays.

Jacksonville Advances Autonomous Rapid Transit Plan

Jacksonville transportation officials have completed engineering reviews for automated shuttle lanes intended to bring driverless public transport into the downtown business district.

Southwest Florida International Airport Advances Major Terminal Expansion

Fort Myers aviation officials have approved architectural planning for a larger terminal concourse designed to accommodate more international services and long-term passenger growth.

Orlando International Airport Expands Parking and Passenger Transit Capacity

Orlando airport authorities have added long-term parking and digital guidance systems as they prepare for heavier passenger volumes during the autumn and winter holiday travel period.

Port Tampa Bay Reports Record Cruise Traffic and Stronger Cargo Volumes

Port Tampa Bay says cruise passenger movements and containerized freight have posted double-digit growth, strengthening the port’s role in the central Gulf Coast economy.

Space Coast Aerospace Suppliers Expand Capacity as Satellite Demand Rises

Aerospace contractors in Brevard County are investing in cleanrooms and advanced manufacturing facilities to support growing launch activity from SpaceX and other commercial space operators.

Florida Supreme Court Weighs Limits on State Regulatory Power

The Florida Supreme Court has heard arguments in a major case over executive rule-making authority and legislative delegation, with potential consequences for how state agencies exercise regulatory power.

New Florida Laws Introduce Tougher Criminal Penalties and $15 Minimum Wage

A new slate of state laws has taken effect, adding stricter felony penalties for offences including fraudulent rental applications and illegal drug distribution while completing Florida’s voter-approved increase in the minimum wage to $1...

Florida Expands Down Payment Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has broadened financial assistance programs to help first-time buyers cope with high mortgage rates and tight housing inventories in major metropolitan markets.