Florida Times

Twenty-Nine US States Take Meta to Trial Over Alleged Child Addiction on Instagram and Facebook

State prosecutors are demanding an end to algorithmic features like infinite scrolling and seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties in a case that could force a fundamental redesign of social media.

Moderna and Merck's Personalized Cancer Vaccine Succeeds in Historic Late-Stage Melanoma Trial

A Phase 3 study involving more than 1,100 patients shows the customized mRNA treatment, given alongside an immunotherapy drug, significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer returning or spreading after surgery.

Marshall Rawson Wins Republican Primary in Florida House District Ten

Marshall Rawson secured fifty-four percent of the vote to win the Republican nomination for the North Florida legislative seat and will face Democrat Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson in November.

Eric Atria Wins Alachua County Judicial Race With Sixty-One Percent of Vote

Former public defender Eric Atria defeated AuBroncee Martin with sixty-one percent of the vote to become the newest Alachua County judge after a closely watched local contest.

Florida State University System Launches One Thousand Dollar Student Scholarships

The Florida Board of Governors has introduced a new financial aid initiative offering one thousand dollar scholarships to eligible undergraduates as students return to campuses across the state.

Stream Realty Partners Selected to Lease Repositioned Tampa Westshore Office Campus

Stream Realty Partners will market the one hundred fifteen thousand square foot Landing at Westshore property as a single-tenant corporate headquarters opportunity following a major rebranding and repositioning effort.

Florida Weekly Jobless Claims Fall Below Five Thousand Five Hundred Despite Planned Layoffs

First-time unemployment claims declined last week, according to the Florida Department of Commerce, although planned closures including Postal Center International’s Weston headquarters are expected to eliminate nearly two hundred jobs.

Miami-Dade Issues Air Quality Alerts as Wildfire Smoke Moves Toward Urban Areas

Health officials have urged sensitive residents to stay indoors after a western Miami-Dade brush fire produced localized smoke, with air quality alerts issued as severe afternoon thunderstorms are also forecast.

Firefly Aerospace Delays Alpha Block Two Debut Launch to Fourth Quarter

Firefly Aerospace has postponed the first launch of its upgraded Alpha Block Two rocket from Florida’s Space Coast to the fourth quarter as the company completes vehicle integration and payload safety checks.

Brightline Reports Thirty Percent Drop in Trespassing and Collisions After Safety Upgrades

Brightline says accidents along its Miami-to-Cocoa corridor have fallen thirty percent year over year after a twenty-five million dollar safety program covering crossings, fencing and other infrastructure improvements.

Brightline Wins Fifty-Seven Point Five Million Dollar Federal Grant for Cocoa Station

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded funding to Cocoa for a multimodal Brightline station that will provide Space Coast passengers and visitors with direct rail access to Orlando and Miami.

SpaceX Launches Seventy-Second Falcon Nine Mission of 2026 From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral after a weather-related delay, taking the company’s operational low Earth orbit constellation beyond eleven thousand active satellites.

Disney Unveils Magic Kingdom Expansion With Villains Land and New Cars Rides

Walt Disney World has confirmed plans for a dedicated villains-themed land and two attractions based on Pixar’s Cars franchise as Disney invests in Magic Kingdom amid intensifying competition among Orlando theme parks.

Southwest Florida Housing Inventory Falls Twenty Percent as Naples Luxury Sales Surge

Housing inventory across Southwest Florida has tightened sharply while Cape Coral home prices have moved toward three hundred fifty thousand dollars, contrasting with strong luxury-market activity in Naples.

Florida Migration Slows as Housing and Insurance Costs Weigh on New Arrivals

A new housing market analysis says Florida’s population influx has cooled as higher mortgage rates, property taxes and windstorm insurance costs make the state less affordable for prospective residents.

Florida Attorney General Revises November Ballot Language for Property Tax Amendment

Attorney General James Uthmeier has rewritten the ballot summary for a constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead exemption to one hundred fifty thousand dollars, following a court ruling that the original wording was mis...

Florida Appeals Court Upholds Presuit Notice Requirement in Property Insurance Lawsuits

The Second District Court of Appeal ruled that homeowners must file an administrative notice before bringing property insurance lawsuits, delivering a significant legal victory to Citizens Property Insurance.

Florida Regulators Report Signs of Property Insurance Stabilization as Rate Cuts Approach

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says recent reforms are helping stabilize the property insurance market, with several private insurers and state-backed Citizens Property Insurance preparing to lower homeowner premiums next year.

Florida Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz Win Primary Races

Incumbent South Florida representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz defeated progressive challengers in their Democratic primaries, preserving their positions ahead of the November election.

Ashley Moody Wins Republican Senate Primary and Advances to November Election

Incumbent Republican Senator Ashley Moody comfortably secured her party’s nomination and will face Democratic nominee Angie Nixon in November, retaining a substantial fundraising advantage.

Angie Nixon Defeats Alexander Vindman in Florida Democratic Senate Primary Upset

Progressive state Representative Angie Nixon won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate over national security figure Alexander Vindman, setting up a November contest against Republican incumbent Ashley Moody.

Former Congressman David Jolly Wins Democratic Primary for Florida Governor

Centrist Democrat David Jolly defeated five progressive candidates to win his party’s nomination, setting up a November contest focused on Florida’s rising housing costs and property insurance pressures.

Trump-Backed Byron Donalds Wins Republican Primary for Florida Governor

U.S. Representative Byron Donalds decisively defeated three Republican rivals, including Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, to secure the GOP nomination and advance a campaign that could make him Florida’s first Black governor.

Florida Insurance Officials Report Gradual Stabilization in Coastal Property Rate Filings

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says property insurance rate filings are showing signs of stabilization as legislative reforms encourage new carriers to enter the market and expand premium options for homeowners.

Jacksonville Port Completes Deep-Water Channel Dredging to Accommodate Larger Container Ships

The Jacksonville Port Authority completed upgrades to its deep-water channel, allowing the port to handle larger container vessels and strengthening Northeast Florida’s role in international cargo trade.

National Hurricane Center Monitors Tropical Wave as Florida Approaches Peak Hurricane Season

Forecasters say conditions in the central Atlantic are only marginally favorable for development, while Florida residents are being urged to review hurricane preparedness plans ahead of the peak of the season.

Florida Carries Out 13th Execution of the Year at State Prison Near Starke

Florida executed William Frances Silvia at a state prison near Starke, continuing the state’s heavy use of the death penalty and maintaining Florida’s position as the nation’s most active death chamber.

Florida Loses 450,000 Affordable Care Act Enrollees Over the Past Year

Florida state health data shows a sharp decline in Affordable Care Act coverage as national premium increases and changes to federal subsidies raise concerns about insurance affordability across the state.

Angie Nixon Wins Democratic Florida Senate Primary in Upset Over Alexander Vindman

Progressive state Representative Angie Nixon defeated former Army intelligence officer Alexander Vindman to secure the Democratic nomination for the Florida United States Senate race, setting up a November contest against Republican incu...

Byron Donalds Wins Republican Florida Governor Primary, Setting Up General Election Against David Jolly

Trump-backed Congressman Byron Donalds defeated several Republican rivals to secure the party’s nomination to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis, setting up a November third general election against former Republican Congressman David Jolly.

Central Florida Theme Parks Face Prolonged Heat Advisories

The National Weather Service is warning of heat indices above 110 degrees as high humidity and elevated temperatures increase health risks for visitors and outdoor staff across Central Florida.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Drains Eco Lake for Maintenance and Refurbishment

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has drained the park’s Eco Lake to allow infrastructure inspections and cosmetic refurbishment work at the Central Florida theme park.

Key West Tourism Holds Steady Through Summer Cruise Season

Tourism operators in Key West continue to report stable visitor numbers despite the traditional seasonal slowdown in the Florida Keys.

Florida Schools Prepare for Changing Student Enrollment Patterns

The Palm Beach County School District is adjusting classroom allocations and staffing plans as demographic changes reshape enrollment across South Florida.

Orange County Reviews Multi-Million-Dollar Plans for Tourist Development Tax Revenue

County leaders are considering recommendations on how future lodging tax revenue could be distributed among major cultural and civic projects.

Broward County Advances Planning for Regional Bus Rapid Transit Corridors

Transportation officials are reviewing engineering studies for proposed bus rapid transit corridors intended to improve connections between suburban communities and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Florida Ports and Manufacturers Maintain Steady Activity Amid Shifting Trade Conditions

The Jacksonville Port Authority reports stable container volumes as global trade patterns adjust to new federal tariff structures, while manufacturers in Northwest Florida post moderate production gains supported by workforce training pr...

Florida Technology Incubators Attract New Private Capital for Early-Stage Startups

Innovation hubs around Orlando are drawing additional venture capital for early-stage companies focused on software and aerospace supply chain technologies.

Florida Universities Expand Specialized Degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Nursing and Engineering

The Florida Board of Governors has approved new specialized degree programs as state universities expand training in artificial intelligence, nursing and advanced engineering to meet workforce needs.

Miami-Dade Crews Remove Record Volumes of Sargassum From Beaches

Miami-Dade County crews are dealing with unusually large summer accumulations of sargassum, with ocean warming and nutrient runoff cited as factors contributing to the heavy seaweed blooms.

Everglades Restoration Project Reaches Major Construction Milestone

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a critical structural stage of a major Everglades restoration project designed to redirect freshwater south toward Florida Bay.

Southwest Florida Housing Markets See Gradual Price Adjustments and Tighter Inventory Gaps

Real estate agents in Lee and Collier counties report that sellers are increasingly adjusting price expectations to match buyer purchasing power, narrowing the gap between asking prices and market demand.

Florida Commercial Property Investors Adjust to Prolonged High Interest Rates

Developers and investors across Florida are revising financing and underwriting assumptions as capital markets continue to price in elevated interest rates and persistent inflation pressures.

Naples Luxury Real Estate Posts Billion-Dollar Sales Month

High-end property demand drove more than a billion dollars in monthly sales in Naples, highlighting continued strength among wealthy buyers despite broader economic uncertainty.