Florida Times

Lake Mary Beats Oviedo With Last-Second 51-Yard Field Goal

Defending state champion Lake Mary opened its football season with a one-point victory over Oviedo after converting a 51-yard field goal in the final seconds.

Florida Investigates Unauthorized Removal of Protected Mahogany Trees Along I-95

State authorities are examining the cutting of dozens of protected native mahogany trees along a South Florida highway corridor after the Department of Transportation said the work was not authorized.

Palmetto Bay Residents Oppose Proposed AI Data Center

A community group is challenging zoning changes for a large South Florida data center, citing concerns over the electricity and water required to operate artificial intelligence servers.

Florida Renters Can Seek Payments From $360 Million RealPage Settlement

Florida residents who rented apartments between 2018 and 2025 may file claims under a $360 million class-action settlement involving allegations of rent-price manipulation.

Florida Tightens Work Requirements for Temporary Cash Assistance

New state rules impose stricter eligibility standards and mandatory job-search documentation for families receiving temporary welfare benefits.

Florida Schools Introduce Required History of Communism Curriculum

Middle and high schools across Florida have begun teaching a state-mandated curriculum covering the history and abuses of communist regimes under legislation signed last year.

Florida Lawmaker Proposes Water-Safety Measures After Child Drownings

A state representative introduced “Project Leo,” seeking emergency tracking devices and specialized water-safety resources after the drowning deaths of two children with autism.

Heavy Rain Causes Localized Flooding Across Miami-Dade and Broward

Slow-moving tropical moisture brought street flooding and traffic delays across South Florida, including areas near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

South Florida Mother and Daughter Remembered After Fatal Lightning Strike

Residents in Margate held vigils for a 31-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter who were killed by lightning during a sudden thunderstorm.

Florida Emergency Management Director Resigns to Join Gubernatorial Ticket

Kevin Guthrie stepped down as head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management ahead of peak hurricane season to become the lieutenant governor candidate alongside Republican state Senator Jay Collins.

Florida Property Insurance Crisis Draws Warning on Climate and Housing Risks

US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse cited rising premiums, policy non-renewals and pressure on mortgage markets as evidence that Florida’s property insurance problems carry broader economic and climate implications.

Jared Bridegan Murder Trial Opens in Jacksonville Beach

Opening statements began in the capital murder trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, who is accused of arranging the killing of Jared Bridegan while Bridegan’s young daughter was nearby.

Florida Attorney General Challenges Bond for Suspended Palm Beach Clerk in Child Sex Case

The Florida Attorney General is seeking appellate review after a judge granted bond to the suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts, who faces child sexual abuse charges.

Publix Recalls Frozen Berries in Florida Over Possible E. Coli Contamination

Publix and state health officials urged customers to discard specified store-brand frozen berry products after testing raised concerns about possible E. coli contamination.

Florida Issues Alerts Over Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeño Meat Products

State and federal health officials warned consumers after hundreds of people, including dozens in Florida, contracted salmonella infections linked to widely distributed spicy meat products.

Teenager Charged With Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Near International Drive

A 19-year-old driver faces vehicular homicide and driving-under-the-influence charges after a head-on collision near Orlando’s tourist district killed another motorist.

Florida Governor Schedules September Execution of Curtis Beasley

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant setting a September execution date for 77-year-old Curtis W. Beasley, who was convicted of a 1995 robbery and murder in Polk County.

Florida Grand Jury Says $10 Million Was Improperly Routed Through Hope Florida Initiative

A Florida grand jury report concluded that taxpayer money was improperly transferred through nonprofit organizations into political accounts, prompting calls for further investigation into the transactions.

Florida Operation Recovers More Than 160 Missing Children

A statewide multi-agency task force focused on human trafficking and child exploitation recovered more than 160 endangered minors during a coordinated law-enforcement operation.

NASA Launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope From Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida’s Space Coast, beginning a multi-billion-dollar mission to study dark energy, exoplanets and the wider universe.

Florida Craft Brewers Meet in Tampa to Address Supply and Distribution Challenges

Independent brewers from across Florida have gathered for a statewide industry summit focused on ingredient sourcing, distribution and marketing as consumer preferences shift.

Orlando Theme Parks Launch Fall and Halloween Event Programs

Major Central Florida resorts have unveiled seasonal entertainment schedules aimed at attracting autumn visitors and supporting hospitality demand ahead of the holiday period.

Florida Lightning Death Prompts Renewed Safety Warnings

Emergency authorities have intensified lightning safety messaging after a fatal strike in Margate, highlighting the risks posed by severe summer thunderstorms.

Florida Schools Expand Career and Digital Skills Programs

Public school districts across Florida are introducing broader vocational training and digital literacy programs as students return for the new academic year.

University of Florida Researchers Expand Invasive Species Tracking in Everglades

Scientists in Gainesville are using environmental DNA sampling to monitor the spread of non-native reptiles across the Everglades.

Florida Wildlife Officials Impose Seasonal Slow-Speed Zones to Protect Manatees

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has introduced mandatory boating speed restrictions in selected coastal waterways to reduce collisions with migrating and wintering manatees.

South Florida Retail Property Maintains Strong Occupancy Despite Tighter Credit

Retail centers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties continue to report robust leasing conditions despite broader national retail weakness and more restrictive financing.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Adds Biometric Processing for International Arrivals

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has introduced biometric customs lanes intended to speed international passenger processing and reduce queues during busy periods.

Florida Expands Robotic Surgery Capacity at Tampa and Orlando Hospitals

Major healthcare networks in Tampa and Orlando are investing in minimally invasive robotic surgery systems to expand specialist treatment and reduce recovery times.

Southwest Florida Governments Advance Caloosahatchee Water Restoration Projects

Local authorities along the Caloosahatchee River are coordinating new funding for projects aimed at reducing nutrient runoff and protecting marine ecosystems.

JAXPORT Reports Stable Container Volumes at Mid-Year

Jacksonville Port Authority says import and export container throughput remains steady across its terminals, maintaining the port’s role in southeastern US logistics.

Tampa Bay Cybersecurity Startups Continue to Attract Venture Capital

Technology companies in the Tampa Bay region have secured fresh investment for cybersecurity, enterprise data protection and artificial intelligence compliance products.

Miami Office Rents Reach Record Levels in Prime Brickell District

Prime office space in Miami’s Brickell financial district is commanding record asking rents as corporate relocations and financial-sector demand continue to support leasing activity.

SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Satellite Launch From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX successfully launched additional broadband satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and recovered the Falcon 9 first-stage booster after the mission.

Florida Housing Market Posts Steady Single-Family Sales as Inventories Normalize

State housing data show year-on-year gains in single-family transactions as builders adjust inventory to changing buyer demand across major metropolitan markets.

Visit Florida Reports Continued Recovery in International Tourism

State tourism officials say inbound travel from the United Kingdom, Brazil and other Latin American markets continues to grow, supporting Florida’s international visitor recovery.

Miami International Airport Expands Cargo Capacity for Latin American Trade

Miami International Airport has opened new freight-handling facilities to accommodate rising cargo flows between North America and South American markets.

Florida Universities Launch Joint Semiconductor Research and Training Initiative

Public universities in Florida are combining resources with federal CHIPS Act funding to establish advanced microelectronics laboratories in Gainesville and Orlando.

Florida Begins Major Interstate 4 Interchange Expansion Between Orlando and Tampa

The Florida Department of Transportation has started work on additional lanes and interchange improvements along Interstate 4 aimed at easing chronic congestion between Orlando and Tampa.

Florida Consumer Confidence Slips as Cost and Borrowing Pressures Persist

University of Florida researchers report a modest decline in consumer sentiment as households remain concerned about elevated living expenses and borrowing costs.

NASA Completes Preparations for Roman Space Telescope Launch From Florida

NASA and its contractors have finalized pre-flight checks for the Roman Space Telescope ahead of a planned launch from Cape Canaveral, marking a major upcoming mission in space astronomy.

Florida Property Insurance Premiums Ease or Stabilize in More Than 50 Counties

State insurance data show average residential property premiums have fallen or leveled off across a majority of Florida counties, offering some relief after years of steep increases.

Atlantic Disturbances Draw Closer Scrutiny as Florida Nears Peak Hurricane Season

The National Hurricane Center and emergency officials are monitoring new tropical development in the Atlantic as coastal communities prepare for the most active part of hurricane season.