Florida Times

Florida Insurance Market Shows Signs of Stabilization Ahead of Renewal Cycle

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says multiple admitted property insurers are expanding coverage limits and writing new policies across the state, pointing to improving availability as the next renewal cycle approaches.

South Florida Researchers Receive Federal Funding to Study Coral Reef Resilience

Research institutions in Miami and the Florida Keys have secured federal grants to study coral thermal tolerance and restoration techniques across the Florida Reef Tract as reefs face bleaching pressures.

Fort Lauderdale Advances Stormwater Upgrades to Reduce Coastal Flooding

Fort Lauderdale officials have approved a multimillion-dollar capital improvement contract for high-capacity tidal valves and pump stations aimed at reducing recurring street flooding in low-lying waterfront districts.

Florida Advances Interstate 4 Expansion Plans to Ease Orlando-Tampa Congestion

The Florida Department of Transportation is accelerating engineering work for additional managed lanes on congested sections of Interstate 4, targeting freight and commuter bottlenecks between Orlando and Tampa.

Florida Congressional and Senate Primary Results Reshape Midterm Election Landscape

Certified primary results show significant shifts in several Florida congressional and Senate races, with progressive and populist candidates securing victories that could alter the contests heading into the general election.

Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendment Could Cut Hundreds of Millions From Public Hospital Funding

A policy analysis warns that a proposed expansion of homestead property tax exemptions could reduce local tax revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars for public hospital districts and health systems in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Be...

Florida Grand Jury Criticizes Administration’s Handling of Medicaid Settlement Funds

A statewide grand jury report alleges administrative irregularities and misappropriation involving millions of dollars from major pharmaceutical Medicaid settlements, putting scrutiny on how the funds were allocated.

The Secret Dolly Parton Kept Until Her Death: "She Was Much Sicker Than She Let On"

Dolly Parton reportedly concealed the severity of her cancer during the final months of her life, continuing to reassure fans even as her health deteriorated, leaving her bedridden, unable to travel and increasingly isolated before her d...

Florida Political Campaigning Intensifies Ahead of November General Election

Candidates and political organizations are expanding advertising and grassroots operations across Florida following the August eighteenth primary elections as the November third general election approaches.

Black Film Festival Relocates From Miami Beach After Venue and Operating Costs Nearly Double

Organizers of a longstanding annual Black film festival are moving the event away from Miami Beach after rising venue and operating expenses made the South Florida location financially unsustainable.

National Hurricane Center Keeps Below-Normal Atlantic Outlook as Peak Season Approaches

Forecasters say tropical activity remains below historical norms but are urging continued vigilance as atmospheric conditions become more favorable during the peak weeks of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Florida Hospitals Expand Telehealth Services to Address Primary Care Access Gaps

Major healthcare networks in Orlando, Tampa and Miami are expanding digital care platforms to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve access for rural and underserved communities.

Florida Economists Warn of Mounting Municipal Budget Pressures From Growth and Infrastructure Needs

Local government finance officials say rising demands for infrastructure maintenance, water-treatment upgrades and affordable housing support are placing increasing strain on municipal budgets.

South Florida Luxury Real Estate Activity Holds Steady in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach

High-end residential brokerages report stable transaction activity for luxury estates in prime coastal communities, reflecting continued demand for South Florida property among affluent buyers.

Key West Revises Downtown Parking Fees to Reduce Tourist Traffic Congestion

Municipal authorities have introduced new parking rates across historic downtown districts, aiming to increase vehicle turnover and ease afternoon congestion in busy commercial areas.

Northwest Florida Completes Beach Nourishment Projects Ahead of Labor Day Travel Weekend

Engineering crews have finished emergency sand replenishment and erosion repairs along Panhandle beaches in preparation for increased recreational traffic over the Labor Day holiday.

Florida's Space Coast Sees Growing Demand for Manatee and Dolphin Eco-Tours

Marine operators along the Indian River Lagoon and Space Coast are reporting more bookings for guided wildlife excursions as interest in protected waterways and ecotourism grows.

Florida Farmers Report Uneven Harvests After Prolonged Summer Heat and Dry Conditions

Agricultural producers across central Florida are reporting mixed crop yields as extended heat and dry spells increase irrigation needs and place additional pressure on water management.

Florida Health Officials Expand Mosquito-Borne Illness Prevention Campaign After Seasonal Downpours

The Florida Department of Health is urging residents in tropical coastal counties to remove standing water as heavy seasonal rainfall increases conditions favorable to mosquito-borne illnesses.

Florida State University Board Approves New Measures to Align Degree Programs With Workforce Demand

The Florida Board of Governors adopted performance-based accountability standards for state universities, with greater emphasis on matching academic programs to high-demand regional jobs.

Florida Advances Toll Road Modernization to Ease Congestion and Strengthen Evacuation Routes

The Florida Department of Transportation is accelerating major expansion projects across key toll corridors in Central and South Florida to address commuter congestion and improve emergency evacuation capacity.

Tampa Bay Commercial Real Estate Wins Major Office Lease as Corporate Demand Holds Steady

A Texas-based company has agreed to lease a one-hundred-fifteen-thousand-square-foot office building in Tampa, pointing to continued tenant demand despite the broader shift toward hybrid work.

Florida Supreme Court Weighs Capital Punishment Appeals as State Maintains High Execution Pace

Defense lawyers and prosecutors have submitted final arguments in challenges to execution procedures as Florida continues to carry out more capital punishment actions than any other state in 2026.

Florida Universities Tighten Fall Sports Security Ahead of College Football Season

State university athletics departments are coordinating with local law enforcement on expanded crowd management, traffic control and tailgating security measures for the opening weekend of college football.

Jacksonville Port Expands Container Capacity With New Cranes and Storage Yards

JAXPORT has upgraded cargo-handling equipment and container storage facilities to improve supply-chain operations and support growing trade flows through Northeast Florida.

Florida Tourism Operators Prepare for Autumn With Theme Park Promotions and Strong Luxury Demand

Orlando theme parks are introducing seasonal ticket packages and evening events to sustain visitor numbers, while luxury brokers in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach report steady activity among high-end buyers.

Florida Prepares Emergency Supplies and Logistics Hubs as Atlantic Hurricane Season Enters Peak Weeks

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is positioning generators and relief supplies across the state while coordinators inspect regional facilities ahead of the most active period of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Launch and Suncoast Credit Unions Secure Final Approval for Twenty-Two Billion Dollar Merger

Members approved the combination of Launch Credit Union and Suncoast Credit Union, creating a financial institution with more than one point five million members when the merger takes effect on September first.

Florida Property Insurance Premiums Approach Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars as Market Pressures Persist

Average annual homeowners insurance premiums in Florida are projected to reach eight thousand four hundred fifty-eight dollars in 2026, the highest level in the United States as insurers face elevated reinsurance costs and strict underwr...

Florida Welcomes Seventy-Three Point Five Million Visitors in First Half as Canadian Travel Falls Fourteen Percent

Florida recorded a one-point-four percent decline in total visitors during the first six months of 2026, with a sharp contraction in Canadian tourism accounting for much of the decrease.

Florida Universities Introduce Updated Intellectual Freedom Curriculum Guidelines

The State University System of Florida has implemented new policy frameworks intended to promote ideological diversity and institutional neutrality in undergraduate classroom instruction.

Pensacola Airport Begins Parking Expansion as Passenger Demand Grows

Pensacola International Airport has started construction on additional parking facilities to accommodate rising passenger numbers and improve long-term access for travellers.

JAXPORT Installs Heavy-Lift Cranes to Increase Container Handling Capacity

The Jacksonville Port Authority has completed installation of new heavy-lift container cranes at its maritime terminals, improving cargo-handling capacity for international shipping lines serving Northeast Florida.

Orlando International Airport Introduces Automated Security Screening Technology

Orlando International Airport has activated new high-speed security lanes designed to reduce passenger wait times and improve the flow of travellers through busy terminal periods.