Florida Times

Major Injuries to Key Players Impact Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both facing significant offensive setbacks as star running back De'Von Achane and wide receiver Jalen McMillan both face long-term injury recovery.

Democratic State Representative Angie Nixon Advances Campaign for U.S. Senate

Florida State Representative Angie Nixon is intensifying her grassroots campaign for the United States Senate, running on a progressive platform focused on community investment.

Donald Trump Announces Florida Rallies to Support Byron Donalds Campaign

Former President Donald Trump has announced plans for major political rallies across Florida to support the Republican campaign of Byron Donalds as recent polling shows a tightening race.

DeSantis Administration Faces Backlash Over Re-hiring Lawyers Linked to Hope Florida Settlement

The Governor's office is facing criticism for renewing contracts with Mississippi attorneys who previously negotiated a $67 million settlement that funded the controversial Hope Florida initiative.

Scrutiny Grows Over Administration’s Role in Pressuring School District to Fire Teacher

Political controversy is mounting in Florida after records suggested the Attorney General pressured a local school district to terminate a teacher following a complaint from the family of a gubernatorial appointee.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends September Without a Single Hurricane for First Time Since 1914

In a rare meteorological anomaly, the Atlantic basin ended September without producing a single hurricane-force cyclone, providing significant relief to Florida's property insurance market and coastal infrastructure.

Florida Department of Transportation Announces Temporary Closure of I-275 Exit to Tampa International Airport

The Florida Department of Transportation has announced a planned nighttime closure of the primary northbound Interstate 275 exit to Tampa International Airport, warning travelers of significant detours and delays.

New Federal Legislation Could Overhaul College Athletics Compensation and Transfer Rules

The United States Senate has advanced a comprehensive bill aimed at regulating athlete payments and the transfer portal, which could fundamentally change how major Florida university athletic programs manage their finances and rosters.

Federal Officials Consider Diesel Tax Relief to Support Florida Agriculture and Marine Sectess

The White House is weighing emergency tax relief for red-dyed diesel fuel, a move intended to lower surging operating costs for Florida farmers, commercial fisheries, and the maritime logistics industry.

Florida Commerce Reports Slight Increase in September Unemployment Rate

The Florida unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent in September, according to state data, signaling a modest cooling in the labor market following several months of rapid post-pandemic growth.

Florida Minimum Wage Increases as New Round of State Laws Takes Effect

The Florida minimum wage has officially increased following a voter-approved constitutional amendment, marking a significant shift in labor costs and payroll dynamics for the state's service industry.

Hillsborough County Jail Inmate Dies Following Unexplained Unresponsiveness in Cell

A 27-year-old inmate, Liam Thomas, has died at Tampa General Hospital nearly a week after deputies found him unresponsive in his cell at the Orient Road Jail, prompting a formal investigation into jail medical monitoring and detention co...

Pinellas County Sheriff Rules St. Petersburg Police Altercation an Excusable Homicide

The Pinellas County Sheriff has concluded that the death of a 48-year-old man, who was fatally tasered following a struggle with St. Petersburg police, was an excusable homicide based on body camera footage showing the man actively attac...

United States Coast Guard Rescues 40 People After Boat Capsizes During Brawl

The U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued 40 individuals from the water after a violent physical altercation on board a vessel caused it to capsize off the Florida coast, prompting a large-scale maritime emergency response.

Security Officer Discharges Weapon at Armed Intruder at MacDill Air Force Base

A security forces officer at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa discharged a weapon against an assailant armed with a wrench who breached the installation's secure perimeter, triggering a base-wide lockdown and a joint military and local po...

Senator Marco Rubio Claims White House Invited Vladimir Putin to Miami Summit

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has ignited an international political controversy by alleging the Trump administration formally invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming Group of Twenty summit in Miami.

Florida Attorney General Files Federal Lawsuit to Halt OpenAI Development

Florida’s top legal officer has filed an unprecedented motion seeking an immediate injunction against OpenAI, demanding the company stop developing artificial intelligence models until independent safety mechanisms are implemented.

South Florida Pastor Faces Federal Trial for Alleged Role in Haitian Presidential Assassination

A high-profile federal trial has begun in Miami for a South Florida pastor indicted on charges of conspiring to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, as prosecutors attempt to expose a vast conspiracy network operating from within...

Martin County Cafe Creates Record-Setting Cuban Sandwich

Old Havana Cafe in Martin County assembled what organizers described as the world's longest recorded Cuban sandwich, attracting food enthusiasts to Florida's Treasure Coast.

Brevard County High School Football Rivalries Intensify in Week Four

High school teams across Florida's Space Coast competed in a series of early-season matchups that drew strong local attendance and online interest.

Florida Gators Women's Basketball Releases 2026-27 Schedule

The University of Florida finalized its women's basketball calendar for the 2026-27 season, including conference games at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville.

Florida Gators Rout Campbell 52-3 Ahead of Auburn Road Game

The University of Florida defeated Campbell 52-3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, giving the Gators momentum before their upcoming Southeastern Conference matchup at Auburn.

Palm Beach County Investigates Series of Animal Cruelty Incidents

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office appealed for public assistance after violent attacks on cats near the Sunshine Flea Market in West Palm Beach, with surveillance footage showing a suspect riding an e-bike.

Space Coast Launches Fall Tourism Campaign Focused on Beaches, Nature and Space Attractions

Visit Florida and regional tourism organizations are promoting Central Florida's coastal destinations, reserves and aerospace attractions as they seek to sustain visitor demand beyond the summer season.

Florida Schedules Overnight Interstate Closures for Road and Traffic-System Upgrades

The Florida Department of Transportation announced overnight work at key interchanges in Central and South Florida to improve pavement and install additional automated traffic-monitoring equipment.

Florida Updates Eco-Tourism Guidelines for Coastal Habitats

State tourism and conservation authorities issued updated guidance for tour operators and visitors aimed at reducing damage to sea turtle nesting areas, coral reefs and other sensitive marine environments.

South Florida Water Levels Remain Balanced as Wet Season Peaks

The South Florida Water Management District said reservoirs and drainage basins, including areas connected to the Everglades, remain at levels sufficient to support water supply and flood-control needs heading into autumn.

Southwest Florida Housing Inventory Moves Toward More Balanced Market

Analysts say housing markets from Naples to Fort Myers are seeing more normalized inventory and more balanced negotiations between buyers and sellers after several years of sharp post-pandemic price swings.

Miami International Airport Adjusts Cargo Schedules After Amazon Ends Airline Partnership

Airport authorities managed temporary freight delays and rerouting after Amazon suspended commercial ties with a cargo airline partner, affecting selected operations at Miami International Airport.

South Florida Ports Report Continued Growth in Container Volumes

PortMiami and Port Everglades recorded steady cargo growth as shipping networks adjust to changes in international carrier routes and regional trade patterns.

Tampa Bay Advances Regional Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit Studies

Transportation agencies in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are accelerating feasibility work on expanded transit connections intended to reduce congestion across major metropolitan corridors.

South Florida Hospitals Expand Telemedicine for Underserved Communities

Healthcare systems in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are increasing remote diagnostics and virtual-care services to improve specialist access for elderly and rural patients.

Florida Highway Agency Says Isolated Data Breach Has Been Contained

State officials said compromised credentials belonging to a Plant City Police Department user were improperly stored on a personal device, enabling a brief breach that authorities say no longer poses an ongoing risk.

Tampa Manufacturer Announces $58 Million Expansion and 50 Specialized Jobs

Tampa Brass & Aluminum plans to invest $58 million in its Town 'N' Country headquarters, adding 50 manufacturing jobs and expanding production tied to missile and submarine component contracts.

SpaceX Completes 700th Falcon Launch From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX marked its 700th Falcon 9 launch with the deployment of the final batch of O3b mPOWER communications satellites from Florida's Space Coast.

Florida State Universities Expand AI and Quantum Research Partnerships

Public research universities across Florida have reached new agreements with technology companies covering secure machine learning, data analytics and regional quantum-computing laboratories.

Kansas Man Arrested Over Death Threats Against Ben Shapiro

Federal and local authorities arrested 29-year-old Korby Strube of Kansas following an investigation into antisemitic online death threats and countdown messages directed at Boca Raton political commentator Ben Shapiro.

Florida Authorities Investigate Hoax Bomb Threats Against Schools and Hospital

Police and federal partners are investigating threatening calls and emails targeting schools, Indian River State College and HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital on the Treasure Coast, with authorities determining that the threats were unfounded.

Construction Rig Collapses on Brickell Avenue, Striking Vehicles and Disrupting Miami Traffic

Emergency crews responded after a construction rig toppled onto a downtown Miami street, hitting several vehicles, causing fires and temporarily closing key traffic lanes.

Florida Property Insurance Market Faces Renewed Scrutiny During Peak Hurricane Season

State regulators, lawmakers and insurers are reviewing affordability, risk models and capital requirements as Florida's property insurance market confronts the most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Alex Saab Set to Plead Guilty to Money-Laundering Charges in Miami

Court filings indicate Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab is preparing to enter a guilty plea in federal court after previously returning to Venezuela under a presidential pardon and later coming back to the United States.