Florida Times

Wind-Driven Fires Overrun Parts of Eastern Washington

A cluster of fast-moving wildfires around Spokane has destroyed hundreds of structures, displaced tens of thousands of people and prompted a statewide emergency and burn ban.

Florida Insurance Regulators Approve Rate Reductions for Selected Property Insurers

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved pricing changes for several commercial and residential insurers, offering potential relief for some policyholders following recent market reforms.

Central Florida Tourism District Approves Infrastructure Investment Package for Resort Area

Officials overseeing the Orlando resort region have approved funding for road improvements, utility upgrades, and public safety projects supporting major tourism destinations.

Florida Department of Transportation Completes Overseas Highway Improvement Work in the Keys

Transportation officials in Monroe County have finished major upgrades along US Highway One designed to reduce saltwater intrusion risks during extreme high tides.

Palm Beach County Opens Emergency Logistics Hub to Improve Disaster Response

Public safety agencies in Riviera Beach have launched a centralized supply facility designed to speed up emergency distribution across South Florida during severe weather events.

Florida Real Estate Market Shows Early Signs of Stabilization as Housing Supply Expands

Market analysts across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties report rising inventory levels that are slowing price growth and giving buyers more housing options.

Fort Myers Approves River District Mixed-Use Redevelopment Plan

Lee County officials have approved zoning changes for a downtown riverfront corridor aimed at encouraging new housing development and commercial investment along the Caloosahatchee River.

St. Augustine Preservation Foundation Wins Funding to Protect Historic Coastal Buildings

A preservation group in St. Johns County has secured federal support to protect historic structures in downtown St. Augustine from rising seas and tidal flooding.

Pensacola Begins Construction on Expanded Waterfront Promenade Project

Escambia County officials have started work on a new public waterfront promenade designed to increase tourism activity and improve coastal resilience along Pensacola Bay.

Florida Keys Coral Restoration Program Reports Improved Heat Resistance in Reef Colonies

Marine scientists working near Islamorada and Key Largo have recorded stronger survival rates among restored coral colonies, offering new insights into efforts to protect Florida’s fragile reef ecosystems.

University of Florida Receives Federal Grant to Develop New Agricultural Pest Solutions

Researchers in Gainesville have received federal funding to create sustainable pest-control strategies aimed at protecting Florida’s major citrus and agricultural industries.

Florida Launches Clean Energy Startup Accelerator Through University of Florida Innovation Hub

The University of Florida technology center in Gainesville has created a statewide program providing seed funding and research support to renewable energy entrepreneurs developing new technologies.

Space Coast Regional Airport Receives Federal Funding for Aerospace Hub Expansion

Airport authorities in Titusville have secured federal support to expand runways and logistics facilities, strengthening Brevard County’s role in commercial spaceflight operations.

Port Everglades Secures Cruise Expansion Agreement to Increase South Florida Homeport Operations

Officials in Fort Lauderdale have signed a multi-year partnership with a major cruise operator that will bring additional vessels and terminal investment while supporting regional tourism growth.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Opens Expanded International Terminal Concourse

Broward County aviation officials have opened a new international passenger facility designed to improve customs processing and support rising global flight activity in South Florida.

Florida Department of Transportation Speeds Up Interstate Four Expansion Between Orlando and Tampa

State transportation officials have accelerated plans to widen key sections of Interstate Four as Central Florida continues facing heavy commuter congestion and growing travel demand.

Jacksonville Port Authority Expands Rail Partnership to Accelerate North Florida Freight Growth

JAXPORT has finalized a strategic agreement with southeastern rail operators to improve container movement from the port toward inland distribution centers and strengthen regional logistics connections.

Port Tampa Bay Opens Expanded Container Facility to Strengthen Gulf Coast Freight Operations

The Hillsborough County port has completed a major terminal upgrade featuring new cargo equipment designed to support larger vessels and increase container handling capacity across the Gulf of Mexico trade network.

SpaceX Launches High-Capacity Communications Satellite From Cape Canaveral

Aerospace teams at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station successfully deployed a Falcon 9 mission carrying advanced communications technology into orbit, expanding global internet infrastructure from Florida’s Space Coast.

Florida Completes Major Everglades Restoration Milestone With New Water Preservation Reservoir

State and federal environmental officials have completed construction of a key reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee designed to improve freshwater management and restore natural water flows toward Everglades National Park.

Florida Advances Major Coastal Resilience Funding Plan to Protect Communities From Rising Storm Risks

State lawmakers in Tallahassee have moved forward with a bipartisan infrastructure package that would provide matching funds for seawalls, storm surge barriers, and elevated road projects in vulnerable coastal areas.

National Hurricane Center Issues Tropical Storm Watch as Developing System Approaches Florida Coast

Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center in Miami have urged coastal communities and emergency officials across Florida to prepare for possible heavy rainfall, flooding, and storm surge risks as a rapidly organizing weather system...

Three Killed in Twin Falls In-N-Out Shooting as Idaho Police Seek Motive

Authorities say a lone gunman killed three people and wounded seven at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger restaurant before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Florida Health System and Insurer Agreement Protects Medicare Advantage Access

A new agreement between the University of Miami Health System and UnitedHealthcare prevents disruption for Medicare Advantage patients receiving care in South Florida.

Florida Approves New Rules Allowing Foreign Property Investment Expansion in Key Markets

Florida continues attracting international property interest as major housing and financing changes reshape opportunities for buyers and investors across the state.

Florida Court Reviews Ballot Language for Property Tax Amendment

A state circuit judge is reviewing proposed language for Amendment Three, a measure that could expand homestead exemptions and limit some commercial property tax increases if approved by voters.

Florida Attorney General Candidate Byron Donalds Proposes Moving NASA Headquarters to Brevard County

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and Attorney General Ashley Moody introduced the Cape Canaveral Act, which would seek to relocate NASA headquarters from Washington to Florida’s Brevard County.

Florida Charges Permanent Resident With Illegal Voting Allegations

Florida prosecutors charged a Canadian citizen and lawful permanent resident accused of voting in seven general elections over two decades, continuing the state’s enforcement of election laws.

Florida Attorney General Warns Catholic Schools Over Vaccine Requirement Allegations

Florida’s attorney general warned some Catholic schools that state funding could be affected if they are found to have violated state restrictions on student vaccine requirements.

WestJet Cabin Crew Strike Disrupts Florida International Travel

A strike by WestJet flight attendants has caused cancellations on international routes, affecting passengers and late-summer tourism connections between Florida and Canada.

Fort Lauderdale Airport Receives New Air Traffic Control Technology Upgrades

Federal aviation authorities completed installation of updated air traffic control systems at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to improve safety and help reduce delays during busy travel periods.

South Florida Rail Authority Names New Tri-Rail Executive Director

The Tri-Rail governing board appointed a new leader to oversee the regional commuter rail network and manage ongoing expansion plans, including improved service into downtown Miami.

University of Miami Health System and UnitedHealthcare Reach Medicare Advantage Agreement

The University of Miami Health System and UnitedHealthcare finalized a new contract that maintains in-network medical access for Medicare Advantage patients across South Florida.

Orlando Police Arrest Three Suspects After Downtown Parking Garage Shooting

Three people were arrested after a fight inside an Orlando parking facility escalated into gunfire, prompting renewed attention from city officials on safety measures in the downtown entertainment area.

Eustis Man Charged After Police Officer Dragged by Vehicle During Traffic Stop

A twenty-eight-year-old Central Florida man faces attempted murder charges after police said he dragged an Eustis officer more than three hundred feet during a traffic stop.

South Florida Postal Worker Charged With Stealing Funeral Lottery Prize Ticket

Federal investigators charged a U.S. Postal Service employee accused of intercepting and cashing a $2,600 winning lottery ticket intended to help a family cover funeral expenses.

Miami Police Arrest Father Accused of Leaving Autistic Children Alone in Hotel Room

A South Florida man has been charged with child neglect after authorities said he left two autistic children unattended in a hotel room while he went to a nearby establishment, leading to protective action by state officials.

Florida Coast Guard Searches for Missing Boater in the Florida Keys

U.S. Coast Guard teams are using aircraft and vessels to search the lower Florida Keys for a missing boater after the disappearance over the weekend amid challenging summer marine conditions.

Florida Department of Health Issues New Guidance on Psychiatric Medications for Minors

Florida health officials have released controversial recommendations discouraging certain depression and anxiety medications for children and adolescents, drawing criticism and debate among medical professionals and mental health advocates.

Miami Hosts National Democratic Mayors Summit Ahead of Midterm Elections

Municipal leaders from across the United States gathered in Miami to discuss policy priorities including housing affordability, climate resilience and infrastructure investment ahead of the next election cycle.

Miami Brickell Penthouse Sells for $47 Million in Major Luxury Real Estate Deal

A downtown Miami condominium has sold for $47 million to New York buyers, highlighting continued demand from wealthy out-of-state investors in South Florida’s luxury property market.

Central Florida Zoo Offers Free Child Admission During August to Support Families

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens has removed admission fees for children throughout August, aiming to ease household costs during inflation pressures while supporting local tourism and nearby businesses before the school yea...

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Tighten Condo Financing Reviews Across Florida

The two major mortgage finance companies are ending a limited review option for condominium buildings with more than ten units, requiring stricter financial assessments as insurance and association costs continue rising.

Florida Releases First Statewide Condo Safety Report After Surfside Collapse

A new state analysis found dozens of condominium buildings with safety concerns across Florida’s coastal counties and outlined hundreds of millions of dollars in repair needs under updated structural regulations.