Florida Times

Florida Creates New Process to Resolve Property Insurance Claim Disputes

Alongside new human-review requirements for AI-assisted decisions, insurance reforms establish a petition process through the Division of Administrative Hearings to address disputes between insurers and policyholders.

Technology Hiring Accelerates Across Florida's Space Coast and Surrounding Regions

Aerospace and high-technology firms continue recruiting aggressively as business service providers support a growing ecosystem of startups and advanced industries.

Mortgage Rates in Florida Hold Within Mid-2026 Range

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains between 6.25 percent and 6.75 percent, levels that industry observers consider more favorable than recent peaks.

St. Johns County Opens Summer Programs Focused on Science, Arts, and Local History

Parks and recreation departments in St. Augustine have launched registrations for summer camps offering activities in marine biology, dramatic arts, and regional history.

Polk County Completes Prescribed Burn at Mosaic Peace River Park

Natural resources crews conducted a 240-acre prescribed burn to restore native ecosystems and reduce wildfire fuel loads, with the park scheduled to reopen to the public on June 18.

Florida Continues Prescribed Burns to Reduce Wildfire Risks and Restore Ecosystems

State and county natural resource agencies say carefully managed burns help improve wildlife habitats, restore soil health, and reduce the risk of more destructive uncontrolled fires.

Stricter Condo Rules Reshape Florida's Property Market After Structural Safety Reforms

Lenders and appraisers are applying tougher standards to condominium buildings with deferred maintenance or inadequate reserves following new structural integrity requirements across the state.

Tropical Storm Arthur Forms but Poses No Threat to Florida

The National Hurricane Center said the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is tracking northeast along the Texas and Louisiana coasts and is not expected to affect Florida.

Florida Strengthens Protections Against Insurance Cancellations Over Older Roofs

Expanded state laws now prohibit insurers from dropping coverage for homes, condominium associations, and rental properties solely because of aging roofs if inspections confirm at least five years of remaining useful life.

Federal Mortgage Rule Changes May Improve Buying Power for Some Florida Homebuyers

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has introduced updated underwriting standards and fee adjustments based on credit scores and loan-to-value ratios, potentially increasing affordability for first-time buyers in high-cost markets.

South Florida Faces Dangerous Heat as Heat Indices Approach 110 Degrees

The National Weather Service has issued an alert for June 18, warning that major to extreme heat risks could lead to serious heat-related illnesses and urging residents to take precautions.

Florida Bans Insurers From Using Artificial Intelligence Alone to Deny Property Claims

New state legislation requires human review and detailed documentation for property insurance claim decisions and gives homeowners additional avenues to challenge AI-assisted denials or reductions in coverage.

IKO Opens $240 Million Manufacturing Campus in Florida and Creates More Than 100 Jobs

The global roofing and insulation company has inaugurated a new manufacturing campus in Clay County featuring three production lines, significantly expanding its North American industrial presence and adding more than one hundred jobs.

Florida Lawmakers Condemn Planned Performance by Ye at Tampa Stadium

A scheduled appearance by the artist formerly known as Kanye West at Raymond James Stadium triggered criticism from Senator Rick Scott and Senator Ashley Moody over the musician's previous antisemitic remarks.

Osceola County Aviation Unit Rescues Missing Child During Search Operation

A multi-agency search ended successfully after law enforcement helicopter crews located a missing young girl in a residential swimming pool, highlighting the value of aerial support in emergency response efforts.

Record Sargassum Seaweed Accumulations Raise Environmental and Health Concerns on Florida Beaches

Large amounts of decomposing seaweed washing ashore are creating challenges for coastal communities, with officials warning that hydrogen sulfide emissions may irritate the respiratory systems of beach visitors.

Volusia County Reports Record Start to Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Conservation officials said more than 700 sea turtle nests have already been recorded on county beaches, prompting renewed public warnings about coastal lighting and habitat protection.

Walt Disney World Introduces Discounted Two-Park Tickets for Summer and Fall Travel

The Orlando resort launched a promotional offer aimed at encouraging local and out-of-state visits during the important summer and early autumn tourism period.

Level99 Sets Opening Date for New Interactive Entertainment Venue at Disney Springs

The experiential gaming company confirmed plans to open its new Central Florida location at Walt Disney World, adding another attraction to the expanding Disney Springs entertainment district.

Department of Homeland Security Holds Major Recruitment Drive for Florida Airports

The Transportation Security Administration launched a two-day hiring event in Jacksonville to recruit security officers for airports including Jacksonville International and Tallahassee International ahead of expected record passenger vo...

University of South Florida Names Jenifer Jasinski Schneider as Permanent Education Dean

The Tampa-based university appointed Schneider to lead its College of Education and tasked her with addressing teacher shortages and advancing the use of artificial intelligence in education.

SouthState Bank Announces Expansion Into St. Petersburg

The regional lender said it will open its first full-service branch in St. Petersburg by early 2027, reflecting continued confidence in the economic growth of the Tampa Bay region.

Pinellas County Seeks Developers for Major Downtown Clearwater Redevelopment Project

Officials launched a competitive process to redevelop 24 acres of county-owned land into a mixed-use district combining housing, commercial space and hospitality facilities.

Orange County Approves $20 Million to Accelerate State Road 50 Expansion

County commissioners approved funding to speed up a key highway widening project in East Orlando and also accepted federal grants aimed at reducing flood risks in residential areas.

Technology Investor Revives $3 Billion Magic City Innovation District in Miami

Investor Bob Zangrillo announced renewed development of the nearly eight-million-square-foot project in Little Haiti, aiming to attract artificial intelligence companies, investment firms and technology startups to South Florida.

Florida Home Sales Rise for Ninth Straight Month as Cash Buyers Sustain Demand

New data showed year-on-year increases in both single-family and condominium transactions, with Miami-Dade continuing to lead the United States in high-value cash purchases despite elevated borrowing costs.

Florida Small Business Owners Lobby Congress for Regulatory and Tax Relief

Representatives from the National Federation of Independent Business met lawmakers in Washington, including Senator Ashley Moody and Representative Byron Donalds, to press for lower regulatory burdens and business-friendly tax policies.

Governor Ron DeSantis Criticizes Florida Republican Party Over Debate Qualification Rules

Political tensions intensified after the outgoing governor challenged party leadership over debate criteria that currently allow only Congressman Byron Donalds to participate in the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary debates.

Florida Health Department Warns of Growing Risks From Opioid-Like Products Sold in Retail Stores

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued an alert over the spread of 7-hydroxymitragynine derivatives sold in gas stations and vape shops, warning that the substances pose serious addiction and respiratory risks, particularly for young...

Federal Education Department Restructures Oversight of Civil Rights and Special Education Programs

The Trump administration announced that management of special education programs will move to the Department of Health and Human Services while civil rights enforcement responsibilities will shift to the Department of Justice, directly a...

Federal Authorities Report 30 Percent Drop in Brightline Rail Fatalities After Safety Upgrades

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said trespassing incidents and vehicle collisions along the Brightline corridor between Miami and Cocoa have fallen significantly following a $25 million investment in crossing safety improvements.

Florida Property Insurance Market Stabilizes as Auto Insurance Rates Fall Statewide

Industry data showed homeowners insurance costs have steadied at about $3,800 annually while major auto insurers have introduced refunds and rate reductions following legislative tort reforms.

Florida Legislature Advances Property Insurance Reform Restricting AI-Based Claim Denials

New state insurance legislation would prohibit insurers from relying solely on artificial intelligence to reject homeowner claims and extend fifteen-year roof replacement protections to all residential properties.

Florida Issues Heat Advisories as Temperatures Push Heat Index Above 100 Degrees

Forecasters warned that heat indices could reach 107 degrees across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, urging residents to limit outdoor activity as persistent summer conditions place additional strain on regional power systems.

Meteorologists Monitor Gulf System That Could Become the First Named Storm of 2026

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a developing disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could bring heavy rain and coastal flooding to parts of the southern United States, providing an early test of Florida's hurricane preparedness...

SpaceX Targets Cape Canaveral Launch for AST SpaceMobile Satellite Mission

A Falcon 9 rocket is preparing to launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird payload from Cape Canaveral, extending the Space Coast's rapid pace of commercial missions and reinforcing Florida's position as a leading center for global space operat...

Tampa Seventh Avenue Apothecary Showcases Local History Through Artisan Candles

A Tampa-based business is gaining attention for producing themed candles that highlight local history, blending storytelling with artisan manufacturing to celebrate regional heritage.