Florida Times

Naples Comprehensive Health Names Danny Hogan as Chief Financial Officer

Naples Comprehensive Health appointed Danny Hogan as chief financial officer, adding a healthcare finance executive to the southwest Florida health system’s leadership team.

Undercover Florida Wildlife Operation Leads to 10 Arrests in Marine Poaching Case

State investigators arrested 10 people accused of trafficking illegally harvested fish and protected sea turtles following a lengthy undercover operation in South Florida.

Red Tide Monitoring Intensifies Along Florida’s Southwest Coast

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission increased water sampling along the Gulf Coast to track algae concentrations and assess risks to marine ecosystems.

Omega Healthcare Investors Transfers 32 Florida Facilities to PACS Group

Omega Healthcare Investors completed an agreement transferring operations of 32 specialized healthcare facilities across Florida to PACS Group.

Florida Housing Prices Show Signs of Stabilizing in Miami, Orlando and Tampa

Residential property values in Florida’s largest metropolitan areas are beginning to level off as elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on buyer demand.

Florida Universities Expand AI and Data Science Degree Programs

Public universities across the state are adding courses and degree tracks in machine learning and data science to meet growing employer demand for technology skills.

Florida Advances Major I-4 Widening Projects in Seminole and Volusia Counties

The Florida Department of Transportation is moving ahead with highway expansion projects designed to reduce commuter and freight congestion along the I-4 corridor.

Miami and Orlando Airports Expand Capacity Ahead of Winter Travel Surge

Miami International and Orlando International airports are upgrading facilities and adjusting staffing as they prepare for projected record passenger volumes during the winter travel period.

Florida Space Coast Prepares for Busy Autumn Rocket Launch Schedule

Spaceport operators and aerospace contractors around Cape Canaveral have completed logistical preparations for a heavy schedule of commercial satellite and cargo launches.

Port Everglades and PortMiami Report Strong Cargo and Cruise Growth

South Florida’s two major ports recorded steady container volumes and rising international cruise traffic, reinforcing the region’s role in trade and tourism.

Florida Cabinet Approves New Conservation Easements for Rural Land

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet authorized preservation agreements aimed at protecting agricultural land and wildlife corridors from commercial development.

Florida Regulators Review New Property Insurance Filings as Private Capacity Expands

State insurance officials are evaluating new rate filings from private carriers seeking to add capital and expand coverage options for homeowners.

Florida Health Department Advances Vaccine Rule Changes After Scaling Back Exemption Proposal

State health officials are moving ahead with changes to vaccine regulations while retreating from broader exemption plans following public feedback.

Florida Introduces New Laws on Gun Violence, Rental Fraud and Drug Trafficking

Around a dozen new state laws have taken effect, increasing penalties for firearm offences near schools, fraudulent rental applications and illegal narcotics distribution.

Winter Haven School Bus Crash Kills Multiple People and Triggers Safety Review

Authorities in Polk County opened an investigation after a collision caused a school bus to overturn in Winter Haven, killing multiple people including a student.

AI Data Centers Become Major Issue in Florida Governor’s Race

Large artificial intelligence data centers have emerged as a central campaign issue, with candidates debating electricity demand, local zoning authority and the scale of new investment required across the state.

Florida Governor’s Race Sharpens Around Housing, Insurance and State Spending

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are increasingly focusing their gubernatorial campaigns on property insurance reform, housing affordability and government spending accountability.

Florida Certifies 2026 Ballot Measures on Property Taxes and Budget Rules

State election officials finalized the constitutional amendments heading to voters in November, including proposals involving homestead exemptions, budget stabilization funds and limits on local property taxes.

Miami Retailers Sell Winning Tickets in Major Lottery Drawings

Florida lottery officials said a Publix location and a Miami supermarket sold winning tickets in recent major multi-state drawings.

Orlando Hotel Room Incident Raises Fresh Cleanliness Concerns

A family vacation was cut short after a traveler reported an unsettling discovery in a Holiday Inn resort room, prompting online discussion about hospitality cleanliness standards.

Kissimmee Food Truck Vendor Dispute Triggers Community Backlash

A longtime vendor’s removal from the World Food Foods area in Kissimmee sparked widespread local discussion over leasing practices affecting small businesses in Central Florida.

Volusia County Resident Arrested in Severe Animal Neglect Case

Animal control deputies arrested a local resident after finding a dog in critical condition, extending enforcement efforts against animal cruelty in the county.

Florida Launches Redesigned Driver Licenses With New Security Features

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles introduced new driver licenses and identification cards featuring updated anti-counterfeiting measures and Florida-themed imagery.

Downtown Orlando Parking Rates Double Under New Fee Structure

Parking charges at city-owned garages and street spaces increased sharply as Orlando introduced new rates intended to manage congestion in the downtown area.

Volusia County Issues Boil Water Notice After Pressure Loss

Utility officials issued a precautionary boil water advisory for several communities after an unexpected drop in pressure affected the regional water distribution system.

Airboat Collision in Broward Everglades Kills New Jersey Visitor

A collision between two airboats in the Broward County Everglades killed a man from New Jersey and prompted an investigation by wildlife authorities.

Florida Highway Patrol Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting After Hit-and-Run

Authorities are reviewing a South Florida incident in which a trooper fired at a motorist who was allegedly attempting to flee after a hit-and-run crash.

Ocala Police Face Review Over Handling of Earlier DUI Investigation

The Ocala Police Department is under scrutiny after a procedural review found officers did not investigate a possible impaired-driving incident involving a motorist who later caused a fatal crash.

Miami University Leaders Mark $3 Billion Gift for Campus Expansion

Civic and academic leaders celebrated a $3 billion philanthropic contribution intended to finance a major urban campus modernization program and expand regional research capacity.

Florida Landowners Seek to Convert More Agricultural Land Into Housing

Property owners in several counties are filing applications to turn agricultural acreage into master-planned residential developments following policy changes encouraged by state lawmakers.

Florida Researchers Warn Falling MMR Vaccination Rates Raise Measles Outbreak Risk

A mathematical analysis published in PNAS found that declining measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among Florida kindergarteners is increasing the state’s vulnerability to outbreaks.

Tampa Electric Plans for Data Center Power Demand Without Shifting Costs to Households

Tampa Electric submitted plans to regulators outlining how it intends to serve large new data centers while avoiding additional electricity costs for residential customers.

Florida Power & Light Files Data Center Compliance Plan With State Regulators

Florida Power & Light submitted a framework explaining how its electricity grid and rate structure will comply with new state requirements governing data center expansion.

Federal Government Awards $85 Million for Interstate 4 Expansion

An $85 million federal transportation grant will fund widening and modernization work along the congested Interstate 4 corridor through Seminole and Volusia counties.

Byron Donalds Campaigns Across Florida Universities in Gubernatorial Race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds held university town halls, including an appearance at Florida A&M University, as he seeks support from students and other voters.

J.D. Vance Campaigns in Florida Ahead of Midterm Elections

J.D. Vance held campaign events in Lakeland and surrounding areas to support Republican candidates and mobilize conservative voters before the November elections.

Larry Keefe Appointed Executive Director of Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Governor Ron DeSantis named former public safety official Larry Keefe to lead the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and oversee the state’s principal policing agency.

IRS Reviews Whistleblower Claim Involving Hope Florida Funds

The Internal Revenue Service Whistleblower Office acknowledged a review of tax filings concerning state program money allegedly transferred to political committees associated with Florida officials.

Florida Enacts New Laws With Tougher Penalties for Public Safety Offenses

A dozen new state laws have taken effect, increasing penalties for offenses including gun violence near schools, fraudulent rental applications and illegal drug trafficking.

Florida Democrats Outpace Republicans in September Voter Registrations

State figures showed Democrats adding more newly registered voters than Republicans in September, providing fresh momentum for party organizers ahead of the November midterm elections.

Florida Minimum Wage Reaches $15 an Hour

Florida’s statewide minimum wage rose to $15 per hour on September 30, completing the phased increase required by a voter-approved constitutional amendment.