Florida Times

Florida Insurance Officials Report Gradual Stabilization in Coastal Property Rate Filings

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says property insurance rate filings are showing signs of stabilization as legislative reforms encourage new carriers to enter the market and expand premium options for homeowners.

Jacksonville Port Completes Deep-Water Channel Dredging to Accommodate Larger Container Ships

The Jacksonville Port Authority completed upgrades to its deep-water channel, allowing the port to handle larger container vessels and strengthening Northeast Florida’s role in international cargo trade.

National Hurricane Center Monitors Tropical Wave as Florida Approaches Peak Hurricane Season

Forecasters say conditions in the central Atlantic are only marginally favorable for development, while Florida residents are being urged to review hurricane preparedness plans ahead of the peak of the season.

Florida Carries Out 13th Execution of the Year at State Prison Near Starke

Florida executed William Frances Silvia at a state prison near Starke, continuing the state’s heavy use of the death penalty and maintaining Florida’s position as the nation’s most active death chamber.

Florida Loses 450,000 Affordable Care Act Enrollees Over the Past Year

Florida state health data shows a sharp decline in Affordable Care Act coverage as national premium increases and changes to federal subsidies raise concerns about insurance affordability across the state.

Angie Nixon Wins Democratic Florida Senate Primary in Upset Over Alexander Vindman

Progressive state Representative Angie Nixon defeated former Army intelligence officer Alexander Vindman to secure the Democratic nomination for the Florida United States Senate race, setting up a November contest against Republican incu...

Byron Donalds Wins Republican Florida Governor Primary, Setting Up General Election Against David Jolly

Trump-backed Congressman Byron Donalds defeated several Republican rivals to secure the party’s nomination to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis, setting up a November third general election against former Republican Congressman David Jolly.

Orange County Reviews Multi-Million-Dollar Plans for Tourist Development Tax Revenue

County leaders are considering recommendations on how future lodging tax revenue could be distributed among major cultural and civic projects.

Broward County Advances Planning for Regional Bus Rapid Transit Corridors

Transportation officials are reviewing engineering studies for proposed bus rapid transit corridors intended to improve connections between suburban communities and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Florida Ports and Manufacturers Maintain Steady Activity Amid Shifting Trade Conditions

The Jacksonville Port Authority reports stable container volumes as global trade patterns adjust to new federal tariff structures, while manufacturers in Northwest Florida post moderate production gains supported by workforce training pr...

Florida Technology Incubators Attract New Private Capital for Early-Stage Startups

Innovation hubs around Orlando are drawing additional venture capital for early-stage companies focused on software and aerospace supply chain technologies.

Florida Universities Expand Specialized Degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Nursing and Engineering

The Florida Board of Governors has approved new specialized degree programs as state universities expand training in artificial intelligence, nursing and advanced engineering to meet workforce needs.

Miami-Dade Crews Remove Record Volumes of Sargassum From Beaches

Miami-Dade County crews are dealing with unusually large summer accumulations of sargassum, with ocean warming and nutrient runoff cited as factors contributing to the heavy seaweed blooms.

Everglades Restoration Project Reaches Major Construction Milestone

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a critical structural stage of a major Everglades restoration project designed to redirect freshwater south toward Florida Bay.

Southwest Florida Housing Markets See Gradual Price Adjustments and Tighter Inventory Gaps

Real estate agents in Lee and Collier counties report that sellers are increasingly adjusting price expectations to match buyer purchasing power, narrowing the gap between asking prices and market demand.

Florida Commercial Property Investors Adjust to Prolonged High Interest Rates

Developers and investors across Florida are revising financing and underwriting assumptions as capital markets continue to price in elevated interest rates and persistent inflation pressures.

Naples Luxury Real Estate Posts Billion-Dollar Sales Month

High-end property demand drove more than a billion dollars in monthly sales in Naples, highlighting continued strength among wealthy buyers despite broader economic uncertainty.

Nineteen Florida Cities Rank Among America’s Leading Economic Boomtowns

Communities including Palm Coast and North Port have risen in national development rankings as population growth and expanding local labor markets accelerate economic activity across the state.

Florida Consumer Sentiment Falls for Fifth Straight Month

The University of Florida’s consumer sentiment index declined for a fifth consecutive month as persistent price pressures, high borrowing costs and weaker local job market conditions weigh on household confidence.

Florida Home Sales Extend Twelve-Month Growth Streak Despite Higher Mortgage Costs

Single-family home sales and pending contracts continue to rise across Florida as buyers adjust to elevated borrowing costs instead of waiting for mortgage rates or home prices to fall.

NOAA Maintains Lower Mid-Season Hurricane Activity Forecast for Atlantic

Federal forecasters continue to project relatively lower hurricane activity as the Atlantic season progresses, citing a strengthening El Niño pattern that is expected to suppress tropical storm formation.

Florida Insurance Market Shows Signs of Stabilization as Some Consumer Rates Fall

Insurance regulators report that legislative reforms and fewer litigation filings are allowing major private auto and property insurers to reduce rates and expand coverage capacity across Florida.

Florida Economists Raise State Revenue Forecast by Nearly $1 Billion

The Florida Economic Estimating Conference increased its revenue projections for the next budget cycle despite continuing uncertainty surrounding global trade and energy markets.

SpaceX Reaches 100 Orbital Launches in 2026 From Florida and California

SpaceX has recorded its 100th orbital launch of the year from launch facilities in Florida and California, underscoring the rapid pace of commercial spaceflight and expanding satellite operations.

Former Republican Congressman David Jolly Wins Democratic Nomination for Florida Governor

David Jolly, a former Republican congressman running as a Democrat, won his party’s nomination after a competitive statewide primary and will challenge Republican nominee Byron Donalds in the general election.

Trump-Backed Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination for Florida Governor

Southwest Florida Congressman Byron Donalds secured the Republican nomination after defeating a crowded primary field, positioning the Trump-backed candidate to compete for the governorship in November.

Florida Governor Race Set for Historic General Election Matchup Between Byron Donalds and David Jolly

Republican nominee Byron Donalds and Democratic nominee David Jolly will face each other in November after both parties concluded their primary contests, setting up a closely watched contest for control of Florida’s governorship.

A Sleepless Night on Wall Street: Nasdaq to Begin Nearly Round-the-Clock Trading

Nasdaq plans to add an overnight session from December, extending trading in U.S. shares to nearly 23 hours a day and moving closer to a 24/7 market.

"The First in the World": 69-Year-Old Protested Artificial Intelligence—and Went to Jail

San Francisco activist Wynd Kaufmyn was sentenced to 14 days in jail after helping block access to OpenAI's offices during a StopAI protest against the race to develop superintelligent systems.

Florida Strengthens Boating Safety Enforcement Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

Marine law enforcement agencies across Florida have increased patrols and safety checks on coastal waterways and recreational lakes to deter reckless boating and reduce the risk of holiday accidents.

South Florida Heatwave Pushes Temperatures to One Hundred Degrees

Extreme heat across Miami and surrounding areas sent air temperatures to one hundred degrees, while heat indices reached one hundred twelve degrees and prompted excessive heat advisories.

Florida Executes Thirteenth Death Row Inmate of the Year

Florida carried out its thirteenth execution of the year at Union Correctional Institution, maintaining the state's position as the most active capital punishment jurisdiction in the United States.

Florida Regulators Scrutinize Major AI Datacenter Projects Near the Everglades

Environmental groups and local policymakers are raising concerns over proposed large-scale artificial intelligence datacenters near the Everglades, focusing on potential demands for water and the protection of sensitive ecosystems.

Florida Lawmakers Advance Major Property Tax Overhaul

State legislative leaders have introduced a sweeping property tax reform package that would restructure local millage rates and provide targeted relief as rising housing costs put pressure on homeowners and municipal budgets.

Angie Nixon Wins Democratic Florida Senate Primary in Upset Victory

Progressive state Representative Angie Nixon defeated heavily funded establishment favorite Alexander Vindman in a surprise Democratic primary result, setting up a high-profile general election contest against Republican incumbent Ashley...

Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination for Florida Governor

Congressman Byron Donalds has won the Republican primary for governor, becoming the party's nominee to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis in November.

Space Coast Tourism Benefits From Continued Commercial Rocket Launch Activity

Tourism officials along Florida’s Space Coast said frequent commercial launches continue to support hotel occupancy and visitor spending, reinforcing the region’s role as an aerospace destination.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaches Praise Kenneth Gainwell During Training Camp

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and coaches highlighted free-agent running back Kenneth Gainwell’s route-running versatility and leadership during training camp practices in Tampa.

Florida University Students Expand Coverage of Overlooked Local School Board Races

Student journalists from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications deployed across 13 counties to cover school board primaries in communities underserved by local news.

Florida Legislative Leaders Preview Priorities for Upcoming Sessions

State legislative leaders and committee chairs began outlining proposals involving tax policy, infrastructure investment and budget adjustments ahead of upcoming special and regular sessions.

Florida University Board Finalizes Updated Governance Rules for Public Campuses

The state university system’s Board of Governors approved new administrative guidelines covering oversight and campus operations, prompting debate among faculty and student leaders.

Florida Emergency Officials Urge Hurricane Preparedness Ahead of Peak Atlantic Season

The Florida Division of Emergency Management urged residents to review evacuation plans and disaster supplies as the Atlantic hurricane season enters its peak period.

Florida Agriculture Officials Support Citrus Growers Facing Drought Conditions

Agricultural authorities are working with farming cooperatives to manage water supplies and provide technical assistance to citrus growers affected by prolonged precipitation deficits.

Florida Forestry Officials Tighten Wildfire Monitoring as Dry Conditions Persist

State forestry and emergency personnel increased monitoring and burn restrictions across inland Southwest Florida as prolonged dry weather raised seasonal brushfire risks.