Florida Times

Universal Parking Named a Top Workplace in South Florida for Third Consecutive Year

Universal Parking has again been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Sun Sentinel, based on employee feedback regarding workplace culture, respect and career development opportunities.

Florida Voters Back Property Tax Special Session but Remain Divided on Full Elimination

A new Sachs Media survey found that 75% of Florida voters support Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to convene a special session on property taxes, although most respondents expressed concern about the tax increases that could be required ...

Florida Lawmakers Debate DeSantis Plan to Expand Homestead Property Tax Exemptions

Florida legislators are meeting in a special session to refine Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposal to raise the state’s homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with supporters citing tax relief and critics ...

South Florida Road Rage Incident Leads to Arrest After Deputy Altercation

Authorities arrested a driver following an expressway confrontation that escalated into a physical altercation with a deputy, underscoring concerns about increasing road rage incidents on South Florida highways.

New Wild Fork Foods Store Expands Specialty Grocery Options in St. Petersburg

A new location of Wild Fork Foods has opened in the St. Petersburg area, attracting attention for offering both traditional products and a range of specialty meats.

Central Florida Neighborhood Divided Over Proposal to Remove Historic Oak Trees

Residents are debating plans by a homeowner association to remove dozens of mature oak trees because of concerns about potential foundation damage, highlighting tensions between environmental preservation and property maintenance.

Florida State University Expert Sees Signs of Easing Property Insurance Conditions

A property insurance specialist at Florida State University said market conditions suggest Florida may be entering a more favorable insurance cycle, supported by reduced litigation and the absence of a major hurricane landfall over the p...

Pasco County Schools Post Strongest Academic Results in Decades

School officials in Pasco County reported their highest academic performance levels in decades, citing gains in standardized testing and student achievement.

Seminole County Deputies Arrest Two Teens in Gel Blaster Attacks

Authorities in Seminole County have arrested two teenagers accused of using gel blaster guns to target pedestrians, part of a broader effort to address dangerous prank-related incidents.

Titusville Teen Murder Case Renews Debate Over Cruise Ship Safety

Court proceedings involving the rape and murder of a teenager from Titusville aboard a cruise ship have brought renewed attention to security and jurisdictional issues in international waters.

Volusia County Toll Booth Worker Killed in Daytona Beach Shores Crash

Investigators are examining a fatal crash in Daytona Beach Shores after a pickup truck struck a toll collection booth, killing an attendant during a period of heavy beach traffic.

High-Speed Driving Arrests Increase on Major Florida Highways

Law enforcement agencies have reported a series of arrests involving motorists traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on major interstate routes, prompting renewed attention to highway safety enforcement.

DeLand Police Investigate Child Left Unresponsive in Hot Vehicle

Authorities in DeLand are investigating after a three-year-old child was found unresponsive in a parked vehicle, renewing warnings about the dangers of heat exposure inside cars.

Florida Ranks Fifth Nationwide for Recovery of Untraceable Ghost Guns

Recent crime data shows Florida ranks fifth in the United States for the recovery of so-called ghost guns at crime scenes, highlighting growing concerns among law enforcement over weapons assembled from largely unregulated components.

Clearwater Beach Shooting Prompts Crackdown on Teen Gathering Events

Police in Clearwater responded after gunfire erupted during a large gathering of teenagers at Clearwater Beach, with authorities pledging stronger enforcement measures against disruptive “teen takeover” events.

Former Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis Dies at 78

R. Fred Lewis, a former justice of the Florida Supreme Court known for his work on civic engagement and education initiatives, has died at the age of 78.

Moffitt Cancer Center Executive Resigns Following Research Misconduct Review

A senior executive at Moffitt Cancer Center has stepped down after an investigation examined the integrity of research studies produced during her previous leadership role at a Texas cancer institution.

Finance Professional Indicted in Federal Mortgage Fraud Investigation

Federal prosecutors have charged Tampa-area financial adviser Brandon Dutch Mendenhall with allegedly misappropriating investor funds to obtain a $1.2 million mortgage as part of a broader investigation into his financial activities.

Federal Housing Agency Introduces New Roof Insurance Coverage Option

New federal guidelines allow homeowners and condominium owners to insure roofs using Actual Cash Value coverage, a change intended to help address rising insurance costs associated with roof replacement claims.

Insurance Commissioner Reports Growing Competition in Florida Property Market

Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said three additional property insurers have entered the state market, increasing consumer choice and supporting efforts to stabilize premiums for homeowners.

Florida Homeowners Face New Deadlines for Insurance Claims

New state laws have reduced the period for filing property damage claims from two years to one year, while insurers must now approve or deny claims within 60 days, changes that take effect as hurricane season gets underway.

Statewide Drought Conditions Raise Wildfire Concerns Across Florida

Florida officials are warning that persistent drought conditions have significantly increased wildfire risks, urging residents to follow local burn restrictions and fire safety guidance as dry weather continues across much of the state.

Florida Implements Permanent Sales Tax Exemption for Hurricane Preparedness Supplies

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins, Florida residents can purchase eligible disaster preparedness and safety items without paying sales tax, a measure designed to reduce costs for households preparing for potential storms.

Florida Senate Opens Special Session After Extended Budget Negotiations

Lawmakers convened for Special Session F after a prolonged budget process, turning their attention to remaining fiscal priorities following agreement on a state spending plan that includes record support for citrus recovery and disaster ...

Florida Hospitals Approved for Nearly $8 Billion in Supplemental Medicaid Funding

The state’s Legislative Budget Commission has authorized a funding package worth nearly $8 billion for Florida hospitals, providing supplemental Medicaid payments for care delivered through September 2025 ahead of anticipated federal res...

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Static Fire Test at Cape Canaveral

A powerful explosion occurred during a static fire test of the New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, prompting warnings about potential debris washing ashore while officials stated that chemicals released during the inc...