Florida Times

Florida to Introduce Five New Specialty License Plates

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will add five specialty license plates next month under legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, generating additional revenue for designated environmental and charitable or...

Florida Imposes New Restrictions on Purchases Made With Temporary Cash Assistance

Governor Ron DeSantis enacted restrictions preventing Temporary Cash Assistance funds from being used at tattoo parlors, vape shops and theme parks.

Deloitte to Pay Florida $1.2 Million to Resolve Hiring Practices Investigation

Deloitte agreed to a $1.2 million settlement with the State of Florida over allegations involving discriminatory hiring practices, resolving a closely watched corporate compliance investigation.

Two Women Arrested in Orange County Child Endangerment Case

Orange County authorities arrested two women on child abuse charges after investigators said four children had allegedly been confined in a commercial semi-truck for years.

Florida Reports Fourth Fatal Vibrio Infection of the Year

State health officials recorded Florida’s fourth death this year from Vibrio vulnificus and advised people with open wounds to avoid warm coastal waters.

Florida Climate Week Focuses on Rising Costs From Sargassum Seaweed

Researchers and tourism officials are highlighting the economic impact of large Sargassum blooms, which have forced coastal municipalities to spend millions of dollars on beach cleanup.

Everglades Wildfires Close Shark Valley as Firefighters Battle Two Blazes

Federal crews are fighting the Chipmunk and Vulture wildfires in Everglades National Park, forcing the closure of the Shark Valley visitor area and raising air-quality concerns across parts of South Florida.

Pinellas County Seeks Emergency Funding to Upgrade Flood-Vulnerable Wastewater Plant

County officials applied for state infrastructure grants to overhaul an aging wastewater facility that they say is increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels and seasonal coastal flooding.

Miami-Dade Mayor Proposes Transit Fare Increases and Cuts to Early-Morning Bus Service

Miami-Dade’s mayor proposed higher public transport fares and possible reductions in early-morning bus service as county officials seek to address pressure on the transportation budget.

Jacksonville Commits $100 Million to New University of Florida Graduate Campus

Jacksonville approved $100 million for a University of Florida graduate campus in the LaVilla district, tying the higher-education investment to downtown redevelopment and expansion of the region’s technology workforce.

Miami Fintech Startup Raises Nearly $90 Million for Cross-Border Payments

A Miami-based financial technology company secured almost $90 million in venture funding for its remittance and cross-border payment business, highlighting continued investment in South Florida’s financial technology sector.

Full Sail University Cuts 180 Jobs as Technology and AI Reshape Operations

Winter Park-based Full Sail University confirmed layoffs affecting 180 employees, citing rapid changes in digital media technology and artificial intelligence as factors behind the restructuring.

Florida Consumer Sentiment Falls for Sixth Consecutive Month

Statewide consumer confidence declined again as high housing and transportation costs continued to outpace wage growth, adding to signs of financial strain among Florida households.

Florida Home Values Decline Across 45 Counties as Property Tax Debate Intensifies

State economists reported falling single-family home values in 45 of Florida’s 67 counties over the past year, adding momentum to legislative debate over proposed property-tax reductions.

Byron Donalds Selects Florida Senator Bryan Avila as Gubernatorial Running Mate

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds chose state Senator Bryan Avila of Hialeah as his running mate, seeking to strengthen support in populous South Florida ahead of the election.

Hillsborough County Approves New Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Development

County commissioners approved a development agreement for a new Major League Baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, keeping the franchise in the region while moving its future home away from Pinellas County.

Florida Bans Automated License Plate Readers on State Highways

The Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for automated Flock license plate cameras on state roads and ordered local law enforcement agencies to remove affected systems within 30 days.

Florida Health Department Links More Than 400 Cyclospora Cases to Contaminated Lettuce

State health officials said more than 400 Florida residents have contracted cyclospora infections associated with contaminated lettuce, prompting food-safety warnings involving major supermarket chains.

Central Florida Water Authorities Warn of Severe Aquifer Deficit

Regional water management districts declared an extreme shortage across much of Central Florida, warning that underground aquifer levels remain depleted despite the summer rainy season and could threaten residential and agricultural supp...

Florida Records Hottest and Driest Summer on Record in 2026

Meteorologists confirmed that Florida experienced its hottest and driest recorded summer, with extreme temperatures and persistent rainfall deficits causing significant damage to agriculture.

NASA Roman Space Telescope Launches Successfully From Kennedy Space Center

SpaceX launched NASA’s Roman Space Telescope aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, deploying the multibillion-dollar observatory for research into dark matter and potentially habitable exoplanets.

Amazon Cargo Plane Crash at Miami International Airport Kills at Least Five

An Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft overshot the runway at Miami International Airport and struck vehicles on a nearby roadway, killing at least five people and forcing major airport and logistics disruptions.

OpenAI Unveils GPT-6 and Says: "We May Already Have Reached AGI"

GPT-6 Astra can carry out complex computer tasks, write software, conduct research and produce finished documents with far greater autonomy, while OpenAI says the same leap has pushed cybersecurity capability to its highest risk category...

Congressman Accused Andrew of Sex Crimes in the United States

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie accused former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of committing sex offences in the United States while calling for further investigation and prosecution of people linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Donald Trump: "I'm Glad Harry and Meghan Left the United States"

The U.S. president said he was pleased by Harry and Meghan's departure, accused them of showing deep disrespect toward the Royal Family, and said he would not welcome them back.

Spicy Food Is Linked to Lower Death Risk — but It Is Not a Miracle Cure

Large studies associate regular chilli consumption with lower overall and heart-disease mortality, while evidence on cancer, ageing and digestive health remains intriguing but inconclusive.

Gen Z Turns to Investing as America's First-Home Dream Moves Further Out of Reach

First-time buyers are older and scarcer than ever, while younger Americans are putting more money into retirement accounts, savings and markets instead of waiting for homeownership.

Tampa Bay Women’s Expo Prepares for Annual Florida State Fairgrounds Event

Organizers are completing preparations for the annual Tampa Bay Women’s Expo, a lifestyle showcase scheduled to take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Inter Miami Draws 2-2 With Atlanta United After Weather Delay

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 home draw by Atlanta United in Major League Soccer after play was temporarily interrupted by weather.

Florida Gators Beat Florida Atlantic 66-21 in Season Opener

Quarterback Aaron Philo and the Florida offense produced more than 600 yards as the Gators defeated Florida Atlantic 66-21 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Miami Hurricanes Open Season With Strong Victory Over Stanford

The seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes defeated Stanford convincingly in their season opener, raising expectations for the team under head coach Mario Cristobal.

Florida TaxWatch Honors State Teams for Cost-Saving Innovations

Ten public-sector teams received productivity awards for initiatives that reduced government costs, including a streamlined HIV drug formulary that saved millions of dollars for the Department of Corrections.

Miami Beach Faces Extended Lane Closures on 71st Street

Motorists in Miami Beach face prolonged traffic restrictions along 71st Street as utility and roadway improvement work continues through the autumn.

Florida Democratic Party Adjusts Strategy After Primary Election Results

Florida Democratic leaders are working to mobilize a politically mixed electorate after recent primary results reshaped state legislative and congressional contests.

Clearwater Reviews Proposals to Redevelop 77-Acre Golf Course

Clearwater officials are reviewing commercial proposals to transform the 77-acre Landings Golf Club into a multi-use sports and recreational complex.

Pine Hills Begins Construction of Nearly 100 Affordable Homes

Community leaders announced the start of construction on almost 100 affordable housing units intended to support families in the Pine Hills area.

Florida Tourism Maintains Strong Summer Bookings Across Major Cities

Hotels and tourism businesses in Orlando, Miami and Tampa reported robust visitor numbers during the summer despite periodic disruptions from severe weather.

Florida Marks Preparedness Month as Peak Hurricane Season Arrives

Governor Ron DeSantis designated September as Florida Preparedness Month as emergency officials urge residents to confirm evacuation zones, prepare disaster supplies and update emergency plans.

Florida Space Coast Prepares for Busy Autumn Launch Schedule

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is increasing operational preparations for a heavy schedule of commercial satellite launches and NASA crewed missions this autumn.

Florida Citrus Forecasts Point to Recovery From Severely Reduced Harvests

Agricultural projections indicate that citrus production in central and southern Florida could improve from the sharply depleted yields recorded in previous years.

Broward Schools Cancel Children’s Author Event After Backlash Over Online Comments

Broward County school administrators canceled a scheduled appearance by a children’s author following public criticism of the author’s online commentary about regional conflicts.

Florida Law Enforcement Reviews Automated License Plate Reader Policies

Police agencies across South Florida are reassessing the use of automated license plate readers amid debate over privacy, data retention and surveillance oversight.

DeSantis Approves $23 Million for Florida Transit, Aviation and Spaceport Infrastructure

Florida officials distributed $23 million through the Florida Job Growth Fund and spaceport improvement programs to modernize regional transportation and aviation infrastructure.

South Florida Expands Flood and Sea-Level-Rise Infrastructure Projects

Municipal engineers and academic partners in Miami-Dade County have launched collaborative projects aimed at reducing urban flooding and addressing rising sea levels.

Florida Property Insurance Pressures Persist Across Coastal Counties

Homeowners continue to face difficult policy renewals and changing rates as insurers weigh catastrophe exposure against the effects of recent legislative reforms.