Florida Times

Florida Gators Open Season With 66-21 Win Over Florida Atlantic

The University of Florida began its season with a 66-21 victory over Florida Atlantic, led by an efficient debut from quarterback Aaron Philo and a strong passing attack under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.

Search Underway for Missing Florida Family After Small Plane Disappears Near Bahamas

The US Coast Guard and other authorities launched an air and sea search near Andros Island after a five-seat Piper aircraft carrying four members of a Florida family disappeared while flying from Great Harbour Cay to Miami Executive Airp...

Wild Adventures Visitors Drawn to Unusual Zebra-Giraffe Friendship

A zebra and giraffe at Wild Adventures have attracted visitor attention by regularly resting and grooming together in their shared habitat.

Space Coast Police K-9 Units Compete in Annual Tactical Skills Event

Law enforcement agencies across the Space Coast took part in canine trials testing tracking, apprehension and public-safety skills while recognizing high-performing police dogs.

Florida Club Rowing Uses Stadium Concessions to Fund Competition Travel

University rowing athletes are working concessions at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to raise money for travel to regional regattas and support team operations.

Orlando Science Center Launches Cosmic Concerts Laser Show Series

The Orlando Science Center has opened a planetarium entertainment series combining classic rock music with digital dome projections for weekend audiences.

Ocoee Plans Community Markets and Art Events for Hispanic Heritage Month

Ocoee is preparing neighborhood markets and public art displays during September and October as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

Casselberry Prepares Latin Jazz and Art Festival for Mid-September

Casselberry is finalizing plans for its annual cultural festival featuring live music, local artists and family activities expected to draw regional visitors.

Volusia County Public Services Return to Regular Schedule After Labor Day

Government offices, public transit and waste collection services across Volusia County have resumed normal operating schedules following the holiday closures.

USF Kicker Nico Gramatica Wins American Conference Weekly Honor

University of South Florida junior Nico Gramatica was named the conference’s special teams player of the week after making four field goals in the season-opening victory over Florida International.

Space Coast Communities Install Nearly 3,000 Flags for September 11 Remembrance

Communities around Altamonte Springs and neighboring Space Coast areas have displayed nearly 3,000 American flags along major roads ahead of September 11 commemorations.

Florida State Parks to Add 25 E-Bikes for Visitor Rentals

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plans to introduce 25 additional electric bicycles at state parks this fall to broaden recreational access to trails.

Volusia County Says Revised Beach Access Rules Reduced Labor Day Congestion

County officials said changes to vehicle access and parking along Volusia beaches improved visitor flow and reduced pedestrian congestion during the busy Labor Day weekend.

Polk State College Receives $2 Million Grant for Commercial Driving Program

Polk State College will launch a commercial driver training initiative backed by a $2 million state grant aimed at easing regional workforce shortages in transportation and supply-chain operations.

Florida Airports Work Through Residual Delays After Central Florida Storms

Tampa International Airport and other regional aviation hubs are clearing schedule disruptions and passenger delays caused by thunderstorms and temporary air-traffic diversions.

Groveland Approves $6 Million Upgrade for Reclaimed Water Network

Groveland officials authorized a $6 million infrastructure program to address recurring water-pressure problems and modernize municipal utility systems as residential development expands.

Titusville Plane Crash Kills Pilot After Aircraft Strikes Utility Wire

Federal aviation investigators are examining a single-engine aircraft crash on Columbia Boulevard in Titusville after the plane hit a utility wire and the pilot suffered fatal injuries.

Orange County Schools Tighten E-Bike and E-Scooter Rules

Orange County public schools have introduced stricter operating restrictions and designated parking requirements for electric bikes and scooters following an increase in minor traffic incidents on school grounds.

Affordability Pressures Drive Florida Debate Over Housing, Food and Labor Costs

Business and policy forums across Florida are highlighting rising food and housing expenses, minimum-wage pressures and shortages of affordable workforce housing.

Florida Senate Campaign Debate Centers on Immigration, Inflation and Living Costs

Candidates in Florida’s U.S. Senate race are increasingly focusing on border security, inflation relief and broader cost-of-living pressures as competing policy platforms take shape.

Prosecutors Seek Bond Review in Case Against Suspended Palm Beach County Official

State prosecutors have asked an Orange County judge to reconsider an earlier bond decision and adjust court scheduling in the case involving suspended Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Mike Caruso.

Florida Investigators Break Up Baby Formula Theft Ring Based in Lake Worth

South Florida law enforcement agencies dismantled an organized retail theft operation accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in infant formula from retailers including Publix and Walmart.

Florida Highway Patrol Investigates Fatal Orlando-Area Hit-and-Run

Troopers are searching for multiple motorists linked to a nighttime hit-and-run sequence in the Orlando and Narcoossee areas that left a pedestrian dead.

Florida Records Nation’s Highest Lightning Death Toll as Officials Renew Safety Warnings

National Weather Service data shows Florida has recorded the most lightning fatalities in the United States this year, leading emergency agencies to urge greater caution during afternoon storms.

Central Florida Faces Continued Heavy Rain, Lightning and Local Flooding

Meteorologists are warning of further downpours, localized urban flooding and frequent lightning as an unsettled weather pattern persists across Central Florida.

Florida Health Officials Track Measles Increase as State Ranks Among Highest for Cases

Public health authorities are monitoring a rise in measles infections that places Florida among the five states with the highest case numbers, prompting renewed calls for childhood vaccination compliance.

NTSB Investigates Fatal Miami Airport Cargo Plane Runway Overrun

Federal investigators are examining wreckage, flight data recorders and runway skid marks after a cargo aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five people and disrupting South Florida air logistics.

Central Florida Theme Parks Launch Autumn Ticket Promotions

Major attractions across the Orlando resort corridor have introduced multi-day admission packages and evening-event passes aimed at regional visitors planning fall holiday trips.

Gainesville Botanical Garden Opens Tropical Orchid Conservatory

University of Florida botanical researchers have opened a climate-controlled pavilion for rare orchid species, providing new propagation and research facilities for students and visiting horticulturists.

Sarasota County Announces New Grants for Theater and Youth Music Programs

Local arts organizations will receive financial support from the municipal arts commission to expand community theater productions and youth music education during the autumn season.

St. Augustine Completes Preparations for Annual Founding Festival

City officials and heritage organizations have finalized plans for the upcoming colonial-history celebration, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors for reenactments and walking tours.

Naples Historical Society Digitizes Early Southwest Florida Pioneer Photographs

Historians in Collier County have published an online collection of late 19th-century photographs documenting early settlement in Southwest Florida, with free public access through the county library network.

Pensacola Historic District Receives State Preservation Grant

The Florida Department of State has awarded restoration funding to preservation organizations in downtown Pensacola to stabilize aging masonry and protect 19th-century commercial facades along Palafox Street.

Jacksonville Approves Stadium Parking and EV Charging Upgrades

Jacksonville City Council has authorized funding to resurface parking areas and install electric-vehicle charging stations around the municipal sports complex as event attendance increases.

Tampa International Airport Introduces Contactless Parking System

Tampa International Airport has deployed automated gates and license-plate recognition technology to speed vehicle entry and exit for travelers and daily commuters.

Tallahassee Community College Expands Advanced Manufacturing and Electrical Training

The college has introduced new technical certification programs designed to meet regional demand for skilled workers in advanced manufacturing and electrical systems.

Space Coast Tourism Benefits From Strong Late-Summer Rocket Launch Traffic

Tourism officials in Brevard County say weekend launches from Cape Canaveral continue to attract thousands of overnight visitors, supporting beachfront hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.

Fort Lauderdale Officials Review New Coastal Erosion Measures

Broward County environmental officials are evaluating beach replenishment strategies and tougher seawall standards intended to protect barrier-island ecosystems and residential properties from coastal erosion.

Florida Schools Review Updated Digital Learning Standards

School districts statewide are assessing revised Florida Department of Education guidance on digital literacy and online testing requirements for kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms.

Florida Citrus Growers Report Stable Early Harvest Outlook Despite Weather Stress

Agricultural cooperatives and researchers say early estimates point to relatively stable yields in surviving citrus groves around Polk County despite lingering storm damage and seasonal heat pressures.

Florida Expands Mobile Healthcare Services for Rural Agricultural Communities

The Florida Department of Health has launched mobile vaccination and primary-care programs in agricultural counties across South and Central Florida to improve access for seasonal farmworkers ahead of peak harvest season.

Florida Emergency Officials Monitor Late-Season Atlantic Tropical Disturbances

Emergency management agencies remain on alert as forecasters track tropical waves moving west across the Atlantic during the peak phase of hurricane season.

Central Florida Housing Market Sees More Price Cuts as Buyers Gain Leverage

MLS data from Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties show that more than half of listings with reduced prices have remained on the market for over 60 days, pointing to stronger negotiating power for buyers.

Orlando Employment Growth Outpaces National Rate

The Orlando metropolitan area has added thousands of net new jobs over the past year, with technology, professional services and hospitality management among the main sources of employment growth.

South Florida Ports Report Continued Cargo Growth Through Third Quarter

Port Everglades and PortMiami have recorded steady increases in container traffic, supported by Latin American trade and expanding cold-storage capacity for agricultural imports.