Florida Times

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.

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.

SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy From Kennedy Space Center

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida’s Space Coast, using twin first-stage boosters to place a national payload into orbit.

SpaceX and NASA Launch Crew-13 Mission to International Space Station

SpaceX launched NASA’s Crew-13 mission from Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard the Crew Dragon capsule Grace.

USF Falls 17-13 to Temple as Nine-Game Home Winning Streak Ends

The University of South Florida suffered its first loss of the season before more than 36,000 fans in Tampa, despite a second-half defensive rally against Temple.

Miami Heat Open Preseason With 129-105 Win Over Toronto Raptors

Miami began its NBA preseason with a comfortable road victory in Canada, with veteran additions and younger players contributing to a strong all-round performance.

Miami Hurricanes Defeat Clemson 41-13 in ACC Road Victory

The University of Miami delivered a dominant performance at Clemson, winning by 28 points in a decisive Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

Jury Convicts T.J. Wiggins in Frostproof Triple Homicide Case

A Polk County jury found T.J. Wiggins guilty on all counts in the high-profile triple murder case that drew widespread attention across Central Florida.

Florida Prepares New Specialty License Plates for UFC and Community Groups

State transportation officials have begun pre-sales for newly authorized specialty plates supporting the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Miami Northwestern Alumni Association and St. Petersburg College.

Fellsmere Water Control District Shrinks and Moves Under County Oversight

A new state law reduces the Fellsmere Water Control District from more than 34,000 acres to 14,000 and converts it into a dependent district managed under Indian River County.

Broward County Ordered to Study Possible Monarch Hill Landfill Expansion

State legislation requires Broward officials to hold public hearings and complete feasibility reviews before any expansion of the Monarch Hill Landfill can move forward.

DeSantis Opens $61 Million River Road Expansion in Sarasota County

Governor Ron DeSantis inaugurated a $61 million highway expansion designed to reduce congestion and accommodate population growth in Southwest Florida.

Developers Unveil Plans for Proposed Hard Rock Hotel on Jacksonville Riverfront

Private developers submitted plans for a major hospitality and entertainment complex along the St. Johns River as part of efforts to expand downtown Jacksonville tourism and lodging capacity.

US Coast Guard Awards $45 Million for Jacksonville Waterfront Repairs

The Coast Guard has approved a $45 million contract to upgrade docking and waterfront infrastructure at Sector Jacksonville Annex in support of regional search-and-rescue operations.

South Florida Housing Market Splits Between Tight Single-Family Supply and Condo Glut

Housing reports show single-family homes remaining relatively scarce across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, while condominium inventory is elevated and buyers have greater negotiating power.

Florida Senate Candidate Angie Nixon Calls for Protection of Haitian TPS Holders

Angie Nixon urged Florida’s congressional delegation to support extended deportation protections and residency stability for Haitian immigrants living across South Florida.

Florida Introduces New Reporting Rules for Violent Career Offenders

Law enforcement agencies have begun enforcing annual address, employment and identification reporting requirements for habitual violent criminals and designated violent career offenders.

Florida Raises Penalties for Adults Involving Minors in Animal Fighting

New animal welfare legislation imposes third-degree felony charges and psychological evaluations on adults who involve children in illegal animal fighting or baiting.

Florida Strengthens Penalties for Lewd Conduct and Sexual Observation of Minors

Courts are applying tougher third-degree felony penalties for intentional public sexual exposure and for observing minors under 16 for sexual gratification.

Florida Introduces Felony Penalties for Fraudulent Rental Applications

New legislation makes it a third-degree felony to obtain housing using forged pay stubs, false identities or altered financial documents, giving landlords and rental agencies stronger legal remedies against application fraud.

Florida Expands Gang Identification Rules to Include Social Media Evidence

Law enforcement agencies can now use online statements, digital symbols and social media posts as part of the legal criteria for identifying individuals as criminal gang members.

Florida Imposes Tougher Penalties for Gunfire Near Schools

New state rules require second-degree felony prosecutions for people who discharge firearms within 1,000 feet of active school grounds, exposing offenders to substantial prison terms.

Florida Expands Warrantless Arrest Powers for No-Contact Order Violations

Police can now make immediate arrests when suspects are accused of knowingly violating pre-trial release conditions or domestic violence no-contact orders under newly enacted state law.

Florida Tightens Rules on Xylazine and Nitrous Oxide Distribution

State authorities are enforcing new felony restrictions on the unauthorized sale or possession of xylazine and tighter controls on retail distribution of nitrous oxide cylinders.

Florida Enacts Broad New Laws Covering Public Safety, Housing and Criminal Justice

A wide-ranging package of state statutes has taken effect, changing rules governing landlord verification, criminal procedures, public safety enforcement and labor standards across Florida.

IRS Whistleblower Office Reviews Fund Flows Linked to Hope Florida Initiative

Federal tax investigators are examining financial transfers involving nonprofit groups and political committees connected to state administrative operations, drawing additional scrutiny from government watchdogs.

Florida Tourism Softens as Visitor Numbers Decline

State economists reported weaker domestic, Canadian and overseas visitor volumes in the second quarter, prompting Visit Florida to increase marketing for historic and rural destinations.