Florida Times

Florida Universities Implement New Curriculum and Administrative Rules

Public universities adopted new statewide requirements affecting faculty reviews, diversity-related funding programs, and core academic curricula ahead of the next academic year.

State Health Officials Warn of Mosquito-Borne Disease Risks Ahead of Rainy Season

The Florida Department of Health urged residents to remove standing water and expanded mosquito-control measures to reduce the risk of dengue and other tropical illnesses.

Florida Accelerates Interstate 4 Expansion Projects

Transportation officials announced faster construction schedules along the heavily congested Interstate 4 corridor to improve traffic flow and support economic activity in Central Florida.

New Homeowner Association Transparency Rules Take Effect Statewide

Florida implemented new regulations requiring greater financial disclosure, limiting certain fines, and creating independent dispute-resolution processes for residents.

Florida Citrus Production Records First Annual Increase in More Than a Decade

Growers reported a modest rise in output following the adoption of disease-resistant citrus varieties and targeted treatment programs aimed at combating citrus greening.

Central Florida Theme Parks Report Record Summer Demand

Strong booking forecasts at Walt Disney World and Universal Epic Universe are boosting hotel occupancy and tourism activity across the Orlando region despite broader economic pressures.

PortMiami and Port Everglades Post Record Passenger and Cargo Activity

South Florida’s leading ports reported their strongest May results on record, supported by investments in cruise terminals, cargo automation, and shore-power infrastructure.

SpaceX Advances Starship Launch Infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center

Construction and testing activity accelerated at SpaceX’s Starship facilities, bringing Florida closer to hosting launches of the world’s largest rocket system.

Space Coast Employment Surges as Commercial Space Industry Expands

Private launch activity and new defense contracts helped generate more than 15,000 additional engineering and manufacturing jobs in Brevard County, reinforcing Florida’s position in the aerospace sector.

Miami Emerges as Major Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Hub

Technology companies announced billions of dollars in planned investments for hyperscale AI data centers in Miami-Dade, citing strong connectivity to Latin American markets and growing demand for computing capacity.

University of Miami Advances Major Biomedical Research Expansion

The university finalized plans for a large new medical research and clinical care complex intended to strengthen Miami’s role in healthcare innovation, infectious disease research, and advanced treatment services.

Florida Power & Light Expands AI-Based Grid Protection Ahead of Hurricane Season

The utility is using predictive artificial intelligence tools developed with the University of Miami to identify vegetation risks and infrastructure weaknesses before severe weather arrives.

Florida Property Insurance Market Shows Signs of Stabilization

State-backed insurer Citizens Property Insurance began transferring more than 200,000 policies to private carriers as recent legislative reforms continue reshaping Florida’s insurance market.

Jacksonville Port Wins Major Trans-Pacific Shipping Agreement

A new terminal deal with international shipping partners is expected to redirect additional Asian trade flows through Florida’s Atlantic coast and strengthen Jacksonville’s position as a regional logistics hub.

Brightline Secures Key Milestone for Planned Tampa High-Speed Rail Extension

The private rail operator achieved a major regulatory and funding breakthrough for its proposed Tampa Bay expansion, advancing a project intended to link several of Florida’s largest economic centers.

Miami-Dade Approves Major Transit-Oriented Housing Zoning Overhaul

County commissioners approved sweeping zoning changes to accelerate high-density residential development near transit stations as officials seek to address housing affordability challenges.

Everglades Restoration Reaches Major Milestone With New Water Storage Reservoir

Federal and state agencies completed a major reservoir project designed to reduce agricultural runoff and help prevent harmful algae blooms affecting Florida’s coastal waterways.

Governor Signs $114 Billion Florida Budget With Tax Relief and Infrastructure Spending

The new state budget includes property tax reductions, permanent sales tax exemptions, and billions of dollars in infrastructure and education funding aimed at supporting continued population growth across Florida.

Florida Mobilizes Emergency Resources as Atlantic Hurricane Season Officially Begins

Florida emergency management officials activated peak-readiness protocols as the Atlantic hurricane season opened, warning that exceptionally warm Gulf of Mexico waters could increase the risk of powerful, rapidly intensifying storms.

Tampa Police Officer Arrested After High-Speed Interstate Incident

An off-duty officer was taken into custody after authorities alleged he drove recklessly at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on Interstate 75.

Gainesville Music Festival Draws Crowds Despite Heavy Rain

Music fans turned out for performances and an album release event at Heartwood Soundstage even as persistent downpours affected the weekend gathering.

Hialeah Teen Wins Miss Teen Global 2026 Title

The South Florida contestant captured the international crown while representing Cuba on the global pageant stage.

Miami Company Recalls Sexual Enhancement Chocolates Over Undeclared Ingredients

Federal regulators issued a recall after safety concerns emerged over pharmaceutical substances that were not disclosed on product labels.

Historic Olde Naples Hotel Reopens After Redevelopment

The Southwest Florida property combines modern amenities with architectural elements inspired by Naples’s 1889 origins, adding to the region’s luxury tourism offering.

Industrial Expansion Accelerates at Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County

The master-planned solar-powered community has opened a major commercial development site as economic activity continues to expand in the area.

Historic Polk County Citrus Property Listed for Sale

A large lakeside grove in Babson Park has entered the market as residential development continues to reshape parts of Florida’s traditional agricultural landscape.

South Florida Publix Sells Winning $29 Million Lottery Ticket

State lottery officials are awaiting the winner of a multimillion-dollar jackpot purchased at a Publix store in South Florida.

Florida Boating Deaths Decline Despite Increase in Watercraft Accidents

State wildlife officials reported nearly 700 boating incidents over the past year, with personal watercraft accounting for a disproportionately large share of crashes.

Florida State Advances in NCAA Regional After Extended Rain Delay

The Seminoles secured a key elimination-game victory over Coastal Carolina after severe weather suspended play in Tallahassee for 16 hours.

WSVN to Move Headquarters From Miami to Broward County

The longtime South Florida television station is relocating operations from its historic Miami base to a new broadcasting facility in Broward County.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Resigns to Pursue Congressional Bid

The resignation creates a vacancy in county government as the commissioner shifts focus to a campaign for federal office.

Former Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis Dies

Legal leaders across Florida are honoring the former justice’s long career and his advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

SpaceX Maintains High Launch Tempo From Florida’s Space Coast

The company’s latest successful Falcon mission continued an aggressive launch schedule focused on expanding the Starlink satellite network.

Tampa Nears Goal of 10,000 New Affordable Housing Units

Mayor Jane Castor highlighted continued progress in workforce housing development as the city expands investment in affordable residential projects.

Florida Mortgage Rates Hold in Mid-6 Percent Range

Homebuyers continue to face affordability pressures as the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains around 6.3 percent entering the summer housing season.

Florida Gas Prices Jump Sharply Amid Market Volatility

Motorists in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale have seen gasoline prices rise by more than 30 cents in a month, bringing costs closer to $4.50 per gallon.

Extreme Heat Pushes South Florida Heat Index to 106 Degrees

Residents in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are facing dangerous heat and humidity levels as storm systems approach the region.

Researchers Warn of Record Sargassum Seaweed Arrival Along Florida Coast

Coastal communities are preparing for potential environmental and tourism disruptions as unusually large blooms of sargassum seaweed move toward Florida beaches.

Florida Tourism Records Strong International Growth Despite Domestic Slowdown

Nearly 40 million visitors traveled to Florida in early 2026, as a surge in overseas arrivals helped offset a modest decline in domestic tourism.

FIFA World Cup Matches in Miami Expected to Generate More Than $1 Billion

Miami officials say global demand for 2026 World Cup matches remains exceptionally strong, with resale ticket prices for the Colombia-Portugal fixture exceeding typical Super Bowl levels.

Florida Communities Urged to Prepare as Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

Emergency management agencies across the state are calling on residents to review storm plans and emergency supplies despite forecasts for a slightly below-average hurricane season.

Blue Origin Rocket Explosion Disrupts Testing at Cape Canaveral

A New Glenn heavy-lift rocket was destroyed in a major explosion during a ground test in Florida, dealing a setback to Blue Origin’s lunar exploration ambitions.

Governor Ron DeSantis Orders Closure of Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Detention Facility

Florida will shut down the controversial billion-dollar Everglades detention center after funding disputes with federal agencies and ongoing environmental legal challenges.