Florida Times

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative has introduced new youth literacy programs and resource guides to support families as students return for the autumn term.

Tampa Museum of Art Prepares Exhibition of More Than 100 Ancient Egyptian Objects

The Tampa Museum of Art has completed preparations for an exhibition featuring more than 100 historical objects from ancient Egypt, drawing interest from educators and history enthusiasts across the Gulf Coast.

Central Florida Startup Networks Report Increased Interest From AI Entrepreneurs

Startup accelerators in Orlando and Winter Park are seeing more early-stage funding inquiries from software developers and artificial intelligence entrepreneurs seeking support to scale their businesses.

Orlando Extends Technology Community Grant Deadline to September 4

The City of Orlando and Orlando Economic Partnership have extended the application period for technology event grants to encourage participation from local software and digital businesses.

Central Florida Universities Expand STEM Internship Partnerships

Florida universities are partnering with local technology incubators to offer additional hands-on STEM internships for undergraduate students beginning the fall semester.

Hernon Manufacturing Opens Expanded Sanford Production Facility

Hernon Manufacturing has opened a new 13,000-square-foot facility in Sanford to expand production of high-performance adhesives and precision equipment.

Orlando and Tampa Commercial Property Markets Maintain Steady Leasing Demand

Property analysts report resilient demand for industrial distribution facilities and office space across Central Florida, supported by corporate relocations and expanding regional supply chains.

South Florida Rail Operators Adjust Schedules for Autumn Maintenance

Tri-Rail and Brightline are making minor timetable changes to accommodate routine track work and improve commuter reliability.

Cape Canaveral Maintains Busy Launch Schedule for Commercial and Federal Missions

SpaceX and United Launch Alliance teams are preparing additional orbital missions from Cape Canaveral as Florida’s Space Coast maintains a high launch cadence.

Florida Advances Highway Expansion and Bridge Rehabilitation Projects

The Florida Department of Transportation is moving ahead with lane expansions and bridge upgrades on major regional routes to address traffic congestion and accommodate population growth.

FAA Investigates Banner Plane Crash Off New Smyrna Beach

Federal Aviation Administration investigators and local authorities are examining a banner-towing aircraft that made a water landing off the Volusia County coast, with the pilot escaping with minor injuries.

Miami-Dade Schools Reassess Campuses as Urban Enrollment Declines

Miami-Dade school officials are considering consolidations and program changes at campuses experiencing significant enrollment declines as the district responds to shifting demographics.

Central Florida School Districts Lose About 12,000 Students

Orange and Seminole county school administrators report a combined enrollment decline of roughly 12,000 students as demographic shifts and housing costs reshape local school populations.

Florida Schools Report Enrollment Declines Across Central and South Florida

School districts in Orange, Seminole and Miami-Dade counties are adjusting facilities and programs as declining student numbers reflect demographic changes and pressure from regional housing costs.

Orlando Business Group Raises Concerns Over Proposed Constitutional Amendments

The Orlando Economic Partnership has issued assessments of proposed 2026 constitutional ballot measures, warning that some provisions could reduce local government revenue and affect public safety funding.

Florida Job Growth and Consumer Spending Remain Resilient

State economic reports indicate that Florida continues to outperform national averages in employment growth and consumer spending as the economy approaches the final quarter of the year.

Florida Property Insurance Premiums Show Signs of Stabilizing After Reforms

Insurance industry experts say tort reforms and increased participation by carriers are beginning to moderate the sharp premium increases that have affected homeowners across Florida.

Florida Housing Affordability Remains Under Pressure as Living Costs Rise

Economists and community leaders say high housing costs and broader inflation continue to dominate public concerns and shape policy debates across Florida.

Florida Election Offices Step Up Outreach Ahead of October Voter Deadlines

Election supervisors across Florida’s 67 counties are preparing for registration and mail-in ballot request deadlines in October as administrative activity increases ahead of the general election.

Florida Primary Results Set Field for Key Congressional and Statewide Races

Florida political parties are assessing the results of August primaries that produced unexpected upsets and determined nominees for major congressional and statewide contests ahead of the general election.

Florida Governor’s Race Intensifies After August Primaries

Leading gubernatorial candidates are accelerating fundraising and voter outreach across South Florida, Central Florida and Tampa Bay following the state’s August primary contests.

Florida Voters Face Constitutional Amendments on Property Taxes and Budget Reserves

Florida’s November ballot will include proposed constitutional changes affecting the state budget stabilization fund cap and homestead property tax exemptions.

South Florida Bulls Unveil Promotions for 30th Football Season

The South Florida Bulls have announced game-day themes and promotional events for seven home games at Raymond James Stadium during the program's milestone 30th season.

Miami Marlins Enter Final Stretch of MLB Season With Washington Road Series

The Miami Marlins traveled to face the Washington Nationals as the Major League Baseball regular season moves into its closing weeks.

St. Augustine Chef Matt Brown Launches Roving Live-Fire Dining Concept

Chef Matt Brown has launched The Nomad Table in Northeast Florida, taking live-fire dining experiences to different locations following Michelin recognition.

Columbia County Marks 250th Anniversary With Lady Columbia Statue

Governor Ron DeSantis joined local officials in Lake City for the unveiling of a commemorative Lady Columbia statue marking the county's 250th anniversary.

Florida Courts Work Through Heavy Caseloads Ahead of Fall Appellate Sessions

Judges and appellate clerks are processing substantial civil and criminal dockets across multiple Florida judicial circuits ahead of the autumn court calendar.

Florida Wildlife Officials Issue Seasonal Alligator Safety Advice

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding residents to exercise caution near waterways during the warm-weather period of increased alligator activity.

Florida Universities Prepare for Fall Student Arrivals

Universities across Florida have finalized housing and orientation arrangements as thousands of students return for the start of the autumn academic semester.

Central Florida Tourism Industry Prepares for Autumn Convention Season

Orlando-area hospitality operators expect steady visitor activity as summer family travel gives way to business conventions and the autumn holiday period.

South Florida Airports Report Steady International Passenger Traffic

Regional aviation authorities say airports across South Florida are handling robust passenger volumes without major delays in international processing.

Authorities Investigate Banner Plane Crash Off New Smyrna Beach

A small banner-towing aircraft flipped into the water off New Smyrna Beach, leaving its pilot with minor injuries as federal and local authorities investigate the crash.

Orange County Moves to Tighten Exotic Animal Rules After Facility Deaths

Commissioners are pursuing stricter rules for exotic animal exhibitions and direct human contact following a mass mortality event at an unpermitted attraction.

Palm Beach County Gasoline Prices Average $4.09 a Gallon

Average gasoline prices in Palm Beach County stand at $4.09 per gallon, above Florida's statewide average of $3.95.

South Florida Banks Assess Tariff Risks and Commercial Borrowing Uncertainty

Miami-area financial institutions are evaluating how changing international trade policies could affect regional business lending and corporate investment decisions.

Publix Tracks Changing Consumer Spending as Food Inflation Persists

Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets says broader economic pressures are affecting retail sales and shopping patterns as consumers adjust to prolonged food inflation.

National Hurricane Center Tracks Tropical Storm Dolly in Southern Atlantic

Forecasters expect Tropical Storm Dolly to remain weak and dissipate under the effects of Saharan dust and wind shear before reaching the Caribbean.

Suspended Palm Beach County Official Mike Caruso Remains on November Ballot

Mike Caruso will remain a candidate for clerk and comptroller in Palm Beach County despite his suspension and ongoing legal detention in Orange County.

Florida Officials Finalize Constitutional Amendments for November Ballot

State election officials have certified several statewide ballot measures addressing taxation, government efficiency and local services for Florida voters to consider in November.

Tampa Surgeons Perform World's First Procedure Using EVOS Pelvic System

Surgeons at Tampa General Hospital and Florida Orthopaedic Institute have used the FDA-cleared EVOS Pelvic and Acetabular System for the first time globally to treat complex traumatic fractures.

Florida Utilities Maintain Grid Stability Through Late-Summer Heat

Major electricity providers have maintained reliable generation and transmission as high temperatures drive heavy residential air-conditioning demand across Florida.

Florida Awards $15.6 Million in Infrastructure Grants to Rural Communities

FloridaCommerce has awarded $15.6 million to 23 small and rural municipalities for infrastructure improvements and community development projects across the state.

Florida Consumer Confidence Falls as Cost-of-Living Pressures Persist

University of Florida researchers report consumer sentiment at low levels as households continue to contend with elevated living costs.

Desmond Meade Withdraws From 2026 Florida Governor's Race

Voting rights advocate Desmond Meade has ended his campaign for governor as a no-party-affiliation candidate, changing the field ahead of Florida's 2026 election.