Florida Times

Joint Base Charleston Officially Renamed in Honor of Senator Lindsey Graham

The South Carolina military installation has been redesignated following federal defense legislation recognizing the senior senator's long-standing military and congressional service.

Donald Trump Warns FIFA Against Ousting Gianni Infantino Amid Revolt by Global Football Leaders

The U.S. President publicly defended the embattled FIFA chief as major continental confederations demand accountability following a failed attempt to privatize World Cup commercial rights.

Jeff Bezos Joins Investor Group Closing In on $6 Billion Liverpool FC Stake

The Amazon founder, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, and investor Amit Bhatia are in advanced talks to acquire a 30 percent stake in the Premier League club from Fenway Sports Group.

Florida Claims Status as Safest Large U.S. State Following Dramatic Plunge in City Homicides

Miami, Orlando, and Tampa recorded 29 homicides combined in the first half of 2026, highlighting a steep drop in violent crime across major urban centers.

Texas Animal Rescuers Race to Capture Stray Cat Covered in Mysterious Red Dye

League City authorities urge residents not to approach the brightly colored feline as community speculation mounts over potential animal cruelty and illegal dog-fighting rings.

Florida International University Opens 2026 Women's Soccer Season Against Florida Atlantic

Florida International University will begin its 2026 women's soccer season against in-state rival Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, opening the fall collegiate sports calendar with a regional matchup.

National Hurricane Center Monitors Tropical Waves as Atlantic Season Nears Its Peak

Meteorologists in Miami are tracking new weather systems emerging off Africa as Atlantic Ocean temperatures remain favorable for tropical development and the hurricane season approaches its historical peak.

Florida Heat Advisories Issued as Heat Index Reaches 108 Degrees in South Florida

The National Weather Service has issued consecutive heat advisories for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, warning residents about dangerous conditions and urging extra precautions for outdoor workers and vulnerable people.

South Florida Condominiums Face Higher Fees as Safety Rules Drive Repairs and Sales

Stricter structural inspection requirements introduced after the Surfside condominium collapse are forcing associations to raise monthly fees to fund concrete repairs, prompting some fixed-income owners to sell coastal properties.

Florida Students Return to School as Districts Address Teacher Shortages and New Standards

Public schools across Central and South Florida have opened for the 2026–27 academic year as districts manage teacher shortages, enhanced campus security measures and new state education standards.

Florida Public Universities See Record Applications as Out-of-State Interest Grows

The State University System of Florida is reporting unprecedented application volumes for the 2026–27 academic year, driven by affordable tuition and growing interest from students outside the state.

Brightline Reports Strong Summer Ridership Between Miami and Orlando

Brightline has recorded exceptionally high summer passenger volumes on its intercity rail service linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando, signaling continued demand for alternatives to road and air travel.

Florida Tourism Holds Up Through Summer as Orlando and Miami Report Strong Bookings

Theme parks, cruise operators and coastal resorts are reporting stronger-than-expected August demand, with domestic and international travel helping Florida’s hospitality industry absorb higher consumer costs.

Port of Jacksonville Accelerates Expansion to Handle Growing International Freight

The Port of Jacksonville is bringing forward infrastructure and dredging upgrades designed to accommodate larger post-Panamax vessels and expand Northeast Florida’s role in international shipping.

Florida Airports Face Minor Delays as Boeing Aircraft Inspections Continue

Federal Aviation Administration inspection requirements for certain Boeing aircraft have caused scattered delays at Miami International Airport and Orlando International Airport during the busy summer travel period.

Florida Municipalities Set Property Tax Rates as Elevated Home Values Boost Revenue

Cities and counties across Florida are finalizing property tax millage rates for the coming fiscal year as high assessed property values increase local revenues while homeowners push for tax relief.

Heritage Insurance Reports Strong Second-Quarter Profit as Florida Property Market Recovers

Tampa-based Heritage Insurance reported a 28.5 percent increase in second-quarter net income, reflecting improved profitability in Florida’s property insurance market following selective underwriting and recent legal reforms.

Florida Home Prices Reach $432,000 as Housing Inventory Returns to Healthier Levels

The statewide median price for a single-family home has reached $432,000, while available inventory has risen to about four and a half months of supply, easing the extreme shortages that followed the pandemic.

Citizens Property Insurance Plans 8.7% Average Rate Cut as Private Competition Expands

Florida’s state-backed property insurer of last resort is preparing an average premium reduction of 8.7 percent for 2026 as 20 new private insurance carriers enter the market and conditions stabilize.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $188 Million for Rural Healthcare Expansion

Governor Ron DeSantis has authorized nearly $188 million to modernize rural hospitals, expand mobile health services and increase telehealth access across 31 rural counties serving more than one million residents.

Florida Economic Growth Outpaces National Average as Business and Wealth Migration Continue

Florida continues to record strong economic and job growth as high-net-worth residents, financial firms and technology companies relocate to the state, reinforcing its position as a leading destination for domestic investment.

Marion County Woman Undergoes Arm Amputation After Surviving Alligator Attack

A Marion County family said a local woman underwent an arm amputation after surviving a severe alligator attack while swimming in the Silver River.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood Rescues Toddler Trapped Inside Ocoee Pool Area

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood intervened while off duty to climb a locked fence and rescue a distressed toddler trapped inside a fenced municipal pool area in Ocoee.

Central Florida Man Arrested After Hatchet and Machete Altercation at Grocery Parking Lot

A Central Florida man carrying a hatchet and machete was arrested after a violent altercation in a grocery store parking lot, according to local law enforcement reports.

Florida Partial Solar Eclipse Draws Public Interest and Safety Warnings

A partial solar eclipse visible across parts of Florida has attracted strong public interest, prompting science centers and astronomy groups to issue guidance on safe viewing.

South Florida Luxury Condo Sells for $19 Million at Surf Club in Surfside

A prominent aviation executive has completed a $19 million purchase of a luxury condominium at the Surf Club in Surfside, marking a notable South Florida residential transaction.

Key West Reports Strong Late-Summer Tourism Bookings

Key West tourism officials are reporting strong late-summer bookings, with regional visitors responding to boutique hotel promotions and coastal dining packages.

Orlando Considers Banning E-Bikes and E-Scooters From Pedestrian Sidewalks

Orlando city commissioners are considering restrictions that would prohibit electric bicycles and scooters from sidewalks following a rise in complaints about reckless riding.

Tallahassee Secures Transportation Grants for Bus Corridors and Electric Vehicle Charging

Tallahassee officials announced new state and federal transportation grants to modernize downtown bus corridors and expand municipal electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Hillsborough County Schools Begin 2026-27 Academic Year With Renovated Campuses

Hillsborough County Public Schools opened the 2026-27 school year with hundreds of thousands of students returning to renovated campuses under updated technology and device policies.

Pinellas County Schools and Teachers Union Reach Health Insurance Agreement

Pinellas County public schools and the local teachers union have reached a comprehensive health insurance agreement ahead of the district's return to school.

Naples Approves Multi-Million-Dollar Coastal Resilience and Dune Restoration Project

The Naples City Council approved a coastal resilience initiative focused on dune restoration and protection against long-term erosion and storm surges affecting beachfront properties.

Pensacola Port Upgrades Cargo Infrastructure as Gulf Shipping Volumes Rise

The Pensacola Port Authority has upgraded cargo-handling infrastructure and logistics systems to accommodate increasing shipping volumes moving through regional Gulf of Mexico trade routes.

Florida Migration Continues as Millennials and Generation X Favor Fort Myers and Sarasota

A U-Haul migration analysis shows Millennials and Generation X continuing to move to Florida in large numbers, with Fort Myers and Sarasota among the leading destinations for relocations.

Florida Officials Examine Financial Flows Linked to North Bay Village Sports Complex

Federal investigators are examining financial flows involving the Argentine soccer federation, raising local transparency questions surrounding a $24 million sports complex in North Bay Village.

Florida Wildlife Commission Sets Gulf Gag Grouper Season and Bag Limits

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has established recreational fishing dates and bag limits for Gulf gag grouper following updated assessments of the fish population.

Florida Study Finds Inland Hurricane Watch Maps Improve Geographic Awareness but Not Risk Perception

Florida State University researchers found that experimental National Hurricane Center maps showing inland watch zones improved people's understanding of affected areas but did not change how they perceived hurricane risk.

Courtney Clenney Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Miami Boyfriend's Killing

Courtney Clenney, a former OnlyFans model accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend at a luxury Miami condominium, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a six-year prison sentence.