The National Hurricane Center announced a redesigned tropical cyclone forecast cone for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, incorporating inland watches and warnings to help communities better assess risks from tropical storms and hurricanes. The updated operational cone graphic will, for the first time, display both coastal and inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings…
Officials at The Avon Park Main Street have announced they’ve kicked off a community fundraising campaign to bring a vibrant new mural to downtown, celebrating the city’s citrus heritage amid challenges facing the industry. The organization has unveiled the official rendering of the “Orange You Glad You Stopped Here” mural, designed to be fun, playful…
A bipartisan push to replace Florida’s nearly century-old state bird with the vibrant American flamingo stalled for the second straight year in the Legislature, as companion legislation in the Senate failed to advance beyond an initial committee. The House passed HB 11 on Feb. 11, 2026, by a resounding 112-1 vote, designating the American flamingo…
Florida’s economy, which climbed to $1.85 trillion in the third quarter of 2025 and led the nation in growth, and will continue expanding through 2035 but at a markedly slower pace than in recent years. That, according to Florida TaxWatch’s latest long-term forecast released last week. The Q4 2025 economic outlook, produced in partnership with…
The Florida Department of Education has established a dedicated complaint process for parents, students and others to report alleged violations of religious expression rights in public schools, including suppression of voluntary prayer, following updated federal guidance issued last month. In a letter dated March 17, 2026, and distributed to parents, Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas…
Miami officials say crowds along Ocean Drive remained strikingly thin over the second peak weekend of spring break 2026, as Miami Beach’s multi-year enforcement strategy of heavy police presence, street barricades, and steep parking fees continued to deter large gatherings of college students and partygoers. As the weekend kicked off this past Saturday, visitors strolling…
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd forcefully rebutted media reports claiming he and other Florida sheriffs are opposing mass deportation efforts, holding up printed signs during a Tuesday news conference to directly challenge headlines alleging a “rebellion” against policies advanced by President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Judd, who chairs the State Immigration Enforcement Council,…
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced a Florida civil investigation into Discord, alleging the popular messaging and voice chat platform has become a primary conduit for online sexual predators targeting children, with many state criminal cases tracing back to the app. Speaking at a news conference at the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office alongside Sheriff…
As questions arise about the levels of “sunshine” in Tallahassee, the Florida Legislature has approved House Bill 1329, a transparency measure championed by Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, requiring cities and counties to post detailed budgets, employee salaries, and related financial information online in standardized, easily accessible formats for public review. The bill, sponsored by…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that the state will construct a new fishing pier on the Manatee County side of the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge and undertake major renovations to the existing pier on the Pinellas County side, following structural damage from Hurricane Milton in 2024. Speaking at a news conference at Pier…