FLORIDA NEWS
Death penalty opponents defend Orange County murderer
Read full article: Death penalty opponents defend Orange County murdererOpponents of the death penalty and friends of Dusty Ray Spencer argued Thursday against his pending execution by lethal injection next week for murdering his wife 34 years ago in Orange County.
That’s not an alligator — but it’s slowly invaded Florida, experts say
Read full article: That’s not an alligator — but it’s slowly invaded Florida, experts sayFlorida is well known for its record-holding alligators, but there’s another scaly predator that has quietly expanded into the state, according to experts.
‘What a farce:’ DeSantis blasts Florida Republican Party over debate controversy
Read full article: ‘What a farce:’ DeSantis blasts Florida Republican Party over debate controversyGov. Ron DeSantis has criticized the Republican Party of Florida after the group reportedly announced it would not be holding a gubernatorial debate at its “Sunshine State Showdown” event this month.
DeSantis signs Jason Raynor Act, mandating life in prison for killing a Florida law enforcement officer
Read full article: DeSantis signs Jason Raynor Act, mandating life in prison for killing a Florida law enforcement officerGov. Ron DeSantis signed the Jason Raynor Act into law Tuesday in Winter Haven, sending a direct message to anyone who attacks a police officer in Florida: the consequences are now permanent.
Florida lawsuit accuses TikTok of ‘openly defying’ state law regarding minors
Read full article: Florida lawsuit accuses TikTok of ‘openly defying’ state law regarding minorsFlorida’s attorney general is accusing social media platform TikTok of breaking the state’s social media laws, letting kids younger than 14 keep their accounts and deceiving parents about the platform’s risks in a new lawsuit.
Qualifying ends in Florida: Maxwell Frost reelected, others face crowded primaries
Read full article: Qualifying ends in Florida: Maxwell Frost reelected, others face crowded primariesCandidate qualifying ended in Florida on Friday, and it appears one incumbent will face only a write-in candidate: Orlando Rep. Maxwell Frost. Every other Central Florida incumbent has drawn a challenger in either the Aug. 18 statewide primary or the Nov. 3 general election.
Flesh-eating parasite drives state of emergency in Florida
Read full article: Flesh-eating parasite drives state of emergency in FloridaGov. DeSantis has extended a state of emergency after the screwworm was detected in the U.S. last week. Meanwhile, Florida's agricultural leader has imposed emergency rules to ward off the threat.
Can you get a DUI on a bicycle? Here’s what Florida law says
Read full article: Can you get a DUI on a bicycle? Here’s what Florida law saysIt’s common knowledge by now that consuming alcohol and driving is not only against the law — it’s also incredibly dangerous. But what many might not know is that it doesn't just stop at cars.
Florida property tax amendment draws lawsuit
Read full article: Florida property tax amendment draws lawsuitTwo former local elected officials and a nonprofit group filed suit Thursday in Leon County Circuit Court against the property tax cut amendment placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, alleging it is misleading.
Florida immigration arrests have quietly surged, with state and local agencies at the forefront
Read full article: Florida immigration arrests have quietly surged, with state and local agencies at the forefrontTrump’s immigration crackdown has met with fierce resistance in Democratic-led sanctuary cities, where police are forbidden from assisting and many locals view the masked federal agents as an invading force.
Florida Gov. DeSantis, cabinet green light $90M for immigration enforcement
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis, cabinet green light $90M for immigration enforcementGov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved $90 million in grants for local law enforcement agencies for items related to enforcement of illegal immigration.
Here’s what was cut from Florida Gov. DeSantis’ property tax proposal
Read full article: Here’s what was cut from Florida Gov. DeSantis’ property tax proposalAfter state lawmakers approved a tweaked version of a new property tax amendment last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took to social media to highlight the differences between his plan and theirs.
Florida USAA auto members may see rate drops this month. Here’s when
Read full article: Florida USAA auto members may see rate drops this month. Here’s whenUSAA says it's giving Florida members a big round of financial relief — and the company points to some recent Florida laws as one reason the market is improving.
Here’s when John Morgan’s new Florida political party will finally be revealed
Read full article: Here’s when John Morgan’s new Florida political party will finally be revealedA $100,000 contest to name John Morgan’s new third party here in Florida is officially wrapping up, though the reveal date is expected to come later this month.
Health issues shut down these 7 Central Florida eateries last week
Read full article: Health issues shut down these 7 Central Florida eateries last weekDuring the final week of May, another seven eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.
Millions of bioengineered mosquitoes may soon be released into Florida. Here’s why
Read full article: Millions of bioengineered mosquitoes may soon be released into Florida. Here’s whyTech giant Google is seeking government approval to release 32 million mosquitoes into Florida, according to CBS News.
Florida has rejected all of these obscene vanity plates. Here’s the full list
Read full article: Florida has rejected all of these obscene vanity plates. Here’s the full listLast year, over 100 license plate configurations were rejected by the state for obscenity, according to a new list obtained by News 6.
Woman throws violent tantrum at Disney resort, Central Florida deputies say
Read full article: Woman throws violent tantrum at Disney resort, Central Florida deputies sayA Massachusetts woman was taken into custody after she got into a spat with an employee at a Disney restaurant last month, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Florida executes man convicted of killing girlfriend’s baby
Read full article: Florida executes man convicted of killing girlfriend’s babyAndrew Richard Lukehart was put to death Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison in Starke for the killing of his girlfriend’s five-month-old daughter in Jacksonville 30 years ago.
Florida budget considers AI for SNAP eligibility
Read full article: Florida budget considers AI for SNAP eligibilityA provision tucked into the state budget would direct the Department of Children and Families to competitively procure a vendor capable of using machine learning to analyze Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, eligibility determinations.