Florida State

Democrat David Jolly visited Sarasota, where he spoke of a coming 'public education renaissance' and made funding and support for public schools a central theme of his message. The remarks position education as a defining issue for him as he courts voters, in a state where school policy and curriculum fights have been especially contentious.

Shumaker Advisors is organizing a forum in the Florida Panhandle focused on Amendment 3, the property tax measure on the state's ballot. The event is expected to bring together local officials, business figures and residents to debate how the amendment would affect homeowners, local government budgets and public services in the region ahead of the vote.

A record dengue outbreak in Florida is drawing renewed attention to warnings made a quarter century ago in the first US National Climate Assessment, which projected that warming temperatures would expand mosquito habitat and raise dengue risk in the United States. Climate scientist Peter Gleick and others are pointing out that coverage of the outbreak omits any mention of climate change, calling out a gap between the evidence and the public narrative.

Florida officials are exploring a plan to eliminate property taxes and make up the lost revenue partly by charging fees to Canadian visitors, according to CBC reporting. The idea, promoted amid broader tax-cut debates in the state, would shift costs toward out-of-province snowbirds and tourists. Critics question whether visitors can realistically shoulder a tax burden currently paid by Florida homeowners.

Florida readers are weighing in on whether race will play a role in the state's governor election, with the question prompting responses across multiple outlets including the Miami Herald, Florida Today and the Bradenton Herald. The discussion reflects ongoing debate about identity and voter attitudes ahead of the vote.

A Florida biologist has been filmed throwing a 15-foot invasive Burmese python into an alligator enclosure. Burmese pythons are a major invasive species in the Florida Everglades, where the state runs removal programs to protect native wildlife. The dramatic way the snake was disposed of is drawing attention online.

Florida is experiencing what reports describe as the largest dengue outbreak the United States has seen in decades. Health officials have been tracking locally acquired cases of the mosquito-borne virus in the state. The outbreak has drawn national coverage and raised concerns about mosquito-borne diseases spreading further in the US as conditions become more favorable for the insects.

A new map details which US states have seen increases in dengue fever cases following an outbreak in Florida. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness, has been expanding its footprint in the United States, and health officials are tracking where locally acquired and travel-related cases are climbing. The outbreak has prompted renewed attention on mosquito control and the growing risk of tropical diseases spreading to new regions of the country.

A developer is planning a project on Ocean Drive under Florida's Live Local Act, the state law that encourages affordable and workforce housing by offering zoning and tax incentives. Details of the proposal, including its size and unit count, have not been disclosed. The plan is drawing attention because Ocean Drive is a high-profile strip where new development often sparks debate over density, character and affordability.

Florida is experiencing the largest dengue fever outbreak in the continental United States in decades, health officials say. The mosquito-borne illness, more common in tropical regions, has been spreading locally in the state, raising concern about how warming temperatures and travel may be expanding the range of the disease in North America.

The Florida Department of Health has withdrawn its plan to broaden vaccine exemptions, backing away from a proposal that would have made it easier for families to skip school immunization requirements. The reversal comes after the state had signalled support for expanding exemptions, a move closely watched amid ongoing national debate over childhood vaccination mandates.

Florida has recorded 252 locally transmitted dengue cases, the highest count for any US state in decades, with Polk County becoming the seventh county affected. Health officials are monitoring mosquito-borne transmission across the state, and the outbreak is drawing attention to the resurgence of a disease rarely acquired domestically in the United States.

Florida is experiencing the largest dengue outbreak in the continental United States in decades, according to the Los Angeles Times. Health officials are monitoring locally transmitted cases of the mosquito-borne virus, which is more common in tropical regions. The outbreak has raised concerns about how warming temperatures are expanding the range of disease-carrying mosquitoes into the US.

Florida Politics has published its weekly 'Winner and Loser' roundup, assessing which figures in Florida politics came out ahead and who fared badly during the week of September 27. The recurring feature highlights standout performances and setbacks among the state's politicians, giving readers a quick read on the week's political dynamics in Tallahassee and beyond.

Florida is exploring a plan to abolish property taxes, with officials floating the idea of making up lost revenue by charging out-of-state and foreign property owners, including Canadians who own homes in the state. Canadians are among the largest groups of foreign residential owners in Florida, and the proposal would hit so-called snowbirds who spend winters there. The idea is still at a discussion stage and it remains unclear how such a levy would be structured or enacted.

The UTRGV men's golf team is traveling to Florida to compete in the West Bay Collegiate tournament. The event marks another stop in the Vaqueros' fall schedule as they face a collegiate field in the Sunshine State.

A leader of Florida's state university system has warned that competition is intensifying as private institutions look to expand into the state. The comments highlight concerns that private schools could draw students, faculty, and funding away from public universities. The remarks were reported by The Business Journals, drawing attention in higher education and business circles.

Florida congressman Byron Donalds is promoting the state's economic record while laying out an affordability agenda in his campaign for governor. He argues Florida's growth and job creation under Republican leadership stand in contrast to affordability struggles elsewhere, positioning the economy as a central theme of his bid to succeed term-limited Ron DeSantis.

Ohio Senator JD Vance has told Florida State Representative Angie Nixon to leave, according to a statement circulating online. Details about where the exchange happened and what prompted it are not yet confirmed. Nixon is a Democratic lawmaker from Jacksonville known for progressive positions, while Vance is the Republican vice-presidential figure and senator.

Florida voters are weighing whether to abolish residential property taxes, and Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed making up the potential revenue loss by imposing higher taxes on Canadians who own property in the state. Canadian snowbirds and media are closely watching the proposal, warning it could make Florida homes far more expensive for Canadian owners and strain cross-border ties.

Appalachian State's men's golf team continues its fall schedule with competition in Florida. The Mountaineers are mid-way through their autumn season as the programme keeps building momentum under its current roster. Details of the venue and field were not included in the announcement, but the trip marks the next stop in a busy fall stretch for the team.