Florida News Archive

After rejecting a series of Democratic amendments, the Florida House on Tuesday prepared to pass a bill that could be a first step toward the state regulating worker safety and moving away from oversight by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

U.S. travelers to Florida during the third quarter of this year easily exceeded numbers from the same period in 2020, as COVID-19 vaccinations were widely available and cruise ships were back on the seas.

Florida lawmakers Monday began moving forward with bills that could be a first step in the state regulating worker safety and shedding involvement of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

First came Hurricane Michael. Then Sally. Then Zeta. And for customers of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Power, the barrage of storms during the past few years could mean they will pay extra on their bills through 2024 to cover costs of restoring electricity.

The number of Florida hospital patients with COVID-19 remains relatively low, while the number of residents who have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic is nearing 61,000, according to new federal and state data.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday rolled out parts of his proposed education budget for next fiscal year, touting the recommendations as “wins for families, students and for teachers.”

Florida’s first-time unemployment claims continue to roll in near pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, with the U.S. Department of Labor estimating Wednesday that 5,818 claims were filed last week in the state.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced the distribution of $481 million to 100 water-related projects across the state as part of grant programs administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

A political committee backing a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana use raised $307,522 in October, with $250,000 coming from the medical-marijuana company Trulieve, according to a newly filed finance report.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Tuesday touted as “a big deal” billions of dollars headed to Florida for roads, bridges, airports and expanding broadband service in rural areas as part of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill on President Joe Biden’s desk.