State

Florida black bear. Submitted photo

North Florida lawmaker backs holding bear hunt

News Staff

Friday, September 29, 2023

A North Florida lawmaker is calling for the state to hold a bear hunt after a county sheriff raised the issue as a way to help manage the area’s bear population. Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, supported a hunt Wednesday, a day before Franklin County Sheriff A.J.

Hurricane Idalia snapped trees in Taylor County. Photo by Mike Exline/News Service of Florida

Idalia agriculture losses pile up

News Staff

Friday, September 29, 2023

In the second preliminary report on agricultural damage from Hurricane Idalia, state officials on Wednesday estimated the Aug. 30 storm caused up to $447 million in losses for the industry.

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaks in 2021 after being named to his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. File photo

State takes aim at new COVID booster

News Staff

Friday, September 15, 2023

Continuing a long-running clash with federal health officials, Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration on Wednesday recommended that people under age 65 not receive newly approved COVID-19 booster shots.

Real estate group concerned about land law

News Staff

Thursday, September 7, 2023

A national group of real-estate executives this week expressed concern about a new law that restricts people from China from owning property in Florida, urging steps to make sure it “does not deter investment into real estate in the state or undermine the economic benefits of this important...

Taylor County sustained flooding and other widespread damage in Hurricane Idalia. Photo by Mike Exline/News Service of Florida

States say flood insurance fight should continue

News Staff

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Florida and other states are trying to fend off an attempt by the Biden administration to end a lawsuit challenging changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners.

Moms for Liberty leader named to ethics panel

News Staff

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed a co-founder of the group Moms for Liberty and a South Florida-based attorney to seats on the Florida Commission on Ethics, replacing the board’s former chairman and a member whose term expired.

Insurers OK’d to Take Citizens Policies

News Staff

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

As efforts continued to sort out damage from Hurricane Idalia, regulators on Friday approved proposals by four private insurers to pull as many as 130,000 policies from the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

A gas station in Perry sustained damage in Hurricane Idalia. Mike Exline/For News Service of Florida

DeSantis, FEMA Chief assess Idalia damage

News Staff

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell planned Thursday to “see first-hand” damage from powerful Hurricane Idalia, a day after the storm barreled through North Florida.

Example of a fanny pack. Submitted photo

Fanny pack search ruled unconstitutional

News Staff

Thursday, August 31, 2023

A state appeals court said Thursday that Orange County sheriff’s deputies making an arrest needed a warrant before searching a fanny pack that contained a gun.

Hurricane Idalia snapped off trees in Taylor County. Photo by Mike Exline/For the News Service of Florida

Biden approves disaster declaration

News Staff

Thursday, August 31, 2023

President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a federal disaster declaration to help state and local recovery efforts after the Category 3 Hurricane Idalia slammed into North Florida’s Big Bend region and caused widespread damage.