DHS told the Tampa Bay Times the proposed Panama City "Panhandle Pokey" is no longer being proposed. The reversal clouds Florida's detention expansion plans.

Hippo-linked Wingsail won Florida approval to write homeowners policies and will use AI-assisted underwriting and claims tools as regulators welcome new entrants. The move adds capacity to a market rebuilding after major reforms.

Visit Florida says it’s “in line” to receive $80 million in draft budgets as lawmakers meet in a Tallahassee special session; agency points to rising visitation and big economic impact.

Duval County Public Schools has pulled dozens of titles during a state-mandated review; PEN America and local reporters say the process lacks transparency. The district also faces roughly 10 formal challenges.

David Jolly added national strategist Joe Trippi and two Florida advisers as his campaign widens its operation; polls show him ahead but fundraising lags. The new hires aim to turn momentum into a primary win on Aug. 18.

UF's search advisory committee unanimously named Stuart R. Bell, the former University of Alabama president, as the sole finalist; trustees and the state Board of Governors must now confirm the pick.

Putnam trustees say the county tax collector’s commissions on a $300M school bond are eating into construction funds; the board has ordered a legal review.

Rep. Angie Nixon was arrested after a five-hour sit-in outside Gov. Ron DeSantis' office at the Florida Capitol as she pressed the governor's staff on rising costs. Two protesters with her were also arrested and officials had not released charges by evening.

A federal judge struck false testimony and ordered fees after finding an FWC supervisor had exaggerated complaints used to justify firing a biologist over a social‑media repost.

The USS Cooperstown left Naval Station Mayport Monday as families watched; the Navy hasn’t disclosed the ship’s destination amid heightened Middle East tensions.

Duval County added a Sunday of early voting ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, expanding in‑person hours to help more voters cast ballots. The county’s calendar now shows early voting Aug. 7–16 with vote‑by‑mail deadlines listed on the supervisor’s site.

An industry executive told the Tampa Bay Business Journal the state’s $9.6B catastrophe fund needs recalibration as trustees prepare to weigh new 2026 rates.

Florida’s teachers union has sued the state, arguing universal vouchers and charter funding have siphoned billions from neighborhood public schools and violated the state constitution.