DeSantis ordered state offices closed July 2 and July 6, stretching Independence Day into a five‑day holiday for nearly 100,000 state workers as part of America 250.

Mayor Jerry Demings has reassembled a citizen panel to weigh how Orange County spends a surge in tourist-tax revenue. The task force begins meetings July 21.

Depositions and a local podcast reveal how the DeSantis‑Disney feud paused Walt Disney World expansions and revived last‑minute Reedy Creek deals that reshaped development plans.

A coalition of Central Florida newsrooms and press advocates say OCPS’ media rules chill staff speech and slow reporting. They’ve sent a June 8 open letter asking the district to revise how employees talk to the press.

Attorney General James Uthmeier told school boards they must accommodate off‑campus religious "release time," while funding and transport remain the responsibility of families and providers.

Byron Donalds, Paul Renner and James Fishback formally filed and paid to qualify for Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary, keeping the GOP field intact ahead of the August primary.

Gov. DeSantis and the state board approved more than $87M to reimburse 56 agencies for radios, AI‑connected cameras and items like tasers and e‑bikes tied to immigration enforcement.

USAA will return nearly $1 billion to Florida auto members through rate cuts and a $500 million dividend, with payments beginning in mid‑June.

David Jolly plans to tap former Rep. Gwen Graham as his lieutenant governor pick, Axios reports. The pairing would pair Jolly’s moderate appeal with Graham’s statewide name recognition.

A state-funded pilot in Altamonte Springs converts biosolids into fuel while cutting PFAS levels, officials say.

Florida’s attorney general says his office will settle a federal challenge to the three‑day firearm waiting period, pushing the question to a federal judge. The move could remove the delay that keeps buyers from taking possession even after a cleared background check.

Port Canaveral is studying a waterside basin to give rocket recovery ships their own space and ease mounting conflicts with cruise and cargo traffic.

After a state attorney general warning and pushback from local police, the Tradition Community Association agreed to stop enforcing a common‑area firearms ban. The AG’s office says it will work to make the change permanent.