A GOP-backed House bill that would block a federal heat‑safety rule cleared a key committee vote this week; several Florida Republicans signed on.

State wildlife officers pulled DMV records on critics, raising privacy and legal questions about how the FWC monitors opponents.

The State Board approved a uniform weighted GPA for honors and accelerated courses and a uniform core curriculum for teacher-prep programs, with staggered deadlines through 2027.

UCF joined a statewide decision to raise out‑of‑state fees 15%, increasing costs for non‑Florida students and adding roughly $9.8M to UCF’s budget for faculty and instruction.

Emily Duda Buckley and Marcus Hyatt are headed to an Aug. 18 GOP primary for the open House District 38 seat in Seminole County. Buckley holds a fundraising edge and business PAC backing; Hyatt emphasizes law‑and‑order credentials.

Local supervisors say public equipment tests, signature checks and audits will protect the 2026 vote across Tampa Bay and Florida.

A federal judge allowed the Orlando Torah Center’s religious-discrimination suit to proceed after Orange County denied an expansion at 8613 Banyan Blvd.; the case moves to discovery.

City Manager Keith Touchberry says a roughly $4 million FY2026–27 gap has drained reserves and prompted a Brevard County Sheriff review of the city’s finances. Officials will discuss fixes at this week’s council workshops and an auditor selection meeting.

Union leaders say OCPS insurance changes could erase modest raises and push family coverage costs sharply higher ahead of a July 22 deadline.

Titusville's City Council voted to draft an ordinance banning data centers, citing strain on utilities and concerns about neighborhood impacts.

A WKMG video said Edgewater would vote to ban A.I. data centers — the city's July 20 agenda shows no ordinance. We checked the official packet and state law that shapes local options.

Polk County staff presented a $3.91 billion FY 2026–27 proposal that holds the millage rate and lists a $764.3M general fund and a $297.3M sheriff’s request.

Palm Bay’s council set a tentative 6.6‑mill rate while warning a November amendment could cut about $46M from city property‑tax revenue.