Lake Wales officials are weighing roughly $10 million to renovate a police annex and build a new fire station as emergency calls rise. The work would be financed in part by potential debt issuance.

Local Democrats warn Florida's resign‑to‑run and vacancy rules could let the governor — not voters — pick a replacement for District 3 unless resignations happen before late‑May.

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.

Longwood commissioners will consider a plan that would more than double some water and wastewater charges over three years and add a CPI‑linked adjustment.

St. Cloud applied for about $171,000 in an FDLE grant to add Axon live-translation to patrol body cameras, pitching the tool as a way to shorten interpreter waits. City leaders say the feature could be used on traffic stops and emergency calls.

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.

Polk State’s search committee recommended Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as the sole finalist to be the college’s next president. Trustees will consider the pick June 3 and Kamoutsas will visit campus that day.

Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz has filed to run for mayor in 2027, pitching a neighborhood-focused platform on housing, safety and transit. The entry expands a field already featuring state Rep. Anna Eskamani.

Bill Posey, a fixture of Florida’s Space Coast politics, died May 9 at 78. The Rockledge native served in state government before 16 years in Congress.

A Key West couple filed a federal suit after city officials ordered them to repaint rainbow pickets used to protest crosswalk removals. The ACLU says the citations were viewpoint discrimination.

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.

A dozen Orlando protesters with Orlando 50501 confronted Byron Donalds outside a downtown campaign stop, criticizing his national backers and industry endorsements.

The City of Orlando sued to foreclose on a Lake Eola Heights house after more than $500K in code fines; owners say they live there and dispute the claims.