Candidate qualifying closed Feb. 17, locking municipal lineups in Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Saint Leo for the April 14 election. Voters should check registration and ID now.

Hillsborough County extends emergency burn ban due to dry conditions, with some exclusions like barbecuing and approved burns; over 39,626 acres burned by wildfires.

Hillsborough County hosts ShredFest 2026 for free document shredding and electronic disposal to prevent identity theft, on March 7 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee advanced bills to let booster money top up high-school coach pay, setting a statewide floor tied to hours worked and raising equity questions.

The Florida House voted to send a 2026 ballot question that could eliminate most non‑school property taxes on homesteads, setting up a fight over billions in local funding.

President Trump directed agencies to begin identifying and reviewing UAP/UFO and 'alien' records for public release. Archivists and defense officials say reviews will be slow and subject to security redactions.

An Orlando fact‑check debunks 39 common Florida voting myths and flags a large number of inactive registrations. Here’s a local guide to what actually matters on ballots, ballot photos and restored voting rights.

Hillsborough County seeks residents for advisory boards; applications due March 11, 2026. Volunteers must be local voters and can serve on one board, with roles unpaid and possibly requiring background checks.

Hillsborough County is inviting residents to apply for citizen advisory board positions to influence local governance; application details are on their website with a March 11 deadline.

Hillsborough County's Small Contractor Development Program assists small businesses in securing government contracts and expanding into private sectors by providing workshops on financial, managerial, and strategic skills.

A sweeping AI 'Bill of Rights' moved through a Florida Senate committee Wednesday, adding parental opt‑outs and tighter rules for chatbots and school AI tools.

Charlotte County's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on February 24 to discuss housing issues, inviting community input.

My Safe Florida Home grants remain active, but eligibility, condo pilot glitches and funding limits mean not everyone will see a $10,000 check. Here’s what homeowners should know and do next.