A new EPI/LaborLab analysis and federal filings show employers spent roughly $1.7B on union‑avoidance last year — and Central Florida consultants collected millions. The filings expose who’s being paid to fight organizing drives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened "one way or the other" as ceasefire talks and U.S. strikes continue.

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.

Sen. Rick Scott reintroduced the Chinese CBDC Prohibition Act, aiming to bar China’s digital yuan from payment apps and send the measure to the Senate Banking Committee.

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.

After months of rancor, the Juvenile Welfare Board voted Thursday to cancel a confirming vote and relaunch its CEO search amid legal threats and governance reviews.

Rep. Greg Steube introduced two bills to force hospitals to report resident citizenship and to bar Medicare from funding training for non‑U.S. citizens. The measures would tie federal GME dollars to new reporting and penalties.

Text messages allege a Hillsborough deputy offered services for free golf and referenced a shared DAVID database search, prompting an ethics complaint.

Hillsborough County’s emergency management director was put on leave months ago and the county won’t say why. An interim director is running the office as hurricane season nears.

The Education Department approved Ed‑Flex waivers for Florida and Illinois on May 13, 2026, allowing more state and local control over federal K‑12 dollars.

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.

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.