Calendar
Work With Counties
News Clips
Subscribe
Studio 67FAC News Clips – May 7, 2025
COUNTY
Your Observer
Sarasota commissioners OK a range of dredging plans, spending
The first of what could be a succession of dredging projects in Phillippi Creek will likely begin this summer, but county commissioners on Tuesday urged their constituents and county officials to reach out to federal authorities — namely U.S. Rep. Greg Steube — for help to move things along.
My News 13
Orange County considers implementing a stormwater fee
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County leaders are considering ways to raise funds for new stormwater projects.
First Coast News
E-bike safety debated during St. Johns County commissioner meeting
St. Johns County commissioners discussed whether there is a need for a new e-bike ordinance, since helmet and speed laws are already in effect.
HURRICANE SEASON
ABC 27
Commissioner Rick Minor explains concerns about potential cuts to FEMA, NWS
The District 3 Commissioner Rick Minor mentions the potential loss of federal reimbursement and concerns about the accuracy of weather forecasts.
ABC Action News
Trump declares Hurricane Preparedness Week ahead of start to hurricane season
This comes as Trump has made deep staffing cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service.
LEGISLATION
WDBO
Statewide fluoride ban receives backing from Governor Ron DeSantis
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For months, Gov. Ron DeSantis has participated in a nationwide discussion and now states he will sign the bill to implement a statewide fluoride ban in Florida’s water supply.
Florida Politics
Lawmakers’ addresses could soon be exempted from public records, if Gov. DeSantis signs off
Many privacy measures were introduced this Session, but only a small portion will make it to the Governor.
FAC News Clips – May 6, 2025
COUNTY
Fox 13
Pinellas leaders to weigh plan for $813M in hurricane relief funds
- PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pinellas County commissioners are expected to talk Tuesday about a plan to spend more than $800 million in federal hurricane relief funds.
News 4 Jax
- JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County officials are expected to discuss a proposed e-bike ordinance during a county commission meeting Tuesday morning.
Flagler Live
Sales Tax Proposal to Protect Beaches Takes Another Lashing
Flagler County’s $114 million beach management plan is looking like a sand castle on the county’s critically eroded shore, and the water is rising.
DOGE
Florida Politics
Jax City Council committee wants Gov. DeSantis’ DOGE team to probe books
Tallahassee will get the locals’ blessing. But not everyone’s on board.
HURRICANE SEASON
WCTV
2025 Hurricane Preparedness Week is here
The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1 and runs until November 30
Florida Politics
3 hurricanes that struck Florida in 2024 caused a combined $138B in damage in the state.
LEGISLATION
WUWF
Lawmakers are wary of Florida’s increasingly busy hurricane seasons
After three hurricanes hit the state in 2024, Florida lawmakers Friday gave final approval to a bill that would make changes involving issues such as debris removal and rebuilding storm-damaged homes.
Orlando Sentinel
Florida Legislature exempts Wekiva Study Area from Live Local Act
The vote returns autonomy to local governments to decide whether apartments can be built on environmentally sensitive land
Florida Politics
Medicaid expansion group sues to block new law targeting citizen-led amendment petitions
‘We are fighting back with this lawsuit. We are challenging this law because we believe in democracy.’
FAC News Clips – May 5, 2025
COUNTY
Tallahassee Democrat
Florida drought. See list driest counties, rain forecast, burn bans
More than 16 million people in Florida, 82% of the state, are suffering from drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme, according to NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System.
CNW
Miami-Dade and Broward Counties among top US for population growth
South Florida continues to thrive as a hub for migration, with Miami-Dade and Broward counties leading the pack in population growth across the United States.
Your Observer
Manatee County government looks at moving east
As the population center of Manatee County shifts east, services and employees are looking to follow.
HURRICANE SEASON
CBS 12
Hurricane preparedness week: Plan & prepare before the season
It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week here on CBS 12 News.
LEGISLATION
News-Press
‘Strangest session’: Infighting forces Florida Legislature into OT
‘It’s a strange session. Probably the strangest one I’ve been involved in,’ Sen. Blaise Ingoglia said.
WLRN
Miami tourism leader says the ‘math just isn’t there’ about House tax proposal effects
Florida’s 60-day legislative session may have technically come to a close, but lawmakers still have a major topic to hash out: the budget.
WLRN
DeSantis quickly signs bill making constitutional amendments harder to achieve
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill making it more difficult for citizens to change the state constitution.
Miami Herald
Key legislation the Florida Legislature didn’t pass in 2025
Florida‘s lawmakers ended their regularly scheduled session Friday without completing their one required duty — passing a budget.
FAC News Clips – May 2, 2025
COUNTY
Ocala News
Half of the horses competing in the 2025 Kentucky Derby have ties to Marion County
At least half of the horses competing in the 2025 Kentucky Derby have ties to Marion County, including all three of the horses favored to win.
WFSU
Leon, Tallahassee officials say hands are tied with local ICE agreements
Leon County and Tallahassee elected officials don’t like the state’s requirement that forces them to enter into agreements between their local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration enforcement, but they say their hands are tied.
WPTV
‘A second eye’: County rolls out live video chat to improve emergency response
Citizen Input provides first responders a clear picture of emergency scene before they arrive
Florida Politics
Hillsborough Tax Collector’s Office lands Sterling Award for ‘superior management’
‘Our team has transformed the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office into a role model for government organizations.’
LEGISLATION
WPTV
‘SEINFELD SESSION’? Lawmakers struggle to pass budget as session nears end
On Thursday, leadership in both chambers announced lawmakers would work through Friday and then break for at least a week
Click Orlando
Central Florida doctor discusses potential fluoride issues amid new state bill
If passed, SB 700 will take effect on July 1
Florida Politics
Daniel Perez names members of property tax relief committee
Leading the committee will be Republican Reps. Vicki Lopez and Toby Overdorf.
Florida Politics
Zoning bill ready for Governor’s desk after impact fee haggling between Senate and House
Democrats raised concerns about how the constant changes in rules impact local governments.
Florida Politics
Health care portions of Rural Renaissance clear Legislature, but will other key provisions stall?
The House split legislation intended to help rural Florida into 3 bills, but only 1 has passed in both chambers.
Florida Politics
Legislature passes Live Local Act update with some added protections for historic buildings
Lawmakers worked with Miami Beach to fine-tune the bill’s language, but there are still issues, a local official said.
FAC News Clips – April 30, 2025
COUNTY
TC Palm
Scrutiny, changing priorities also may put Brightline station at risk
STUART — Shifting priorities for federal transportation grants, and closer scrutiny of those grants, like the one Martin County is trying to get to help build a Brightline station in Stuart, is making it questionable whether such a station will be built at all.
Miami Today News
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava calls fluoride ‘essential’ to health
Fluoride in Miami-Dade’s drinking water is a major political contention, as it is statewide.
TDT
Tallahassee Democrat
Eliminating local tourism promotion Is economic sabotage | Opinion
The Florida House of Representatives is advancing two bills – HB 1221 and HB 7033 – that, if passed, would eliminate local tourism promotion.
WJHG
Walton County TDC says tourist tax bills could be catastrophic to the area
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Last week, the Florida House of Representatives passed two bills that could force 75% of collected Tourist Development Tax revenue to be used as property tax credit — eliminating funding for tourism promotion, marketing, beach restoration, and more.
LEGISLATION
WBPF
Florida lawmakers tackle school start times, property taxes and more
As the Florida legislative session approaches its conclusion this Friday, lawmakers have made pivotal decisions on school start times, property taxes and the removal of fluoride from all waterways.
Click Orlando
Florida lawmakers unite to slash property taxes. Here are the 5 big proposals
Policies could require approval from Florida voters during 2026 general election
Tampa Free Press
Florida Legislature Passes Historic Farm Bill, Championed By Commissioner Simpson
In a move applauded by agricultural leaders across the state, the Florida Legislature today passed the Florida Farm Bill (SB 700), hailed as the most comprehensive agriculture-focused legislation in Florida’s history.
Florida Politics
Legislature blocks local governments from interfering with Donald Trump Presidential Library
“‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie … and President Trump’s library should be located here in the state of Florida.”
Florida Politics
House sends amended Live Local Act update back to Senate without city-sought safeguards
Miami Beach officials say the bill will allow developers to raze and rebuild over the city’s historic neighborhoods.
Florida Politics
Hurricane resilience pilot program bill ready for Governor
‘This is an important program.’
FAC News Clips – April 29, 2025
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Dock rule shake-up in manatee waters under review
A proposed amendment that could affect dock construction in Citrus County’s manatee habitats is temporarily on hold while state and federal agencies review it.
WCTV
River revamp: Wakulla County secures $152K to fix broken markers and keep boaters safe
WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – A well-traveled stretch of the Ochlockonee River Channel is getting a potentially life-saving safety upgrade.
Panama City News Herald
Florida burn bans, wildfires drought worsens. See rain chances, forecast
It’s time to get a little excited, but knowing Florida weather like we do, don’t get too excited.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County Commission moves towards increasing affordable housing
Coinciding with the release of a devastating new report on the area’s affordable housing crisis, the Sarasota County Commission appears poised to embrace some of its most aggressive policies on the issue in decades.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Daniel Perez announces select committee on property taxes, with eye toward action in 2026
The goal is to have a product ready early in 2026.
News 4 Jax
Florida House approves bill to shift ‘bed tax’ money from tourism marketing to property tax relief
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida counties may soon see a major shift in how they spend tourism dollars.
Florida Phoenix
Future of 2025 Session is murky as Senate awaits House response to latest budget offer
It’s still “Let’s Make A Deal” time at the Florida Legislature, which means questions about what Floridians can expect out of this year’s session remain unanswered.
St. Augustine Record
Bill to eliminate tourism councils raises alarm in St. Johns County
Earlier this month, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida had reached a milestone in the state’s tourism industry to secure “an all-time record 15.5% share of the domestic vacation market in 2024.
Florida Politics
Zoning bill clears Senate floor, but without language threatening rural boundaries
The final version adopted language on rural enclaves that sponsor Stan McClain resisted last week.