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Nesta proposes Apopka government restructuring; former campaign manager expresses interest in chief of staff role

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is over 60 years old in its modern form. It was established by the Food Stamp Act of 1964.
Florida faces $1.18 billion tab as Farm Bill shifts SNAP costs to state
A new Farm Bill proposal before Congress would shift more than $1 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program costs to Florida. Anti-hunger advocates warn the change could increase administrative burdens and lead to more families losing access to food assistance. more
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Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of measles outbreaks, according to the CDC.
CDC: Florida has 107 confirmed measles cases
Florida now ranks third in the nation for confirmed measles cases, according to newly updated data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rise in cases comes as state vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold considered necessary for herd immunity. more
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A bill aimed at making Port St. Joe’s port more accommodating to big cargo ships faces a big backlash from Gulf County residents, but legislators ignored their complaints.
Florida lawmaker pushes port change despite what people want
A proposal to expand the Port St. Joe Port Authority and dredge St. Joseph Bay has ignited backlash from Gulf County residents concerned about environmental risks and local control. Critics warn that disturbing decades-old paper mill pollution could carry serious health and economic consequences. more
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Disney World.
Tourism hits record high in Florida
Florida attracted a record 143.3 million visitors in 2025, marking its highest annual tourism total ever. While domestic travel remained strong, visits from Canada declined compared to the previous year. more
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Thousands of HIV/AIDS patients in Florida could soon lose access to lifesaving medications.
Proposed Florida health department cuts could jeopardize HIV treatment for 31,000 residents
More than 128,000 Floridians are living with HIV, and 31,000 rely on the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program to afford lifesaving treatment. Proposed funding cuts could remove support for roughly 16,000 patients, potentially worsening health outcomes and increasing transmission rates statewide. more
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Proposed budgets defund Florida Forever, but do provide for conservation easements
The Florida House’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for Florida Forever, the state’s primary land conservation acquisition program, while shifting hundreds of millions toward agricultural conservation easements. Environmentalists warn the move could limit public access to protected lands and mark a major shift in conservation policy. more
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Thousands of creosote-soaked railroad ties caught fire in Dunnellon, leaving residents to fear for their health and for the impact on the nearby Rainbow River.
Railroad tie fire in Central Florida town shows polluters’ disregard for environment, human life
A massive fire involving tens of thousands of creosote-treated railroad ties in Dunnellon has raised alarms about environmental oversight and public health protections. Residents say they warned officials about the risk long before flames and toxic smoke filled the sky. more
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Florida lawmakers push to expand free swimming lessons for children
A proposal to expand Florida’s taxpayer-funded Swim Lesson Voucher Program to include children up to age 7 cleared a key Senate committee Thursday. Supporters say the change could help reduce drowning deaths, particularly among children with autism, as demand for vouchers continues to exceed available funding. more
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A major sugar company is harvesting its sugar crop. Big Sugar is pushing a bill that would let it shut up its critics.
Big Sugar wants Florida lawmakers to make its critics shut up
Two bills moving through the Florida Legislature would expand Florida’s “veggie libel” law to include sugar, giving large agricultural producers new legal tools to challenge public criticism. Environmental groups, free-speech advocates, and even some conservative activists say the measures primarily benefit U.S. Sugar and other major growers at the expense of transparency. more
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The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the American Heart Association are "joining forces to support" an effort to get a Medicaid expansion before voters in November 2028.
Coalition working on Medicaid expansion in Florida grows by two
Two major national health organizations are throwing their support behind a renewed effort to expand Medicaid in Florida. Advocates say the move could help thousands of low-income adults gain coverage as federal funding shrinks and healthcare costs climb. more
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The Spanish first brought cattle to Florida and the cattle industry shaped much of the state’s history. Photo of the Great Florida Cattle Drive.
Florida legislators try to moooove cattle into state parks and forests
A proposal moving through the Florida Legislature would require state parks, forests and other public lands to consider cattle grazing leases — a move critics say could damage fragile ecosystems and pollute springs and waterways. Supporters call it land management; opponents call it a step backward for conservation. more
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“Circle of Chains” memorial by Steven Whyte in Tallahassee.
Dedication ceremony for Florida’s Memorial to the Enslaved takes place in Tallahassee
Nearly eight years after lawmakers approved the project, state leaders this week formally dedicated “Circle of Chains,” a life-sized bronze memorial honoring enslaved people, across the street from Florida’s Capitol. Speakers called the monument both a reckoning with history and a reminder that justice requires action today. more
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Guana River Wildlife Management Area.
Bill adding transparency to state land swaps sweeps through House committees
A bipartisan proposal in the Florida House of Representatives would add new guardrails before the state can sell or trade conservation land. The measure follows public outrage over a proposed 600-acre swap near the Guana River that residents say surfaced with little warning. more
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States that once led in child vaccination fall as they expand exemptions
Florida, once near national vaccination benchmarks, is now among the states losing ground as exemptions expand and skepticism about routine childhood shots spreads. Pediatricians warn that falling rates could leave schools vulnerable to outbreaks of measles, whooping cough and other preventable diseases. more
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Orange County Government has joined the Advanced Air Mobility Association, becoming part of a national network working to advance the integration of advanced air mobility technologies in ways that reflect community needs and regional priorities.
Orange County joins national alliance to advance air taxi and electric aircraft technology
Orange County Government has joined a national coalition focused on integrating electric and hybrid-electric aircraft into local transportation systems. Officials say the move positions the region as a launch point for air taxis, vertiports, and other advanced air mobility projects. more
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New housing in Orlando.
Third measure on property taxes headed to House floor; none has a Senate companion
Florida House lawmakers are moving multiple proposals to cap or reduce property taxes, but a lack of action in the Senate threatens to stall the effort. With time running short in the legislative session, questions are growing about whether voters will see a single, unified proposal on the November ballot. more
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The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee is shown, with the historic domed structure in the foreground and the tower in the background.
Florida House advances proposal to phase out homestead property taxes, drawing warnings from local governments
A Florida House proposal to phase out non-school homestead property taxes over the next decade advanced Thursday, setting up a potential statewide vote in 2026. Critics warned the plan could strip billions from local governments and shift costs to renters and businesses. more
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In recent months, federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement officers patrolling streets in plainclothes, wearing masks, and sometimes visibly armed, have drawn heightened attention across the country.
Florida bill would require police ID to improve safety, trust
Florida lawmakers are weighing a slate of immigration bills this session, with Republicans expected to advance stricter enforcement measures. Democrats, meanwhile, are backing the “VISIBLE Act,” a proposal supporters say could reduce impersonation threats and rebuild trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. more
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Legislation to ban marijuana smoking and vaping in pubic places was approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday.
Smoking marijuana in public places is banned under a bill moving in the Florida Senate
A Florida Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill Tuesday that would ban smoking or vaping marijuana in public places, expanding the state’s existing tobacco restrictions. more
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Condominiums and hotels line the Atlantic coastline in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida property tax relief has support, but no consensus
Property tax relief moved forward in Tallahassee as lawmakers began narrowing a growing list of proposals that could go before voters later this year. A leading plan would phase out non-school property taxes over 10 years and make homestead properties fully exempt by 2037, but state leaders have not agreed on a single approach. more
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Florida ACA enrollment drops by more than 261,000 after enhanced premium tax credits expire
Florida’s Affordable Care Act enrollment fell by more than 261,000 people for 2026 coverage after Republicans in Congress allowed enhanced premium tax credits to expire, according to new federal figures. Advocates warn the decline could lead to delayed care, rising medical debt, and increased strain on hospitals and local budgets. more
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Condominiums line the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida lawmakers return as insurance affordability debate continues in 2026 session
Florida’s insurance market has shown signs of stabilization, with new companies entering the state and some carriers filing for rate decreases. But homeowners and drivers continue to pay among the highest premiums in the country as lawmakers begin the 2026 legislative session. more
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The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee is shown, with the historic domed structure in front and the tower behind.
Property taxes, insurance, housing, and education take center stage as the Florida legislative session begins
Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee this week with property tax relief, insurance reform, housing affordability, and education funding topping the agenda. The session also marks the final regular legislative session for Gov. Ron DeSantis before he leaves office due to term limits. more
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National research shows that community colleges serve a large number of students from groups that have historically been underrepresented in higher education.
Community colleges serve as the main gateway to higher education in Florida
Community colleges are the first stop for most Florida students who pursue higher education, enrolling about 60% of high school graduates who continue their studies. State leaders say strong transfer pathways and systemwide coordination are key to improving student outcomes. more
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A judge barred the Department of Children and Families from dropping people from the Medicaid program for financial reasons until its termination letters meet federal requirements.
Court rules Florida Medicaid termination letters fly in face of federal law
A federal judge ruled that Florida violated the constitutional rights of low-income residents when it removed them from Medicaid using vague and misleading termination notices after the COVID-19 public health emergency ended. The state has been ordered to issue corrected notices and allow affected individuals to challenge their disenrollment. more
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