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Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia in Orlando on August 27, 2025.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia issuing subpoenas to Orange County employees after initial DOGE audit
Demings: “Orange County Government fully cooperated with the Florida DOGE audit team, providing all the data and documents requested. No employee was instructed to alter, change, or delete any documents." more
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Florida’s school choice experiment is failing our children
Florida leaders call the state a national model in education because of its school choice program. But with dismal academic rankings, near-bottom teacher pay, and a voucher system that tilts the scales toward private schools, the reality is far from a success story. more
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Orange County seeks to bring Vision 2050 into compliance with new state law
Orange County’s Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department is working to revise Vision 2050 to comply with recent state legislation after the Florida Department of Commerce declared parts of the plan “null and void.” While updates are underway, the previously approved Destination 2030 plan and Land Development Code remain in effect for all land use and zoning decisions. more
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Florida voters with new driver’s licenses may need to update their voter registration information
Voters who renewed or replaced their Florida driver’s license or ID in the past year may encounter issues requesting vote-by-mail ballots or signing petitions if their records are not updated. Officials urge residents to confirm and update their voter registration to ensure ballots and signatures are properly counted. more
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Florida wildlife commissioners ignore science, law in saying yes to bear hunt
Florida’s black bears face a controversial new hunting season after the DeSantis-appointed wildlife commission voted to allow annual hunts despite strong public opposition and outdated population data. Environmental group Bear Warriors United has filed a lawsuit to block the hunt, arguing it violates science, law, and the commission’s own management plan. more
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Study: Live Local Act shows progress but faces hurdles in Florida’s affordable housing push
The Live Local Act has helped create more than 3,100 affordable housing units across Florida, but uneven adoption of tax incentives and difficulties securing financing have limited its reach, according to Florida TaxWatch. Advocates say sustained collaboration and stronger state-level incentives are needed to turn early progress into long-term results. more
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Florida economists warn of looming Medicaid budget shortfall
Florida’s Social Services Estimating Conference projects a $510.7 million Medicaid funding gap in fiscal year 2025-26, with managed long-term care plans driving most of the overages. By 2026-27, Medicaid costs could reach $37.1 billion — nearly $1 billion more in general revenue than lawmakers budgeted. more
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Hurricane Helene swirls toward Florida. In its aftermath, the Legislature passed a law tying the hands of local government when it comes to development and slipped it into a measure that looked like help for hurricane victims.
Florida cities and Orange County line up to defy new pro-developer state law
Across Florida, local governments are defying a new state law that limits their authority over land use and development, pushing back against powerful developers and the DeSantis administration. From Orange County to Deltona and Manatee County, these scrappy underdogs are challenging SB 180 in court, determined to protect wetlands, curb sprawl, and defend local democracy. more
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Florida to resume bear hunting for first time since 2015
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to reinstate bear hunting. The first hunt is scheduled for December — the state’s first since a controversial 2015 season that ended after two days. Supporters say the move will help manage the population and reduce human-bear conflicts, while opponents call it cruel and unnecessary. more
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In an aerial view, a person walks next to a flooded street caused by the rain and storm surge from Hurricane Debby on Aug. 5, 2024, in Cedar Key. Hurricane Debby brought rainstorms and high winds to Florida’s Big Bend area.
Opposition grows to Florida law designed to improve disaster recovery
Smart Growth Group 1000 Friends of Florida is urging lawmakers to repeal parts of SB 180, a new law meant to speed post-disaster rebuilding but now criticized for stripping local governments of authority over land use and development rules. more
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DOH: 21 infections tied to consumption of raw milk in Central and Northeast Florida
Florida health officials have confirmed 21 cases of illness — including seven hospitalizations — linked to raw milk consumption. Experts at UF/IFAS are using the outbreak to highlight the life-saving importance of pasteurization. more
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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
Community outrage grows after Demings signs ICE agreement under duress
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings signed an ICE agreement under pressure from the DeSantis administration, prompting fierce criticism from immigrant rights advocates. The Apopka-based HOPE CommUnity Center condemned the move as a betrayal of community values and a threat to immigrant safety and trust. more
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Study: Florida ranks as the eighth worst state to have a baby
Florida ranks among the worst places in the nation to have a baby, according to a new WalletHub study that compares cost, health care access, and family support across all 50 states and D.C. Despite a strong showing in OB-GYN availability, Florida lags behind in infant health outcomes and affordable child care options. more
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Teacher vacancies down 17% according to the Florida Department of Education
Florida’s Department of Education says teacher vacancies have dropped nearly 30% over the past two years, including a 17.7% decrease heading into the 2025-2026 school year. However, the agency has released limited data to support the claim, and its figures continue to differ from those of the Florida Education Association. more
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Screenshot of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in Orlando on August 1, 2025.
Under duress, Demings signs ICE addendum to ward off threat of removal from office
Under threat of removal from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings signed an ICE agreement on Friday “under protest and extreme duress.” Demings warned that failure to comply would have allowed the governor to replace local leaders, calling the move a calculated effort to preserve the county’s governance. more
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New U.S. citizens receive congratulations and flags following a naturalization ceremony in Winter Park, Fla.
Unpacking Florida’s immigration trends − demographers take a closer look at the legal and undocumented population
Florida’s immigrant population is large, diverse, and essential to the state’s economy, making up nearly a quarter of its residents and a significant share of its workforce. Despite political rhetoric declaring an "immigration emergency," data shows declining numbers of undocumented arrivals and growing numbers of legal immigrants contributing to key industries and economic growth. more
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Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the creation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force to pare back state government in Tampa on Feb. 24, 2025.
Florida DOGE auditing Orange County
Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency is auditing Orange County over alleged increases in property‑related costs of $330 million per year over the past five years. more
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Florida ranked 42nd for healthcare in 2025, WalletHub study finds
Florida ranks as the 10th worst state for health care in 2025, according to a new WalletHub study that highlights low insurance coverage rates and limited access to providers. Despite moderate costs, the state struggles with key issues like uninsured adults, workforce shortages, and poor health outcomes. more
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Four deaths in Florida linked to ‘flesh‑eating’ bacteria in 2025, health officials warn
The Florida Department of Health reports four deaths statewide this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but aggressive bacterium sometimes called “flesh‑eating.” more
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Suicide prevention training and adult day care in the works for Florida veterans
Florida is taking a broader approach to veteran suicide prevention by expanding a successful regional program statewide and mandating new training for service officers who work directly with veterans. more
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Breaking News: LaVon Bracy Davis wins Florida Senate District 15 Democratic Primary
LaVon Bracy Davis secured the Democratic nomination for Florida Senate District 15 in Tuesday’s special primary election. She will face Republican Willie Montague in the general election in September. more
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High Stakes, Local Voices: Apopka and West Orange voters head to the polls to decide fierce battle in State Senate District 15 primary
The Democratic primary for Florida Senate District 15 takes place Tuesday, June 24, with four candidates competing for the seat formerly held by Geraldine Thompson. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with multiple voting locations in the Apopka area. more
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Grayson vows bold action on affordable housing, schools, and infrastructure in The Apopka Voice Virtual Town Hall
In a spirited virtual town hall hosted by The Apopka Voice, former Congressman Alan Grayson laid out his platform for the Florida Senate District 15 special election, addressing affordable housing, public schools, insurance reform, and local infrastructure. more
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Florida Capitol in Tallahassee.
Legislature approves tax cut package, budget after extended session
After a contentious 105-day legislative session, Florida lawmakers approved a $115.1 billion budget and a $1.3 billion tax cut package just two weeks before the new fiscal year begins. The final deal includes the largest recurring tax cut in state history. more
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The boardwalk at Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park has been closed for repairs for nearly two years, but the Legislature wants to cut spending on our popular state parks.
Florida lawmakers save state parks from golf, then yank away funding for preserving land
Despite bipartisan support in 2023 for using gaming revenue to protect public lands and water resources, the new budget proposal redirects those funds, leaving programs like Florida Forever unfunded and critical conservation initiatives in jeopardy. more
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