Florida's Latest News

Byron Donalds officially qualifies for gubernatorial race

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has officially qualified to run in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

Florida’s candidate qualifying period opened Monday and runs through Friday.

Candidates can either qualify by collecting signatures or by paying a fee, which for party affiliated candidates, is $8,484.00 — 6% of the gubernatorial salary. Donalds’ campaign documents show he qualified by paying the fee.

“Byron is the Trump-endorsed conservative fighter who will make the Sunshine State more affordable and defend the Florida Dream for future generations,” said Donalds’ Chief Strategist Ryan Smith.

According to the Florida Division of Elections website, Donalds is one of 10 candidates who had officially qualified as of Tuesday morning. That list includes five Republicans, two Democrats, two NPAs, and a write-in candidate.

DeSantis signs bill that could reshape Hillsborough County Commission

Hillsborough voters will soon decide whether to restructure the board that represents their county — one of the largest in the state.

This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that proposes adding two seats to the seven-member Hillsborough County Commission and drawing new district borders. The decision will go to voters as a ballot referendum in November, when four commissioners are up for election.

If approved, the changes would mark the first time the board has added representatives in more than four decades despite swift population growth.

The bill, HB 4029, was first introduced in December by Republican representatives Michael Owen and Susan Valdés. It proposes expanding the commission from seven members to nine, and includes a clause that would grow the board to 11 seats if Hillsborough’s population reaches 2.5 million people.

The bill would also turn the board’s three countywide seats into single-member districts representing specific parts of the county. That means individual voters would pick one commissioner on election day as opposed to four — a majority — they can vote for under the current structure.

Florida Approves Easements to Protect 6,200 Acres of Farmland

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced Tuesday that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved conservation easements protecting more than 6,200 acres of working agricultural land from future development.

The approvals cover four farm and ranch properties in Okeechobee, Manatee and Highlands counties through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program allows the state to purchase development rights from landowners while keeping the property in private ownership and agricultural production. 

These properties aren’t just acres on a map. They’re family operations that produce food, support jobs, protect water resources, and provide vital habitat for Florida wildlife,” said Simpson. “I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis and my fellow members of the Florida Cabinet for continuing to support this mission.

With today’s approval, more than 6,200 additional acres or working agricultural land will remain in production and protected from future development, ensuring Florida’s rural heritage remains a part of our future, not just our past.”

Leon County eyes pause on AI data center projects

The Leon County Commission voted unanimously to take up a one year moratorium against the creation of AI data centers in the county.

The move to bring back an agenda item that would weigh the pros and cons of a possible moratorium was pushed by Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban at the board's June 9 meeting.

The controversial developments, which can consume massive amounts of electricity and water, spike local utility bills and strain power grids, have already stoked fear across the Big Bend and throughout the state.

Six solar farm projects are currently being vetted to determine if they can move forward in Tallahassee, a move some worry could create the infrastructure to power massive data centers in the state capital.

"Over the past several months, communities across the country have begun grappling with the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers and the significant infrastructure demands that accompany them," Caban wrote in a letter addressed to the commission.