Florida's Latest News

Gov. DeSantis appoints aeronautics school head, beef jerky magnate to Enterprise Florida board

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two new members Friday to the Board of Directors for Enterprise Florida, the state’s main economic development arm. They’ll join a passel of industry and government leaders who help steer Florida’s financial future.

New to the Board are Rodney Cruise, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Troy Link, president and CEO of Link Snacks Inc., which is best known as the producer and marketer of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky.

The appointments came without comment from the Governor. They are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Cruise has been with Embry-Riddle since March 2013. While there, he has overseen more than $800 million in construction projects on all campuses. He also has supported Embry-Riddle’s Research Park to attract aerospace groups and technology businesses to Florida, lead government relations initiatives and expand research, entrepreneurship and employment.

‘Overwhelmed’: Flu cases spike at FSU, Florida A&M

Tallahassee higher education campuses and hospitals are seeing large numbers of students and others suffering from influenza.

Experts, many of which have warned about a severe flu season for months, say this is the result of a return to normalcy and lessening of safety precautions taken while COVID-19 numbers were at its highest.

At Florida State University, the school’s health center is full of sick students.

“Case numbers have skyrocketed and our University Health Center is overwhelmed with caring for ill students,” said an internal email from FSU Provost Sally McRorie to faculty obtained by the Democrat.

State launches emergency bid to find new foster care agency for Pinellas, Pasco

With less than two months to find a new foster care agency for Pinellas and Pasco counties, the Florida Department of Children and Families late on Friday opened up bidding for the $80 million contract under emergency terms.

The department will accept bids from agencies for a five-year contract to serve as the lead child welfare agency in the two counties. The deadline to apply is Nov. 12. The contracts are typically awarded to nonprofit groups that work in the social services arena.

DCF has until the end of the year to find a new lead agency after Secretary Shevaun Harris told Eckerd Connects on Monday that its contract would not be renewed. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri subsequently announced a criminal investigation into the Clearwater nonprofit after child welfare investigators found children in its care slept in unlicensed offices in “disgusting and deplorable” conditions.

Florida Gov. DeSantis officially launches 2022 reelection bid

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has officially launched his campaign for reelection, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the country's most closely watched and expensive gubernatorial races of 2022.

DeSantis filed the paperwork to run for another four years on Friday, according to the Florida Division of Elections. At a press conference Monday, DeSantis -- who is viewed as a potential 2024 presidential contender -- ​called his decision to seek a second term ​a "formality" and indicated a larger rollout would be forthcoming.

The Florida politician has become one of the most recognizable Republican leaders in the country for his hands off approach to managing the coronavirus pandemic and his promise to keep businesses and schools open. DeSantis' style has been heralded by Republicans and many businesses and vilified by Democrats, who blame the governor for the state's deadly summer surge.