Florida's Latest News

DeSantis signs 2026-27 state budget, vetoes $1.6 billion

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget for the year beginning July 1, vetoing what he said was almost $1.6 billion in programs and projects tucked into the plan by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

In a June 29 ceremony at Tampa’s Hillsborough College, DeSantis said the final budget weighed in at $117.6 billion, following his vetoes. Keeping with recent history, the DeSantis administration didn’t provide immediate details on the spending he blocked.

“All in all, I think this is a budget that does a lot for the people of Florida,” DeSantis said, taking some time to reflect on how he helped manage the state spending priorities over his two terms as governor.

He will leave office in January, and the 2026-27 spending plan will guide his successor’s first six months in the governor’s office.

DeSantis also took time to congratulate himself: “This will be my eighth budget that we’ve done, and if you go back to 2019 until now, no question that we’re leaving it better than we found it. No question that we’re stronger, no question that we’re fiscally responsible, and no question that we’ve met all the challenges before us.”

Wilton Simpson picks up endorsement from Florida’s 32,000 firefighters

Wilton Simpson has the firefighters in his corner.

The Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF) endorsed Simpson for re-election as Agriculture Commissioner, lining up the union’s 32,000 firefighters and paramedics behind the former Senate President as he seeks a second term.

The nod is more than a courtesy. The Florida Forest Service — the state’s frontline against wildfires — falls under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, putting Simpson in direct command of the firefighters who battle blazes across Florida’s 17 million acres of forest. The union made clear that relationship is what earned its backing.

“Commissioner Wilton Simpson has been a strong and consistent supporter of Florida’s firefighters, including the men and women of the Florida Forest Service who protect our communities from wildfires and other emergencies,” said FPF President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska.

“Under his leadership, Florida has continued investing in the equipment, personnel, and resources these firefighters need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The hurricane threat most Floridians don't consider

Landfall is the headline, but it's not the whole story. From the 45 tornadoes spawned by Milton to the $34 billion in damages caused by Ian, many of the most significant impacts happen hours before the storm officially makes landfall.

Meteorologist Leslie Hudson breaks down why hurricane hazards often arrive long before the eye does. Using data from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Milton, we explore the "timing story" that often gets overlooked.

A 2025 evacuation study on Hurricane Ian found the landfall region had fewer evacuees, but more people who left home and stayed within dangerous hazard zones. In the predicted landfall area, earlier orders led to higher evacuation rates. The study also found evacuation rates increased from shore to inland.

Florida’s hurricane impacts frequently arrive 12 to 24 hours before the storm's center makes landfall. Outer rain bands produce squall lines capable of spawning sudden, fast-moving tornadoes, while heavy downpours rapidly flood roads and cause tropical-storm-force wind gusts, making travel highly dangerous long before the core eyewall hits.

Newly signed Dan Daley law makes Mount Trashmore expansions an uphill climb

Broward won’t be able to grow its semi-iconic trash heap as easily as it has in the past under legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis recently approved.

DeSantis has signed HB 4039, which creates new procedural requirements before the county can approve any expansion of the Monarch Hill Landfill — known colloquially as Mount Trashmore.

Under the new law, Broward must first commission an independent feasibility study evaluating environmental, public health, groundwater, traffic, odor, noise and cumulative impacts, while analyzing alternatives such as waste-to-energy technology.

At least one public hearing, complete with a presentation of the study’s findings, must be held within five miles of the landfill, with 30 days’ public notice and with direct notice given to nearby property owners.

No zoning change, permit, development order or other approval for an expansion may advance until both the study and hearing have been completed and publicly disclosed.