Florida's Latest News

Byron Donalds launches ‘Space Race’ policy rocket

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds has a plan to “make Florida the world’s headquarters for space exploration” and ensure “every Floridian” can be a part of the mission.

“Florida is going to lead, and we are going to take the next giant leap right here in the Sunshine State,” he said.

Donalds wants to “permit at warp speed” starting in his first year as Governor, identifying 10 areas in Florida as “strategic development sites” for space manufacturing, and ensure companies get a “yes” when submitting plans.

Workforce readiness is also key, he said, with “zero-tuition training programs in conjunction with commercial companies.” Welders, machinists and construction crews are as needed as scientists, he said.

To that end, Donalds will house an Office for Space Industry within the Governor’s Office in his first year. A Space Race Summit will also be an early priority as a recruitment tool, to make it clear that “Florida is the center of the space economy.”

Congressional Lawmakers Seek Federal Approval for Florida Physician Training Funds

Florida’s congressional delegation is urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve and renew Medicaid funding for physician residency programs as the state confronts a projected shortage of doctors.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean led the effort, working with the Florida Hospital Association to gather signatures for a letter asking CMS to coordinate with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration on funding for several graduate medical education programs.

Graduate medical education programs provide supervised clinical training for physicians after medical school. Medicaid funding currently supports more than 7,000 medical residents across Florida, according to the hospital association.

The association said more than 60% of residents remain in the communities where they complete their training, making residency programs an important part of the state’s physician workforce pipeline.

North Miami-Dade officials endorse ‘true public servant’ Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo for SD 34

Eight current and former municipal leaders from across north Miami-Dade County have lined up behind Democratic entrepreneur Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo’s bid for Senate District 34, her campaign announced this week.

Opa-locka Vice Mayor Joseph Kelly, North Miami Beach Commissioner Jay Chernoff and Opa-locka Commissioners Sherelean Bass, Natasha Ervin and Luis Santiago have all endorsed Sanon-Jules Olivo.

So have former state Sen. Daphne Campbell, former North Miami Mayor Joe Celestin and former North Miami Beach Mayor Evan Piper.

Several offered statements explaining their support.

“I am pleased to endorse Christine for State Senate District 34,” Kelly said.

Central Florida Tourism Generates $98.6 Billion in Economic Impact

Central Florida’s tourism industry generated a record $98.6 billion in economic impact in 2025, supported by increased visitor spending, employment and tax revenue, according to a study released Thursday.

The total represented a 4.4% increase from 2024, according to Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. The study was commissioned by Visit Orlando, Experience Kissimmee, Seminole County and the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association.

Visitors directly spent $62.9 billion across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties in 2025, a 5% year-over-year increase. That amounted to more than $172 million in daily spending at hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers, transportation providers and other businesses.

Orange County accounted for 85% of visitor spending, followed by Osceola County at 12% and Seminole County at 3%.