Florida's Latest News

Casey DeSantis talks fentanyl response following Gadsden County overdoses

Following a spree of deaths in Gadsden County this Fourth of July weekend, First Lady Casey DeSantis traveled to Quincy with a message of caution against illicit drugs.

DeSantis hosted a roundtable with law enforcement and public health officials Thursday after a four-day period in which medical personnel in the rural county responded to 19 overdoses of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic drug. Officials there have attributed six deaths last weekend to fentanyl overdoses and another three deaths are suspected cases.

“For Gadsden County to have that number in such a short span, we were afraid that we’d wake up in a week’s time and have 30 to 40, 50 people dead,” said County Sheriff Morris Young. “That’s a lot of folks for Gadsden County.”

Young, a Democrat from Quincy, said drugs cross the southern border, make their way to Atlanta, then filter down to southern Georgia and North Florida.

Florida school grades show upward trend, state says

State education officials released an encouraging report Thursday on public school grades and took the opportunity to tout Florida’s decision to reopen school doors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The numbers — which are still being compiled for some schools — present the most complete look at efforts to try to reverse learning losses from the early months of 2020, when schools were closed at the start of the pandemic. And they are the last that will be released under the Florida Standards system, which is being replaced this year with Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking, or B.E.S.T.

Statewide, the biggest gains were seen in elementary schools, where 1 in 5 schools improved by at least one letter grade, the Department of Education reported.

Fifty-three schools that had been targeted for improvement were removed from the support list as a result of this year’s test scores. Every school that had an F grade in 2019 — the last testing year before the pandemic — was able to raise its grade.

Murphy-sponsored local projects clear first hurdle in helping Central Florida communities

Potential projects that could total $14 million in local expenditures were approved by the House Appropriations Committee, according to a release by Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park Thursday. 

The total amount could be made up of 15 individual measures that are aimed at improving public safety, public health, housing accessibility, transportation, and the environment. If approved, the bills would help to fund the Sanford Police Department, Seminole State College, Seminole County Public Schools, the City of Winter Park, and other local government agencies. 

“From expanding resources for law enforcement to protecting our most vulnerable residents and our environment, these 15 investments will directly impact thousands of people living in our Central Florida community,” said Murphy in the statement. “I am proud that these projects are advancing through the legislative process, and I will keep fighting to get this crucial funding signed into law.” . 

More than 1,000 giant African land snails captured in Pasco invasion

Florida is digging in for a long siege in Pasco County.

Giant African land snails — “one of the most damaging snails in the world” — have infiltrated the county’s second-largest city, New Port Richey, and its immediate surroundings. State agriculture officials say they have already captured more than 1,000 of the fist-sized invaders since identifying the first intruder on June 23.

“Let me assure you: We will eradicate these snails,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried told reporters Thursday.

This is not Florida’s first skirmish with the pests. The state thwarted two previous years-long incursions around Miami-Dade County, first in the late 1960s and early 1970s, then again between 2011 and 2021. The last battle cost $23 million.