Florida's Latest News

Ron DeSantis raises more than $7.5 million in May for re-election

Gov. Ron DeSantis is continuing to stack up cash for his 2022 gubernatorial campaign — or whatever else he might run for.

DeSantis’ political action committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, added $7,582,350 to its bank balance. The Republican incumbent now has about $39 million cash on hand.

The total is only half of what DeSantis raised in April when he raked in $14 million, but his fundraising is still blowing both of his Democratic challengers out of the water.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist raised $1.5 million for his campaign last month. Crist told reporters, speaking at a campaign event Wednesday, he would catch up with DeSantis.

Gov. DeSantis signs homeowners insurance overhaul into law

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an overhaul of Florida’s property insurance regulations into law Friday.

That means beginning in July, the state will crack down on contractors pressing customers to make unnecessary repairs, which are charged to insurance carriers. The legislation limits the ability of adjusters to offer incentives for roof inspections.

The fee structure for attorneys representing homeowners taking insurance companies to court will also change.

The bill (SB 76) was one of the most drawn out fights of the Legislative Session, pitting the insurance industry against plaintiffs’ attorneys. It ultimately became the last bill passed out of the Senate before the Chamber wrapped its business for Session.

U.S. extends expiration dates for J&J COVID vaccine by 6 weeks

Johnson & Johnson said Thursday that U.S. regulators extended the expiration date on millions of doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by six weeks.

The company said a Food and Drug Administration review concluded the shots remain safe and effective for at least 4 1/2 months. In February, the FDA originally authorized J&J’s vaccine for up to three months when stored at normal refrigeration levels.

Thursday’s announcement comes after state officials warned that many doses in storage would expire before the end of the month. The change gives health providers more time to try and use remaining J&J shots sitting at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. Many states have adopted a “first-in-first-out” approach to try and use their oldest vaccines first.

Trump-O’Reilly ‘History Tour’ coming to Orlando on Dec. 12

A former Fox News host who paid $32 million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2017 and the former president of the United States are bringing their show to Orlando.

Bill O’Reilly will host a “History Tour” with Donald Trump, with a previously announced show in South Florida. The Orlando event will take place at the Amway Center on Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 21 at 10 a.m. and will be available on ticketmaster.com.

The tour is billed as a “series of live conversations across the country” where the pair “will discuss exactly how things were accomplished, as well as challenges, both good and bad, during the four years of Mr. Trump’s presidency,” according to a press release announcing the Orlando date.