Florida's Latest News

DeSantis says he'd protect Americans 'in harm's way' in Israel

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is continuing his hawkish stand on the Gaza-based militants and terrorists who attacked Israel this past weekend. The conflict has so far claimed 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans, USA Today reported, “while desperation swept across Gaza as (Israel’s) response to the brutal attack by Hamas left neighborhoods destroyed, homes dark and hospitals low on medical supplies.”

DeSantis, speaking with Martha MacCallum on Fox News on Wednesday, also continued to blame Iran for organizing the attack. MacCallum asked him what he’d be doing to “protect U.S. service members who may become potential targets of some of these terrorists,” referring to military bases around the region, including in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. 

The governor pivoted in his answer, saying he “would protect the American citizens who are potentially being held captive or in harm's way. That is a responsibility of the commander-in-chief.” He added: “We don't know how many Americans are being held hostage, but we have forces that are dedicated to that. We would definitely do that. And then you take whatever appropriate action there is” in the Middle East. 

The 2023 Hurricane season is not over yet with Florida vulnerable to storms into November

Tropical Storm Sean sputtered to life early Wednesday in a watery no-man’s-land and on a harmless path into the Atlantic abyss.

But the storm, which is expected to quickly fizzle, leaves just three names remaining on the traditional hurricane list with about seven weeks until season’s end.

If Tammy, Vince and Whitney are christened, it would be only the fourth time on record that a season has exhausted the names list and could mark the first time a supplemental list created in 2021 is used.

Already, 2023 is an unusually fecund year for tropical cyclones, with seven more named storms than normal through Oct. 11.

And with a brewing disturbance on Sean’s tail, Tammy could be born soon. The National Hurricane Center gave an area of low pressure south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands a 70% chance of development over seven days.

Florida Capitol to get 1,656 new bulletproof windows by 2027. Cost? $61 million

The Florida Senate office building is sporting a new look with the removal of louvre shutters and the installation of tempered energy-efficient windows.  

The Legislature approved $61 million dollars in 2019 to replace all 1,656 windows and remove the shutters from the buildings on the Capitol Complex. 

Unlike the windows of the Historic Capitol, equipped with striped awnings to provide shade, louvre slats were installed on the Capitol, House and Senate office buildings. 

From the outside the slats block the view of the windows and made the 22-story Capitol building look like a towering grid. 

Work on the Senate building appears complete and now five stories of reflective windows provide a mirror image of the Old Capitol, courtyard and House Office Building. 

State officials rebuff criticism over handling of Florida's Medicaid redetermination

State officials on Wednesday pushed back on criticism that they’re mishandling a review of who qualifies for Florida’s Medicaid program.

After freezing things during the nation's COVID-19 health emergency, Florida restarted its annual redetermination process for Medicaid recipients in April. Since then— the state has shed more than 9% of its nearly 5.8 million users.

Those dropped have complained of poor communication and little warning, like Liz Adams, who told us in May at least two of her kids lost coverage without warning.

"I'm mad," Adams said. "I am mad— I do not understand how they can do this to a child."

Frustrated Floridians, like Adams, have reported confusing information, hours-long wait times on the phone, and dropped calls.