Florida's Latest News

October 16th, 2026 

Here's your roundup of the important stories shaping Florida this week. Stay informed — and share with someone to keep them updated!

40 Florida rabbis sign open letter endorsing Byron Donalds for Governor

Forty Florida rabbis have signed an open letter endorsing Byron Donalds for Governor, the campaign announced.

The campaign says the signers lead congregations and communities in 17 cities and seven counties, from Miami Beach, Boca Raton and Palm Beach to Tampa, Tallahassee and Okeechobee.

“Florida has become a place where Jewish families can build their lives, practice their faith, and raise the next generation without living in constant fear,” the rabbis wrote. “We look forward to working with you to keep Florida strong, safe, and welcoming for generations to come.”

James Uthmeier praises new Public Integrity Unit after conviction of former Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms

Attorney General James Uthmeier is using the conviction of former Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms to spotlight the work of his newly created Public Integrity Unit.

A jury in Fort Pierce found Mimms guilty of third-degree felony official misconduct. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court on Dec. 11. Mimms was arrested about two years ago and initially faced an additional second-degree felony count of bid tampering, on which he was acquitted.

Uthmeier said at a news conference that he was not disappointed by the acquittal and was satisfied with the official misconduct conviction. He added that while the Fort Pierce case was launched before the establishment of the Public Integrity Unit, it still played a role in the conviction.

Santa Rosa private property damage already estimated at $165 million

Santa Rosa County residents have already reported more than $165 million in estimated damages to private property from Hurricane Isaias.

The self-reported damage, as of Oct. 15, comes from more than 2,500 reports through the Property Appraiser's damage report form. More than 80 structures have been classified as destroyed; around 300 structures have sustained major damage; over 600 structures have sustained minor damage and over 2,000 structures have been affected.

Santa Rosa County took the brunt of the impact from Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm, sparing the Pensacola area from its worst surge and flooding but not its violent winds. The strongest reported gusts reached 117 mph in Oriole Beach, 116 mph near Santa Rosa Sound, 114 mph at NAS Whiting Field, and 105 mph in eastern Ferry Pass.

Florida spared wrath of Hurricane Melissa, record-breaking storm

It was one of those rare hurricane seasons Florida residents can look back on without seeing piles of debris and anticipating years of recovery.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season had 13 named storms. No hurricane made landfall anywhere in the United States. The only landfall during the year was Tropical Storm Chantal in South Carolina on July 6.

The season ended with a bang, though, with Hurricane Melissa.Which saw sustained winds hit 190 mph and wind gusts topping 250 mph — kept Florida residents on edge before making landfall in Jamaica and then making a sharp right turn and heading away from the Sunshine State.