Florida's Latest News

October 23rd, 2026 

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

Rick Scott confident Byron Donalds will return Florida’s focus to job creation

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott says Republican Byron Donalds can ramp up job creation in the state as Governor.

“When I left, we were doing a little over 200,000 new jobs a year. Last year, I think it was about 70,000,” Scott said. “So we clearly have a lot of work to do in Florida. I think Byron Donalds will do the job.”

After a speech to Florida TaxWatch’s Leadership Summit in Fort Lauderdale, the Naples Republican said he will focus on getting Donalds elected to the Governor’s Mansion to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also wants to ensure U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a Plant City Republican, returns to Washington for the next two years. Scott will attend a rally with President Donald Trump in Fort Myers aimed at those goals.

During a 30-minute discussion at the Summit, Scott delivered a familiar message about the impact of government regulations on families’ ability to achieve the American Dream.

‘Complete and total’: Carlos Giménez endorses Alex Rizo for SD 39

U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez is endorsing Alex Rizo in the Republican Primary for Senate District 39.

Giménez, who served as Miami-Dade County Mayor from 2011 to 2020 before winning his House seat, is the second member of Congress to back the Hialeah Republican. Mario Díaz-Balart, the longest-serving member of Florida’s congressional delegation, has also endorsed Rizo. That gives Rizo two of Miami-Dade County’s three Republican members of Congress.

“Alex Rizo is an effective legislator and leader in our Cuban-American community,” Giménez said. “As an educator and State Representative, he has served our community and understands the importance of preserving the American Dream for generations of families who fled socialism and tyranny. Rep. Alex Rizo has my complete and total endorsement for the Florida Senate!”

“Complete and total” is the formula President Donald Trump uses for his own endorsements. Rizo backed Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump in the 2024 Presidential Primary. His opponent, fellow Hialeah Republican state Rep. David Borrero, has touted being one of the first five Florida legislators to back Trump’s comeback bid.

Uthmeier Proposes Safe Screens Act to Expand Online Protections for Minors

Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday proposed legislation that would expand protections for minors using social media, app stores and artificial intelligence chatbots by requiring parental consent for app downloads, restricting certain platform features and establishing new safety requirements for technology companies.

The proposal, called the Safe Screens Act, would require app stores to determine users’ ages, link minors’ accounts to parental accounts and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download or purchase applications. AI chatbot operators would also be required to verify users’ ages, while operating systems would implement age-appropriate restrictions.

“Parents deserve real control, and companies must design for safety, not addiction,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “Florida already prohibits social media accounts for anyone under 14, and the Eleventh Circuit just upheld that law. The Safe Screens Act goes further. If you invite Florida’s children onto your platform, you have a duty to keep them safe.”

For social media users ages 14 to 17, the legislation would establish mandatory restrictions, including blocking access between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and during school hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the academic year.

Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce backs Ashley Moody for U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody has the endorsement of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, her campaign announced.

The Chamber, founded in 2000 and based in Wellington, says it represents more than 604,000 Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute more than $90 billion a year to the state’s economy.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,” Moody said.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of standing alongside Florida’s Hispanic community, fighting for their freedom, and working to ensure their families have every opportunity to succeed and live their American Dream. Hispanic-owned businesses are an essential part of our state’s success. I am grateful for the Chamber’s support and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Moody’s Democratic opponent, state Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, which she joined in June.