Florida's Latest News

14 candidates enter races for Florida Legislature seats within Brevard in 2026 election

The 2026 Florida Legislature primary elections are more than a year away. But candidates already are lining up to run in the House and Senate districts that include parts of Brevard County.

There are a total of 12 Republicans and two Democrats who are announced candidates for the five Florida House seats and one Florida Senate seat that will be contested in Brevard in 2026. One of the Republicans has signed up to run in both a Senate and a House race, and says she will decide later in the campaign which one to pursue.

If more than one candidate of the same political party qualifies to run for a specific seat, there will be primary elections held on Aug. 18, 2026. The general election will be Nov. 3, 2026.

By filing candidate paperwork early, candidates can begin campaign fundraising, and are able spend money on mailings, fliers and media advertising designed to increase their name recognition with voters.

Florida Senate members have a salary of $29,697 a year and four-year terms. Florida House members have a salary of $29,697 a year and two-year terms.

FSU plans celebration of life for late leader John Thrasher

Florida State University will host a "celebration of life" to honor the memory of the late President Emeritus John Thrasher on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. 

Thrasher, who was FSU’s 15th president, died of cancer in May. He was 81. He was a Vietnam combat veteran and businessman, and also was the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and then a state senator representing the Jacksonville area. 

Thrasher was named FSU president in 2014 and retired in 2021. He was named the Tallahassee Democrat’s Person of the Year in 2015.

His administration is lauded for how he led the school through a series of challenges that included achieving status as a preeminent research institution, raising more than $1 billion to fund scholarships and professorship, and in how he dealt with a shooting at Strozier Library and a fraternity hazing death.

He also led the local community in addressing the universities and city’s history dealing with matters of race. 

FWC to review manatee protection zones in Indian River County

For the first time in over three decades, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reviewing the manatee protection zones in Indian River County. The review could lead to changes in how boaters interact with local waterways to better protect manatees.

The FWC follows a formal process to assess and amend manatee protection rules. The process begins with an evaluation of factors like manatee use, boating activity, and waterway conditions to determine if changes are necessary. If a change is proposed, FWC notifies the affected county, which then has 60 days to form a Local Rule Review Committee (LRRC). This committee reviews the proposal and provides feedback for the FWC to consider in a public meeting. After gathering public input, the FWC Commissioners decide whether to adopt the proposed rule changes. New regulations, once adopted, are enforced 20 days later with posted signage.

"FWC is in the early stages of the review and rulemaking process and expect to take any proposed changes to a 2026 FWC Commission Meeting," said Lisa Thompson, FWC communications specialist. "Several zones throughout the county have been identified where changes may be warranted (both an increase or a decrease in manatee protections), and input received from the local community will aid staff in developing a proposal."

Senate GOP Set for Boyd Selection

Republican senators will meet Oct. 14 to formally select Majority Leader Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, as the next Senate president. Boyd has long been expected to succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the 2026 elections. Albritton sent a memo Friday to senators notifying them of the October meeting. “Jim always works to build consensus and has spent countless hours with senators on both sides of the aisle exploring and talking through ideas to make legislation stronger and bring tough and complex issues across the finish line,” Albritton said in the memo. “When it comes to constituent services, he digs into the details to make sure Floridians are getting the answers they need and expect from our elected leaders.” Boyd served in the House from 2010 to 2018 and was elected to the Senate in 2020.