Florida's Latest News

Byron Donalds promises to ‘respect’ local data center bans if elected Governor

If a local government decides to block data centers, gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds won’t stand in their way if he’s elected in November.

“No, we will respect them. I think we will respect them,” the Naples Republican told Coastal Conservative News this week.

Bans and moratoriums have been voted up in cities and counties throughout Florida.

First, the prohibitions.

Walton County bans data centers and large-load facilities over 50 megawatts, while Escambia and Jackson ban the same in unincorporated areas. Jackson County bans them in unincorporated areas. Indian River County won’t allow hyperscale data centers in any zoning district. Vero Beach sees them as incompatible with the city’s industrial zoning. Wakulla bans them altogether.

Gov. DeSantis reappoints 2 members of the St. Johns River Water Management District

Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed two members of one of the most prominent environmental regulatory agencies in North Florida.

DeSantis announced this month that he’s given the nod for John “Cole” Oliver and Janet Price to return to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). The pair are returning to the Board of Directors.

The District focuses on the regulatory issues facing drinking water and other environmental issues surrounding the St. Johns River, which courses through or impacts 18 counties stretching from parts of the Treasure Coast along much of the East Coast to some inland counties north to the Georgia state line.

Oliver returns to the SJRWMD from the Space Coast and is currently the Board’s Treasurer. Oliver is a lawyer and partner in the Lowndes Law Firm. Oliver has long been an active member of the Brevard County community.

FSU posts highest graduation rate in Florida history for students completing degrees in 4 years

It’s been a good year for Florida State University (FSU) graduates, as there were more than ever.

FSU posted a record number of four-year graduates this year, with 82% of its students getting their degrees within that time frame. It’s the highest four-year graduation rate achieved in the State University System. That’s a 4 percentage-point increase from the 2025 mark of 78%, which was a record.

The FSU Office of Institutional Research reports that the latest four-year graduation rate would tie the University of Michigan’s figure, which is the seventh-best among public universities across the nation.

In addition to the four-year rate, FSU maintained its six-year graduation rate and set a new record among students who transferred to the university from other schools in the Florida College System.

David Jolly enjoys strong week, but his path remains challenging

As far as first weeks go in Florida’s general election race for governor, David Jolly isn’t complaining.

After winning the Democratic primary, Jolly played offense following the leak of a Hope Florida grand jury report that concluded Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration misused $10 million in taxpayer money for political purposes.

While Jolly capitalized on the fallout by nabbing “earned media” on cable TV, an influential elections handicapper said the Democrat faced slightly improved odds against Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. The Cook Political Report, an independent and nonpartisan newsletter for political insiders, adjusted the race’s outlook from “solid Republican” to merely “likely Republican.”

Soon after the new rating dropped, an opponent expected to draw votes away from Jolly in November dropped out of the race.