Florida's Latest News

October 26th, 2026 

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

Byron Donalds to visit 5 North Florida counties Monday, Tuesday

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds continues his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour Monday and Tuesday and will make five stops near Interstate 10.

Three of them are on Monday.

His first stop is in Escambia County at Jerry’s Drive In in Pensacola at 8:30 a.m. Central time. U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, CFO Blaise Ingoglia and state Rep. Michelle Salzman will also speak.

The bus next heads to Okaloosa County for a stop at Faith Independent Baptist Church in Niceville at 11 a.m. CDT, with Ingoglia and state Rep. Patt Maney.

From there, Donalds and Ingoglia will head to Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City for a 2 p.m. CDT stop.

‘Staying disciplined’: Christine Hunschofsky leads targeted FHDCC push to grow House caucus

Florida House Democrats are mounting a tightly targeted push to loosen the GOP’s grip on Tallahassee.

Under House Democratic Leader-designate Christine Hunschofsky, the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee (FHDCC) is pairing polling, mailers, and staffing support with training to help candidates defend Democratic seats and flip Republican ones.

Outspent by their opponents, committee leaders are concentrating resources where election data and candidates’ groundwork suggest they can win in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Hunschofsky, a former Parkland Mayor who made the successful jump to the House in 2020, noted that many candidates running in the organization’s targeted districts are campaigning for the first time.

FAMU community picking up pieces day after mass shooting

Just hours after 11 people were shot outside Bragg Stadium following Saturday's Florida A&M University homecoming football game, life began to inch toward something close to normal on campus.

In keeping with tradition, vendors served up piles of fish and shrimp and other fare the morning of Sunday, Oct. 25, as Florida A&M University students, alumni and fans walked up and down Wahnish Way shopping for T-shirts, jewelry and other Rattlers merch.

Old friends could be seen greeting one another as soul music filled the air. But a distinct melancholy hung over what's typically a more party-like atmosphere.

"We're trying our best," said Brianna Simmons, who earned a doctor of pharmacy degree at FAMU in 2022 and traveled from Atlanta to celebrate homecoming with friends. "Everybody has it in the back of their mind — how the day ended — that it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth."

Duval County reports 86,000 votes cast as early voting enters

About 86,000 votes have been cast in Duval County, including roughly 60,000 early in-person votes and 26,000 ballots by mail, Duval County’s Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said as the county’s first week of early voting wrapped up.

Holland said his office is optimistic turnout could surpass the 62% record set in 2018. He said election staff will work 12-hour days Monday through Friday next week as early voting continues.

Voters turned out Saturday at the Legends Center at Lonnie C. Miller Regional Park, where local churches and nonpartisan groups encouraged participation and shared information about the election.

“It’s a lot easier than coming out here on Election Day,” voter Regina Guinyard said of voting early.

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church distributed groceries to more than 200 families and voters during a “pop-up party at the polls,” Lead Pastor Reginald L. Gundy said. The church offered the groceries whether people voted or not.