Florida's Latest News

Flying air taxis move closer to US takeoff with issuing of FAA rule

Federal regulators gave a strong push to electric-powered air taxis Tuesday by issuing a final rule for operating the aircraft and how pilots will be trained to fly them.

The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, said the rule recognizes air taxis as an entirely new type of aircraft that will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the sky.

These aircraft take off and land vertically, like helicopters, but fly like fixed-wing planes. Many companies are working to get them on the market, but they have been held back by the lack of clarity over regulations to govern their use.

Whitaker said the FAA is stressing safety as it works to fold the new aircraft into the nation’s airspace. He said “powered-lift aircraft” are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years, since the dawn of helicopters, and the rule will allow for their widespread operation.

Air taxi supporters call them a cleaner alternative to passenger planes that burn jet fuel. So far, however, current technology limits their size and likely means that they will be used most often in urban areas. Companies envision carrying people and cargo.

Florida AG sues DOJ over blocking its investigation into Trump assassination attempt

Florida’s Republican attorney general has asked a judge to stop the Justice Department from blocking the state’s investigation into Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed the complaint on Wednesday in federal court against Attorney General Merrick Garland. It marks the latest escalation in a turf war between the FBI and Florida over the alleged crime from Sept. 15, which happened at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, located about 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who unsuccessfully ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, set the Florida investigation in motion through an executive order on Sept. 17. It asked agency officials, overseen by Moody, to launch their own probe to assemble state charges against Routh.

Moody alleges in her 18-page complaint that the Department of Justice subsequently indicated in a letter that Florida had to suspend its investigation, citing a federal law governing the prosecution of crimes against major public figures, which has a section about federal officials superseding local or state investigations until federal action is terminated. The law also says that federal officials can ask state officials for assistance.

Gov. DeSantis announces $1M disaster award to help hurricane-hit fisheries, seeks federal aid

Florida is also expediting permits and approvals for impacted businesses and offering big discounts on fishing and hunting licenses.

Efforts to repair and rebuild fishing and aquaculture infrastructure damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are getting a $1 million boost.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the funding award, which will come from the Florida Disaster Fund and go toward restoring boat slips, docks, fish houses and other such structures across the Big Bend region.

“The Big Bend’s fishing industry took a direct hit from hurricanes Debby and Helene, and so did the hardworking Floridians who make their living on the water,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement.

“Today’s investments will help to rebuild critical waterside infrastructure and help get Floridians in the fishing and aquaculture industries back to full operations.”

Majority of residential, commercial insurance hurricane claims closed without payment

Property owners aren't getting what they expected from their insurance policies.

Florida homeowners and business owners who expected storm relief via property insurance claims after three hurricanes this year are being disappointed, per data from the state’s Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR).

Regarding residential claims in the wake of Hurricane Debby, which hit the Big Bend in August, 3,503 were closed with payment, while 7,397 were closed without compensation.

Commercial numbers are just as bleak, with 72 claims closed with payment and 194 without.

Some insurers have been especially stingy, including Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state insurer of last resort. NOTUS reports it did not pay out on 77% of claims against it.

Per OIR, 75% of Debby claims are closed across the industry for the storm that imposed nearly $131 million in insured losses in Florida.