Florida's Latest News

October 29th, 2026 

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

Donald Trump approves major disaster declaration for Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias

President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for the Panhandle following Hurricane Isaias, a designation U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody had been pushing for.

Isaias came ashore near Destin as a Category 2 hurricane, and thousands of people were evacuated as it approached. Moody said she was thrilled by the declaration. She had led an effort by members of Florida’s congressional delegation urging Trump to approve a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“This declaration is so important to Floridians and communities still suffering from the impact of Hurricane Isaias,” Moody said.

“While the state is working diligently to restore areas destroyed by this major hurricane, the President Trump’s approval of the Major Disaster Declaration will help bolster ongoing efforts in Florida’s Panhandle.”

Traci Koster seeks fourth term in HD 66 race against Jose Sanchez Sanchez

Republican Rep. Traci Koster is seeking a fourth term in the House against Democrat Jose “Dante” Sanchez Sanchez, who faces an uphill challenge in a Hillsborough County district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by nearly 15,000 registered voters.

Koster enters the House District 66 race with a substantial fundraising advantage and a political committee holding more than $1 million, while Sanchez Sanchez, an Air Force veteran and electrical contractor, is making his first legislative bid against an incumbent who has won her previous two elections by double-digit margins. 

Koster is running on her legislative record and a low-tax, school-choice platform, while Sanchez Sanchez is focused on schools, neighborhood infrastructure and insurance costs.

Koster, a family lawyer first elected in 2020, chairs the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and serves as Vice Chair of the Justice Budget Subcommittee. 

How Tampa stands to benefit from a new Rays stadium

The Tampa City Council on Thursday will consider a community benefits agreement tied to the Rays' new stadium that, if approved, would deliver $4.2 million to the city over five years.

Why it matters: The deal spells out what Tampa gets in return for its stake in the stadium and exempts the Rays from rules that bind other developers the city subsidizes.

Catch up quick: The Hillsborough County Commission required the Rays to provide $60 million in community benefits when it approved the stadium deal in late August.

The county, which agreed to spend up to $796 million on the stadium, would receive the lion's share: $39 million. Tampa, which committed up to $80 million, would receive $21 million. The County Commission and the City Council will each vote on a separate community benefits agreement with the Rays.

King tides bring major flood warning to South Florida's coast

South Florida's east coast is under a coastal flood warning, with major coastal flooding possible in the area from Monday through Wednesday.

"Major coastal flooding is expected across portions of the Atlantic coast today and tomorrow," according to the National Weather Service Office Miami-South Florida. "Salt water can damage cars, and remember to avoid driving through flooded roadways!"

The area under a coastal flood warning extends from Palm Beach County down to the upper Florida Keys, and includes West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Homestead.

There is also a wind advisory in effect from 11 a.m. Oct. 26 to 8 p.m. ET Oct. 27 for "metro and coastal areas of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties." Northeast winds 20 to 25 miles per hour "with frequent gusts up to 40" mph are expected. "Unsecured objects" could be blown around, "tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result."