Florida's Latest News

Governor DeSantis and Florida lawmakers will address property insurance problems during a special legislative session

In a stop in Jacksonville Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said lawmakers will address the property insurance crisis in a special legislative session in May. It comes after a News4JAX I-TEAM investigation – showing some homeowners saw insurance premiums double – without even making a claim.

On, Monday, the Governor said, “And so those issues like property insurance and trying to, you know, bring some sanity and stabilize and have a functioning market.”

He plans to address the problems with lawmakers in a special session in May – after homeowners across the state complained of huge rate increases – some losing their coverage altogether.

“I’m confident that we’re going to be able to get that done. I am not confident we’d be able to punch it through this week,” Governor DeSantis said.

Gov. DeSantis presents UF Health Jacksonville with $80 million check, honors recently passed Dr. Haley

Governor Ron DeSantis was in Jacksonville Monday morning to help honor a legacy.

DeSantis Presented UF Health Jacksonville with an $80 million check that will be used to build a new trauma facility named after Dr. Leon Haley.

“This will have a significant impact on this community, I think a lot of the different projects that get done, this is something that had huge support,” DeSantis said. “We’re also happy to announce that the new state-of-the-art trauma center will be named after Leon Haley Jr., MD Trauma Center, named after Dr. Leon Haley Jr.”

DeSantis announced the money will be included in Florida’s 2022-23 budget when he officially approves it later this year, Jax Daily Record reports.

DeSantis said the new trauma center will provide Jacksonville community members with better access to health services.

Gas prices across Florida continue to drop ... for now

Gas prices continued to fall across the state last week, but they could rise once again.

According to AAA, the average price dropped another 7 cents, to $4.01 a gallon.

That's 27 cents less than a month ago, and the lowest price since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said concerns over oil supply could drive prices up.

"Gas prices have mostly declined through the past two weeks, but don't be surprised if they rebound soon," Jenkins said in a press release. "The price of oil jumped 8% last week, on reports that the European Union is preparing to ban Russian oil imports, which fuels ongoing concerns about global oil supplies.

"The crude increase could ultimately lead to an increase of 10 cents or more at the pump."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Expands Special Session To End Disney Self-Government

Ratcheting up a fight with Walt Disney Co., Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday expanded a special legislative session to consider eliminating a decades-old governing district set up for Disney World and nearby properties.

DeSantis made the announcement during an appearance in The Villages, as lawmakers prepared to start a special session Tuesday on a congressional redistricting plan. The announcement came after weeks of battling between Republican leaders and Disney over a new law that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools — a measure that critics call the “don’t say gay” bill.

The Republican-dominated Legislature quickly released bills and scheduled committee meetings for Tuesday afternoon on a proposal (HB 3C and SB 4-C) that targets what is known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. They also will consider a proposal (HB 5C and SB 6-C) that would strip Disney of an exemption from a 2021 law that sought to crack down on social-media companies.