Florida's Latest News

Tourism Up, But Canadian Numbers Drop

U.S. travelers continue to bolster Florida's tourism industry, while the state hopes to make up for a decline in Canadian visitors by drawing people from other countries.

Visit Florida on Tuesday estimated 34.435 million people traveled to Florida from April 1 through June 30, up from 34.279 million people during the same period last year. The estimate for this year would be a second-quarter record, according to the state tourism-marketing agency.

U.S. travelers made up 31.499 million of this year’s total, or 91.5 percent, up slightly from 31.419 million during the second quarter of 2024. Visit Florida estimated 2.295 million overseas travelers during the quarter this year, an 11.4 percent jump from the same period in 2024. But the estimated 640,000 Canadian visitors to Florida during the quarter marked a 20 percent drop from 2024.

“I know the nation is seeing some Canadian visitors not traveling at the moment, but Florida actually is seeing an increase in visitors from other places, including Brazil, which I think it's part of that overseas visitation increase, and it's something that we're really monitoring and looking to see if we can shift some efforts there to continue that good trend,” Visit Florida President and CEO Bryan Griffin told members of the agency’s Executive Committee on Monday.

Thrasher Remembered as 'Servant Leader'

Legislative leaders, a state Supreme Court justice and a former governor were among a host of heavyweights who paid homage Tuesday to “the epitome of a servant leader,” former Florida State University President and former House Speaker John Thrasher.

Several hundred people gathered at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on the Florida State campus for a celebration of life event honoring Thrasher, who died May 30 at age 81 after a battle with cancer.

Thrasher, whose public-service career spanned three decades and who often referred to himself as “a country lawyer from Clay County,” served in the House and Senate before being tapped in 2014 as president of FSU, where he had earned his bachelor and law degrees.

Thrasher was “an honest, hard-working man,” his widow, Jean, told a rapt audience Tuesday.

“He cared about others. He cared about the way he treated them. He treated them with respect and dignity,” she said. “He set a good example. I just called him a sweet man. You know, he was sweet. He was sweet to me all the time. … So what I really want to say is, because I know he's here with us, I was so proud to be your wife. I love you and thank you for being a partner for 60 years.”

Ashley Moody touts' business advantages coming out of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

During a speech in Tampa, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody promoted the benefits of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” specifically spotlighting the advantages it’s providing to businesses.

Moody spoke before members of the Florida Small Business Development Center during their Small Business Success Summit. Moody, a Republican, said she was thrilled to help back the bill in Congress after it was proposed by President Donald Trump.

She said the measure is providing multiple benefits to commercial interests, especially smaller businesses.

“As Florida’s newest Senator, it is a privilege to fight alongside President Trump to secure major wins for Floridians. The groundbreaking One Big Beautiful Law delivers many big wins for Florida small businesses — from making tax reductions permanent to repealing onerous IRS reporting regulations,” Moody said.

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities, and I’m proud of the victories secured to ensure they can thrive and fuel our economy.”

Steube Introduces Bipartisan Bill Expanding Foster Child Housing

Representative Greg Steube has spearheaded a bipartisan bill to expand housing for children in America's foster care system.

Named the Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act, Rep. Steube's bill amends Part E of the Social Security Act, which covers federal assistance to state-level foster care and adoption systems, to authorize federal funding of cottage family homes to address shortfalls in housing for foster children.

"Every son and daughter of America deserves a roof over their head with patient and supportive parents to guide them," said Rep. Steube in his press release, adding, "I am honored to introduce the Create Accountable Respectful Environments for Children Act to expand options for foster youth and improve overall access to care in child welfare."

Cosponsoring the bill with Steube are Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

"The Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches program has been highly successful at providing safe, structured, and nurturing environments for vulnerable children," Rep. Dunn said. "The Sunshine State is a national leader in providing top-notch programs for children in need, and I'm eager to expand them nationwide. I am proud to join my fellow Floridian, Rep. Steube, in introducing the CARE Act and giving children the support they deserve."