Florida's Latest News

FPL customers will see 1 month of lower bills as part of $80 million hurricane overcharge refund

Florida Power & Light customers will receive about $80 million in refunds stemming from charges imposed for storm restoration work from the 2024 hurricane season, state regulators determined Tuesday.

The Public Service Commission approved the refund, which will result in a one-month reduction in base rates to reflect any "revenue over-recovery" charges from the Juno Beach-based FPL, which serves more than 12 million Floridians across 43 counties.

"Maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid requires continued investment, and the commission's review helps ensure customers pay only the reasonable and necessary costs of restoring service while supporting a reliable electric system for all Floridians," PSC Chairwoman Gabriella Passidomo Smith said in a released statement.

The state utility regulators approved the initial $1.2 billion repair charge in December 2024, which added about $12 to the average monthly bill during 2025.

Republican Party of Florida Says Debates Haven't Been Set for Senate, Gubernatorial Races

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) announced it has not sanctioned any special election U.S. Senate or gubernatorial debate following the August primary for the general election despite multiple reports of dates set for both races in October at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

"To be clear: the Republican Party of Florida has not sanctioned or agreed to any debates in statewide races," the RPOF wrote. "Any discussions that have taken place were explicitly focused on post-Primary negotiations; to be conducted with our nominees, their campaigns, and the opposing party. Those campaigns were not party to any prior discussions."

Organized by "Decision 2026 Before YOU Vote," the U.S. Senate debate is scheduled for Oct. 13 while the gubernatorial debate is scheduled for Oct. 15th in Boca Raton. Before YOU Vote is the longest running televises debate series in Florida history.

"It is unfortunate that a collection of political interest groups and media outlets have attempted to hijack this process for their own publicity and unilaterally dictate terms to the candidates. That is not how this works," the RPOF said.

Invasive pasture mealybug spreads to 15 Florida counties, threatening pastures, sugarcane

A new invasive pest is damaging grass and sugarcane crops across South Florida, raising alarms among farmers and researchers alike. The pasture mealybug has now been detected in 15 Florida counties — and scientists at the University of Florida are racing to find solutions.

Isaac Esquivel, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of entomology and nematology in agronomic and forage crops, is among the researchers studying the pest. He’s breaking down what farmers need to know — from identifying the insect to protecting their fields.

The pasture mealybug is a small, white, oval-shaped insect with a slightly fuzzy or fluffy appearance. At its largest, it’s roughly the width of a pencil eraser — and it looks nearly identical to non-destructive mealybug species common in Florida.

“Florida has more than 80 species of mealybugs — and most are either harmless or are only slight nuisances,” Esquivel said. “The pasture mealybug is rare and unique in that it’s so destructive, but just because you see a mealybug on your plants, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the invasive species we’re concerned about.”

Jason Brodeur Endorses Byron Donalds for Governor

Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) announced his endorsement of Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds for governor by praising his conservative leadership through a social media post this week.

"Floridians deserve a proven conservative leader who will tackle the affordability crisis head-on, bring real reforms to our property insurance market, and fiercely protect the natural waterways that make our state exceptional," Brodeur wrote. "@ByronDonalds has the grit to get the job done for Florida families. I am honored to endorse his campaign for Governor."

Sen. Brodeur is the latest Republican elected official endorsing Rep. Donalds in his gubernatorial campaign, which seemingly grows by the day ahead of the August primary.

Others who have recently backed Rep. Donalds include Sens. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) and Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison (R-Fleming Island).