Florida's Latest News

DeSantis awards 23 communities $28.4 million in funding to bolster economic growth

Governor Ron DeSantis awarded more than $28.4 million in funding for economic growth and resiliency to 23 local communities statewide.

“Supporting the growth and resilience of Florida communities is the best way to ensure Florida’s strong future,” said DeSantis. “Investments made today will provide 23 communities with access to the resources they need to diversify their economies, increase public safety, and mitigate future risks.”

Through the Community Development Block Grant – CV (CDBG-CV), DeSantis announced on Tuesday that 17 communities would receive funds to bolster activities including workforce housing, training, and sustainability, as well as broadband infrastructure and planning. CDBG-CV program primarily benefits low and moderate-income residents.

Gov. DeSantis invokes ‘Top Gun’ in contending he doesn’t poll test issues

Public polls abound on Gov. Ron DeSantis regarding everything from his popularity to his presidential prospects. Yet the Governor continues to say he doesn’t poll issues, and this time around, he invoked a summer blockbuster film to make his point.

DeSantis said he made the decision “that when I became Governor, you know what, I’m not doing polling.”

DeSantis made the comments Tuesday at the Florida American Legion Boys State Program, contending he would not be “one of those politicians that just has their finger in the wind, that’s so worried about kind of this or that.”

“Responding to polls is being a follower,” DeSantis said. “It’s not being a leader.”

Cyber Florida receives $20 million grant to boost job force

The Florida Center for Cybersecurity, better known as Florida Cyber, will receive a $20 million grant provided by the Florida Department of Education in order to boost cybersecurity education and resources statewide. The program has hopes to bolster the state’s cybersecurity workforce as a burgeoning technology and cybersecurity regional industry presents itself statewide.

The program will initially operate at a regional scale, housed at the University of South Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis anticipates that the program’s future success could help provide expansions to schools in metro regions like Miami and Jacksonville.

Since 2019, cybersecurity program enrollment among students has risen nearly 40 percent, with 143,000 grade school students engaged in Information Technology (IT) academic pathways. With this new funding, state officials hope to double enrollment by 2024.

Florida firefighters endorse Wilton Simpson

The leading firefighter union in Florida endorsed Republican Wilton Simpson’s campaign for Agriculture Commissioner.

“On behalf of the more than 26,000 Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, I am proud to announce our membership’s endorsement of Wilton Simpson for Agriculture Commissioner,” said Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska, president of the Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF).

Bernoska said Simpson, a Trilby Republican, particularly came through during the last two years when he presided over the Senate. During that time, the Legislature approved expansions of benefits for first responders.

“As Senate President, he showed he was willing to step up and deliver needed resources and pay raises for Florida’s state firefighters and we know his leadership will continue when he is elected to lead the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” Bernoska said. “The FPF looks forward to working together for the next four years to support Florida’s highly trained Florida Forest Service Firefighters.”