Florida's Latest News

Florida Gov. DeSantis backs UF putting graduate center in Jacksonville

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he favors the University of Florida building a graduate center in Jacksonville, a project that is up for $75 million in state support in the budget that state lawmakers will vote on this week.

DeSantis said his staff still will do its usual line-by-line assessment 2023-24 budget approved by the Legislature, but he said the concept of the UF graduate center makes sense for partnering with businesses that can generate jobs and keep students in Florida after they earn undergraduate diplomas from state universities like UF.

"There's a clear vision of how this can be successful and I think there's been huge support from the local community, which really makes a difference," DeSantis said during a stop in Jacksonville for a bill-signing ceremony.

Central Florida secures millions for roadway expansion, public safety

Orlando area lawmakers from both sides of the aisle celebrated budget wins. From cultural grants to public safety facilities, Central Florida scored millions

“The budget reflects the priorities of the legislators,” said Sen. Geraldine Thompson, chair of the Orange County Legislative Delegation. “I am pleased to see that the needs of my district were prioritized.”

The budget includes nearly $18.4 million for the widening of Old Kings Road and West Orange Trail.

There is another $2 million allotted for the Orlo Vista Integrated Water Resources Project.

Lawmakers pass bill protecting certain victims from giving depositions

A Florida measure that would protect certain crime victims from giving depositions is heading to the governor's desk. The bill requires that defendants show good cause to a judge in order to depose children under 18 who are victims of a sexual offense or people with intellectual disabilities.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills attorney.

“Child victims and victims with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable in deposition settings because they often do not have the language, insight or empowerment to understand their emotions and ask for help when in distress,” Burgess said.

Environmental groups sue the federal government to protect Florida's manatees

Four environmental groups announced Tuesday that they are suing the federal government for failing to protect the West Indian Manatee.

The manatee's numbers have dropped precipitously in the past two years. The biggest amount of deaths took place in the Indian River Lagoon along Florida's Atlantic coast, where too many nutrients in the water from human use spurred the growth of algae, which smothered seagrasses that manatees eat.

The algae blooms and red tide have killed nearly 2,000 manatees in the past two years. This means one out of every five manatees in the state have died recently.

Federal environmental officials had de-listed the species from endangered to threatened in 2017.