Florida's Latest News

October 21st, 2026 

Here's your roundup of the important stories shaping Florida this week. Stay informed — and share with someone to keep them updated!

DeSantis Announces Nearly 60% Decline in Fentanyl-Caused Deaths

Gov. Ron DeSanits announced a nearly 60% drop in fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida since 2023, according to data from the Florida Medical Examiners Commission’s 2025 Annual Drug Report while speaking at a press conference in Orlando this week. 

The decrease follows Florida's effort to combat drug trafficking and support law enforcement through the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) grant program - established by Gov. DeSants in 2023. As a result, fentanyl deaths dropped from 5,000 to 3,000 from 2023 to 2025, including 37% from 2024 to 2025 - with fentanyl analog deaths also falling more than 50% over that period.

“Fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida have declined by nearly 60% since we launched the S.A.F.E. grant program in 2023,” DeSantis said in a statement. “So far, S.A.F.E. has resulted in almost 3,000 arrests of drug traffickers and dealers, as well as significant seizures of dangerous narcotics. We will continue supporting law enforcement and remain committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Floridians.”

Natalie Milian Orbis endorses Jesus Tundidor for HD 112

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis is endorsing Jesus Tundidor in the pending Special Election for House District 112, the Tundidor campaign announced Monday.

She is the first County Commissioner on his list, and the seventh notable endorsement the former Hialeah Council President has collected since he entered the race on Sept. 18.

Milian Orbis represents Commission District 6, which takes in Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, and parts of Hialeah and Miami. Those communities overlap with HD 112. Her statement cites Miami International Airport and the development next to it, where Nu Stadium, Inter Miami’s 26,700-seat home at Miami Freedom Park, opened in April.

“As County Commissioner, I am working to bring new investment, jobs, and economic opportunities to our community,” Milian Orbis said. “From Miami International Airport to the development surrounding the new soccer stadium, we have an opportunity to build on our strengths and deliver real benefits for our residents.”

Early voting underway in 34 Florida counties

In the governor’s race, current Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is facing off against Democrat and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly.

Jolly, who left the Republican Party in 2018 and registered as an independent, later registered as a Democrat in 2025.

During his tenure in the U.S. House, Jolly supported legislation that generally favored a conservative approach to taxes. On his campaign website, he is open about his support for expanding Medicaid, increasing education funding, codifying Roe v. Wade and issuing a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers.

Donalds has also demonstrated a conservative approach to taxes. He supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025, which included Medicaid work requirements, and supported the Dobbs decision. Donalds has not said whether he would do a moratorium on data centers but has vocalized the need to protect residents from having higher electricity bills.

Palm Beach County bets on quantum computing

Local leaders are encouraging quantum computing’s top companies and customers to ride the field’s development wave to Palm Beach County.

The county’s top business recruiter, Kelly Smallridge, points to four steps in establishing the area as a player in what experts call the “second quantum revolution.”

Smallridge is CEO of the Business Development Board, the county’s public-private economic development agency.

The Business Development Board, and its partners, including Palm Beach-based Quantum Coast Capital, are convening the second statewide Quantum Beach conference Thursday in West Palm Beach to build on the momentum.

About $15 million in taxpayer money is committed in grants and incentives to the effort, including $7.1 million in state and city incentives to D-Wave. FAU’s $20 million purchase comes on top of that.