Florida's Latest News

October 28th, 2026 

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

Ron DeSantis to join Byron Donalds on campaign trail

Gov. Ron DeSantis will join Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds at two stops on the Congressman’s “Defending the Florida Dream” bus tour, with less than a week to go in the campaign.

The 9:30 a.m. stop will be Wednesday at Luigi’s Pizza of Brooksville. The Sunday stop will be at Tampa’s Cuban Civic Club at 6 p.m.

On the tour, Donalds has been joined by Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and state leaders, including statewide candidates on next month’s ballot.

But DeSantis has only appeared on the same stage with Donalds once since Donalds won the August Primary, at an event put on by the Republican Party of Florida, where the Governor endorsed the GOP slate at large.

Though co-appearances have been limited, Donalds has reminded voters of the current Governor’s support through ads.

Ashley Moody helps land $11M for Port of Fernandina improvements

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody says she helped secure $11 million in federal Port Infrastructure Development Program grant funding for the Port of Fernandina in Northeast Florida.

Moody said she appealed to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to provide the money.

“Florida’s ports are critical to our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and helping businesses move goods across the country and around the world,” she said.

“The Port of Fernandina is an important economic engine for Northeast Florida, and this $11 million investment will help protect its infrastructure, strengthen supply chain reliability and ensure the port can continue serving our region for years to come.”

In June, Moody sent a letter to Maritime Administration Administrator Capt. Stephen Carmel urging support for the Ocean Highway and Port Authority’s funding request. 

Longtime Boca resident donates $1 million to support FAU programs

Students and faculty at Florida Atlantic University are set to benefit from a $1 million donation from longtime Boca Raton resident Howard Guggenheim.

The gift will support programs across FAU Athletics, the College of Business, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building, according to a recent announcement.

Guggenheim, who has lived in Boca Raton for 46 years, said he wants to give back to the community that has given him so much.

“Florida Atlantic has long felt like family to me, and I am proud that this gift will strengthen our community for generations to come.”

The SS United States is scheduled for sinking in Florida to become the world’s largest artificial reef

A historic ocean liner is a step closer to becoming the world’s largest artificial reef.

Officials in Florida’s Okaloosa County expect to sink the SS United States off the Gulf Coast during the second week of November. The exact dates could change because of weather.

The ship will be sunk about 22 nautical miles (41 kilometers) southwest of Destin.

“This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry,” county officials wrote in a news release.

The nearly 1,000-foot (305-meter) vessel shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952. Preservation groups tried to save the ship but were hindered by high costs.

Supporters hope that sinking the ship will make it a barnacle-encrusted star among more than 500 artificial reefs and a signature diving attraction, helping to generate millions of dollars a year in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels