Florida's Latest News

Byron Donalds backs Flock camera removals, expects other states to follow

Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds is praising the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration’s decision to remove automated license plate readers (LPRs) from right-of-ways on state roads.

During an interview, the Naples Republican said DeSantis “stepped up” and “made it clear that we’re not going to have a surveillance state in Florida.”

“I agree with the Governor 1000% on that. The Fourth Amendment is never up for discussion. Other states might take away civil liberties, but that’s not going to happen in Florida. The same way we protect your First Amendment rights and your Second Amendment rights, we take very seriously your Fourth Amendment rights,” Donalds said on “Varney and Co.”

“We want law enforcement to have the tools they need to catch the bad guys, but that cannot come at the cost of having rampant surveillance in our state.”

Donald Trump backs eight GOP candidates for Congress in Florida open and battleground districts

President Donald Trump made several endorsements for Republicans running in battleground congressional districts in Florida.

In a series of Truth Social posts, he offered his “complete and total endorsement” to Casey Askar, Mike Beltran, Ryan Elijah, Dan Green, Austin Rogers, Jim Schwartzel, Scott Singer, and Joe Strada.

He said all would “fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Keep our Border SECURE, Safeguard our Elections, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”

Notably, two of those endorsements were for candidates who won Primary elections over other candidates Trump had endorsed. Elijah upset incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills for the GOP nomination in Florida’s 7th Congressional District.

Jeremy Matlow outraises Loranne Ausley in first report since Primary

New campaign finance reports show City Commissioner and Tallahassee mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow building on the momentum he gained after taking the top spot in first round voting on Aug. 18.

Between Aug. 14 and Aug. 21, Matlow raised over $12,000 from 99 individual donors and self-funded an additional $10,000. Former Sen. Loranne Ausley, who also advanced to the runoff, raised more than $7,100 from 23 individual donors.

Excluding his own loans, Matlow’s average donor gave $122, compared with an average contribution of $311 for Ausley. Two of Matlow’s donors reside outside of Tallahassee, while Ausley received eight contributions from out-of-town donors.

The two candidates spent roughly similar $13,000 totals over the same one-week period. Ausley has significantly outspent Matlow thus far — $345,000 to $191,600 — but Matlow now has the edge in cash on hand. He reports $50,000 in available funds to the $34,000 Ausley has remaining.

This Florida port is the world’s busiest for cruise ships. It shows no signs of slowing

Within the last year, Port Canaveral took the title of world’s busiest cruise port and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The port expects to see 10.9 million passenger movements and 23 homeported ships in its 2027 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, up from 9 million passengers and 20 homeported ships in the current fiscal year. The growth of the cruise industry and increased calls at Port Canaveral will help drive operating revenue up by $44.4 million to an expected $281.8 million for FY2027.

The upcoming fiscal year will see 1,213 ship calls, up from 1,080 this year, and a 33% increase in five- and six-ship days at the port.

“It’s not only a win for Port Canaveral, it’s a win for the communities and families that benefit from the economic activity that we create here at the port every single day,” said Port Canaveral Chief Financial Officer Jeff Long during the port’s August commission meeting.