Florida's Latest News

Mike Yaworsky fines 8 insurance companies for ‘misconduct’ during recent hurricanes

Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky is issuing fines against eight insurance carriers for what is being described as “misconduct” during recent hurricanes in the state.

Yaworsky said he is instituting $2.075 million in penalties against the companies for their handling of property damage claims from Hurricane Ian, which struck the state near Cayo Costa in September 2022, and Hurricane Idalia, which hit the Big Bend area of the state in August 2023.

Yaworsky said the companies used insurance adjusters who are not properly appointed to assess property damage. He said the adjusters were used in several areas of the state after the storms wreaked havoc and heavy damage.

The companies also allegedly did not acknowledge receipt of claims and did not respond in a timely manner, according to a news release published Tuesday.

Those companies also were “failing to provide homeowners claims bill of rights, failing to pay interest when owed,” along with additional issues. Yaworsky said two other companies are still under investigation.

Groups organize 'call to action' workshop to tackle South Florida's affordable housing crisis

The Coalition to End Homelessness and the League of Women Voters of Broward County are hosting a public workshop on Sept. 6 to address what they say is South Florida’s most pressing issue: homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.

"The event is a call to action," say the organizers. "It will present findings, highlight solutions that have worked in other regions, and begin building a roadmap for South Florida."

The workshop runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the West Broward Regional Library, 8601 W Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324.

“When middle-income families cannot afford housing, not only does homelessness escalate, but employers also cannot recruit staff, schools cannot keep teachers, and hospitals cannot retain nurses," said Coalition to End Homelessness CEO Laura Hansen.

"The crisis is so much worse than we imagined," said Hansen.

Workers' comp rates in Florida expected to decrease in 2026

Workers’ compensation insurance rates in Florida should decrease by an average of 6.9% in 2026 under a proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

Submitted last month, the NCCI’s proposed reduction is a recommendation only. Rates are set by the Florida Commissioner of Insurance, usually after a public hearing.

The recommended filing is based on experience data for policy years 2022 and 2023 as of year‐end 2024. The proposed reduction is being driven by declines in lost-time claim frequency, according to a summary from NCCI.

“The workers' compensation system remains healthy. For the last decade, the system has broadly benefited from a steady drop in claim frequency, rising wages, and moderate severity. The changing workforce and evolving economy also continue to impact workers' compensation,” the summary notes.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that aims to protect employers from getting sued by injured employees and, in exchange, employers provide employees injured on the job the care they need to return to work. Employers are required to provide compensation for lost wages if an employee misses more than eight days of work due to an on-the-job injury.

Florida doctors endorse Ralph Massullo for Florida Senate

The Florida Medical Association Political Action Committee (FMA PAC) is endorsing Ralph Massullo, the Lecanto Republican and former state lawmaker running in the Senate District 11 Special Election.

“The Florida Medical Association PAC is pleased to support one of our own, Dr. Ralph Massullo, in the Special Election for Senate District 11,” FMA PAC President Andrew Borom said.

“Dr. Massullo was a friend to Florida medicine during his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives, and we look forward to working closely with him once again on critical issues impacting patients in the state of Florida.”

Massullo, meanwhile, said he’s proud of his career helping patients and hopes to “make Florida a nationwide leader in health care.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis set Sept. 30 as the date for the Special Primary in Senate District 11, with the General Election to follow on Dec. 9. The winner will be seated before the 2026 Legislative Session.