Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 11 bills on Thursday, including a measure to increase the number of circuit court and county judges and a bill to revise a major housing law, the “Live Local Act,” which passed in 2023. The bill adding judges (HB 5401)…
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Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Unveils New Vocational Center In Honor Of Julianne M. Holt
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Sheriff Chad Chronister unveiled the newest vocational center building owned and operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in honor of Julianne M. Holt. The Julianne M. Holt New Beginnings Vocational Center is named after Hillsborough County’s Public Defender, who has…
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Nassau County Sued Over “And Tango Makes Three” Book Removal
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday challenges the constitutionality of decisions by Nassau County school officials to remove or restrict access to library books, including the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.” Attorneys for the co-authors of “And Tango Makes Three,” parents…
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Florida DOH-Hillsborough Issues Blue-Green Algae Health Alert At Lake Thonotosassa
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae in Lake Thonotosassa on May 06, 2024. Water sample testing is underway. Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins.…
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Florida Governor DeSantis Announces Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that tourism to Florida has reached unprecedented levels, solidifying Florida’s status as the premier destination for travelers worldwide. Revised figures for 2023 show that Florida welcomed more than 140.6 million visitors, breaking previous records. Additionally, Florida’s first quarter of 2024…
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Legislative Lobbying Tops $52M In Florida
According to a state compilation posted online Thursday, lobbying firms earned an estimated $52.825 million for legislative work during the first three months of the year, which included the annual legislative session. Firms faced a Wednesday deadline for filing reports showing compensation from Jan. 1…
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Missing Man Last Seen In Wesley Chapel Located Safe
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – Anthony Henry Jr. has been located and is safe, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were searching for Anthony Henry Jr., a missing/endangered 38-year-old. Henry is 5’10”, around 160 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Read: Homosassa…
Sports
FHSAA Considers Compensation For Florida High School Student Athletes
The governing body that oversees high school athletics in Florida could soon approve a proposal that would allow high school athletes to be paid through business agreements such as endorsement deals. The Florida High School Athletic Association held a discussion on Tuesday about a potential…
Cold Case
Missing Man Last Seen In Wesley Chapel Located Safe
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – Anthony Henry Jr. has been located and is safe, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were searching for Anthony Henry Jr., a missing/endangered 38-year-old. Henry is 5’10”, around 160 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Read: Homosassa…
Florida Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service Grants Aim To Curb Florida Wildfire Threats
The U.S. Forest Service said this week that $250,000 in federal funding was given to each of Jacksonville and Sarasota County as part of efforts to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from wildfires. Under the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, 158 local governments nationwide,…
UF Scientist, Veteran Wins National Award For Program Connecting Military Personnel To Ag Careers
A veteran himself, University of Florida plant pathologist Gary Vallad wanted to give back to his comrades-in-arms. So, he and Simon Bollin started the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program (VFAP), which helps train veterans for jobs in that field. In 2017, Bollin, agribusiness development manager for…
Lottery
Georgia Woman Wins Whopping $2 Million On Florida Lottery Monopoly Scratch-Off Game
The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Lavoncis Armstrong, 64, of Riverdale, Georgia, claimed a $2 million top prize from the $10 MONOPOLY DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Armstrong chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,597,848.00. Armstrong purchased…
Florida Lottery Announces New Lineup Of Games For Grouper And Grouper Super Sampler
The Florida Lottery revealed Tuesday an enhanced series of games accompanying every GROUPER® and GROUPER® Super Sampler package play purchase. With these new games, players now have increased opportunities to win big while spending less! Unlock incredible value with each GROUPER package play, receiving $6…
Job News
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Substitute School Crossing Guards Across Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is seeking qualified men and women in Polk County who desire to work as substitute crossing guards this year. Substitute school crossing guards are needed in the following areas: Lakeland, Fort Meade, Bartow, Highland City, Lake Wales…
Florida Jobless Claims Decline
Florida last week saw a drop in first-time unemployment claims, though company notices filed with the state show some workers face layoffs. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that estimated 5,680 unemployment applications were filed in Florida during the week ending…