News & Views

Chemtrails, condo loopholes, and more: Florida lawmakers are already filing bills for the 2025 legislative session

House and Senate committees will meet in parts of December, January and February.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 27, 2024April 14, 2025

News & Views

Florida wraps up another above average hurricane season, with 18 named storms

For Floridians, three hurricanes — Debby, Helene and Milton — were particularly memorable.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 26, 2024June 1, 2025

News & Views

Trump taps former Hillsborough County prosecutor Pam Pondi for U.S. attorney general

“Americans dodged a bullet with Gaetz’s withdrawal but Trump’s second choice for attorney general is no better.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 22, 2024May 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida parents could face consequences if their kids threaten schools

“Parents need to understand that all threats will be taken seriously and will result in severe consequences, including for parents.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 21, 2024November 27, 2024

News & Views

Florida’s agricultural losses from Hurricane Helene top $162.2 million, says report

Field and row crops took the biggest financial hit, with estimated losses between $12.76 million and $48.16 million.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 20, 2024November 22, 2024

News & Views

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide U.S. Senate replacement if Marco Rubio joins Trump’s Cabinet

He’ll also need to set a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 13, 2024April 21, 2025

News & Views

Florida voters approve amendment on hunting and fishing rights, but reject partisan school board races

About 67 percent of voters supported what appeared on the ballot as Amendment 2 and was titled “Right to Fish and Hunt.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 6, 2024December 23, 2024

News & Views

College leaders approve plan to give Pitbull naming rights to Florida university stadium

The approval came several years after a contract Pitbull had with the state helped cost the job of a state tourism-marketing official.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 31, 2024July 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida Republicans lead Democrats in early voting turnout

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 22, 2024November 4, 2024

News & Views

With Florida Dems looking to cut into the GOP’s supermajority, here are the House races to watch

“It will come down to turnout.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 22, 2024April 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida gas prices stable as stations still shuttered after Hurricane Milton

On Monday, DeSantis said 2.4 million gallons of gas had been distributed from state reserves.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 15, 2024October 18, 2024

News & Views

Florida flooding still a fear in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, including along Hillsborough River

Guthrie also said a big part of storm recovery will be responding to inland flooding along the Hillsborough River, Little Wekiva River and St. Johns River.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 10, 2024February 28, 2025

News & Views

Milton will produce a ‘major, major punch and do an awful lot of damage,’ says Florida Gov. DeSantis

About 50,000 utility line workers are expected by Wednesday night to be in position to start restoring electricity after the storm passes.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 9, 2024April 16, 2025

News & Views

Hurricane Milton: Despite long lines at the pump, Florida officials say there is no fuel shortage

“Be prepared that you’re not going to be able to go 75 miles an hour to get out of Dodge on the interstates right now.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 8, 2024October 16, 2024

News & Views

Port Tampa Bay longshoremen join national strike, calling for higher wages and automation protections

President Joe Biden pointed to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in calling for the union and the maritime alliance to reach an agreement.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida October 2, 2024May 4, 2025

News & Views

Hurricane Helene ‘moving fast’ before Florida landfall Thursday night

“It is possible that this storm could make landfall as a major hurricane, as a Category 3, or even potentially a Category 4,” DeSantis said.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 26, 2024September 28, 2024

News & Views

As Hurricane Helene approaches, Florida residents ‘pray for the best’

“This one just looks like pretty much a sure thing that it is going to hit this area and be pretty intense.”

by Mike Exline, Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 26, 2024September 29, 2024

Best of the Bay

Photos from Creative Loafing’s Best of The Bay Party 2024

by Jim Turner September 26, 2024

News & Views

As Helene approaches, Florida braces for ‘potentially very dangerous storm’

“The Big Bend and Panhandle should be especially prepared for a direct impact,” DeSantis said.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 25, 2024September 29, 2024

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency for Tampa Bay counties, as Hurricane Helene looms

“It’s going to be a hurricane, at least a Cat 1, possibly a Cat 2. Will it be stronger than that? That remains to be seen.”

by Jim Turner, Tom Urban and News Service of Florida September 24, 2024September 29, 2024