Hurricane season has begun, and the Florida Department of Health (Department) is joining the Florida Division of Emergency Management in encouraging all residents and visitors to prepare for severe weather emergencies. Determine any risks to your home, property, or business, and update your emergency plans and supplies before Florida isContinue Reading
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 478 to convert the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program into a permanent program available to school districts across the state. The Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Program provides assistance to school districts in implementing comprehensive music education programsContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported one case of locally acquired malaria this week in Sarasota County. The Plasmodium species was Plasmodium vivax. The DOH says the individual spent extensive time outdoors. The patient was promptly treated at a hospital and has recovered. DOH is working closely with local partnersContinue Reading
A man is under arrest for throwing gasoline on another man and lighting him on fire. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reports that on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 4:32 p.m., two men at the Mobile gas station located at 14516 N 22nd Street in Tampa engaged in aContinue Reading
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, which is set to open its doors to guests this October, has issued an open call for local Florida talent to showcase their skills at the highly-anticipated resort and the opportunity to become part of a live entertainment lineup. Online submissions are due by Friday, JuneContinue Reading
According to a new Victory Insights poll, two Florida residents, former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are in a dead heat for the Republican nomination in the Sunshine State. The poll published on May 28 shows Gov. DeSantis with 38.2% , a 0.2% lead over Mr. Trump.Continue Reading
Democratic Representative from the 14th District of Florida, Kathy Castor, when looking at her voting record, ranked 350 out of some 500 people in Congress in 2022 when it comes to views on the proper role, scope and duty of government. With a 5.06% limited government percentage (out of aContinue Reading
On May 19, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has the lowest unemployment rate among the top 10 largest states in the nation at 2.6 percent, as Floridians see continued economic stability spurred on in part by the thriving tourism industry. Between January and March of 2023, Florida saw aContinue Reading
U.S. Term Limits commends Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for signing the bill that enforces eight-year term limits for school board members. U.S. Term Limits (USTL) began advocating for term limits for school boards in 2017. Efforts have included participation in town hall meetings, the Florida State Supreme Court, the ConstitutionContinue Reading
Lime launched a fleet of its industry leading Gen4 e-bikes in St. Pete today, bringing bike share back to the city and growing its presence in Florida. Lime looks forward to working with the city and its elected officials as well as partners in the community to build the bestContinue Reading
As healthcare professionals across Florida call attention to the importance of organ donation in April during National Donate Life Month, a west Florida man is particularly grateful for one donor among the more than 11.8 million enrolled in the state’s Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Just eight months afterContinue Reading
Today, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System announced they will host their second drive-through baby shower of the season at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 6. The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center is located at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FloridaContinue Reading
Named one of the most “beautiful cinemas” in the world, the Tampa Theatre is receiving much-needed repair and restoration improvements to protect and fully preserve the iconic landmark. Phase I of the restoration efforts started in 2017 and addressed substantial infrastructure needs to the interior and exterior of the historical building. TheContinue Reading
The Florida Department Agriculture and Consumer Services reported two cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses in Polk County. The first case (the third overall in the state) was a 10-year-old Pony Cross gelding who exhibited symptoms on April 7 of depression, muscle witching, incoordination and inability to stand.Continue Reading
Four Florida cities–Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa, in that order, topped the personal-finance website, WalletHub‘s list of 2023’s Best Large Cities to Start a Business. In order to determine the best cities for launching a business, WalletHub compared 100 cities, across three key dimensions: 1) Business Environment which includes AverageContinue Reading
As legislators consider Florida SB 262/HB 1547, legislation targeting large data-driven digital advertising platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, small businesses statewide are voicing strong opposition to the proposal. More than 100 business leaders sent a letter asking legislators to oppose the bills in order to “preserve the current digitalContinue Reading
On Friday, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that the Tampa area’s unemployment rate was at 2.6 percent in March 2023, down 0.2 percentage point from the rate of 2.8 percent a year ago. Tampa area private sector jobs were up 5.5 percent in March 2023, an increase ofContinue Reading
Yesterday evening, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book and 11 others were arrested at a pro-abortion protest in Tallahassee. They were protesting SB 300. The bill, S.B. 300, would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for women facing life-threatening harmContinue Reading
Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed permitless concealed carry into law in Florida. House Bill (HB) 543 which strengthens Floridians’ Second Amendment rights by allowing Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. HB 543 goes into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact ConstitutionalContinue Reading
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, Wesley Chapel, Florida man, 31-year-old Clayton Everett Colborn (aka, “Jason Rich,” “Jason,” “Clay,” or “Clayay”) pleaded guilty to two counts of enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity, five counts of using minors to produceContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology reported 63 animal rabies cases in 2022, a 20 percent decrease in cases compared to 2021 when 79 cases were reported. Orange County saw the most cases with nine, while Leon and Alachua counties reported four cases each. In the Tampa BayContinue Reading
