2020: Florida’s year in review—Stories that made this year memorable

Happy New Year 2021 text on the beach. Abstract background photo of coming New Year 2021 and leaving the year of 2020 Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Maps Expert As the world begins to turn the page on 2020 and look forward to a new year in 2021, we at Florida Insider decided to compile

The end of an era: Greyhound dog Racing in Florida ends this week due to a 2018 Amendment passage

Greyhound racing – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image By Manfred Ruckszio Out with the old, in with the new. In the November 2018 Florida Primary Election, voters vigorously voted to pass Amendment 13, a vote that would ultimately ban greyhound racing across the state by 2020’s end.  Since the vote, ten tracks in Florida have suspended their

FDACS Looking at Reducing Concealed Weapons License Wait Time After Record Application Month

Hand gun laying on a Gun / Firearms License Certificate. Courtesy: Shutterstock-Photo by steved_np3 In 2020, Florida has witnessed a dramatic increase in concealed weapons license (CWL) applications, specifically the months preceding the elections. “October 2020 saw the highest number of CWL applications in Florida history, with 38,349 new CWL applications received in addition to

Florida Representative Files Bill to Abolish Red-Light cameras in the State

Secure camera with traffic light and sign. Courtesy: Shutterstock-Photo by BIGCHEN Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, is trying to get rid of red-light cameras in the state of Florida for good. Sponsoring measure (HB 6009), Sabatini hopes to abolish the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program law, a controversial 2010 law that authorized the use of red-light

Two Florida State Senators Propose “to-go” Alcohol Orders to Assist Restaurant Businesses

Bar with assorted spirits. Courtesy: Image by Pexels from Pixabay A wildly popular “alcohol to go” component in Governor Ron DeSantis’ emergency executive order may be here to stay. The Florida governor added what he called “alcohol to go” in an executive order earlier this year to assist restaurants during the pandemic. The order included

Florida Home Insurance Premiums Expected To Rise After Busiest Hurricane Season On Record

Blue plastic tarpaulin temporarily covers roof damage caused by Hurricane Irma in Key West, Florida. Courtesy: Shutterstock – Photo by Chuck Wagner After dodging the majority of the hurricanes and storms from the busiest Atlantic storm season on record, Florida residents were able to let out a massive sigh of relief, knowing that their property

Five Florida Hospitals Set To Receive First Wave of COVID-19 Vaccine Upon Approval

A single bottle vial of Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine in a research medical lab. 3D illustration. Courtesy: Shutterstock – Photo By solarseven Perhaps the only silver lining Florida will have in regards to the coronavirus is access to the first wave of COVID-19 approved vaccines. Over the past two weeks, pharmaceutical powerhouses Moderna and Pfizer announced the

Popular Florida bar shuts down day after reopening its doors due to maskless patrons and insufficient social distancing

The Wharf Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Patrons without masks. Courtesy: South Florida Sun Sentinel – Photo sent in by Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan A popular Broward County outdoor bar got the ax from county officials late Saturday night after videos and photos surfaced showing hundreds of maskless patrons in close proximity, ignoring

Florida Mayors want Gov. DeSantis to scale back Opening of the State—Push for COVID restrictions

Fort Lauderdale, Florida/USA – April 17, 2020: Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis Press Conference at Urban League of Broward County, answering on questions about coronavirus situation in Florida–Courtesy: Shutterstock-Photo By YES Market Media Since Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order to reopen Florida to Phase 3 (no restrictions) in September, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise and

Robo-dogs to patrol Florida Air Force base: will assist with surveillance moving forward

Courtesy: (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cory D. Payne) The 325th Security Forces Squadron is enlisting some dog patrolling support at the Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla. The dogs will cost around $100,000 each and can roam around the bases’ perimeter for roughly seven-mile round-trips before being charged. If you