Smallest citrus crop in a century in Florida will put major pressure on consumers

Mass of ripe citrus fruits oranges in metal container and working conveyor — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Tanya Kalian Over the next months, orange juice might become more expensive and less sweet as Florida’s renowned groves produce the weakest citrus crop in nearly a century. This year, the state’s orange trees have been harmed by hurricane

Democrat Charlie Crist will face Ron DeSantis in race for Florida governor

Charlie Crist speaks to a crowd in St. Petersburg, Fla. after winning the Democratic nomination for governor in Florida – Image Courtesy: Daylina Miller/WUSF The votes are in! According to a race call by the Associated Press, longtime politician and Democrat Charlie Crist has won the primary for Florida’s governor and will face Republican Governor

Florida lawmakers will draft new rider safety measures following the Orlando FreeFall death

The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando is a 400-foot-tall giant observation wheel in International Drive area, where FreeFall Ride death occurred – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by VIAVAL TOURS Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will introduce new legislation on Wednesday in an effort to improve rider safety as the investigation into the death of 14-year-old

Florida’s citrus forecast predicts lowest yield since WWII

Mass of ripe citrus fruits oranges in metal container and working conveyor — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Tanya Kalian Florida’s dwindling citrus industry continues to see a major decrease in crops for the current growing season, with the harvest on track for the lowest yield since World War II. With the latest troubling prediction attributed to

Florida climate summit kicks off in Orlando

Climate Summit — Courtesy: Shutterstock — teerayuth oanwong Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomed attendees to the 2021 Florida Energy & Climate Summit, held at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Sand Lake Road on Tuesday. This year, the summit is hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Energy and

Florida citrus industry sees a difficult season for growers

Citrus Plantation – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by SchnepfDesign Florida’s citrus industry is expected to have one of the lowest production years in decades as it continues to struggle with devastating disease and issues. In the first forecast for the 2021-2022 growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated a nearly 11% drop in orange

Florida Cabinet lifts legal ruling that prohibited Miami-Dade from constructing a major highway through the Everglades

American Alligator swimming in the Everglades – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Mark_Kostich A highway may soon be erected across Florida’s most recognizable national park after Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Florida Cabinet lifted a rule protecting the Everglades’ wetlands from being touched. On Tuesday, Florida legislators lifted a legal ruling that previously blocked Miami-Dade

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announces bid to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 Gubernatorial election

Nikki Fried speaks during 2019 campaign rally – Courtesy: Lynne Sladky/AP Tuesday afternoon, Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) announced her candidacy for the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election, a direct challenge against Republican incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis. Fried announced via Twitter that “It’s time to break the rigged, corrupt system in Florida with #SomethingNew.” The

Florida Agriculture Commissioner vows to crack down on gas pump skimmers with new legislation

Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by AOME1812 In an effort to combat gas pump skimmers, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has vowed to crack down on the thieves that have catapulted Florida to the top of the fraud charts in America. At a press conference held outside of a RaceTrac gas station, the agriculture commissioner highlighted

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