Thanks to new law, local governments now have the right to ban smoking on Florida beaches

No Smoking Sign – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Bokeh Blur Background Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Friday authorizing local governments to prohibit smoking on public Florida parks and beaches. Local leaders will now have complete jurisdiction in regulating smoking at beaches. This includes stricter laws on cigarette disposal, the creation of

Red snapper season set to start in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida

Red Snapper School of Fish – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by SergeUWPhoto PINELLAS COUNTY, Fl. – It’s time to catch some red snapper. The recreational red snapper season will begin on June 17 in Gulf state and Florida federal waters and stay open through July 31 with 12 days during the fall.  The season will

Lawmakers meet to try and improve Florida’s property insurance market

Property Insurance Market – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Alexander Raths The Sunshine State has not seen a major storm in several years, but policyholders across Florida are dealing with a different kind of catastrophe. “We’re spiraling toward a collapse of the private insurance market in Florida, meaning there will be no options for Florida

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

DeSantis says Florida should allow businesses to pay tax in crypto

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Hunter Crenian Governor Ron DeSantis said the state of Florida is working on a plan to let businesses pay tax in cryptocurrency. “I’ve told the state agencies to figure out ways, where if a business wants to pay tax in cryptocurrency to Florida, we should be willing

Controversial abortion bill heads to Florida Senate

Abortion Rights Protest — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Bob Korn A bill that would subsequently ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy is set to take another step forward on Monday, February 21. The agenda for Florida’s Senate Appropriations Committee includes the “Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality” bill. The legislation being proposed revises the requirements and

Seminole Tribe launches Hard Rock Sportsbook gambling app

Hard Rock Sportsbook App — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Felix Mizioznikov TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Sports betting is officially live in Florida. The Seminole Tribe introduced a new era of gambling on Monday, discreetly launching a new sportsbook app that allows Floridians to place bets on sports. Sports betting officially became legal in October under a

Florida misses deadline to receive $2.3 billion in federal aid

U.S. Department of Education – Federal Aid – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Evgenia Parajanian Several Florida school districts are not happy and speaking up. According to a letter sent to the state Monday, Florida is the last state to submit its plans to the U.S. Department of Education that is required before more than

President Biden set to visit Surfside building collapse scene later this week

Joe Biden – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Crush Rush Earlier today, the White House announced President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be visiting the rubble site of the fallen Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Fla., on Thursday. Almost a week has passed since the unfortunate tragedy in Surfside, where search-and-rescue

Florida’s Gov. DeSantis signs bill requiring all state schools to observe ‘moment of silence’ before start of class

Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by smolaw Earlier this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed and approved a new bill that will require all public schools in the state to observe a “moment of silence” in the classroom at the start of the day. The bill, which has received disapproval and praise from both aisles, will