(The Center Square) — The Florida Department of Transportation received high marks on its efficiency with taxpayer funds during fiscal 2022-2023, but auditors found some issues that needed correction. According to the annual report by the Office of Inspector General, the audit portion was done to provide independent appraisals ofContinue Reading
(The Center Square) — The Florida Commission on Ethics ruled against a pair of officials from Islamorada and Milton on April 19 as commissioners adjudicated a pair of ethics complaints. The cases related to the two municipalities were pre-probable cause stipulations, with recommendations from the commission advocate. These stipulations canContinue Reading
The City of Jacksonville has announced the substantial completion and opening of the Independent Drive – Hogan Street – Water Street realignment project. This marks the first phase of the Riverfront Plaza park development, allowing the park to utilize the space previously occupied by the old roadway. Phase 1 ofContinue Reading
On Tuesday evening, April 23rd, deputies arrested 20-year-old Traveon Jaquaad Samuels of Sumter County after a vehicle pursuit ended in a crash into a home in Floral City. The chase began when deputies observed Samuels failing to stop at a stop sign and attempted to pull him over. Instead ofContinue Reading
(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two new bills Wednesday intended to strengthen Florida homes against hurricanes and other severe weather events. DeSantis signed Senate Bill 7028, which will add another $200 million in funding for the My Safe Florida Home Program which allows homes to be assessedContinue Reading
(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that the Florida Wildlife Corridor program and red tide research will receive a financial boost. The corridor program will receive $100 million through Senate Bill 1638, while the red tide program that combines the efforts of the Department of EnvironmentalContinue Reading
(The Center Square) – As violence against Jewish students escalates on U.S. college campuses, Republican U.S. senators are calling for immediate federal action. Twenty-seven Republican U.S. senators, led by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Tuesday called an Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to respond immediatelyContinue Reading
(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday an additional $1.5 billion to restore the Everglades and provide water quality improvements for fiscal 2024-25. Approximately $850 million will be allocated to Everglades restoration, this includes $614 million for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir.Continue Reading
On April 19, 2024, law enforcement agencies in the Daytona/Port Orange area received reports of fraudulent activities taking place within local banks. The Port Orange Police Department (POPD) was among those agencies, receiving two such reports. During the investigation, officers obtained a vehicle tag number associated with the suspect vehicleContinue Reading
(The Center Square) — The Florida Auditor General has released a report detailing problems with the administration of the state’s scholarship and grant programs. The audit was focused on the administration of both scholarship programs between June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2023. The Bright Futures Scholarship Program disbursed $547,700,035Continue Reading