FLORIDA NEWS
ArchWell Health to hold grand opening for senior-focused primary care center in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood
Read full article: ArchWell Health to hold grand opening for senior-focused primary care center in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhoodThe Jimmy Buffett-inspired, island-themed celebration will include tours of the facility, opportunities to meet with staff and physicians, and informational sessions about ArchWell Health’s services and community offerings.
FWC: Reel in the fun on 2 license-free fishing weekends in June
Read full article: FWC: Reel in the fun on 2 license-free fishing weekends in JuneSave the dates for two upcoming license-free fishing weekends hosted by the FWC, a perfect opportunity to try fishing with your friends and family!
A 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle hit by a boat gets an oversize CT scan, with a surprise
Read full article: A 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle hit by a boat gets an oversize CT scan, with a surpriseA massive loggerhead sea turtle hit by a boat off Florida’s Atlantic coast arrived at a turtle hospital needing medical care, but at 302 pounds, Pennywise was too large to fit their equipment.
Gov. DeSantis touts Florida’s education system at homeschool convention in Kissimmee
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis touts Florida’s education system at homeschool convention in KissimmeeFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis will speak in Kissimmee on Friday at the Florida Parent Educators Association’s Annual Homeschool Convention.
State park protections, increased penalties in drug deaths & sexual cyberharassment among 17 bills signed by DeSantis
Read full article: State park protections, increased penalties in drug deaths & sexual cyberharassment among 17 bills signed by DeSantisSome of the highlighted bills among the 17 he signed on Thursday include preserving state parks and cracking down on fentanyl distribution to minors.
Despite pushback from animal rights advocates, Florida officials moving forward with planned bear hunt in December
Read full article: Despite pushback from animal rights advocates, Florida officials moving forward with planned bear hunt in DecemberAmid support from hunters and warnings of a “slaughter” from animal-rights advocates, state wildlife officials Wednesday moved forward with Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade.
Gov. DeSantis signs bills addressing school safety, swatting and arrest of people with ‘significant’ health conditions
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs bills addressing school safety, swatting and arrest of people with ‘significant’ health conditionsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills into law on Wednesday afternoon during a news conference in Winter Haven.
Passion 4 Pets: Highlighting Clay County Animal Services
Read full article: Passion 4 Pets: Highlighting Clay County Animal Services“She’s incredibly smart,” Smith shared, demonstrating Pumpernickel’s ability to sit, lie down, and even offer her paw—all in exchange for a few treats and some praise. “Just a few sessions and she caught on fast.”
Passion 4 Pets Adoption Event: Find your furever friend and make a difference today
Read full article: Passion 4 Pets Adoption Event: Find your furever friend and make a difference todayOn Wednesday, May 21, on Channel 4, Passion 4 Pets is teaming up with local shelters to roll out the red carpet for rescue animals across the region with a heartwarming adoption event.
Gov. DeSantis announces Hope Florida partnership with 21 local workforce boards to help Floridians find jobs
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis announces Hope Florida partnership with 21 local workforce boards to help Floridians find jobsFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference alongside First Lady Casey DeSantis in Tampa Tuesday morning.
FSU shooting prompts call for improved campus safety protocols in Florida
Read full article: FSU shooting prompts call for improved campus safety protocols in FloridaAfter tragedy struck with a deadly mass shooting at Florida State University, state leaders are urging all of Florida’s public universities to reevaluate their security measures.
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will transform into the Honey Drippers for Memorial Day Weekend
Read full article: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will transform into the Honey Drippers for Memorial Day WeekendThe Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will celebrate Jacksonville’s historic Eastside neighborhood by adopting a new identity and becoming the Jacksonville Honey Drippers for a pair of weekends
Politics & Power: DeSantis’ political future in jeopardy? And a rollback on civil rights protections
Read full article: Politics & Power: DeSantis’ political future in jeopardy? And a rollback on civil rights protectionsPolitical analyst Daniel Cronrath joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton to discuss the political future of Ron and Casey DeSantis and the Trump administration's "unraveling" of civil rights protections on this week’s episode of Politics & Power.
DeSantis highlights Florida’s leadership in immigration enforcement, calls for Highway Patrol pay raises
Read full article: DeSantis highlights Florida’s leadership in immigration enforcement, calls for Highway Patrol pay raisesFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference in Tampa Monday morning to discuss the state’s crackdown in illegal immigration.
Find your furever friend during our Passion 4 Pets coverage on May 21, featuring adoptable pets from local shelters
Read full article: Find your furever friend during our Passion 4 Pets coverage on May 21, featuring adoptable pets from local sheltersOn Wednesday, May 21, on Channel 4, Passion 4 Pets is teaming up with local shelters to roll out the red carpet for rescue animals across the region with a heartwarming adoption event.
‘Free & clear’: Florida homeowners, buyers being priced out of market because of property taxes, DeSantis says
Read full article: ‘Free & clear’: Florida homeowners, buyers being priced out of market because of property taxes, DeSantis saysGov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to hold a roundtable at 10 a.m. Friday in Jacksonville.
DeSantis says he plans to sign bill that would ban golf courses, hotels in Florida’s state parks
Read full article: DeSantis says he plans to sign bill that would ban golf courses, hotels in Florida’s state parksGov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday indicated that he plans to sign a bill into law that would prohibit the building of golf courses and hotels in Florida’s state parks, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Alligator attacks, kills woman canoeing with her husband on Lake Kissimmee in Florida
Read full article: Alligator attacks, kills woman canoeing with her husband on Lake Kissimmee in FloridaA woman canoeing with her husband Tuesday afternoon at Lake Kissimmee State Park was attacked and killed by an alligator, according to officials, News4JAX’s sister station WKMG in Orlando reported.
2025 summer camps list: Art, animal, STEM, and outdoor programs across Northeast Florida
Read full article: 2025 summer camps list: Art, animal, STEM, and outdoor programs across Northeast FloridaTo help parents navigate summer for their children, News4JAX has compiled a list of summer camps around Northeast Florida they can check out. There’s a variety of summer classes offered. Most of them are offered to children of all ages.
Family sues over Florida deputy’s killing of US Airman Roger Fortson
Read full article: Family sues over Florida deputy’s killing of US Airman Roger FortsonThe family of a U.S. airman who was killed by a Florida sheriff’s deputy inside his own home in 2024 has sued the deputy, the sheriff and the owner of the airman's apartment complex.
Florida jury awards man $3M for defective airbag that caused serious injury during crash
Read full article: Florida jury awards man $3M for defective airbag that caused serious injury during crashA South Florida jury has awarded $3 million to a man who was severely injured by a defective airbag in a 2020 crash.
Florida enacts stricter driver’s license rules for legal immigrants
Read full article: Florida enacts stricter driver’s license rules for legal immigrantsLegal immigrants in Florida will now need to renew their driver’s licenses annually, according to new guidance issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Florida lawmakers unanimously pass bill to combat rising number of suicides among firefighters
Read full article: Florida lawmakers unanimously pass bill to combat rising number of suicides among firefightersBurnout, trauma, and high stress are significant factors threatening the mental health of firefighters, and Florida lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill designed to combat the growing number of suicides among firefighters.
Tacos, tequila & baseball collide for a flavor-packed Tuesday fiesta at VyStar Ballpark
Read full article: Tacos, tequila & baseball collide for a flavor-packed Tuesday fiesta at VyStar BallparkBaseball fans and foodies alike are in for a grand slam of flavor and fun at VyStar Ballpark as the stadium gears up for its inaugural Tacos & Tequila Night on Tuesday, May 6.
Baking outside the box: The Golden Edge Sweets in Jacksonville goes nationwide with unique virtual bakery
Read full article: Baking outside the box: The Golden Edge Sweets in Jacksonville goes nationwide with unique virtual bakeryIn this exciting segment, The Golden Edge Sweets is serving up more than just delicious cookies—they’re dishing out oversized, handcrafted treats made from scratch with bold, unforgettable flavors!
UF-led research reveals tomato disease spreading rapidly across continents
Read full article: UF-led research reveals tomato disease spreading rapidly across continentsTomatoes represent a $1.9 billion annual crop, nationwide. They’re planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states, but diseases such as bacterial spot can ravage the popular crop.
Florida House approves bill to shift ‘bed tax’ money from tourism marketing to property tax relief
Read full article: Florida House approves bill to shift ‘bed tax’ money from tourism marketing to property tax reliefThe Florida House on Friday approved a $5.008 billion tax package after making a change to a controversial proposal about shifting money collected for tourism marketing.
With Florida lawmakers at odds over budget, House takes Monday off & Dems lose party member amid turmoil
Read full article: With Florida lawmakers at odds over budget, House takes Monday off & Dems lose party member amid turmoilSenate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said philosophical differences are stalling progress with the state budget, specifically over tax relief plans.
Lawsuit challenging Florida ban on ‘lab-grown’ meat cleared to move forward
Read full article: Lawsuit challenging Florida ban on ‘lab-grown’ meat cleared to move forwardA federal judge Friday cleared the way for a California-based company to continue pursuing a challenge to a 2024 state law that bans the sale and manufacturing of “cultivated” meat in Florida.
UF study shows about 40% of residents don’t know they must follow irrigation restrictions
Read full article: UF study shows about 40% of residents don’t know they must follow irrigation restrictionsAbout 22 million people already live in Florida, and it’s expected to grow to 33 million by 2070. Those who irrigate lawns tap into the same water, much of it from the Floridan aquifer.
Non-native trees are quietly invading US forests, causing a decline in native trees, UF research finds
Read full article: Non-native trees are quietly invading US forests, causing a decline in native trees, UF research findsA new University of Florida study tracking more than 5 million trees over nearly three decades reveals a troubling trend for the future of forests in the United States – the loss of native trees.
House passes bill to propose dog registry, liability insurance for owners following attack on Putnam mail carrier
Read full article: House passes bill to propose dog registry, liability insurance for owners following attack on Putnam mail carrierThe House passed a new bill aimed at creating a dog registry and requiring owners of those dogs to have $100,000 in liability insurance on Wednesday.
Gov. DeSantis awards nearly $15M in grants for workforce development, infrastructure improvements
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis awards nearly $15M in grants for workforce development, infrastructure improvementsFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference in at Indian River College in Fort Pierce Wednesday morning.
Moo-ve over methane: UF researchers test new feed to cut cow emissions from burps, farts
Read full article: Moo-ve over methane: UF researchers test new feed to cut cow emissions from burps, fartsResearchers at the University of Florida are steak-ing their reputations on a solution to cows contributing to greenhouse gases: A way to make their burps and farts cause less damage to the climate.
Produce with a purpose: How Thx! is changing farmworkers’ lives by sharing their stories
Read full article: Produce with a purpose: How Thx! is changing farmworkers’ lives by sharing their storiesThx! is a purpose-driven brand that empowers farmworkers by connecting consumers to the people behind their produce.
Local firefighters among those honored at fallen firefighter ceremony at State Capitol
Read full article: Local firefighters among those honored at fallen firefighter ceremony at State CapitolThe Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal will host the Ringing of the Bell Ceremony on Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Capitol courtyard.
Bark and Brew: The Jumbo Shrimp’s first dog day of the season is this Sunday, April 27
Read full article: Bark and Brew: The Jumbo Shrimp’s first dog day of the season is this Sunday, April 27The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are sliding into the new season with a winning record, a revamped ballpark, and a full slate of fan-friendly events — including their much-loved Dog Day this Sunday, presented by Forever Vets.
Former federal prosecutor weighs in on possible charges for alleged Florida State University gunman
Read full article: Former federal prosecutor weighs in on possible charges for alleged Florida State University gunmanFormer federal prosecutor and current defense attorney Curtis Fallgatter joined News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show to discuss potential charges against accused FSU gunman Phoneix Ikner.
New insurance company enters Florida market ahead of hurricane season
Read full article: New insurance company enters Florida market ahead of hurricane seasonA new insurance company is joining the Florida market just months before the start of hurricane season, marking the 12th company to enter the insurance landscape since lawmakers passed state laws aimed at reforming the industry.
Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadership
Read full article: Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadershipAmid fierce opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida House on Wednesday approved revamping laws about leadership of the higher-education system, including opening information about applicants to become college and university presidents.