These areas will soon be off-limits to sex offenders under new Florida law
Read full article: These areas will soon be off-limits to sex offenders under new Florida lawA new Florida law filed back in October is set to take effect next month, adding further restrictions on where sexual offenders may live in the state, according to WKMG in Orlando.
DeSantis signs bill to push more commercial policies out of Citizens
Read full article: DeSantis signs bill to push more commercial policies out of CitizensCondos and commercial buildings covered by state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could be more easily transferred to lightly regulated surplus lines companies under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday.
All detainees from immigration facility 'Alligator Alcatraz' have been transferred, DHS says
Read full article: All detainees from immigration facility 'Alligator Alcatraz' have been transferred, DHS saysDetainees at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” have been transferred to other facilities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.
Gov. DeSantis signs 14 more bills. Here’s the list of what’s new to Florida law
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs 14 more bills. Here’s the list of what’s new to Florida lawGov. Ron DeSantis signed another 14 bills into law that deal with everything from trust funds and property insurance to crime and how law enforcement interacts with those on the Autism Spectrum.
DeSantis signs bills to strengthen penalties, curb youth-targeted drugs, protect law enforcement
Read full article: DeSantis signs bills to strengthen penalties, curb youth-targeted drugs, protect law enforcementGovernor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a package of public safety bills aimed at strengthening penalties for violent and repeat offenders, curbing emerging drug threats and updating gang and offender-registration laws.
Gov. DeSantis signs 11th death warrant for man who strangled teen to death in Broward County
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs 11th death warrant for man who strangled teen to death in Broward CountyGov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant Wednesday for Dennis Michael Sochor, who was convicted of strangling an 18-year-old woman he met at a New Year’s celebration in a Broward County bar 44 years ago.
Florida court allows use of new US House districts drawn by Republicans for midterm elections
Read full article: Florida court allows use of new US House districts drawn by Republicans for midterm electionsThe Florida Supreme Court has allowed the use of a new U.S. House map drawn by Republicans in the midterm elections.
Property tax changes now up to Florida voters: Here’s what your ballot will say
Read full article: Property tax changes now up to Florida voters: Here’s what your ballot will sayA sweeping tax cut for homestead property owners pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis now waits for voters to act in November. But what exactly will be on your ballot?
Florida property tax overhaul sparks concern in St. Johns County; Commissioner says county could face budget squeeze
Read full article: Florida property tax overhaul sparks concern in St. Johns County; Commissioner says county could face budget squeezeSaint Johns County officials are raising alarms about the recently proposed state constitutional amendment regarding property taxes
Fishermen prepared for the longest red snapper season in recent memory. A court order stopped it
Read full article: Fishermen prepared for the longest red snapper season in recent memory. A court order stopped itA federal judge in Washington has blocked a plan to loosen rules for fishing red snapper in the Atlantic, halting what was expected to be the longest recreational snapper season in years.
Analyzing potential relief from Florida property tax cut proposal vs. impact to local governments
Read full article: Analyzing potential relief from Florida property tax cut proposal vs. impact to local governmentsThe Florida property tax cut plan backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is awaiting the voters' final say. Rick Mullaney, News4JAX political analyst and head of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute, joined us on The Morning Show to discuss the potential relief from rising property bills, but also the impact of forcing cities and counties to cut services or shift costs.
‘Tallahassee has crept in’: Property tax plan heads to voters as local leaders warn of impact on police and fire funding
Read full article: ‘Tallahassee has crept in’: Property tax plan heads to voters as local leaders warn of impact on police and fire fundingA sweeping Florida property tax overhaul now headed to the November ballot is drawing growing concern from local leaders who warn it could reshape how cities and counties fund essential services like police, fire rescue and emergency response.
Florida property tax overhaul heads to November ballot; homeowners hopeful, local leaders warn of budget impact
Read full article: Florida property tax overhaul heads to November ballot; homeowners hopeful, local leaders warn of budget impactFlorida voters will decide in November on a property tax overhaul increasing homestead exemptions and limiting assessment hikes. Homeowners welcome relief, while local leaders warn of major revenue losses and service impacts.
Florida property tax overhaul heads to November ballot; homeowners hopeful, local leaders warn of budget impact
Read full article: Florida property tax overhaul heads to November ballot; homeowners hopeful, local leaders warn of budget impactFlorida voters will decide in November on a property tax overhaul increasing homestead exemptions and limiting assessment hikes. Homeowners welcome relief, while local leaders warn of major revenue losses and service impacts.
Jacksonville man who killed his girlfriend’s 5-month-old baby in 1996 executed 30 years later
Read full article: Jacksonville man who killed his girlfriend’s 5-month-old baby in 1996 executed 30 years laterA Jacksonville man who confessed to killing his girlfriend’s 5-month-old daughter and throwing her body in a pond three decades ago is set to be executed Tuesday evening.
Jacksonville-area leaders voice concerns as Florida Legislature passes property tax cut proposal
Read full article: Jacksonville-area leaders voice concerns as Florida Legislature passes property tax cut proposalFrom Democratic Mayor Donna Deegan to Republican controlled Clay County, leaders across the Jacksonville area are voicing concerns about local budget reductions that could result from a major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida lawmakers tweak Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax cut proposal ahead of floor votes
Read full article: Florida lawmakers tweak Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax cut proposal ahead of floor votesAfter hours of debate, a major property tax cut plan devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis was changed by lawmakers Monday ahead of scheduled floor votes Tuesday.
‘Big, big burden’: DeSantis pushes property tax reduction as special sesion begins for Florida Legislature
Read full article: ‘Big, big burden’: DeSantis pushes property tax reduction as special sesion begins for Florida LegislatureAs the Florida Legislature began its third special session of the year on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at a news conference in Pasco County about what he wants to see from lawmakers before the session ends.
Florida lawmakers approve $114.5B budget after special session to get it done
Read full article: Florida lawmakers approve $114.5B budget after special session to get it doneHouse and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday night, the last step in an extended process that required a special session to complete for the second year in a row.
‘No small task’: Next battle in coaches’ pay bill is finding out how to make it work
Read full article: ‘No small task’: Next battle in coaches’ pay bill is finding out how to make it workNow that Senate Bill 538 has been signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a new set of questions begins. What happens next?
DeSantis signs 10th death warrant for husband who fatally stabbed wife in Orange County 34 years ago
Read full article: DeSantis signs 10th death warrant for husband who fatally stabbed wife in Orange County 34 years agoGov. Ron DeSantis signed his tenth death warrant of 2026 on Tuesday, this time for Dusty Ray Spencer, who has spent more than three decades on Death Row for murdering his wife in Orange County.
DeSantis signs 10th death warrant for husband who fatally stabbed wife in Orange County 34 years ago
Read full article: DeSantis signs 10th death warrant for husband who fatally stabbed wife in Orange County 34 years agoGov. Ron DeSantis signed his tenth death warrant of 2026 on Tuesday, this time for Dusty Ray Spencer, who has spent more than three decades on Death Row for murdering his wife in Orange County.
DeSantis calls on Florida lawmakers to pass property tax amendment for November ballot in special session
Read full article: DeSantis calls on Florida lawmakers to pass property tax amendment for November ballot in special sessionAfter over a year of crusading for property tax cuts, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he’s calling a special session of the Florida Legislature, which will begin on Monday, to deal with the issue. This is the third special session for Florida lawmakers this year.
Supreme Court rejects Florida's bid to sue Western states over truck licenses for immigrants
Read full article: Supreme Court rejects Florida's bid to sue Western states over truck licenses for immigrantsThe Supreme Court has rejected Florida’s long shot attempt to sue California and Washington over the issuance of commercial driver licenses to truckers who don’t speak English and are not authorized to be in the United States.
Florida lawmakers complete budget deals, set for vote Friday
Read full article: Florida lawmakers complete budget deals, set for vote FridayHouse and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday night, the last step in an extended process that required a special session to complete for the second year in a row.
‘Long overdue’: Parents sound off on new bill that puts more money in Florida coaches’ pockets
Read full article: ‘Long overdue’: Parents sound off on new bill that puts more money in Florida coaches’ pocketsJacksonville parents said their kids’ coaches showed up every day for the love of the game, not the paycheck. Now, a new Florida law aims to make that paycheck a little more worth it.
Gov. DeSantis signs new law aimed at stopping athletic recruiting, school hopping at Florida high schools
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs new law aimed at stopping athletic recruiting, school hopping at Florida high schoolsA new Florida law aimed at tightening student-athlete transfer rules is drawing praise from some high school coaches and athletic leaders who say the changes could help restore fairness and stability in high school sports.
DeSantis calls last-minute federal ruling on extended red snapper season ‘disrespectful’ & a ‘bad decision’
Read full article: DeSantis calls last-minute federal ruling on extended red snapper season ‘disrespectful’ & a ‘bad decision’Just one day before Florida’s newly extended Atlantic red snapper season was slated to begin for eager anglers, a federal court halted the recreational fishing period under exempted fishing permits in the South Atlantic, effective immediately.
DeSantis signs bill that will raise Florida coaches’ pay after years of News4JAX reporting on low wages
Read full article: DeSantis signs bill that will raise Florida coaches’ pay after years of News4JAX reporting on low wagesAfter years of News4JAX reporting on Florida coaching pay issues, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave high school coaches across the state hope for a better financial future.
Man convicted of killing a woman and her 4-year-old daughter is executed in Florida
Read full article: Man convicted of killing a woman and her 4-year-old daughter is executed in FloridaA man convicted of fatally stabbing of his cousin’s girlfriend and the couple's 4-year-old daughter has been executed in Florida.
Florida Rep. Angie Nixon arrested after sit-in outside DeSantis’ office
Read full article: Florida Rep. Angie Nixon arrested after sit-in outside DeSantis’ officeRep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, was arrested Friday evening by Capitol Police after about five hours of staging a sit-in outside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.
A viral post says DeSantis signed a bill that outlawed joyrides in Florida. Here’s the truth
Read full article: A viral post says DeSantis signed a bill that outlawed joyrides in Florida. Here’s the truthWhile dozens of new Florida bills have already been approved by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one in particular is drawing some attention online.
Expected closure of Everglades detention center is no accident given timing, environmentalists say
Read full article: Expected closure of Everglades detention center is no accident given timing, environmentalists sayEnvironmental groups say the expected closure of a detention center in the Florida Everglades is linked to their lawsuit.
DeSantis signs bill targeting foreign influence in Florida
Read full article: DeSantis signs bill targeting foreign influence in FloridaA bill limiting foreign influence from “countries of concern,” including adding penalties for businesses and prohibiting surrogacy contracts with Chinese nationals, was signed into law Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis says 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center always was meant to be temporary
Read full article: DeSantis says 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center always was meant to be temporaryFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” always was meant to be temporary.
Gov. DeSantis signs bill protecting Florida consumers from data center costs
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs bill protecting Florida consumers from data center costsFlorida utility customers won’t bear the additional costs brought by new large scale data centers that power artificial intelligence, under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday.
Bill to drop permitting from small building projects among 5 laws signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis. Here’s the full list
Read full article: Bill to drop permitting from small building projects among 5 laws signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis. Here’s the full listOn Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added five more laws to the count, adding to the growing list of more than 60 new laws already passed so far this year.
Politics & Power: Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act, reshaping redistricting battles ahead of midterms
Read full article: Politics & Power: Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act, reshaping redistricting battles ahead of midtermsA 60-year-old civil rights law, effectively gutted. Now, Republicans across the South are racing to redraw congressional maps — and Florida just became the first state to act, passing new lines that could flip four seats. Democrats are promising to fight back. Sean Freeder, a political scientist and analyst, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton to discuss the pushback and the legal fights ahead.
Republicans have gained an edge in a US House redistricting battle. What states are taking action?
Read full article: Republicans have gained an edge in a US House redistricting battle. What states are taking action?Republicans have gained an advantage in a national congressional redistricting battle among states ahead of the midterm elections.
Death warrant signed for man who killed 5-month-old Jacksonville girl, threw her body in pond, claimed she was abducted
Read full article: Death warrant signed for man who killed 5-month-old Jacksonville girl, threw her body in pond, claimed she was abductedAndrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the February 1996 death of 5-month-old Gabrielle Hanshaw, his girlfriend’s daughter, in Duval County.
Florida state rep. says Angie Nixon’s bullhorn protest during redistricting vote left her with possible ear damage
Read full article: Florida state rep. says Angie Nixon’s bullhorn protest during redistricting vote left her with possible ear damageA Florida state representative who was in the House chambers when local state representative Angie Nixon used a bullhorn to protest a redistricting vote said she is now dealing with possible ear damage.
Redistricting battle intensifies in states after US Supreme Court ruling on Voting Rights Act
Read full article: Redistricting battle intensifies in states after US Supreme Court ruling on Voting Rights ActA Supreme Court decision striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana has amplified an already intense national redistricting battle.
DeSantis signs union decertification bill; teachers union calls it ‘betrayal’
Read full article: DeSantis signs union decertification bill; teachers union calls it ‘betrayal’Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two education bills Thursday, targeting the power of teacher unions in Florida and expanding flexibility for school districts.
Florida Republicans slice and dice congressional districts: How a new map could cost Democrats seats
Read full article: Florida Republicans slice and dice congressional districts: How a new map could cost Democrats seatsThe redrawn congressional district lines that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will soon sign into law are intended to help Republicans pick up as many as four U.S. House seats in November — a scenario that would cost some Democrats their seats.
Analyzing fallout from new Florida congressional map & Supreme Court decision on Voting Rights Act
Read full article: Analyzing fallout from new Florida congressional map & Supreme Court decision on Voting Rights ActThe Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map that aims to give Republicans four more seats hours after the Supreme Court narrowed a section of the Voting Rights Act.
Florida man executed for the killing of his brother's teenage stepdaughter nearly 50 years ago
Read full article: Florida man executed for the killing of his brother's teenage stepdaughter nearly 50 years agoA Florida man convicted of killing his brother’s 13-year-old stepdaughter nearly 50 years ago has been put to death.
Supreme Court ruling on race-based redistricting prompts quick action in some states
Read full article: Supreme Court ruling on race-based redistricting prompts quick action in some statesSeveral states already are taking steps to respond to a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana.
‘Slap in the face’: Rep. Angie Nixon pushes back against congressional map that would help Republicans retain House
Read full article: ‘Slap in the face’: Rep. Angie Nixon pushes back against congressional map that would help Republicans retain HouseRep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville gave heavy pushback after Florida lawmakers approved a new congressional map that could help Republicans retain control of the House in the midterm elections.
Supreme Court ruling will reshape American politics. The only question is when
Read full article: Supreme Court ruling will reshape American politics. The only question is whenThe U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority has handed Republicans their biggest victory yet in the battle to control the House of Representatives and statehouses across the country.
Take a look: How the proposal from Gov. DeSantis would change Florida’s congressional district map
Read full article: Take a look: How the proposal from Gov. DeSantis would change Florida’s congressional district mapFlorida lawmakers are now back in Tallahassee for a special session to consider redrawing the state’s U.S. House district lines.
Florida redistricting and a rocky special session put Ron DeSantis back in the Republican spotlight
Read full article: Florida redistricting and a rocky special session put Ron DeSantis back in the Republican spotlightRon DeSantis is back in the national spotlight as he pushes for a new congressional map in Florida.
DeSantis submits new congressional map that would affect House districts in Central, South Florida
Read full article: DeSantis submits new congressional map that would affect House districts in Central, South FloridaGov. Ron DeSantis’ office submitted a new congressional map to the Legislature on Monday that would drastically alter several U.S. House districts in Central and South Florida, according to our news partners at News Service of Florida.
Virginia Supreme Court considers whether to block voter-approved US House map favoring Democrats
Read full article: Virginia Supreme Court considers whether to block voter-approved US House map favoring DemocratsVirginia's Supreme Court is considering whether a voter-approved redistricting amendment complied with the state's constitutional requirements.
Gov. DeSantis signs two bills targeting DEI, net zero energy policies during Jacksonville visit
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs two bills targeting DEI, net zero energy policies during Jacksonville visitFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills from this year’s legislative session into law Wednesday afternoon, during a news conference at the Florida State College of Jacksonville’s South Campus.
Democrats win in Virginia but it won't be the final say in a national redistricting competition
Read full article: Democrats win in Virginia but it won't be the final say in a national redistricting competitionDemocrats are celebrating an election win in Virginia that could put them slightly ahead in the national redistricting competition that President Donald Trump triggered in an attempt to preserve his party’s House majority in this year’s midterms.
Man who set neighbor on fire after she found him burglarizing her home is executed in Florida
Read full article: Man who set neighbor on fire after she found him burglarizing her home is executed in FloridaA Florida man who set his neighbor on fire when she came upon him burglarizing her home has been executed.
Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentence under new state law for man who killed girl, babysitter in 1990, AG says
Read full article: Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentence under new state law for man who killed girl, babysitter in 1990, AG saysNearly three years after a judge in southwest Florida handed down a death sentence for a man convicted of killing an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990, the Supreme Court on Friday denied the killer’s appeal, sending him to death row.
This proposed rule could bar undocumented immigrants from 28 state colleges in Florida
Read full article: This proposed rule could bar undocumented immigrants from 28 state colleges in FloridaUndocumented immigrants would be barred from admission to state colleges under a proposed rule by the Florida Department of Education.
Lawyer says guards beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Read full article: Lawyer says guards beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'A lawyer says guards severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at a state-run immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades.
Lawyer says guards beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Read full article: Lawyer says guards beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'A lawyer says guards severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at a state-run immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades.
Hampshire College, which counts filmmaker Ken Burns among its alumni, is closing later this year
Read full article: Hampshire College, which counts filmmaker Ken Burns among its alumni, is closing later this yearHampshire College, which includes documentary filmmaker Ken Burns among its alumni, announced it is closing later this year.
A redistricting battle among states has reshaped the US House map ahead of the midterm election
Read full article: A redistricting battle among states has reshaped the US House map ahead of the midterm electionA redistricting battle among states has reshaped voting districts for the U.S. House ahead of the November midterm elections.
Gov. Wes Moore falls short in push to redraw Maryland's congressional map to boost Democrats
Read full article: Gov. Wes Moore falls short in push to redraw Maryland's congressional map to boost DemocratsA proposal for a new Maryland congressional map has officially died with the conclusion of the state's legislative session.
Gov. DeSantis, Army Corps of Engineers announce milestone for Everglades restoration project
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis, Army Corps of Engineers announce milestone for Everglades restoration projectAt a news conference in South Florida on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a milestone for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project.
More specialty license plates coming to Florida after DeSantis signs law
Read full article: More specialty license plates coming to Florida after DeSantis signs lawFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law on Friday bringing new specialty plates to the state, according to a report from News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando.
Rays are victorious in return to Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton tore off the roof in 2024
Read full article: Rays are victorious in return to Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton tore off the roof in 2024With cowbells ringing in the stands, Bryan Baker was fired up after striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong to give the Tampa Bay Rays a triumphant return to Tropicana Field.
DeSantis signs Florida law to label groups as terrorists and expel student supporters
Read full article: DeSantis signs Florida law to label groups as terrorists and expel student supportersGov. Ron DeSantis has signed a law allowing Florida leaders to label groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations.
Florida’s SAVE Act to change voter registration rules. Critics warn it could create barriers for minority voters
Read full article: Florida’s SAVE Act to change voter registration rules. Critics warn it could create barriers for minority votersDuval County’s top elections official is weighing in on a newly signed Florida law that will require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, a move supporters said would strengthen election security and critics argue could create confusion.
DeSantis signs Florida’s version of SAVE Act while Trump attends Supreme Court deliberation about citizenship
Read full article: DeSantis signs Florida’s version of SAVE Act while Trump attends Supreme Court deliberation about citizenshipFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 991 — the state’s version of the federal SAVE Act on Wednesday at The Villages, expanding on years of election integrity reforms and positioning Florida as a national model at a moment when birthright citizenship is being debated at the highest levels of the U.S. government.
Airport cleared to be renamed for Trump as he unveils design for skyscraper library
Read full article: Airport cleared to be renamed for Trump as he unveils design for skyscraper libraryA Florida airport has been cleared to be renamed after President Donald Trump, hours before the president separately revealed plans for a Miami skyscraper planned to house his presidential library.
Florida airport slated to become ‘President Donald J. Trump International’ after DeSantis signs bill
Read full article: Florida airport slated to become ‘President Donald J. Trump International’ after DeSantis signs billA little more than a year after the two clashed over the Republican presidential nomination, DeSantis on Monday signed legislation (HB 919) delivered to him earlier in the day, which dubs the West Palm Beach airport as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
Lawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some leaders say it weakens local government control
Read full article: Lawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some leaders say it weakens local government controlA new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday will make it harder for local governments to turn down some housing-related development requests.
