Florida

On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the proposed Fiscal 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, solidifying his commitment to support the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) mission to protect Florida’s natural resources.

The budget will help provide Floridians with more opportunities to get outdoors and high-priority conservation items including coral reef restoration, derelict vessel removal and habitat restoration initiatives. 

• And Americans are set to consume 1.6 billion eggnogs over the festive season. 
• 2:42 p.m.

(The Center Square) — A Florida lawmaker is hoping a new bill recently filed will bring about an end to plastic bags and other single-use plastics if passed.

Senate Bill 498 is sponsored by state Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando. It would amend two Florida statutes and remove the preemption of local laws regarding the regulation of containers, wrappings, or plastic bags.

(The Center Square) — Florida lawmakers have filed a new bill that could ban high school athletes who are convicted as adults of several felonies. 

The recreational harvest of flounder in all Florida state and federal waters is now open, as of Dec. 1. 

The minimum size limit for flounder is 14 inches total length and the daily recreational bag limit is five fish per person. 

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will open Phase 2 hog hunt registration Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m. The District holds a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

What you need to know about Phase 2 hunts:

(The Center Square) – In the past fiscal year, Florida received 10,542 unaccompanied children (UACs) from the border, many of whom were brought into the country illegally, according to data published by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, tasked with oversight of and caring for the children.

Florida received the third greatest number behind Texas and California as it has almost every year. UAC data has been reported since fiscal 2015.

(The Center Square) — Florida lawmakers have filed a new bill to cut red tape for certain aspects of public and charter school assessments, accountability, instruction and education choice.

Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange enters Florida's insurance market following property and casualty insurance legislative reforms

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-- The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) approved Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange to form as a property and casualty reciprocal insurer in Florida.