Calendar
Work With Counties
News Clips
Subscribe
Studio 67FAC News Clips – January 16, 2025
COUNTY
Pensacola News Journal
SS United States cleared for Mobile Alabama move, Okaloosa picking site
After concerns that the SS United States wasn’t seaworthy enough to make the trip from Philadelphia to Florida, Okaloosa County now says experts believe the ship can be successfully towed from the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico, where it’s intended to create the world’s largest artificial reef.
WJHG
Bay County receives federal grant to improve roadway safety
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Bay County was awarded a $200,000 grant from the federal government to create a safety action plan for improving safety on county roads.
Marco Eagle
Collier board votes to move ahead with $50 million mental health center
LoCastro said he had no interest in going back to “square zero,” and reconsidering the location for the project.
Miami’s Community News
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today unveiled one of the largest reclaimed water projects in the state in partnership with Miami-Dade County.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
After court ruling, Gov. DeSantis eyes tougher homeless camping ban
Lawmakers may act in the wake of a SCOTUS ruling.
Spectrum News 13
New bill seeks to ease food insecurity in Florida
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Not having access to fresh, healthy food is a growing problem in Florida. It’s something state lawmakers are looking to solve with a new bill, House Bill 89, filed to the legislature this month.
Florida Politics
The Democratic lawmaker said running for office should not compromise someone’s safety.
FAC News Clips – January 15, 2025
COUNTY
Tampa Bay Times
Pasco libraries may install new rules for children’s books
LAND O’LAKES — Pasco County families soon could face more hoops to read certain books in their public libraries.
WESH
Volusia County rejects development moratorium to address flooding
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County officials rejected a proposed development moratorium aimed at addressing ongoing flooding issues.
WJHG
Bay County Launches $10.5M Regional Marketing Campaign for Northwest Florida
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The Bay County Tourist Development Council is partnering with Florida Triumph Gulf Coast on a regional marketing campaign to promote Northwest Florida as a top travel destination.
PUBLIC CAMPING
Mid-Florida Newspaper
Seminole County braces for lawsuits over public camping ban
Seminole County now facing enforcement confusion of public camping ban after state lawmakers pass blanket ban for entire state of Florida.
FEDERAL
Wink News
Biden signs Water Resources Development Act, its effect on SWFL
President Biden recently signed into law the Water Resources Development Act with an aim to improve rivers and harbors across the country and provide for the conservation of water. Southwest Florida was included in that act.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
‘Debris on top of debris’: Local leaders brief legislators on hurricane impacts
Storms brought existential challenges to areas throughout the state.
Florida Politics
A change in law allowed construction of more working class housing, but market challenges remain.
FAC News Clips – January 14, 2025
COUNTY
Action News Jax
St. Johns County no longer enforcing panhandling ordinance due to ongoing lawsuit
- JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Across St. Johns County, panhandling has been a hot topic of discussion and illegal since May of 2023.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
‘We are looking at a combination of deferred maintenance, skyrocketing repair costs, and regulatory hurdles that could push many condo owners toward financial ruin.’
FOX 13
Governor DeSantis calls for special legislative session before March
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Saying the issue can’t wait for the regular legislative session in March, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he’s calling lawmakers into a special session this month to mesh Florida’s immigration policies with a crackdown planned by President-elect Donald Trump.
Florida Politics
Anna Eskamani and Mike Gottlieb file bill to protect workers from heat
‘Every worker deserves the right to a safe and healthy workplace,’ Eskamani said.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Ocala-News
Biden signs executive order aimed at growing AI infrastructure in the US
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed an ambitious executive order on artificial intelligence that seeks to ensure the infrastructure needed for advanced AI operations, such as large-scale data centers and new clean power facilities, can be built quickly and at scale in the United States.
Route-Fifty
City leaders looking to improve Fort Myers infrastructure with AI
When people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they typically think of online apps like Chat GPT but the City of Fort Myers wants to use it to make a real-world difference.
Route-Fifty
Generative AI in government: What to expect in 2025
2025 may be a major year for generative AI adoption across government.
FAC News Clips – January 13, 2025
COUNTY
The Independent Florida Alligator
Alachua County celebrates 200 years with a kickoff celebration
Despite the 45-degree weather, Alachua County residents braved the chill to commemorate the founding of their county.
Florida Today
Brevard seeking $2.3 million park damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton
Brevard County is seeking money from its general fund to repair $2.3 million in damages to 19 parks caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Your Observer
New commissioners prepare to ‘fight’ for higher impact fees
Some Manatee County commissioners are hoping the county will be collecting additional impact fees from developers by September.
LEGISLATION
Click Orlando
These 37 new Florida bills were filed last week. Here’s the lineup
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 2025 Legislative Session is less than two months away, and lawmakers are already busy filing bills that could become law later this year.
FAC News Clips – January 9, 2025
COUNTY
WGCU
Sarasota County expects $210,094,000 in additional hurricane recovery funding
Sarasota County will get a new $210,094,000 allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery to assist with recovery and mitigation efforts from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton and Tropical Storm Debby.
NWF Daily News
Okaloosa County launch’s new online portal for road identification
CRESTVIEW ― A new online tool provided by Okaloosa County can help residents find out who owns local roads.
Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County: Home environmental improvements can earn rebate
Sarasota County is offering residents rebates for home and property projects that could improve local water quality.
CYBERSECURITY
Route-Fifty
Resilience over resources: Closing the cybersecurity gap in state and local government
COMMENTARY | While they may lack the budget and staff to mount an effective defense, states and localities can take many other steps without needing to spend more money.
PUBLIC CAMPING
WPTV
‘A GROWING PROBLEM’: Martin County nonprofit raises concern over new law
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A Treasure Coast nonprofit said they have growing concern over the impact of a new law surrounding homelessness.
FAC News Clips – January 8, 2025
COUNTY
Get the Coast
‘Who fixes this road?’: New app helps Okaloosa residents identify road jurisdictions
A new web-based application launched by Okaloosa County helps residents determine which government entity manages and maintains specific roadways through an interactive color-coded map system.
WLRN
Palm Beach County approves $60 million new mental health facility
Palm Beach County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to help fund a $60 million mental health and substance use crisis center.
PUBLIC CAMPING
FOX 35
Ban on public camping approved in Orange County
More local governments are complying with a state law that bans people from sleeping outside.
WOKV
Shelters filling up, homeless moving to the beach: Jax City Council briefed on public sleeping ban
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County’s homeless shelters are running out of space and the Beaches have become a magnet for the homeless in our area