COUNTY 

NWF Daily News 

Okaloosa County takes next steps in battling opioid crisis.  

SHALIMAR — In August, it was announced that the Pensacola Medical Examiners District, which covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties, is the deadliest district for opioid-related overdose deaths per capita in the state. 

 

Tech Hub 

Miami-Dade County receives over $13.5 million to improve digital equity in rural communities Miami-Dade County has received over $13.5 million in digital equity grant funding as part of the Florida Commerce Office of Broadband’s first round of subgrants to renovate and construct multi-purpose community buildings with the goal of enhancing access and resources for health monitoring, work and education in rural communities. 

 

Tampa Bay Times 

Florida homeless men sue Seminole County for criminalizing panhandling  

Carl Faustin and Rodney Wilson say the county’s ordinance violates their free speech rights. 

 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

Tallahassee Democrat 

TEAM Leon recipients chosen, work group to present final report  

All $1 million have been handed out to a total of 472 recipients as TEAM Leon plans to provide a final report to the county commission at Tuesday’s meeting. 

 

News 4 Jax 

FPL distributes hurricane meal kits to Nassau County seniors on Monday  

Kits contain one-day supply of shelf-stable food & water, and seniors could receive up to 3 kits 

 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 

Florida Politics 

Polk County Sheriff’s Office partners with Florida Polytechnic on new AI lab  

The new technology creates a host of yet undiscovered possibilities for new crime, and PSCO officials are working with local researchers to get ahead of the problem. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING  

Keys News 

DeSantis signs affordable housing bill 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will help create more affordable housing in the Florida Keys. 

 

Orlando Sentinel  

Osceola commissioners delay vote on massive impact fee hike  

More than doubling fees will raise money for transportation, but might also make housing more costly, they worry 

 

WLRN 

New plan will free up millions for affordable housing in Broward  

Broward officials have come up with a unique idea to raise money to address the countywide affordable housing crisis: Use funds from expiring Community Redevelopment Agencies, or CRAs, and relocate them.