COUNTY 

Herald Tribune 

Manatee County plans for spending $252 million disaster recovery grant 

Manatee County will invest more than $252 million in federal disaster recovery funds awarded in response to Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton in housing repair, infrastructure restoration, and resilience projects. 

 

ABC Action News 

Hillsborough County affordable housing funds in jeopardy 

A Hillsborough County commissioner is proposing to slash funding for the HOPE Affordable Housing Act, and have it go towards public safety instead.   

 

Bay News 9 

Seminole County approves Freebee as new microtransit service 

SANFORD, Fla. — A new way for residents to move around is coming to Seminole County.  

 

WPTV 

New Field Usage Fees and Parking Hikes Under Consideration 

“We want to keep good parks for them to play on, and we are paying for it right now.” 

 

WJHG 

Bay County cleans up beach ordinance verbiage 

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -With the busy summer season approaching, Bay County Commissioners are updating the language and streamlining their ordinances. 

 

Alachua Chronicle 

An Emancipation Day message from Alachua County Chair Charles Chestnut IV  

May 20th holds deep historical significance in Florida as it marks the day in 1865 when the Emancipation Proclamation was publicly announced in the state. 

 

ENVIRONMENT 

First Coast News 

St. Johns County leaders, residents celebrate land swap withdrawal as ‘victory’  

A state representative vows to find better ways to tighten up loopholes that threaten the development of conservation land. 

 

HURRICANE SEASON 

ABC Action News 

Florida braces for hurricane season amid budget standoff 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a follow-up to a story we brought you last week, the governor’s office says it isn’t sweating the double whammy of hurricane season and a potential state government shutdown. 

 

Orlando Sentinel  

As hurricane season looms, DeSantis allays concerns about FEMA 

Amid signs of turmoil at the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the Atlantic hurricane season is about to begin, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he isn’t concerned because FEMA isn’t really that important at all. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis signs measure giving counties more power over boat anchoring 

Supporters say the new law will help decongest Florida’s waterways. Opponents argue it’ll create an inconsistent patchwork of rules.