COUNTY 

WUWF 

U.S. plan doubles the acres designated as critical habitat for manatees in Florida  

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday announced a plan to more than double the critical habitat designated for manatees in Florida to 1.9 million acres. 

 

St. Pete Catalyst 

County commission approves $4.3 billion budget, tax cuts  

Pinellas County property owners will see their tax rate decrease for the third time in four years, despite officials increasing public safety and infrastructure funding. 

 

WLRN 

Monroe County cuts ribbon on new Emergency Operations Center  

With just two full months left this hurricane season, local officials on Monday cut the ribbon on a new Emergency Operations Center in the Florida Keys. 

 

HURRICANE HELENE 

WCTV 

Mandatory evacuation to take effect in Franklin County at noon Tuesday  

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – A mandatory evacuation is set to take effect at noon Tuesday in Franklin County due to potential severe weather, according to the county’s emergency management. 

 

WPTV 

61 Florida counties under state of emergency due to threat of Helene  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — 61 Florida counties, including Okeechobee County in our viewing area, are now under a state of emergency because of the threat of what’s expected to become a major Category 3 Hurricane Helene over the next couple days.