FAC News Clips – August 6, 2025

COUNTY 

Action News Jax 

City of Jax launches new data tracking website for city leaders, businesses and residents  

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor Donna Deegan unveiled a new data tracking website aimed at helping drive public policy and business development Tuesday. 

 

WFTV 

Orange County Commission ratifies ICE agreement  

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County commissioners voted 5-2 to ratify the new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

 

Action News Jax 

St. Johns County transparency page will show status of projects being worked on 

  1. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A new transparency page on St. Johns County’s website explains projects, its budget, the locations, and offers photos and videos of the work being done.

 

Action News Jax 

St. Johns County commissioners unanimously adopted a new e-bike safety resolution  

  1. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — For months, Action News Jax has reported on a series of serious e-bike crashes involving children in the county.

 

DOGE 

WCJB 

Florida CFO warns local governments to cooperate with DOGE investigations 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is putting local governments on notice: Cooperate with state audits or risk being subpoenaed. 

 

Spectrum News 

Day 2 of DOGE audit underway in Orange County 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Auditors from the state’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continue to review large amounts of Orange County financial records. 

 

WTSP 

DOGE audits will target Hillsborough, Pinellas counties  

State officials will conduct investigations to see where they can cut spending to lessen the burden on taxpayers. 

 

WCJB 

Florida DOGE plans to visit Alachua County amid investigation into local governments’ spending 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – Alachua County is the latest government agency to receive a letter from Florida DOGE requesting a large number of documents and site access. 

 

First Coast News 

Mayor Deegan, state CFO disagree on data agreement ahead of Florida DOGE audit  

Deegan says the agreement is standard to give outside auditors access to city data.   

 

LEGISLATION 

Observer 

Volusia County to lobby for changes to SB 180  

The Volusia County Council wants state legislators to amend Senate Bill 180.  

 

AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y 

B100 

New Task Force Asks If Iowa Really Needs 99 Counties 

Iowa DOGE is considering shifting certain parts of the state around.

FAC News Clips – August 5, 2025

COUNTY 

My Panhandle 

Franklin County Sheriff elected as Florida Sheriff’s Association Chairman  

FRANKLIN, Fla. (WMBB) – A Panhandle sheriff has taken on some extra responsibility for the next year. 

 

My Observer 

Manatee property values decelerate, but tentative millage stays steady 

Manatee County commissioners Jason Bearden and Bob McCann attempted to lower the tentative millage rate by .05 mills at a special work session July 31, but the final vote was 4-2 against the measure. 

 

Naples Daily News 

Lee County taxes remain steady, funding $2.87 billion budget 

In a brief meeting on August 4, Lee County Commissioners established the property tax rates residents will pay next year. 

 

DOGE 

Fox 35 

Orange County DOGE audit starting today: What we know, what leaders are saying 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia hosted a news conference on Tuesday morning in Orlando to discuss the Florida Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) audit into Orange County’s spending and operations. 

 

WEATHER 

Palm Beach Post 

Tropical Storm Dexter: See path tracker, spaghetti models 

Tropical Storm Dexter is continuing to move away from the East Coast but two other systems are brewing in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

 

NWF Daily News 

August hurricanes, tropical storms: Historical threat to Florida 

Forecasters have been warning activity in the Atlantic basin will be picking up. 

 

IMMIGRATION 

Fox 35 

Orange County commissioners to vote on ICE agreement to transport detainees to Alligator Alcatraz  

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to transport detainees to Alligator Alcatraz, an immigration detention facility in the Everglades. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Spectrum News 

Orange County’s rural boundary measures face legal risk 

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida law could affect several Orange County growth-controlled measures like the rural boundary amendment that was approved by 73% of voters in November 2024. 

FAC News Clips – August 4, 2025

COUNTY 

Hoodline 

Miami-Dade County Shines with 151 Achievement Awards from National 

Miami-Dade County is basking in a new kind of sunshine, the kind that comes from the spotlight of national recognition.   

 

Flagler Live 

County Attorney Al Hadeed, a Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy, Regaled Into Retirement 

Three of the four charges seemed trumped up–impersonating an attorney, using outside counsel too often, taking ages to attain the demolition of the Old Dixie motel.   

 

DOGE 

Gazette Xtra 

Florida DOGE starts hunt for wasteful spending. Will it brandish a machete or wield a pencil? 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida DOGE has commenced, delivering hope and glee to some, agita and fear to others. 

 

ABC Action News 

DOGE set to review county spending in Hillsborough and Pinellas 

Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is set to review county spending in Hillsborough and Pinellas, according to letters obtained by ABC Action News. 

 

WEATHER 

Palm Beach Daily News 

Tropical Storm Dexter: See path tracker, spaghetti models 

Tropical Storm Dexter formed on Sunday night, Aug. 3, becoming the fourth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. 

 

IMMIGRATION 

Florida Politics 

Jerry Demings: ‘We were put in a tough spot’ as he caves over fears of Gov. DeSantis interference 

‘I want our citizens to understand that we will continue to fight for what is right, but we’ll do so very strategically.’ 

 

Orlando Sentinel 

To dodge federal rule, immigrants moved from Florida jails — and sometimes moved right back  

Four Guatemalan siblings, detained as undocumented immigrants after a traffic stop, spent several days last week at the Orange County Jail before being picked up in a van and driven around for hours. 

FAC News Clips – July 31, 2025

COUNTY 

NWF Daily News 

Florida heat advisory. See county list, weekend forecast 

Will Florida residents get a welcome break from scorching heat this weekend or early next week? 

 

WUWF 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection argues it’s not responsible for manatee protection 

Describing the case as having “exceptional importance,” the Florida Department of Environmental Protection this week argued a federal appeals court should overturn decisions that required the agency to take a series of steps to protect manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon. 

 

Islander News 

Miami-Dade’s budget crisis: $402 million shortfall means layoffs, cuts for nonprofits and more Facing what she called, “Without a doubt, a very challenging budget year,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava spent more than 90 minutes Tuesday evening outlining her proposals and answering questions during a virtual Coalition of Chambers Affinity Town Hall. 

 

Citrus County Chronicle 

Q&A: ‘Less clicks,’ more clarity; Citrus testing new permit software ahead of rollout  

The Citrus County Building Division is beta testing new software they believe will make the processing of permits far more efficient than in year’s past. 

 

DOGE 

Local 10 

Florida DOGE auditors in Broward County, reviewing finances 

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — Auditors with Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency are in Broward County Thursday, reviewing how the county spends its money. 

 

The Palm Beach Post 

Florida DOGE auditors appear headed to Palm Beach County 

Incoming County Administrator Joe Abruzzo says he is looking forward to working with the state auditors 

 

Orlando Sentinel 

Commentary: Mayor Demings says Orange County is prepared for DOGE review 

Next week, Orange County government will welcome members of the State of Florida’s DOGE team for a two-day information gathering visit.   

 

IMMIGRATION 

Orlando Sentinel 

Demings says Orange isn’t a ‘sanctuary’ county, blasts AG 

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings fired back at Florida’s attorney general Wednesday, contending his county isn’t a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants and he won’t back down to “mean-spirited” politics from “a young man that is over-aggressive.” 

 

Central Florida Public Media 

Governor DeSantis says he will suspend Orange County Mayor, Commission if needed 

Governor Ron DeSantis says he’s prepared to suspend the Orange County Mayor and the County Commission if they don’t comply with state immigration law. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

Axios 

There’s a massive bipartisan housing bill moving forward in Congress 

The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday unanimously advanced a huge housing bill aimed at boosting the supply of homes in the U.S. 

 

AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y 

ARS Technica 

St. Paul, MN, was hacked so badly that the National Guard has been deployed 

Hacking attacks—many using ransomware—now hit US cities every few days. They are expensive to mitigate and extremely disruptive.   

 

LEGISLATION 

WUWF 

Florida calls for ruling blocking a key part in ballot initiatives law to be put on hold 

Legal wrangling over a judge’s decision blocking a key part of a new law that added restrictions to Florida’s ballot-initiative process has continued to escalate at a federal appeals court, as the state calls for the ruling to be put on hold “as soon as possible.” 

 

Florida Weekly 

Rewriting the rules 

Of the 269 new state laws, here are the ones you’ll likely notice 

FAC News Clips – July 29, 2025

COUNTY 

News 4 Jax 

St. Johns County submits $1.27 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 

Budget includes $169 million for capital improvement plan, $25 million for emergency response reserves 

 

Florida Politics 

‘That’s some significant savings”: Ron DeSantis promotes back to school sales tax holiday 

Certain school supplies, clothes, shoes and computers will be tax-free in August. 

 

Wink News  

Lee County to host expo to boost hurricane readiness  

Lee County is gearing up for the peak of hurricane season with a focus on preparation and safety. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

The Florida-Times Union 

Jacksonville City Council will assess property tax rate cut 

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico and several council members say it’s time for the city to offer some property tax relief, but City Council has not yet set any specific target for what that might mean for this year’s tax bills. 

 

The Capitolist 

Poll: Nearly Half of Florida Republicans Cite Housing Costs, Property Taxes as Top Concern  

Property taxes and housing-related costs have become a defining political issue among Florida Republicans heading into the 2026 election cycle, according to a University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll released last week. 

 

DOGE 

Orlando Sentinel 

Florida DOGE plans to audit Orange County  

Orange County is in Florida’s auditing crosshairs, with Mayor Jerry Demings receiving notice that the so-called state Department of Governmental Efficiency, or DOGE, intends to examine its spending in person next week. 

 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING  

Click Orlando 

This is what’s driving Florida’s affordable housing crisis 

Dr. Owen Beitsch discusses factors that make housing more expensive 

 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 

Route-Fifty 

Trump’s AI Action Plan targets states with ‘burdensome’ regulations  

The new roadmap recommends cutting off federal funding for states if they are deemed to be stifling innovation. Opponents say it’s the 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations under a different name. 

 

FAC News Clips – July 28, 2025

COUNTY 

WJHG 

Franklin County commission passes rezoning proposal at Friday meeting amid resident pushback 

Public speakers shared their worries that the ordinance could lead to more traffic, denser housing and impact their way of life 

 

My Panhandle 

Bay County opens applications for 2025 Citizens Academy 

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County has started accepting applications for the 2025 Citizens Academy. 

 

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT 

Orlando Sentinel 

Florida has a new plan to offset environmental impacts of development 

A new state law aims to help developers fill environmental requirements faster, something critics say could throw the landscape out of balance. 

 

DOGE 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis sets his sights on Manatee County for next financial audit 

DeSantis and newly appointed CFO Blaise Ingoglia are taking aim at the county. 

 

STATE 

Florida Phoenix 

DeSantis says it’s ‘appropriate’ to redistrict congressional districts before next election  

A new map could make it much harder for some longtime Democratic U.S. Reps. to get re-elected in 2026