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Studio 67FAC News Clips – August 29, 2025
COUNTY
WTXL
Leon County leaders meet with neighbors after crosswalk protests
Commissioners say they are searching for a compromise following an FDOT order to remove colorful crosswalks
WTXL
Another record breaker: 34.4 million visit Florida in 3 months
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida has broken another tourism record, welcoming 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025, according to new figures announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Alachua Chronicle
ALACHUA, Fla. – At the August 25 regular meeting, the Alachua City Commission approved Land Development Regulations on first reading to encourage mixed-use developments and conserve natural spaces, increased water/wastewater rates on second reading, joined a lawsuit to challenge SB180, and let a motion to hire an outside investigator die for lack of a second.
Click Orlando
Seminole County removed green crosswalks to comply with updated guidelines
DOGE
CBS 12
Waste Watch: Doge Audits Palm Beach County, Results Due within 60 Days
West Palm Beach, Fla. — The CBS 12 News I-Team is committed to bringing you consistent Waste Watch reports.
Florida Politics
Jerry Demings says the state is targeting Orange County with new investigation
A former law enforcement official, Demings said the state has already tainted its investigation.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Trump proposed getting rid of FEMA, but his review council seems focused on reforming the agency
The conversation signaled a departure from some of the more aggressive rhetoric Trump and Noem have used in the past to describe their plans for FEMA.
FAC News Clips – August 28, 2025
COUNTY
Observer
Ocoee leaders support unifying West Orange cities in county redistricting
The Ocoee City Commission voted to express support for the proposed county redistricting map, which places Ocoee, Winter Garden, Oakland, and Apopka in the same district.
The Apopka Voice
Orange County seeks to bring Vision 2050 into compliance with new state law
Staff initiates dialogue with Florida Department of Commerce to address policies
Fox 29
Martin County eyes guest houses as affordable housing solution
As Florida’s housing market continues to strain residents, Martin County is exploring ways to make living here more affordable: letting homeowners rent out their guest houses.
LEGISLATION
WFTV
Orange County joins lawsuit over development rules, moratoriums
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is joining a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 180, which restricts local governments from creating new building rules or moratoriums.
DOGE
Tampa Bay Times
Florida CFO issues subpoenas, says Orange County not complying with DOGE audit
Orange County’s mayor denied the county withheld information and noted the state offered no evidence.
STATE
Florida Politics
Fort Lauderdale defies Gov. DeSantis order, joins cities fighting to save rainbow street art
‘We cannot be bullied into submission and to allow others to dictate what happens in our community.’
Miami Times Online
Canadian tourism down year over year, but Ron DeSantis sees them as key to property tax abatement
Ron DeSantis says that Canadian “snowbirds” are still coming to Florida in big enough numbers to facilitate a proposed reduction or elimination of property taxes.
FAC News Clips – August 27, 2025
COUNTY
First Coast News
Jacksonville residents back mayor’s $2B budget amid amendments controversy
Residents at Tuesday’s meeting supported Mayor Deegan’s proposed $2 billion budget and opposed amendments by Councilman Rory Diamond, which many called divisive.
Fox 13
Pinellas beach project kicks off, but 125 owners still refuse to sign on
TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. – The $126 million Pinellas County beach renourishment project is officially set to get underway, with crews beginning work this week in Indian Shores.
WDBO
Orange County approves school zone speed detection program
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Speed detection cameras are coming to 12 school zones across Orange County.
Midflorida Newspaper
State legislators listen to local voices at Polk County Legislative Delegation meeting
Polk County county officials, city officials and the public gave their thanks, asked for appropriations and voiced their concerns on August 12 in front of Senator Ben Albritton (District 27), Rep. Josie Tomkow (District 51), Rep. Jennifer Canady (District 50), Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (District 49), Senator Colleen Burton (District 12) and Rep. Jon Albert (District 48) during the Polk County Legislative Delegation meeting in Bartow.
STATE
The Miami Times
‘Our response will be strategic’: Ken Welch can’t save the street murals, but he will fight back St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch says the city has no choice but to allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove several street murals the state deemed noncompliant with a recent executive mandate.
News 4 Jax
The governor’s remarks come amid a tug-of-war between Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico and Mayor Donna Deegan over the proposed budget
My Suncoast
Gov. DeSantis speaks in Tampa on state transportation policies and Property Tax Reform
TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Tampa on Tuesday, Aug. 26, joined by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, to address state transportation policies and fiscal priorities.
FAC News Clips – August 26, 2025
COUNTY
Osceola News Gazette
‘Oscie’ the chatbot ushers Osceola County into AI era
If Osceola County’s tagline on the administrative side is going to be, “Be First to What’s Next,” then it makes sense that the county has jumped on the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon.
The Apopka Voice
Orange County fleet earns national recognition for excellence
For the third time since 2020, Orange County’s Fleet Management Division has earned national recognition for excellence — this year being ranked the #14 Leading Fleet in North America by Government Fleet Magazine and the American Public Works Association.
Jax Daily Record
Nine Jacksonville City Council members say they’ll support tax rate cut
The group – one vote short of the 10 needed to pass the cut – held an Aug. 25 news conference to defend the millage rate reduction.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Bradenton Times
Will states take on more FEMA duties? Congress, Trump council debate agency’s fate
The Federal Emergency Management Agency could look significantly different by next year’s hurricane season, with state and local governments shouldering more of the responsibility for natural disaster response and recovery.
LEGISLATION
WCJB
Alachua city leaders unite with other cities over “unconstitutional” Senate bill
ALACHUA, Fla. (WCJB) – Alachua city commissioners approved a resolution to join other cities and counties in a lawsuit over Senate Bill 180.
AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y
Bradenton Herald
Greg Abbott Eyes Texas Property Tax Change
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he opposes cities and counties in his state raising property taxes further to fund disaster relief, following devastating flooding in July, which killed at least 135 people in the Hill Country region.
FAC News Clips – August 25, 2025
COUNTY
Hoodline
Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss Secures Key Roles in
Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss has taken on several new leadership roles within the National Association of Counties (NACo), signaling his continued commitment to bettering the management and operation of counties across the nation.
News 4 Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The bell rang Monday on the latest round in the fight over how Jacksonville city leaders should spend taxpayers’ money.
Hernando Sun
Hernando Commissioners Approve Funding for 2025 Senate District 11 Special Elections
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a budget amendment to fund Special Elections for Florida’s Senate District 11, following Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 25-148 calling for the contests after former Senator Blaise Ingoglia’s appointment as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.
LEGISLATION
The Bradenton Times
Legal Threats Continue to Mount Against BOCC
Commissioners have received additional notices regarding legal actions due to their efforts to collect higher impact fees, restore wetland buffers, and repeal a policy that weakens the FDAB.
DOGE
WFSU
Florida’s CFO says wasteful spending will be undeniable after the DOGE audits
Florida’s new chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, started his gig in late July.
FAC News Clips – August 22, 2025
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
Levy County earns statewide recognition for community outreach at FFEA Sunsational Awards Levy County was honored at the 2025 Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) Sunsational Awards, receiving 2nd place for “Best Community Outreach Program.”
WQCS
St. Lucie County commissioners examine road impact fees amidst county growth
FORT PIERCE — St. Lucie County commissioners on Aug. 19 postponed a vote on steep increases to impact fees after residents, developers and business leaders raised concerns about affordability and timing.
WGCU
More than $38 million awarded for state’s small, rural communities
More than $38 million was awarded Thursday to 19 small and rural Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
IMMIGRATION
Naples Daily News
Alligator Alcatraz will continue operations says Florida governor
The aftershock of U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ is sending waves through the environmental and political realms as the future of Alligator Alcatraz, at this point, is unsure.