Community News
Monday, May 11, 2026 · Daytona Beach
Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion
A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.
Florida Bills Slash No-Fault Auto, Shield Homeowners from Roof Hikes
Florida's 2026 insurance reforms repeal the state's no-fault auto system and protect homeowners from coverage denials over old roofs, aiming to curb skyrocketing premiums amid hurricane risks. Effective July 1, new laws mandate fault-based liability for crashes and require human review of AI claim denials. Drivers and residents from Miami to Tampa face a transformed market promising rate relief.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida's Heat Wave Eases Slightly Friday After Record-Breaking Thursday
South Florida and Central Florida residents get a brief respite from scorching temperatures Friday, with highs dropping into the upper 80s at the coast and low 90s inland—but forecasters warn the dangerous heat pattern will persist through the weekend. Thursday's near-record temperatures set the stage for what meteorologists are calling one of the hottest stretches of the year so far.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Signs 2026 Farm Bill in Sebring, Boosting Rural Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290 into law Monday in Sebring, delivering wins for Florida farmers with protections for gas-powered equipment and farmland preservation. The measure bans local bans on gasoline tools, makes the Farmers Feeding Florida program permanent and curbs high-density rural development. Critics decry potential sprawl from related land-use changes.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Port Orange Gets $10M to Fix Sleepy Hollow Drainage
Port Orange will use a $10 million Transform386 grant to begin fixing chronic flooding in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, with construction set to begin in 2026.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Daytona Beach Hosts State's Largest Water Conference
Daytona Beach hosted the Florida Water Resources Conference this month, allowing city utilities staff to attend without travel expenses while showcasing local facilities to 2,000 industry professionals.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Seven Daytona Beach Firefighters Earn Paramedic Certification
Seven Daytona Beach firefighters completed an intensive 64-week paramedic training program at Daytona State College.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Daytona Beach Updates Employee Travel Policy
Daytona Beach's new employee travel policy, effective February 2026, requires advance digital approval and replaces meal reimbursements with per diem allowances to control spending.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Daytona Beach Shores Names Mike Fowler City Manager
Mike Fowler becomes city manager of Daytona Beach Shores after 34 years with the city, most recently leading its public safety department.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Daytona Beach Marine Honored as Volusia County's First Veteran of the Year
Pierre Louis, a retired Marine Corps officer from Daytona Beach, becomes Volusia County's first Veteran of the Year. The council will recognize him on June 2.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Mark Boice Named Daytona Beach's Chief Building Official
Mark Boice takes over as Chief Building Official for Daytona Beach, bringing 17 years of building inspection experience from Flagler County.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Daytona Beach Housing Starts Drop as Building Boom Cools
New housing starts in Daytona Beach fell to 532 in 2025 as the city's construction boom cools following a 2022 peak of 1,200 starts.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Medications Can Increase Heat Illness Risk This Summer
Certain medications increase the risk of heat illness during Daytona Beach summers by suppressing sweating and dulling thirst. Stay hydrated, seek shade, and know the warning signs.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Navy Veteran Builds Support Program for Incarcerated Veterans in Massachusetts
Navy veteran Mayumi Kimura, who deployed to the Persian Gulf, now directs a support program for incarcerated veterans in Massachusetts that provides therapy, PTSD treatment, and service dogs.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Veterans Can Reduce Suicide Risk by Securing Firearms and Medications
The Department of Veterans Affairs says Daytona Beach residents can help prevent veteran suicides by securing firearms and medications at home.
Monday, May 11, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Tuesday at the Tower: Stephen Crane, The Commodore and the Open Boat
Explore the dramatic true story behind Stephen Crane’s classic work The Open Boat and its connection to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse at the upcoming Tuesday at the Tower event.
Monday, May 11, 2026
VA Chaplains Help Homeless Veterans in Daytona Beach Rebuild Purpose
VA chaplains in Daytona Beach offer spiritual care to homeless veterans, addressing isolation and lost identity alongside basic needs like shelter.
Monday, May 11, 2026
How Daytona Beach Graduates Can Land Their First Job
New Daytona Beach graduates should emphasize skills from internships and coursework on resumes, build professional networks through career fairs and LinkedIn, and consider the Department of Veterans Affairs for entry-level clinical roles.
Monday, May 11, 2026
VA Home Loans Help Daytona Beach Veterans Buy With No Down Payment
VA-guaranteed home loans offer Daytona Beach veterans zero down payments and no mortgage insurance. The benefit served over 500,000 borrowers in 2025 alone.
Monday, May 11, 2026
I-95 Overnight Pacing Operations Begin Thursday at Pioneer Trail Interchange
Traffic pacing operations close I-95 lanes overnight Thursday as work continues on the Pioneer Trail Interchange project in Port Orange.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Offers Guided Tours Exploring Maritime History
Explore Florida's tallest lighthouse and its maritime history with guided tours led by expert docents at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, included with admission.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, May 11, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, May 11, 2026