Community News
05/12/2026 · Hernando
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
Citrus County wins 17 national awards for innovative programs
Citrus County received 17 national awards from the National Association of Counties for innovative programs spanning animal services, fire rescue, libraries, and parks.
05/12/2026
Citrus County wins state awards for growth planning tool and economic development website
Citrus County won a state award for its Interactive Growth Model, which forecasts development patterns and infrastructure needs, and a marketing award for its economic development website launched in February.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Gets $16.4M to Fix Failing Sewer System in Homosassa
Citrus County secured $16.4 million in state disaster recovery funds to repair aging sewer lines in Homosassa that overflow during storms and send raw sewage into neighborhoods and Halls River.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Posts 2026 Road Work Schedule Online
Citrus County posted its 2026 road work plan online, allowing residents to search treatment schedules for specific county roads.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Launches Text and Email Alert System
Citrus County residents can now receive alerts on everything from burn bans to transit closures by signing up at citruscounty.gov/notify.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Opens Notification System for Service Updates
Citrus County residents can now sign up for email or text notifications about burn bans, water restrictions, landfill closures, and other county services at citruscounty.gov/notify.
05/12/2026
Denise Baum Serves on Judiciary, Agriculture Committees in 2025 Legislature
State Rep. Denise Baum serves on three House committees during the 2025 Montana Legislature, including Judiciary and Agriculture.
05/12/2026
Denise Baum's Legislative Service in the 2025 Montana Legislature
Denise Baum represented House District 47 during the 2025 Montana Legislature, serving on the Business and Labor, State Administration, and Transportation committees.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Breaks Ground on New Animal Services Facility
Citrus County hosts a groundbreaking ceremony June 15 for a new Animal Services facility in Lecanto, with construction expected to wrap up in fall 2027.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Wins Awards for Growth Planning Tool and Economic Website
Citrus County received two regional awards for its Interactive Growth Model forecasting tool and its new economic development website, citrusadvantage.com.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
Hernando County Moves to Congressional District 15
Hernando County voters shift from Congressional District 12 to District 15 under new state redistricting law, effective before the August primary.
05/12/2026
Citrus County Voters Guide: How Judicial Elections and Merit Retention Work
The Florida Bar's "The Vote's in Your Court" guide explains how judicial elections and merit retention work in Florida. Printed copies in multiple languages are available through the Citrus County Supervisor of Elections.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026
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.
05/12/2026