State News
Monday, May 4, 2026 · Safety Harbor
Business Interruption Insurance: How to Stay Afloat When the Doors are Closed
Dunedin businesses can find stability during unexpected closures with business interruption insurance, which helps replace lost income and cover ongoing expenses.
Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2026 Promotional Schedule and Daily Specials
The Dunedin Blue Jays have announced their 2026 promotional schedule and daily specials for games at TD Ballpark.
Monday, May 4, 2026
PortMiami's $345M Expansion Supercharges Florida Trade Hub
PortMiami is transforming into a global powerhouse with multimillion-dollar cruise and cargo upgrades set to double traffic by 2035. From Royal Caribbean's new mega-terminal to cutting-edge AI cargo tech, the port promises jobs and economic boom for South Florida. Officials hail it as a game-changer for Florida's trade dominance.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Orlando Home Prices Dip Amid Surge in Inventory, Defying Earlier Surge Hype
Central Florida's red-hot housing demand has cooled, with Orlando median home values dropping 3.5% year-over-year to $374,136 as of March 2026. Record inventory levels are flooding the market, giving buyers more leverage after years of price spikes. Experts point to exploding supply in Orange, Osceola, and Lake counties as the key driver behind the shift.[1][3]
Monday, May 4, 2026
Florida Spring Break Draws Record Crowds, Fuels Tourism Boom
Florida's beaches are packed as spring break 2026 shatters records, pumping billions into coastal economies from Miami to Pinellas County. Hotel bookings in Miami Beach surged 38%, with average rates topping $640 a night amid fewer arrests and family-friendly reforms. Officials eye even bigger gains from the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Lightning on Brink vs. Canadiens in Tense Tampa Playoff Thriller
The Tampa Bay Lightning face elimination in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens after a 3-2 series deficit, with star Brandon Hagel held pointless in the critical Game 5 loss. Tampa's electric Bolts Nation rallies amid high stakes at Amalie Arena. Can the two-time champs claw back for home-ice survival?
Monday, May 4, 2026
Gators Capture SEC Baseball Crown in Hoover
The Florida Gators baseball team claimed the Southeastern Conference championship this weekend, extending a storied program's NCAA Tournament streak. The title marked another milestone for a program that has reached 17 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and nine of the last 15 College World Series.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Miami Heat Crush Celtics in Game 7, Storm to NBA Finals
In a dominant 103-84 Game 7 rout of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, the Miami Heat clinched the Eastern Conference Finals and advanced to the NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler's heroics earned him ECF MVP honors as South Florida's squad became just the second No. 8 seed to reach the championship stage. They now face the Denver Nuggets starting Thursday.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Miami-Dade Dengue Cases Spike as Florida Braces for Mosquito Season
Florida has reported 60 locally acquired dengue cases year-to-date, with Miami-Dade County accounting for 23 of those infections. Public health officials warn that warming temperatures and increased travel are expanding the range of disease-carrying mosquitoes into central and northern Florida, signaling a troubling shift in the state's disease landscape.
Monday, May 4, 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 4, 2026
Atlanta Man Nabbed After Torching Sanford Temple, Wild Multi-County Chase
A 51-year-old Atlanta man faces felony arson charges after allegedly setting fire to a Sanford Buddhist temple, sparking a high-speed chase across Central Florida highways. Singhasouk Danny Phanouvong led police on a 115 mph pursuit through Volusia and Flagler counties before troopers stopped him with a PIT maneuver. The late-night incident shocked the tight-knit temple community in Seminole County.
Monday, May 4, 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 4, 2026