Community News
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · Venice
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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Sarasota Elections Office Wins 3 National Awards
Sarasota County's elections office won two national Clearinghouse Awards and an honorable mention from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for voter outreach and accessibility programs.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Sarasota County Elections Office Wins Three National Awards
The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office won two Clearinghouse Awards and an honorable mention from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for improving voter experience and election transparency.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Sarasota Elections Office Wins National Awards for Voter Innovation
The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office won five national awards, including two Clearie Awards for transforming a compliance test into a public demonstration and creating voter education campaigns about polling place rules.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Sarasota County Mails 200,000 Election Notices for August Primary and November General Election
Sarasota County voters received election notices with deadlines for the Aug. 18 primary (registration deadline July 20) and Nov. 3 general election (registration deadline Oct. 5). Voters can cast ballots by mail, early in-person voting or on election day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
New Florida Driver License Format May Affect Vote-by-Mail Requests
Nokomis voters renewing driver licenses after July 31, 2024, should update their voter records to avoid delays with vote-by-mail requests. The new license format includes additional numbers that may confuse the online system.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Congressional Map Split Sarasota County Between Two Districts
Sarasota County voters in about 48,000 households will be assigned to new congressional districts following the governor's signing of HB 1D. The county now splits between Districts 16 and 17 for the August 18 primary election.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 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.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026