Youth angler Krieger Brasseale had a memorable visit to the Sunshine State earlier this year. Brasseale spent his spring break chasing saltwater fishing records and achieved five approved youth Florida Saltwater Fishing Records.

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation announced today that the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing program has provided over $50 million in down payment and closing cost assistance to help Florida’s workforce purchase homes. Since the launch of the third cycle of funding on July 1, 2024, the program has allocated a total of $61.3 million to 3,745 families across the state. Veterans, active-duty military personnel, nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers are among the primary beneficiaries.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food, Nutrition and Wellness Division has announced the household size and income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs.

Attorney General Ashley Moody is honoring one of Florida’s sheriffs who protected others by single-handedly disarming and detaining a man with a machete in a convenience store. At the Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference last week, Attorney General Moody presented Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook with a Back the Blue Award.

FloridaCommerce announced today that more than 5,400 bonuses have been awarded through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program. The state has welcomed over 400 recruits from jurisdictions such as Illinois, California, and New York. This initiative aligns with Governor Ron DeSantis' commitment to prioritizing public safety in Florida.

The permit season opens inside the Special Permit Zone in south Florida on August 1. This zone includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast, and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast, including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued an executive order to modify the recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational season, initially set to open on August 1, will now commence on September 1 and remain open through October 31, 2024. During August, the recreational harvest of Gulf greater amberjack will remain closed.

As immigration policy discussions remain prominent in public discourse, a new national study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has found that undocumented immigrants in Florida paid over $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. This figure could rise to approximately $2 billion if these taxpayers were granted work authorization.

Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), the state’s largest advocacy organization representing over 700 long-term care facilities and more than 1,000 professional members, has elected Julie Morris of New Smyrna Beach as President. Morris is Vice President of Operations for Aston Health, which manages 47 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Florida. As President, she will lead the Association’s 30-member Board of Directors and focus on strengthening partnerships across the continuum of care, growing the next generation of long-term care professionals, and...

Adam R. Jonas has built a robust career in real estate, transitioning from foreclosure firms to sales over the past 22 years. Working alongside his brother Michael at their Naples location, Jonas has also ventured into the insurance industry with Foundation Rock Insurance Group.

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has honored its Chief Executive Officer, Emmett Reed, with the 2024 Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award at the Association’s Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is continuing the Summer Scams Series: Sunny Days and Shady Deals with a warning about pool scams and highlighting recent actions taken against fraudulent pool companies. Attorney General Moody's Scams at a Glance: Sink or Swim resource lists common pool contractor schemes and offers tips on how to avoid them.

The Florida Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Revenue, has announced the commencement of the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. The event starts today, Monday, July 29, and will run through Sunday, August 11. This initiative allows Florida families to save on essential items needed for the upcoming school year.

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently honored the 2024 Long Term Care Achievement award winners during its Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. FHCA's annual Long Term Care Achievement Awards recognize exemplary contributions from long-term care leaders and volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to quality care through their dedication to residents, staff, and the profession.

On July 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement announced charges against four individuals involved in a scheme to defraud hunters seeking Osceola turkey hunts. Larry William Collins, David Preston Mills, Paul Neil Beckham, and Vernon Robert Flowers were charged with multiple felonies, including organized fraud, conspiracy to commit organized fraud, cheating, and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

The Florida Chamber Safety Council has introduced a new platform aimed at enhancing workplace heat safety for employers. This comprehensive toolkit includes resources such as heat stress prevention strategies, real-time weather monitoring applications, and continuing education and training opportunities.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today a temporary closure of the recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone. This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, encompassing the Anclote River.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of eleven individuals to the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council. The appointees include Kevin Baird, Tess Dewhirst, Joseph Knittig, Robert Pacienza, Marilyn Rivera, Megan Rose, and Michael Watkins. Additionally, James “Scott” George, Jerry Haag, Calvin Martin, and Pam Olsen have been reappointed.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Wayne Chutkan, Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami, Matthew Love, and Dr. Michelle Mendez to the Graduate Medical Education Committee.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Monesia Brown and the reappointment of Jonathan Kilpatrick and Frank “Monte” Stevens to the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees.