Today, FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Debby and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration for not producing documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The request, submitted by the Florida Attorney General’s Office in March, seeks information on policies that allegedly allow the release of dangerous criminals into U.S. communities following their release from federal prisons.
The fall red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico will be open on specific weekends from September 1 through November 30.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting to discuss aquatic habitat management in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes on Wednesday, September 18. The meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Office, located at 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee, FL, 34744.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is emphasizing boater safety as Labor Day weekend approaches. This period traditionally marks the unofficial end of summer, prompting many Florida residents and visitors to take to the water. FWC officers will be on heightened patrol during the holiday weekend, focusing on identifying reckless or impaired vessel operators and other hazardous boating behaviors.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued a reminder for beachgoers this Labor Day weekend about the ongoing nesting activities of sea turtles and shorebirds on Florida's beaches. The FWC emphasizes the importance of giving these species space, removing beach gear at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and filling in holes dug in the sand before leaving.
Every year, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) publishes its South Florida Environmental Report (SFER), detailing environmental and water projects for the past water year.
Florida farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. These loans are available to eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, such as fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings. They can also be used to remove vegetative debris.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today the reopening of the recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone following a temporary closure. The zone will be open from August 28 through September 24, 2024. 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.
With hunting season approaching, the urgency of addressing chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues as a primary concern for hunters and property owners in the Florida Panhandle. CWD is a contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Florida’s first known case of CWD in a white-tailed deer in Holmes County and has since implemented new rules and regulations to control its spread. This disease poses significant economic and environmental risks for Florida’s...
Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) commemorates the one-year anniversary since Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a strong Category 3 hurricane. Hurricane Idalia was the first major hurricane on record to hit this part of the Big Bend region. The storm brought a devastating storm surge of 7-12 feet above normally dry ground to the coastline in Levy, Dixie, and Taylor counties.
Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame during the Chairman’s Dinner at the annual VISIT FLORIDA Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tampa. The induction recognizes individuals "whose vision, creativity, and drive have had a positive and significant impact on the development of Florida as a desirable visitor destination."
OSHA has introduced a proposed rule titled “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” This rule seeks to establish consistent, nationwide standards to protect workers from the dangers of excessive heat. It addresses a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, and local government. For businesses in Florida, understanding this rule is crucial because it outlines specific requirements that may directly impact daily operations.
Florida TaxWatch released a commentary titled "Social Determinants of Health: Education Access and Quality," the second installment in a five-part series examining social determinants of health. These are environmental conditions, such as age and economic background, that affect individual health. The focus of this commentary is on the link between education access and quality and overall health and well-being.
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis awarded funds for workforce development and infrastructure improvements through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF) and the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Awards were made to Citrus County, Cross City, and Cedar Key for projects aimed at completing critical infrastructure and strengthening rural economies.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has filed proposed workers' compensation rates for 2025, citing a reduction in both the frequency and severity of claims as key factors influencing this year's rate filing. This improvement is attributed to employers’ ongoing commitment to enhancing workplace safety and advancements in technology, which have collectively reduced workplace injuries and facilitated quicker return-to-work processes for employees.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s actions to uphold law and order, protect the state from fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and curb illegal immigration. Last year, Governor DeSantis signed legislation establishing the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant program, which provides law enforcement with the funding needed to conduct large-scale drug operations across the state.