The skyline of Miami, Fla. Patrick Bloodgood, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | DVIDS
(The Center Square / Steve Wilson) – Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wants to cut the state’s sales tax rate, saying it would be the largest cut in the state’s history.
In The Villages, Florida, a legal dispute has emerged between local drone operators and the community’s developer over the use of drones to document construction projects. Don Wiley, a Sumter County Commissioner and licensed commercial drone pilot, has been at the center of this controversy. A law firm says Wiley’s use of his drone runs afoul of Florida’s drone law. Wiley vehemently disagrees, citing both legal precedent and his First Amendment rights.
The Tampa Bay Rays are poised to commence their 2025 season this afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, a temporary relocation necessitated by significant hurricane damage to their usual home, Tropicana Field. If the name Steinbrenner rings a bell, it is because the ballpark is owned by the New York Yankees and is named for their iconic former owner.
Drought conditions. Photo via https://www.tampabaywater.org/
It’s dry in a great deal of Florida — too dry. While warm, sunny days are perfect for beachgoers and theme park guests, a drought is bad for farmers and others who need regular rains to maintain their businesses and way of life. It’s also bad for wilderness areas of the state, with lower water levels in rivers, lakes, and aquifers, impacting water supplies while increasing the risk of saltwater intrusion and algae blooms in the water supply.
Muireann Bradley from Ballybofey in County Down singing Candy Man Blues. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN
Florida is full of things to do, and no doubt cruising is one of the most popular. FMN’s Richard Gallagher recently spent a week pursuing hidden gems in one of his passions: the Blues. Read Richard’s account of what he discovered on the Norwegian Gem during a “Blues Cruise” from Miami last week.
Florida lawmakers are what might become a new Florida law, Senate Bill 1782 (SB 1782), a measure aimed at imposing stricter penalties on drivers who engage in extreme speeding, commonly referred to as “super speeders.” The bill, introduced by State Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo (D) Hollywood, seeks to deter reckless driving behaviors that have become increasingly prevalent on Florida’s roadways. Pizzo’s district covers parts of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
As the calendar flips to April, aviation enthusiasts of all ages are gearing up for a week at the second largest airshow in the United States. The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo 2025 is set to kick off on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida.
An F-35 Lightning II makes a high-speed pass, appearing to take the control tower with it. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN
Robert Plant, in 1988. Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
We’ve all had that moment of musical déjà vu—singing along to a beloved tune, convinced it’s an original masterpiece, only to discover it’s been moonlighting as a cover song all along. It’s like finding out your grandma’s secret cookie recipe is actually straight off the back of a chocolate chip bag. Let’s uncover some of these undercover hits that have fooled our ears for years.
If you are looking to buy a house in Florida, homebuilders want to talk to you! Amid a rapidly softening market, one builder is offering some of the best incentives yet for prospective buyers. The current Florida market conditions and incentives may make it easier for first-time homebuyers, who are traditionally required to come up with large down payments and closing costs.
AAA reports that after a period of stability, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has risen by approximately 4 cents over the past week, reaching $3.12. This increase comes despite crude oil prices remaining below $70 per barrel. Fortunately, some parts of Florida are still well below the national average.
Florida is famous for its sunshine, beaches, and theme parks – but it also hides some truly quirky stuff. Beyond the usual attractions, the Sunshine State boasts odd historical tales, unique geography, curious wildlife, and cultural surprises. Here are ten fun and little-known places and facts about Florida that might just amaze you. If you’re looking for things to do or see in Florida, here’s a good start.
Florida’s coastline has long been a magnet for treasure hunters, history buffs, and, let’s be honest, anyone who’s ever daydreamed about stumbling upon Pieces of Eight while digging in the sand. Central to these tales is the story of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, also known as the Plate Fleet. This fleet’s misadventures off Florida’s coast have left a legacy of sunken riches and countless stories. To this day, treasure hunters and metal detectorists alike search for lost gold and jewelry, and from time to time, they find it.
