Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet on Tuesday approved spending nearly $100 million on land deals that will secure nearly 40,000 acres as part of a growing wildlife corridor. The 12 agreements are part of the Florida Forever program and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. They involve …

The State Board of Education on Wednesday adopted a statement condemning a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Education that is geared toward allowing transgender athletes to participate on teams consistent with their gender identity. The proposed rule would apply to schools that receive federal education money. It deals …

TALLAHASSEE — Retailers are awaiting action by Gov. Ron DeSantis as two of the six sales tax “holiday” periods included in a nearly $1 billion proposed tax-relief package are scheduled to begin this weekend. Key components of the tax package (HB 7063) include a 14-day period in which sales taxes …

The budget includes $1.75 million for a meat-processing and training facility in Newberry.

TALLAHASSEE — Amid a constitutional challenge by a group of cities, Florida lawmakers have approved revamping a 2021 law aimed at shielding police departments from budget cuts. Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh last week put on hold the legal challenge, saying the “parties need time to confer with …

TALLAHASSEE — Continuing an effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from Florida’s higher-education system, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a measure aimed at prohibiting colleges and universities from spending money on “DEI” programs. The governor also signed a separate bill that will prevent colleges and universities from …

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session Friday. During the 60-day session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed numerous high-profile bills that lined up with priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are snapshots of 18 different issues, with links to relevant WUFT coverage over the past several months: …

Flush with cash, Florida lawmakers on Tuesday released a $117 billion budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1. The record budget would be about $7 billion larger than the spending plan for the current fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators finished working out details Monday. Tuesday’s release …

TALLAHASSEE — With the future of abortion rights in Florida potentially hinging on the case, attorneys for abortion clinics and a doctor are pushing back against arguments that the state Supreme Court should reject decades of legal precedents about a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution. The attorneys late Friday …