News Service of Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday directed officials to bring forward proposals for a possible bear hunt. The proposals are expected to be completed by a May commission meeting, giving staff members time to compile data from ongoing studies about bear populations and gather more public input.

A federal judge has paused a challenge to a new Florida law that prevents strippers under age 21 from performing in adult-entertainment establishments.

House and Senate committees will meet in parts of December, January and February to start sifting through proposals in the lead-up to the 60-day session.

A Florida amendment could make school board races partisan

Florida voters next week will decide whether to put hunting and fishing rights in the state Constitution, as opponents have struggled to get their message out.

The measures, put on the Nov. 5 ballot by the Republican-controlled Legislature, would end a matching-funds program available to candidates for governor and state Cabinet seats and revise the homestead property-tax exemption.

Damages to farmers and ranchers from Hurricane Milton may double the statewide agricultural destruction from three other storms that pummeled Florida since August 2023, according to state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

As residents evacuate on congested highways ahead of Hurricane Milton, Florida officials said the state does not have a fuel shortage.

Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category 4 storm Monday, as Florida officials implored Gulf Coast residents to follow evacuation orders and utilities prepared for widespread power outages.

Gov. Ron DeSantis noted some uncertainty in the forecast for what is expected to become Hurricane Helene. He expanded a state of emergency to 61 of the state’s 67 counties, with only some counties in Southeast Florida excluded.