The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a hearing in October on a proposed base-rate increase settlement for Florida Power & Light (FPL).

Under the agreement, FPL reduced its 2026 base rate revenue request from the $1.55 billion it had presented in February by 39%, to $945 million. The base rate revenue request for 2027 was reduced by 17%, from $927 million to $766 million.

The settlement would cap the typical residential bill increase at 13 cents a day—or $3.79 a month—starting in 2026. Under the plan, a 1,000-kWh bill would rise from $134.14 today to $137.93 in January 2026, reaching $148 by the end of 2029.

The settlement drew sharp criticism from opponents. AARP Florida blasted it as a "closed-door deal" that leaves residential customers—especially seniors on fixed incomes—with little voice.

Florida is calling for a recount of the most recent U.S. Census, claiming there was an undercount in 2020. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier made the announcement Wednesday at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth.

The governor believes the state deserves at least one more representative in the U.S. House, bringing the number to 29, saying this is "something that's kind of stuck in my craw."

DeSantis said if Florida receives another representative, it will necessitate redrawing the congressional maps.

"I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but every state that got shortchanged was a Republican state and every state that got more was a Democrat state," DeSantis said. "That's just the truth about how that Census was applied."

Florida's tourism industry reached a historic milestone in the second quarter of 2025, welcoming 34.4 million visitors.

The Sunshine State remains a top travel destination within the U.S., with 31.5 million domestic travelers accounting for 91.5% of visitors.

International tourism increased 11.4% year-over-year, reaching 2.3 million visitors. Canadian tourists contributed 640,000 arrivals.

Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the milestone, noting Florida's attractions, amenities, and public safety measures as key factors drawing visitors.

Florida Attorney General James Uthemeir issued an emergency rule on Wednesday banning the sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, making the kratom byproduct a Schedule I controlled substance in the state.

Uthmeier said he banned the drug, known as "legal morphine," as an extension of addressing the opioid crisis because it is "chemically manipulated in a way" to make it very dense and "up to 13 times more potent than morphine."

Readily available at smoke shops, vape stores, convenience stores, and gas stations before the ban, 7-OH is a derivative of the kratom plant, generally cultivated in Asian countries. The highly addictive substance works as a painkiller.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner praised the attorney general for taking quick action following the agency’s decision last month to send warning letters to companies for allegedly illegally marketing products containing 7-OH.

Kids head back to school Monday. What’s new this year in Florida?

Among this year’s changes: new schools, new cell phone rules and a few lunches made from scratch. As they reconnect with friends and get settled with teachers, students will encounter some new rules, expectations and activities. Here’s an overview of what they can expect:

New state laws

Statewide, schools received new directives for student cellphone use.

Lawmakers declared that phones are off limits for elementary and middle school students from the first bell to the last. Children can have their devices, but with only limited exceptions, they’re to remain off and out of sight throughout the school day.

High schoolers may use their phones during classes only when allowed by teachers and also when there is no instruction.

Local school boards have not yet revised rules to reflect the new law, which went into effect July 1. But local officials said they will enforce the law as written while the codes of conduct get revamped during the fall.

Students and staff also should find it easier to get around campus due to changes to the state’s school security law that last year kept doors, gates and access points locked whenever any child was present.

At the urging of school leaders, lawmakers lightened restrictions that drew complaints that schools were becoming as locked down as prisons. Campuses now may create secure zones inside where doors can remain open for easier passage.

The state also limited hours during which the restrictions are in effect, starting 30 minutes before classes and ending 30 minutes after the final bell. That change should allow parents to get to their children’s after-school events without waiting for someone to let them in.

Schools across the region are redesigning their security plans to accommodate the shift.

There are plenty of changes at the district level, too.

A bipartisan coalition of 51 state attorneys general launched a multistate effort to end illegal robocalls, which are automated telephone calls that deliver a pre-recorded message.

The states began "Operation Robocall Roundup" by sending warning letters to 37 different voice providers demanding “immediate action” to prevent robocalls from being routed through their networks.

The letters warn that the attorneys general are authorized to enforce federal law and state law enforcement actions. Thus, the providers must respond within 21 days with a plan on how to comply with the laws.

A new data visualization shows how the jobs held by Americans have shifted over the past two decades.

Office and administrative roles dropped from 18% of the workforce in 2002 to just 12% in 2024, as automation replaced clerical tasks.

Meanwhile, food service rose from 8% to 9%, transport and logistics climbed from 7% to 9%, and healthcare support jumped from 2% to 5%—all driven by rising demand for hands-on, in-person work.

Tech, finance, and management each gained about one worker per 100, pointing to a gradual shift toward higher-skill, knowledge-based roles. See the full chart here.

The My Safe Florida Home Program will offer grants again beginning Aug. 4 to low- and moderate-income homeowners with a dwelling valued at $700,000 or less.

The program provides eligible homeowners with free home inspections for hurricane readiness and recommendations for wind mitigation features, including roofing materials, exterior and garage doors, storm shutters, and attachments for walls and roofs.

The Florida Legislature allocated $280 million to fund the program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The program guide is available here.

After the free home inspection is processed, a grant of up to $10,000 could be awarded to a contractor approved by the Department of Financial Services to replace windows, doors, and other items. To apply, click on this link.