Jacksonville prepares for September 19 Jax Book Fest with more than 120 authors
Jax Book Fest is set for September 19 at Jacksonville’s Main Library, with more than 120 local authors, three featured guests, free activities and book signings.
Florida
-
-
Tampa weighs $1.5 million HART contribution, with Route 1 a priority
Tampa City Council members are backing consideration of a larger FY2027 HART contribution, but the proposed $1.5 million allocation for Route 1 is not final.
-
Orlando prepares to consider $1.88 billion budget with no property-tax rate increase
Orlando’s proposed $1.88 billion FY 2026-27 budget would keep the millage rate unchanged, add 44 police and fire first responders and fund roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, parks and neighborhood programs.
-
NTSB Releases Preliminary Cockpit Data From Fatal Miami Cargo-Plane Crash
Preliminary NTSB recorder data show a 158-knot touchdown, a go-around call and the final recorded sequence before Flight 7598 overran Miami International Airport’s Runway 30.
-
FDA Update Puts Recalled Frozen Berries in Food-Service Inventories
A Sept. 11 FDA update confirms recalled frozen berries reached Walmart and Publix stores across 27 states and Puerto Rico. Operators should check stock and sanitize equipment.
-
Thunderstorms raise flight-delay risk across U.S. air network
An FAA plan for September 13 lists active and possible thunderstorm controls from Florida and Texas to the Northeast and Denver, putting connections at risk.
-
Jacksonville City Council weighs FY 2026-27 budget, capital plan and grants
Jacksonville’s proposed $2.03 billion General Fund and $586.1 million capital plan return to committee Sept. 15, but final adoption is still pending.
-
Australia and Indonesia Move to Put Jakarta Treaty Into Practice
Australia and Indonesia are developing regular security consultations while expanding maritime, cyber, military, food, energy and infrastructure cooperation.
-
ACA coverage fell in 2026 as subsidies expired, with Florida hit hardest
Federal data shows ACA Marketplace coverage fell in 2026 after enhanced subsidies expired, with Florida losing about 443,000 enrollees.
-
DHS Watchdog Says FEMA Records Gap Limited Bias Review
A DHS watchdog found a FEMA crew skipped 11 Florida homes with Trump signs during Hurricane Milton and said missing records limited a broader review.
-
NASA Begins Installing Engines for Artemis III’s 2027 Mission
NASA has begun installing Artemis III’s four RS-25 engines as rocket assembly and crew training advance, while lander and safety work remains.
-
Tampa City Council approves Rays stadium deal; Hillsborough County vote is next
Tampa approved its portion of a proposed Rays ballpark deal on August 27. Hillsborough County commissioners are scheduled to decide Friday whether the agreement moves forward.
-
Florida gives Orlando 180 days to address historic-preservation dispute
The Florida Division of Historical Resources says Orlando’s temporary downtown review change does not comply with Certified Local Government requirements. The city has until February 17, 2027, to correct the issue or risk a possible decertification recommendation.
-
Miami-Dade Opens September Application Window for Working-Family Homeownership Program
Miami-Dade’s Welcome H.O.M.E. program opens online applications Sept. 1 for a lottery tied to three District 9 homes, with early closure possible after 200 qualified applications.
-
Fort Lauderdale mobile home fire displaces two residents
A fire destroyed a mobile home on Northeast 63rd Court in Fort Lauderdale, displacing two adults. No injuries were reported, and a cat was unaccounted for.
-
Florida grand jury says $10 million Medicaid settlement was misappropriated, but files no charges
A leaked Leon County grand jury report says $10 million from a Florida Medicaid-related settlement was routed through nonprofits to political groups, but no criminal charges were filed.
-
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope nears Aug. 30 launch target
Roman has reached SpaceX’s Kennedy Space Center hangar as NASA and SpaceX prepare for an Aug. 28 readiness review ahead of a planned Aug. 30 launch.
-
Orlando’s parking system is going cashless, with more rate changes planned for fall
Orlando began removing parking meters July 1 and plans to complete its cashless transition by Oct. 1. Drivers should expect digital payments now and additional rate and enforcement changes during the fourth quarter.
-
Miami-Dade’s New Bus Network Changes Are Now Affecting Miami-Area Riders
Miami-Dade’s July 20 Metrobus changes altered western routes, reduced Route 37 frequency, ended Route 132 and split Route 56 into Routes 56 and 57. Additional cuts remain proposals.
-
NASA, Blue Origin Plan New Glenn Tests at Stennis
NASA and Blue Origin plan New Glenn upper-stage hot-fire tests at Mississippi’s Stennis facility this fall, linking commercial rocket work to Artemis.
-
Florida voters should check vote-by-mail requests before November election
Florida voters who rely on mail ballots should verify whether an older request is still active. The deadline to request a mailed ballot for the November 3 general election is 5 p.m. October 22, 2026.
-
Federal prosecutors seek victims in alleged $100 million nonprofit trust fraud case
The Aug. 14 deadline for victim input has passed, but the FBI questionnaire remains available as prosecutors evaluate possible plea talks.