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Below is the official statement from the Florida Department of Financial Services regarding Nassau County’s recent budget audit. Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced that Nassau County is overspending by more than $53 million. The county has increased its budget by more than 96% over the past five years, but its population has only grown by 18%. Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia is calling on Nassau County officials to provide residents with the tax breaks they deserve. “Taxpayers across Florida are tired of their local elected officials wasting their hard-earned money on government bloat,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. As…
Cheers to a glass of science at the 5th Annual Science on Tap Beer Festival on Saturday (January 24th) from 1pm to 4pm at Lock Haven Park. The Orlando Science Center’s family-friendly fundraiser welcomes the community to enjoy an afternoon of local beers from more than 30 breweries around Central Florida. All breweries are keen to show off their beers while supporting the center’s mission to encourage learning. Guests will sip and sample while trying out interactive demos, playing lawn games with friends, and sharing plates from area food trucks scattered throughout the event. What is there in beer other…
A new report from auto research firm Edmunds says car owners defaulting on their auto loans is “more common than ever and more costly.” “Underwater trade-in values are at an all-time high,” Edmunds said. The latest findings reveal just how bad things are for people whose car loans are in negative territory. According to Edmunds data, 29.3% of people who traded in a car to buy a new car had negative equity (meaning they owed more than the car was worth) in the final quarter of 2025, the highest percentage since 2021. The average amount owed on underwater trade-ins hit…
Six new artists will be added to the lineup for the Garden Rocks Concert Series, the musical aspect of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which begins at the theme park in early March. Among the newcomers are Katrina, of Information Society (“What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy)”) and former Katrina and the Waves fame. Other performers debuting at the fest include FireHouse; “American Idol” winner I Am Tongi. Josiah Queen is a Christian singer from Florida. And the music of ABBA that starts the series. Also returning among the 20 acts are popular artists such as Rick Springfield,…
Grocery prices rose at the fastest monthly pace in more than three years in December, according to new data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the Consumer Price Index, dine-in prices rose 0.7% in December, more than double the 0.3% increase recorded in September, the most recent data before the federal government shutdown. This was the largest monthly increase since late 2022, when food prices also rose 0.7% in August and September. The last time prices rose more than that was in July 2022, when they rose 1.3%. Compared to the same month last year,…
For decades, Florida’s lack of a state income tax and warmer climate have encouraged large-scale internal migration. By early 2026, the population will exceed 23.8 million, making it the most populous state in the United States, IBIS World reports. While fueling a $1.4 trillion economy, this growth is pushing Florida’s aging physical and social infrastructure toward a critical tipping point. Currently, Florida’s core systems are locked in a race against time. The roads, water systems, and power grids that supported Florida’s growth are now under strain from increased demand and increased environmental instability. This article explores how rapid population growth…
Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be far more consequential and potentially more damaging than many party members acknowledge. At first, the race seemed all but decided. Byron Donald entered the contest as the clear favorite, buoyed by an early and decisive endorsement from Donald Trump, one that came before Donald officially declared his candidacy. Such support is no small thing in a Republican primary. But the field is starting to get crowded. Last week, Jay Collins entered the race, lending credibility to the establishment and giving Republican voters an alternative lane. Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner…
Ten Florida residents have been selected as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, and Wendy Lopez, chef and partner at Reyes Mezcaleria, is one of three nominees from Central Florida. Last year, the Orlando area had six nominations. Lopez was named a semifinalist in the Best Chef category, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. “It’s an incredible honor to be named alongside these amazing chefs,” Lopez says of his nod to advance to the semifinals. “Years of dedication to this wonderful craft have brought me this far. It’s been 23 years, and this is just…
Attorney General James Usmeyer announced the release of an economic report prompting a Department of Consumer Protection investigation into deceptive pet sales practices and high-cost financing arrangements that allegedly cost Floridians more than $25.1 million annually. The report was commissioned by the Attorney General’s Office and conducted by the Haas Center at the University of West Florida. The report details widespread concerns about the sale of sick or mislabeled animals and the use of what investigators describe as predatory lending practices related to pet purchases. Research shows that more than 80% of puppies sold in Florida come from large breeders…
Below is an official statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Malcolm Jewell Williams, 39, of Jacksonville, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Marcia Morales Howard to 11 years and three months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine after conviction for felony and misdemeanor domestic violence. The court also ordered Williams to forfeit the firearm used in the crime. Mr. Williams was found guilty following a jury trial on July 25, 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. According to court documents, Williams has…