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Florida Taxwatch released “Options to eliminate or reduce property tax burdens for Florida homeowners” to provide the Florida Property Tax Commission’s Select Committee prior to the commencement of Monday, September 22nd. Property taxes are by far the largest source of tax revenue for local governments in Florida, generating $55 billion in 2024 for counties, school districts, municipalities and special districts, and is rapidly increasing. Of this total, $19 billion will be paid by Florida homeowners. This proceeds fund important government services such as public safety, fire prevention, education and hygiene. Furthermore, local governments often increase without increasing millage tax revenue,…

st. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Pinellas County’s new I-275 expansion project begins Friday. FDOT will last for the next four and a half years. The completed project will eventually connect the drivers from West Shore to Tropicana Field more smoothly. Drivers can expect to start seeing construction on this foot of the project between 38th Avenue North and 4th Street North. “So, this new project will have two paid lanes from 4th Avenue to 38th Avenue, two of which will go north and south.” According to FDOT, the three non-cooking lanes are still in each direction to improve lane continuity.…

How government regulations have created concentration and crushed independence For decades, Americans have been told that the free market rewards innovation, competition and hard work. That was the promise of capitalism. And for much of our history, it was true. But if we look closely at today’s economy, we see something different. Since 1997, the number of publicly traded companies in the US has fallen from over 8,000 to 4,000. At the same time, the largest 10 companies currently account for more than 30% of the total value of the S&P 500.We witness more than a natural decline and business…

Walt Disney World has announced the narrator for the 2025 Candlelight Prosessional, a long-term holiday event in Epcot. The list includes eight first-timers, including actors Henry Winkler, Jennifer Garner and Cheryl Lee Ralph. Performances that are part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays include a mass choir, a 50-piece orchestra, and a celebrity narrator who tells Christmas stories with celebrity narrators. Candlelight starts running the day after Thanksgiving until December 30th, and occurs three times each night. Other new narrators of the year include Constance Woo, Leslie Ugums, singers Lauren Daigle, Joel Smallborn (King & Country) and Brie…

Bell is the official statement of Florida Attorney General James Usmier. Attorney General James Usmier held a press conference in Jacksonville to provide an update on the statewide crackdown on 7-hydroxymitraginine (7-OH) products. This comes one month after the Attorney General submitted emergency regulations to classify isolated 7-OH and/or concentrated 7-OH as Florida Schedule I Controlled Substances. “We have wiped out nearly 18,000 dangerous 7-OH products from the shelves thanks to our emergency regulations and the efforts of Florida Agricultural Consumer Services,” Attorney General James Usmier said. “We will continue to protect our children from this poison that is at…

The three-pork fried rice at Yao (15 Alafaya Woods Blvd. 321-765-4801 in Oviedo; Yaosorl.com) is larger than the total of its parts, says Sous chef Joseph Ulto. “Each ingredient is not surprising on its own. But when you combine these pieces under a fierce heat, something very dynamic is created to lighten your taste, but gently wraps them like an embrace from an old friend. Food has the ability to quickly connect with people.” Now the world can use more embraces if you ask me. But instead, a large bowl of fried rice, celebrating the national holiday on Saturday (September…

Below is an official statement from the US Lawyer’s Office for the Central District of Florida. ORLANDO, Fla. — US District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Ellie Edward Durair, 27, Orlando, to six years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dulaire is currently sentenced to the Florida Department of Corrections. His federal judgment will begin on October 9, 2026, when the state’s judgment is expected to end. The court also ordered Durail to lose the Smith & Wesson firearms and ammunition used in the violation. Dulaire pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025. On…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – It takes a few minutes for most students to ride a class, leaving Tampa family members with a lifelong heartbreak. Michelle Lynch’s son Connor was only 19 years old when he was killed in a crash of an e-scooter near the University of South Florida in February 2024. The sophomore recently declared himself an entrepreneurial business major. 25 feet of depression opens on Pasco County roads, closing busy roads “Connor was full of life and full of promises,” Lynch said. On the night of the crash, Connor was returning to his apartment on his scooter as…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Ocala Rep. Ryan Chamberlin has announced plans to cut and ultimately eliminate property taxes called “freedom 1,2,3.” The idea began after homeowners complained about property tax increases, and Gov. Ron DeSantis began urging lawmakers to provide relief. Florida’s “super speeder” law has serious consequences “In the last four to five years or so, property taxes across the state have increased by 45%, almost 50%, and in some counties it’s 87%,” Chamberlin said. Chamberlin said the county is likely to have seen a dramatic increase from inflation. “The county wasn’t expecting such an increase, but they were…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida has a new “Super Speedoter” law that puts people in prison. The law came into effect on July 1, 2025. Under the law, anyone who exceeds the posted speed limit of 50 mph or more, or 100 miles, anywhere, could face higher fines and prisons. DUI driver arrested after burning out “to impress a girl” at Bradenton’s red light: police A video recently released by the Florida Highway Patrol shows a driver speeding across the Bayside Bridge in Pinellas County. According to the arrest report, the driver cut off the vehicle and speeded at 111…