Florida Gov_ Ron DeSantis’ administration is apparently preparing to build a second immigration detention center, awarding at least one contract for what’s labeled in state records as the “North Detention Facility.”.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office got more than a dozen calls on Saturday after a sonic boom caused by low-flying jets shocked residents and caused damage ranging from items falling off walls to broken glass.

As the next class of recruits prepares for boot camp, the head of the Florida State Guard said he is ready to ramp up recruitment efforts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida National Guard and State Guard would deploy to Texas amid what he calls an invasion at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Florida State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could operate outside Florida and be called into service anytime he “deemed necessary,” under a bill approved Thursday by a House panel.

A News 6 investigation uncovered state and local leaders are very close to finalizing an agreement, which would relocate the Florida State Guard training facility to Flagler County.

Most members of the Florida National Guard could be paid to bring in new recruits, as lawmakers expand efforts to bulk up the military in the state.

As lawmakers in Tallahassee consider Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget proposal this session, they will be also be deciding whether to approve a steep funding increase establishing Florida’s own branch of the military.

A group of soldiers was seen off during a departure ceremony held by the Florida National Guard at the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade's headquarters in Orlando.

Members of the Florida National Guard were rescuing people Saturday in Osceola County after high water levels trapped many in their homes.

As the state continues to struggle with a shortage of correctional officers, a legislative panel next week will consider a plan that would activate Florida National Guard members to help at prisons, according to a document published Friday.

The chief of the National Guard has tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from an overseas trip to visit guard troops in Europe for Thanksgiving.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a bill signing in Miami Monday morning.

MIAMI – A sheriff’s deputy was arrested over the weekend on domestic rape charges while he was deployed to serve near Miami in a Florida National Guard unit, according to an arrest report. An arrest warrant had been issued by a judge in Highlands County for David Warren Ray, the Miami Herald reported. Ray, 39, was arrested at a hotel where he was staying on Friday night. Ray is a sergeant first class with the Army’s 116th Field Artillery Regiment, and had been in South Florida since January to help with COVID-19 response efforts, the Herald reported. A lawyer for Ray was not listed on jail records.

A member of the Florida National Guard directs vehicles at a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site at Marlins Park, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Miami. Meanwhile, the state-run website for vaccine registration, myvaccine.fl.gov, is hitting some bumps as not all Florida counties are using it to provide appointments to their communities. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Race to inoculate long-term care facilities faces challenges as Florida surpasses 27,000 COVID-19 deaths]Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on Feb. 2. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 10,385 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,737,640 cases since the coronavirus pandemic began in March. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health recently began releasing a daily report on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

Four games were postponed because of players testing positive or quarantining under the COVID-19 protocol. DePaul’s previously postponed game at St. John’s on Jan. 2 has been rescheduled for Feb. 20. Major League Baseball last week proposed a one-month delay in starting spring training due to the coronavirus pandemic. ___The Cleveland Indians will not be allowing fans to watch their spring training workouts in Arizona due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AdThere has not yet been a decision on whether fans will be able to attend spring training games.

Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday night activating the Florida National Guard in response to possible protests this weekend. The order states the National Guard will work with local law enforcement. Sheriff Marco Lopez said he has 56 deputies ready to go. Locally in Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer told News 6 he continues to monitor any reports of possible protests. [RELATED: States declare emergencies, close capitols ahead of rallies]The AP reports some investigators in the FBI are also on alert for armed protests.

The storm is expected to become a hurricane again overnight Saturday, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. 8:15 p.m. Isaias expected to regain strength overnightNews 6 meteorologist Samara Cokinos breaks down the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The governor said the Florida National Guard is monitoring the situation and is ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. On Thursday, while still a tropical storm, Isaias toppled trees, knocked out power, destroyed crops and caused widespread flooding and small landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. 12 p.m. Central Florida ‘threats and impacts’The National Weather Service tweeted graphics that represent the “reasonable worst case scenario” for Central Florida as Hurricane Isaias heads on a projected path toward Florida.

It wasn't until Monday afternoon that DeSantis office issued a statement, which only made mention of law enforcement efforts. I am in constant contact with state and local leaders, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida National Guard and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). We have devoted significant resources, including the mobilization of 700 Florida National Guard soldiers who are specially trained to support law enforcement. I have also worked with FHP to coordinate more than 1,300 sworn Florida Highway Patrol troopers to support local law enforcement efforts. This is an AR-15 --- this will be a very common sight upon illegal entry at any Lake County business --- FYI! Sabatini tweeted on Sunday.