FLORIDIANS

This change will affect people who earn too much to be on Medicaid but not enough to afford other healthcare options. Read: Eatonville OCPS property no longer being sold; here’s whyHer daughter, Cassidy, 13, suffers from Congenital Central Hyperventilation Syndrome. Because of the Affordable Care Act, Florida’s Medicaid program enrollment increased by 1.7 million people, including 500,000 children, during the pandemic. Read: Attorney General Ashley Moody steps into Disney fight, demands Reedy Creek records“Without Medicaid, I really don’t know what happens,” Harvich said. Florida Medicaid is income and children based.

Ron DeSantis said he will sign a new bill that allow the carrying of guns without a concealed weapons permit. The state senate passed the bill Thursday. Watch: New bill aims to lower minimum age for buying rifles, other long guns in FloridaGun owners would still be required to have a valid ID while carrying their weapon. Watch: Both sides react to controversial proposal that would allow Floridians to carry guns without licenseThe bill also provides money to harden school security. And would allow private schools to participate in the controversial “Guardians” program, which allows armed guards on campus.

Florida legislators have approved permitless concealed carry, allowing people without a permit or training to carry a hidden gun in the third-most populated state.

Floridians will be able to carry concealed guns without a permit under a bill the Legislature is sending to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Florida Senate passed its permitless carry bill Thursday, sending it to Gov. DeSantis for his signature.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Universal Orlando is offering a special deal for Florida residents this spring and summer. The theme park is offering a new “Buy a Day, Get 2 Days Free on a 2-Park, 1-Day Park-to-Park Ticket” offer. Theme park officials said the offer will cost Floridians between $164.00 and $209.00 plus tax. Read: Universal trademarks may shed light on future theme park ridesGuests can use the days consecutively or non-consecutively. Video: Universal Orlando Resort to increase workers’ starting pay (Nick Papantonis, WFTV.com)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A proposal made Wednesday would raise average rates by more than 14 percent this year for Floridians with a Citizens Property Insurance policy. The increase could impact more than a million policyholders. Citizens’ CEO said its current rates are artificially low when compared to the private market and they want to push policyholders out and return to a smaller role in the market like was intended. Read: 9 things every Florida homeowner should know about changes to insuranceBut for many, private insurance rates are going up as well. Regulators will hold a hearing Thursday for First Community Insurance, which is seeking a nearly 50 percent statewide average increase, and for Kin Insurance Network, which is requesting a 61.5 percent increase for homeowners policies.

The six-week ban is contingent on a constitutional challenge to Florida's current 15-week ban

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Wednesday morning in Collier County to sign SB 102, the “Live Local Act.”

Florida’s agricultural land has become a “national security issue” that needs to be protected for future generations, according to Florida’s new Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an expansive law to provide public money for children to attend parochial, secular and other private schools.

The bill will make every Florida student eligible to receive vouchers and eliminates current income-eligibility requirements

Images from NOAA and the University of South Florida shows the breadth of a sargassum seaweed belt that stretches from West Africa to the coast of Florida.

Images from NOAA and the University of South Florida shows the breadth of a sargassum seaweed belt that stretches from West Africa to the coast of Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Four families challenging Florida’s prohibition against puberty-blocking hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for minors filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against state health officials. The Florida Department of Health and the governor’s office didn’t respond to messages seeking comment. They’re being represented by Southern Legal Counsel, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Human Rights Campaign. The families are seeking a preliminary injunction, asking the federal court to halt the policy while their case against it proceeds. The boards went on to adopt formal rules prohibiting all access to puberty-blocking hormones and gender-affirming surgeries for minors.

In a statement, Passidomo, R-Naples, said the measure aims to end “affordable housing stereotypes” in creating options needed by the workforce. Among other things, the bill would create tax exemptions for developments that set aside at least 70 units for affordable housing and would speed permits and development orders for affordable-housing projects. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, pointed to Orange County voters last year approving a referendum to enact rent controls because of a lack of affordable housing and rising rents. “I’m part of a non-profit that is building an affordable housing community,” Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, said. The state budget for the current year includes $362.7 million for affordable housing.

The measure would end a decades-old requirement for background checks and training to carry guns

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s $711 million effort to make housing more affordable for working Floridians is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A controversial proposal that would allow Floridians to carry guns without a concealed weapons licenses passed the State House. Right now, there’s required training per the licensing process. If the licensing isn’t required then training won’t be required, and that’s a concern for people critical of the legislation. It’s a procedure you have to take, a training course, get a certificate,” gun rights attorney James Phillips said. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in the past he’s opposed to the bill, saying permitless carry will put law enforcement in a dangerous position.

The Florida state House has overwhelmingly passed a bill that eliminates the requirement to obtain a permit if an individual wishes to carry a concealed firearm.

With approval Friday from the Florida House, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s $711 million effort to make housing more affordable for working Floridians is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

ORLANDO, Fla. — In the spring, as water temperatures rise, manatees gradually leave their winter habitats and are more likely to be found in Florida rivers, canals and nearshore waters. Here are 9 tips you can use to help protect the manatees from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Save the Manatee Club:1. Read: Bats, bears & manatees, oh my: How to enjoy, help conserve Florida wildlife this spring3. Report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) so trained responders can assist. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Blue Spring manatee viewing Blue Spring manatee viewingVideo: Fewer manatees are dying in Florida, but long-term issues remain Fewer manatees are dying from starvation this year, but state and federal wildlife officials say they are still worried about their long-term prognosis.

But a permitless carry bill proceeds. That bill, HB 543, would repeal the requirement that Floridians with concealed weapons get a license.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a controlled substance in Florida, meaning that it’s a crime to possess or sell the drug within the state.

Florida’s new agriculture commissioner, Wilton Simpson, told News 6 he is confident legislation that will carry penalties for the use of so-called “gas pump manipulation devices,” will pass with full support by state lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Warmer weather returning to Florida means more active wildlife. From bats to bears, and manatees to gopher tortoises, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is urging Floridians to be aware of how to coexist with the state’s native animals. See tips from FWC on how to enjoy and help conserve Florida wildlife during spring in the captions in the gallery below:Photos: Spring brings more activity from Florida’s wildlifeExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 Sea Turtles FWC said these large marine turtles start nesting on Florida beaches in spring. Artificial lighting can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient hatchlings, so avoid using flashlights or cellphones on the beach at night. Turn out lights or close curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark to ensure nesting turtles aren’t disturbed.

Critics say the preemption bill only benefits landlords, not Florida renters

DeSantis said his administration wouldn't be involved in the situation. "I'm fighting for Floridians and I'm fighting against Biden," the governor said.

The governors of Florida and Texas are both weighing presidential runs. Both states have been debating strict legislation on border security in the past few weeks.

The bill could be amended, Republican state Rep. Stan McClain said, after he acknowledged that it would prohibit talk of menstrual cycles until sixth grade.

The legislation is opposed by Florida union members across party lines.

PHOENIX — (AP) — Led by tough-talking Republican governors weighing presidential runs, Texas and Florida are debating especially strict legislation on border security as the GOP tests federal authority over immigration. Operation Lone Star already has added more officers along Texas' border with Mexico to detain migrants who trespass on private property. "Texas is taking historic action to secure the border and stop guns, drugs, and cartel gangs from assailing our state," Abbott said in a tweet this week. "Florida will not turn a blind eye to the dangers of Biden's Border Crisis," DeSantis said in a tweet last month announcing Florida's legislation. While Texas and Florida officials ballyhoo their border tightening efforts, no major immigration legislation has emerged this year in Arizona, where some of the nation's toughest laws targeting immigrants have been devised.

Texas and Florida are being led by tough-talking Republican governors weighing presidential runs as their state lawmakers debate especially strict legislation on border security.

The bill would ban public colleges and universities from using funds to "promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities that promote" DEI.

Axios fired reporter Ben Montgomery after he called a press release about a DEI roundtable event hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., "propaganda" on Monday.

A Florida House panel Wednesday supported lowering a threshold for sentencing defendants to death.

Ron DeSantis — the GOP governor of Florida and likely 2024 candidate for president. Instead, it has become a vehicle for harnessing populist passion — not only against President Biden, but also against DeSantis’s strongest Republican rival as well: former President Donald Trump. "The DeSantis theory of how the world works is that there's an incompetent elite who was revealed by COVID to be incompetent. Well, they were wrong about COVID," Weigel continued, paraphrasing DeSantis. "We were right, they were wrong," DeSantis crowed Friday during his debut visit to Iowa.

A Florida state representative has filed an amendment that would allow the Florida State Guard to assist other states.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. This week, the Orlando Business Journal features Osceola County’s largest employers, ranked by current number of employees. Read: Florida man charged with stealing half million dollars worth of crab; pretended to be grocery workerOsceola County’s top five companies employ a combined 17,780 Central Floridians in industries that include health care, education, hospitality and retail. These top Osceola County employers are:The School District of Osceola CountyAdventHealth Celebration & Kissimmee (tie)Disney Destinations LLCPublix Supermarkets Inc.Osceola County governmentClick here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Video: Mobile dental unit in Osceola County will soon bring care to residents (WFTV)©2023 Cox Media Group

A Central Florida man accused of robbing three U.S. Postal Service letter carriers in October 2022 has entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, court records show.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new proposal could give Florida patients access to medical marijuana through telehealth services. A House panel signed off on the plan last week, allowing doctors to renew orders for the drug using telehealth. Watch: Florida recreational marijuana petition collecting signatures for vote on 2024 ballotCurrently, doctors must do a physical exam before ordering medical marijuana. Watch: The smell of Florida medical marijuana farms isn’t sitting well with neighborsThe use of medical marijuana was passed by Florida voters in 2016. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

A giant seawood bloom that is so large it can be seen from space is heading toward the coast of Florida with potentially disastrous consequences.

Residents in the cities of Newark, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have a high ratio of renters to buyers. People are renting due to debt, interest rates, and money.

Among his proposals is a higher education bill, House Bill 999, that would ban public colleges and universities from funding activities that "espouse diversity, equity and inclusion." So what vouchers do is it lets parents opt out of public education. We all contribute to public education because we all benefit.”Florida also ranks 48th in the nation for its average teacher pay of $51,009. One DeSantis proposal would eliminate out-of-state tuition fee waivers for undocumented students. “It's only going to make Florida less welcoming to so many of our residents who make Florida the state that it is,” Tsoukalas said.

“Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center that was opened at Barnett Park in Orlando after Hurricane Ian will close permanently at 5 p.m. Friday. READ: 11-foot gator found in poolThough the recovery center closes Friday, there are still a number of ways to contact FEMA for assistance. Hurricane survivors can still reach out to the agency to check on the status of an application and get information about rental assistance help or other basic needs. Hurricane survivors can also get tips to help protect their home and property from natural disasters before they happen. In all, federal financial support for Hurricane Ian recovery totals more than $6.5 billion.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld a law in Florida on Thursday that bans firearm sales to individuals between the ages of 18 and 21.

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.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined workers cleaning up litter and debris Thursday to highlight a partnership that’s helping people work out of homelessness.

A federal appeals court has granted former Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren's request to expedite his case against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who suspended Warren for "neglect of duty."

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a Senate Bill that expands access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor. The bill, which has been a top priority of Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples), will connect the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida, according to a news release from the Florida Senate. READ: Reedy Creek board heralds new era, defends itself during first meeting“Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. “I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.”Florida’s Wildlife Corridor encompasses about 17.

ORLANDO, Fla. — With a Republican supermajority, a proposal that would shorten the window for legal abortions in Florida from 15 weeks to six weeks is likely to pass. The measure would require a variety of police and medical records, which some say a lot of victims just don’t have. “I don’t think that changes at all our view that when a heartbeat is present, there is certainly life there,” she said. Along with the six-week ban, this would require abortion medication to be prescribed in person only and bans the shipping of the medication. “Telehealth has been an important and essential part of care for many patients,” Ghazarian said.

House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, made remarks to the House on the opening day of the 2023 legislative session.

News 6 political expert and University of Central Florida history professor Jim Clark said all eyes will be on Florida’s legislative session over the next 60 days.

Gas prices in Florida have dropped 8 cents within the week and are expected to possibly rise in the coming weeks, according to a news release by AAA.

An illegal immigration proposal in Florida would add restrictions to human smuggling, falsifying documents, hiring illegal migrants and more, lawmaker says.

Paul Renner, the Palm Coast Republican and House Speaker, is leading a House that has lurched further to the right than any in generations

The 200,000 residents of Charlotte County, Florida are being advised to use tap water cautiously and avoid it from entering their noses after a man died from a brain-eating amoeba.

After the Florida House started moving forward last week with controversial changes to shield businesses and insurance companies from costly lawsuits, a Senate Republican on Thursday filed a bill that largely mirrors the House plan.

Multiple pieces of legislation target voting, LGBT, free expression and minority rights and will end up on the governor’s desk.

Florida first lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Sunshine State has recruited nearly 1,400 new law enforcement officers during nationwide recruitment push.

The Florida governor has decided that sparing Floridians thousands of tax dollars is more important than revenge on Mickey Mouse.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Recent findings have found that the National Human Trafficking Hotline is not functioning as intended. In some cases, states discovered a delay of several months before the hotline shared tips. Read: Human trafficking survivors raise concerns about Central Florida safehouse, lack of state regulationSince 2007, the sole operator of the federally funded National Human Trafficking Hotline is Polaris. “The mission of the National Human Trafficking Hotline is a valiant one: forward tips to authorities who may use the information to put an end to a trafficking victim’s suffering. I’m urging Congressional leaders to get to the bottom of this, so our law enforcement authorities can be better equipped with the knowledge needed to stop this atrocious crime.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has been elected as the new chair of the Florida Democratic Party.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Jacksonville on Thursday morning to speak about what he calls an ongoing crisis when it comes to migrants coming into the United States illegally, according to News 6 partner News4Jax.

Activists pushing to change Florida’s death penalty law gathered in front of the Orange County Courthouse Wednesday ahead of the first execution in the state since 2019.

Seminole County Clerk of Courts announced Operation Green Light, a program aimed at helping residents reinstate their suspended driver license while saving on fees.

The group that pushed for the restoration of felon voting rights in Florida has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that there were multiple guns inside the DeLand home where a 3-year-old boy was shot and killed.

One person is dead and a Eustis man is in serious condition after a rear-end crash along U.S. Highway 17 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office issued an Amber Alert on Thursday after a man was accused of taking off with his 8-month-old daughter.

A Florida lawmaker recently filed a bill in the Senate to make amusement rides safer in the state nearly a year after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the Orlando FreeFall.

Marie Bogdonoff started Villagers For Veterans in 2015.

The case against an Edgewater mayoral candidate accused of stealing his opponent’s campaign signs was dropped, according to court documents released Thursday.

A River Springs Middle School teacher was arrested Monday after hitting an 11-year-old non-verbal student with autism, according to the Orange City police.

Four men face charges of grand theft and more after spilling from an SUV that got stuck in an attempt to escape Florida Highway Patrol troopers at high speeds Sunday, leading law enforcement on a pursuit through multiple counties.

Usually, when you think about pollution you think about our air and waterways, but scientists are now focusing on a kind of pollution high up in the sky.

State Rep. Randy Fine is calling for the resignation of Palm Bay councilman Peter Filiberto after officers said they found with 10 grams of cocaine in Filiberto's socks.

A new bill filed in the Florida Senate was inspired by a recent incident in Daytona Beach where a 76-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her terminally-ill husband in a hospital.

A man was arrested after recklessly fleeing a West Melbourne officer and ramming into his police vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit.

A 28-year-old motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when he rear-ended another vehicle on U.S. 27 in Polk County, according to deputies.

A 21-year-old man died after falling from the 18th floor of a construction site, according to police.

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a new stamp celebrating women’s soccer on Thursday in Orlando.

Addition Financial Arena will host a night of “Love & Laughter,” featuring R&B legends Dru Hill, Silk, Sunshine Anderson and Changing Faces, at 6 p.m. Friday.

Parts of the Deep South are once again under the gun for severe weather.

For the second time in less than five months, a federal judge has rejected a lawsuit seeking to block a controversial Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

SpaceX late Friday will act on a 1.5-hour window to put a communications satellite in orbit with a Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral.

Join your fellow pirates at the rollicking Pirate Costume Bash and Festival this weekend.

A fire investigator is looking into what caused a fire at the Wells Fargo building in downtown DeLand Wednesday night.

Weather impacts stock car races in more ways than you think. It's not just the fans, but the track and the crews that work to keep the track safe when rain rolls in.

From yummy home-grown strawberries to pony rides, this festival has something for everyone in your family.

Video released by the sheriff's office shows a woman fight off a man during an attack at the gym.

A driver died Thursday morning in a crash with a tree and light pole in Orange County, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

A 3-year-old boy shot and killed himself with a handgun at a home near DeLand, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a “Digital Bill of Rights” proposal Wednesday to protect Floridians from Big Tech companies.

Florida lawmakers began moving forward with a ballot proposal that would make it harder to change the state Constitution and another that would expand a property-tax break.

Central Floridians from Syria and Turkey are doing what they can from afar to support their families back home, many also receiving more devastating news each day as the death toll climbs.

Florida’s statewide prosecutor would have jurisdiction to prosecute more crimes related to elections and voting, under a bill passed by the Florida Senate Wednesday.

The University of Florida and the city are working on plans to build a new graduate satellite campus in Jacksonville.