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National Weather Service Releases Preliminary October Temperature Outlook, Projecting Above-Average Temperatures for Most of U.S.

National Weather Service Releases Preliminary October Temperature Outlook, Projecting Above-Average Temperatures for Most of U.S.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued its preliminary temperature outlook for October, indicating that the majority of the United States is expected to experience above-average temperatures next month. Specifically, a portion of the Southeast, including all of Florida, has the highest probability (between 50 and 60 percent) of seeing above-normal temperatures. 'Normal' is defined as the 30-year average for the period. In contrast, the Mountain West and Western Great Plains are the only regions in the mainland U.S. where temperatures have an equal chance of being above, near, or below normal. The outlook does not project any part of the U.S. to face below-normal temperatures in October. This preliminary report provides an early indication of expected weather patterns across the country for the upcoming month.
Florida Times-UnionFlorida Times-Union
Florida measles still rising as Trump administration changes reporting

Florida measles still rising as Trump administration changes reporting

Measles cases continue rising in Florida and U.S. as officials dispute how deaths are counted and reported.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Dengue cases keep climbing in Florida. This is how to protect yourself

Dengue cases keep climbing in Florida. This is how to protect yourself

Dengue cases hit 190 in Florida, just short of the highest number of cases in recent memory, which was 199 in 2023.
Florida Times-UnionFlorida Times-Union
Winn-Dixie expands Hispanic offerings during Florida comeback

Winn-Dixie expands Hispanic offerings during Florida comeback

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Winn-Dixie is showcasing its wide array of traditional foods, desserts, ingredients, and prepared meals.
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Rep. Kat Cammack Announces $50 Million in Water Infrastructure Authorizations for Florida Counties

Rep. Kat Cammack Announces $50 Million in Water Infrastructure Authorizations for Florida Counties

Rep. Kat Cammack announced that the House-passed Water Resources Development Act of 2026 includes $50 million in new and expanded federal water and wastewater infrastructure authorizations for several counties in Florida’s 3rd District. Specifically, the bill authorizes up to $39.3 million for Columbia and Suwannee counties, increases Marion County’s authorization from $10 million to $20.5 million, and allocates up to $200,000 for Gilchrist County. Additionally, the legislation directs the Army Corps to conduct a study on coastal storm risk management for Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County. The bill passed the House with a vote of 415-9. These projects, once authorized, will still require annual appropriations funding to proceed. The Senate is currently working on its own version of the bill.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
How worried should Florida residents, visitors be about dengue?

How worried should Florida residents, visitors be about dengue?

Floridians should be concerned, but not panicking, over cases of dengue fever spiraling up. There are things you can do to stay safe.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Florida couple never heard thunder before lightning put them on the ground

Florida couple never heard thunder before lightning put them on the ground

Since 2006, 105 people in Florida have succumbed to the random threat of a lightning strike. The number of those injured is less known.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Orders Removal of License Plate Readers from State Rights of Way

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Orders Removal of License Plate Readers from State Rights of Way

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an order for the Florida Department of Transportation to remove license plate readers from all state rights of way within one month. This directive comes after a Palm Coast woman, Lindsey Isaacs, was wrongly arrested and jailed for 13 days based on data collected by a 'Flock camera' (an automated license plate reader). Isaacs testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, detailing how information from the camera, which captured her vehicle near a crash scene, led to her arrest on three counts of vehicular homicide, despite evidence that later refuted her involvement. The 30-day timeframe for removal is set to conclude next week. This action by Governor DeSantis highlights growing concerns regarding privacy and the potential for misuse of data collected by such surveillance technology.
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Florida Implements New Laws, Including Final Minimum Wage Hike to $15 Per Hour

Florida Implements New Laws, Including Final Minimum Wage Hike to $15 Per Hour

Florida is implementing several new laws effective October 1, including the final $1 increase to its voter-approved minimum wage, raising it to $15 per hour. This increase is part of a 2020 constitutional amendment. Under this amendment, the minimum wage began at $10 an hour on September 30, 2021, and has increased by $1 on September 30 of each subsequent year. Future increases will be tied to inflation. Tipped employees will also see their base wage increase from $10.98 to $11.98 per hour on September 30. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 an hour, unchanged since July 2009. For tipped employees, federal law requires a direct wage of $2.13 per hour, provided tips bring their total earnings to at least the federal minimum wage. Other new laws taking effect in Florida include changes to how police identify criminal gang members, a new penalty for involving minors in animal fighting, and clarifications on license plate frame rules.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Brightline 'close' to filing for bankruptcy, report claims

Brightline 'close' to filing for bankruptcy, report claims

A report claims Brightline is close to to filing for bankruptcy in an attempt to restructure. What's it mean for South Florida's commuter rail?
Ocala StarBannerOcala StarBanner
State temporarily closed one Marion County restaurant after inspection

State temporarily closed one Marion County restaurant after inspection

Going out to eat? See which Marion County restaurants were rated best by inspectors, and which failed the test.
USA TodayUSA Today
Spirit Halloween stores to open in South Florida as October approaches

Spirit Halloween stores to open in South Florida as October approaches

It'll soon be October, and Spirit Halloween is opening stores nationwide, including in South Florida.