FLORIDA

The father of a 1-year-old boy who died after a cocaine overdose was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday morning, the Citizens Board of Governors approved a 14% price hike for policy holders -- covering single family homes, condominiums, mobile homes and rental properties.

The Northside Coalition, a local civil rights group, plans to light the Main Street Bridge for Juneteenth on Wednesday night.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday is holding a press conference in Miami to sign three bills aimed at enhancing cancer research, innovation and health care.

A well-known hotel located near the Main Beach Park access in Fernandina Beach has reopened after undergoing major renovations.

Florida, known as the “Fishing Capital of the World,” boasts more world record fish catches than any other state or country due to its vast bodies of water.

A high number of evictions is exacerbating Jacksonville’s affordable housing crisis.

From afar, it can prove challenging to tell the difference between crocodiles and alligators.

Duval County Public Schools will host another community meeting Monday evening to discuss the proposed Master Facility Plan that would potentially close nearly 30 schools across the district.

Much of the U.S. is bracing for extreme weather - especially high temperatures — this weekend and into next week.

Non-profits will apply for grants or have to find another way to help the community

After nearly three months without a full grocery store, the town of Baldwin is getting ready to have one again.

Orange juice prices have always been volatile and highly dependent on the weather.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday morning is set to hold a news conference in South Florida.

A new Florida law that will take effect on July 1 intends to protect property owners from squatters.

More than 60 local Special Olympics Florida athletes enjoyed their Thursday as the newest members of the Jaguars.

Catastrophic flash flooding continues in South Florida after three consecutive days of torrential rains, and while it’s too early to tell exactly the totality of damage to vehicles and property, local Insurance experts said the flooding should be a reminder that now is the time to get flood insurance.

Disney has asked a federal appellate court to dismiss its lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed the state’s $116.5 billion budget on Wednesday, but that was about $1 billion less than what Florida legislators recommended.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees have given final approval to an agreement that buries the hatchet between Disney and the governing district for Walt Disney World.

An archaeological team searched for unmarked graves to identify how many black veterans are buried in the St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Cemetery.

Residents and tourists gave differing opinions after a recent study ranked Jacksonville as the worst place for a summer vacation.

The annual rainy season has arrived with a wallop in much of Florida, where a disorganized disturbance of tropical weather from the Gulf of Mexico has caused street flooding and triggered tornado watches but so far has not caused major damage or injuries.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday is set to hold a news conference on Wednesday to sign the state budget.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday is set to hold a news conference on Wednesday to sign the state budget.

Survivors and relatives of the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Florida had hoped by now to have a permanent memorial place at the site.

The Lincolnville Juneteenth Community Festival is hosting its annual celebration to honor civil rights in St. Augustine on Saturday, June 15.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine will undergo a $4 million renovation project after years of delays.

A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that a 2023 Florida law and regulations prohibiting the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat children for gender dysphoria and making it harder for trans adults to access care are unconstitutionally discriminatory and were motivated by “animus” toward transgender people.

The property tax hike designed to increase teacher pay, bolster arts and athletic programs and support charter schools was approved by Duval County voters in 2022.

Last week, firefighters announced they could get a hefty pay hike if their new contract is approved. And police are heading in the same direction.

Tom Leek is a Republican running for an open seat against two other Republicans, including former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar and Gerry James. Democratic candidate George Hill and unaffiliated candidate Michael Gist are also in the race.

A federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a 2023 Florida law that blocked gender-affirming care for transgender minors and severely restricted such treatment for adults.

Florida law enforcement agencies are dealing out a new deck of playing cards to generate new leads and solve some longstanding criminal investigations.

Parents of students in Duval County Public Schools continue to implore the School Board to find an alternative to a proposed Master Facility Plan that would potentially close nearly 30 schools across the district.

Following negotiations over the weekend, the district is now offering Dr. Chris Bernier a base salary of $320,000, but without many of the perks the incoming superintendent originally asked for.

In what could be one of this year’s highest-profile legislative primary elections, former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar has opened a campaign account to run for a seat that will be vacated by term-limited Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference on Monday morning at a charter school in South Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference on Monday morning at a charter school in South Florida.

Duval County School Board Chairman Darryl Willie will join parents and other stakeholders Tuesday night for a panel discussion about issues the district is facing.

Family, friends, and U.S. Navy sailors surprised a World War II veteran with a 100th birthday celebration at his home in Fleming Island Sunday afternoon.

Another round of record temps today. Mark says relief is coming this week.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued two executive orders Tuesday that said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office.

The weeklong heat wave that baked most of the U.S. Southwest in temperatures well into triple digits is on its last legs, but forecasters are still urging people to be cautious.

Authorities are warning of shark dangers this weekend along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where three people were hurt in two separate shark attacks.

Beaches in Florida's Walton County have been temporarily closed to swimmers after two reported shark attacks.

World War II veteran Harold Terens and his sweetheart Jeanne Swerlin proved that love is eternal as they tied the knot near the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France.

The contract requests the incoming Duval County Schools superintendent asked for are not too far off from what he received in his previous position as Lee County’s district leader, according to documents obtained by News4JAX.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sends an annual reminder that black bears may be in unexpected places.

Almost 20 years after the first wave of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S., more than 75% of drug overdose fatalities were connected to opioid use in 2021, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Beaches community received updates on the Jaguars stadium deal, the future of Penman Road and the potential of school closures.

A Hot Stretch of Summerlike Temperatures are on the Way

Flagler County officials enacted a burn ban effective from June 5 to June 12.

For years, property insurance companies have used drones to inspect property damage after a natural disaster.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has begun requesting information from his potential vice presidential candidates, sending vetting paperwork to a list of top contenders in recent weeks.

Floridians are in the midst of hurricane season and a property insurance crisis.

Boeing, NASA and United Launch Alliance are aiming for a Wednesday launch of the oft-delayed first crewed flight for the Starliner mission.

A lawsuit about whether the University of Florida should return fees to students because of a campus shutdown early in the COVID-19 pandemic will go before the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Months after Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees agreed to end a protracted legal fight with each other, the two sides are set to approve an agreement that could result in the company investing $17 billion into its Florida resort, It will also open the door for a fifth major theme park.

Over the past few months, Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis have been busy passing new laws as part of the 2024 Legislative Session. As of Monday, 144 bills have been passed that are set to go into effect on July 1 — less than one month away.

The incoming Duval County Public Schools superintendent is proposing a starting salary of $350,000 per year. That’s $50,000 higher than the salary of the last superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. Tuesday at a Home Depot store in Fort Myers.

The Sunshine State's economy is so large that if it were a country, it would rank in the top 20 in the world.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Duval County School Board meeting to discuss new superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier's contract, News4JAX news partner WJCT reported new details about Bernier's abrupt resignation from Lee County Schools in the Fort Myers area.

New regulations are making it more difficult for organizations and individuals to help other people register to vote in Florida as the presidential election year heats up.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began Saturday, and to help Floridians prepare, the first Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday also kicked off.

Events, parades, and parties are taking place all over Northeast Florida. News4JAX has compiled a list of events below.

A Florida mother, whose son was diagnosed with Down syndrome, shared how a nonprofit gave her the support and resources she needed to be the best parent possible.

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey says recovery from a May 10 tornado outbreak has cost Florida’s capital city $50 million so far.

Following former President Donald Trump’s felony conviction of falsifying business records, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hasn’t lost his voting rights in the state.

Florida Power & Light Company debunked common misconceptions about power outages so the community can be well-prepared in case of an emergency this hurricane season.

For the first time ever, the St. Augustine Fire Department hosted a firefighting camp for girls.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began Saturday, and to help Floridians prepare, the first Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday also kicked off.

Boeing is taking another crack at launching astronauts for the first time aboard its new space capsule, after a delay for leak checks and rocket repairs.

A Jacksonville group chose to celebrate its freedom at a rally on the Main Street Bridge despite a Florida initiative to light bridges in patriotic colors until Labor Day.

The city of Jacksonville reopened its Home Roof Rehabilitation Program Thursday morning after getting nearly $1 million more in funding.

Former President Donald Trump is likely to remain eligible to vote in Florida despite his conviction for 34 felonies in his New York hush money trial.

Donald Trump may be convicted of a felony and reside in Florida, a state notorious for restricting the voting rights of people with criminal records, but he can still vote as long as he stays out of prison in New York state.

It’s been almost a year since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new immigration law that leaders say pushed thousands of farmworkers out of the state, and in turn, raised the prices of produce.

Florida is among the top 10 places with the most number of people to die on an ATV or similar off-highway vehicle, according to a report released Thursday by the Consumer Producer Safety Commission (CPSC).

Hurricane season starts Saturday and forecasters predict it could be one of the busiest on record.

Body camera video released on Wednesday shows the arrest of WWE star Liv Morgan, whose real name is Gionna Daddio.

Some assisted living facilities and nursing homes have been forced to close due to escalating operating costs tied to Florida’s skyrocketing property insurance rates, according to data from Bloomberg.

A state voucher program is becoming more popular as more parents are choosing to homeschool their children.

JEA trimmed trees ahead of hurricane season to reduce the risk of branches falling on powerlines and causing power outages.

The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved changes in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s bylaws that include replacing mentions of the word “gender” with the word “sex,” amid a larger dispute between federal and state officials.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another batch of nine bills on Tuesday, covering issues like homeowners’ associations, financial exploitation, and HVAC systems.

A new law in Florida is designed to protect older folks from the growing number of scams out there.

In this episode, we discuss the tragic murder charge filed against former WWF star Billy Jack Haynes. Haynes was arrested in February in connection with the murder of his wife. In this episode, we're joined by a veteran journalist from the Portland, Oregon, area who's covered the Haynes case. We also analyze the latest on the legal front in the prosecution of the longtime wrestler.

The demand for food assistance is rising as data from ALICE shows that more than 38% of Northeast Florida families struggle to make ends meet despite growth in wages.

Farm Share will distribute food at Cornerstone Methodist Church in Macclenny on May 30 at 11 a.m.

SpaceX will launch 23 Starlink satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Laws passed in several Republican-controlled states after the 2020 presidential election have criminalized much of the work done by voter outreach groups.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus has been accused of sexually assaulting two women during the team’s flight to London last year, ESPN reported Monday.

With millions of people on the road for Memorial Day weekend, all types of things can happen on the road. News4JAX rode with the Florida Highway Patrol to learn how to stay safe and call for help if needed.

A new report from the Labor Department shows nationwide the cost of auto insurance jumped nearly 2% in April, bringing the total annual gain to over 22%.

Duval County teachers voiced their frustrations with the school district’s pick for the next superintendent.

After the Duval County School Board selected Dr. Christopher Bernier as the district’s next leader on Thursday, News4JAX started looking into his record on student safety.

Boeing is now aiming for its first astronaut launch at the beginning of June.

Florida’s Office of Insurance has stated the average homeowner’s property insurance premium in the market is approximately $3,600, but other insurance data experts report higher premiums.