As Americans sip their pumpkin spice lattes and bake up batches of apple-cinnamon pies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging caution when it comes to one key fall ingredient: ground cinnamon. The agency today expanded its public health alert to include several additional brands—Durra and Wise Wife among them—after finding elevated levels…
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Florida is packed with bucket-list destinations, but the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) stands out as a place where history, science, and adventure collide. While tickets can feel a bit pricey, the…
Over a dozen new laws officially took effect across Florida today, covering issues that range from consumer protections and housing disclosures to tougher criminal penalties and restrictions on new technology. Housing is a prime focus of the new laws, which includes Senate Bill 948. This law requires property owners and landlords to disclose whether a…
Florida is one of 15 states affected by a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections tied to pre-cooked pasta meals, federal health officials confirmed this week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Sept. 29…
Zoo Miami has announced the sudden and tragic death of Emmy Lou, a giant eland described as a “very special animal” and an important contributor to the conservation of her species. According to a statement posted by the zoo on Sept. 27, Animal Science personnel responded around noon on Thursday after receiving reports that a…
Florida’s state-run insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, has shed more than 600,000 policies since 2023 — a dramatic shift that signals major changes ahead for homeowners across the state. According to information presented by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, in September 2023, Citizens carried more than 1.4 million policies, making it the largest insurer…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced updates to several ongoing foodborne illness investigations, with two new outbreaks added to the national watchlist. Officials stress that while not every recall or alert results in confirmed illnesses, the agency is actively monitoring emerging threats that affect consumers across the country, including here in Florida….
Today, Hernando County Parks and Recreation announced that it will resume charging parking fees at local parks starting October 1, 2025, prompting immediate reactions from residents on social media. “I don’t think these parks are the destination you think they are. It would be reasonable if you’re drowning in visitors. But this just makes these…
Senator Rick Scott announced Tuesday a resolution to designate October 14, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. The measure, introduced on what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday, seeks to honor the conservative activist who was killed last week in what authorities have described as an act of political violence. A…
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the state has met all federal air quality standards for the fifth straight year. Florida is the most populous state in the country to reach this milestone, highlighting the success of strong monitoring programs, effective pollution controls, and collaboration with partners across the state. “Florida’s…
A Norway-based shipping company has been fined $2 million for illegally dumping oil-contaminated waste into the Gulf of America. V.Ships Norway A.S. (V.Ships) pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships after oily bilge water and waste were discharged from the Motor Tanker Swift Winchester. The company also admitted that the incidents…
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. With cooler weather on the way, one of Florida’s most unique wildlife encounters is about to reach its peak. Crystal River, located on the state’s Nature Coast, is the only place…
If you’ve ever hunted for seashells on a Florida beach, you know that magical feeling of discovering a perfect piece of the ocean’s treasure. For me, that beach was Boca Grande — a quiet stretch of sand where the shells are plentiful and the water is clear. But lately, Boca Grande isn’t making headlines for…
Florida wildlife officials are asking for the public’s help in tracking down one of the state’s most elusive and dazzling creatures — the rainbow snake. Nicknamed the “Eel Moccasin” for its habit of lurking around rivers and springs and feeding primarily on eels, this vibrantly striped, nonvenomous reptile is so rare that it is often…
The Florida Department of Health is urging residents in Northeast and Central Florida to be cautious when it comes to raw milk consumption following a series of severe illnesses linked to a Volusia County dairy. Officials say 21 cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections have been reported since January 24, 2025,…
Florida is known for its beaches, sunshine, and palm trees — but when fall rolls around, the Sunshine State also transforms into a hub for some of the most delightfully weird and wonderful festivals in the country. From psychic gatherings to chalk art extravaganzas, here are the most unusual fall festivals happening in Florida that…
If you’ve ever been frustrated by how short Florida’s Atlantic red snapper season is, here’s your chance to get in on something different. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just announced that applications are now open for Year 2 of a special fishing program that gives selected anglers permission to catch red snapper…
Florida is no stranger to the weird and wonderful. Sure, the Sunshine State is known for its beaches, gators, and amusement parks — but take a few detours off the beaten path and you’ll discover a whole other side of the state, one filled with cryptids, cosmic claims, and underwater stage shows. Here are some…
W.W. Industrial Group, Inc. has issued a nationwide recall of its Parashore Pear Slices in Juice due to elevated levels of lead and cadmium, two toxic heavy metals that can pose serious health risks, particularly to children. The affected product is sold in 15-ounce cans and was distributed through Grocery Outlet stores in California and…
More than 7,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Winston Creek in Lakeland, prompting an emergency environmental response that stretched into the early hours of Tuesday morning. According to reporting officials, the incident began around 12:00 PM on July 21, when city workers inspecting sewer lines discovered a leak spewing sewage into the nearby waterway….
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted in connection with the theft of two black swans and their eggs earlier this year. Authorities are searching for 30-year-old Alfredo Casanova of Homestead, who failed to appear in court after being arrested in February. Casanova was initially taken…
The so-called flesh-eating bacteria is trending again among the Florida headlines — but should you be worried? While total cases are actually down compared to recent years, new data does show that deadly infections are still being reported in multiple counties across the state. The bacteria, known scientifically as Vibrio vulnificus, naturally occurs in warm,…
Five separate food and drug products were recalled on July 14, 2025, in what appears to be a spike in safety alerts issued by the FDA. The recalls, which span both consumables and medications, involve risks ranging from salmonella and plastic contamination to dangerously mislabeled prescription drugs. One of the cases involves Sandoz, Inc., which…
Floridia might be known for sunshine and palm trees, but some cities in the Sunshine State are feeling the heat in more ways than one. A new report by WalletHub has ranked the most and least stressed cities in the U.S. for 2025—and several Florida metros didn’t escape the stress radar. The annual study analyzed…
The State of Florida has scheduled the executions of two death row inmates later this month, following the latest death warrant filings signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. According to official records published by the Florida Supreme Court, Michael B. Bell and Edward J. Zakrzewski II are slated to be executed at Florida State Prison in…
As Fourth of July travel plans ramp up, a new update from AAA shows Florida drivers may catch a bit of a break at the pump—depending on where they live. According to AAA’s fuel data released June 27, 2025, Florida’s average price for regular gas sits just under $3, at $2.999 per gallon, noticeably lower…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting an above‑normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025, with activity expected to surpass the long‑term average. According to the May 22 outlook, there is a 60% chance of an above‑normal season, compared to a 30% chance for near‑normal and just a 10% chance for below‑normal activity. They anticipate…
Yesterday, Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger to announce the rescue of 60 children as part of Operation Dragon Eye in the Tampa Bay Area. As a result of the operation, eight defendants were arrested, including one on charges of human trafficking. “The real heroes…
A Hillsborough County High School teacher has admitted to her role in a conspiracy involving illegal firearm purchases tied to an international criminal organization. According to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, 46-year-old Shannon Lee Samlalsingh pleaded guilty on June 20, 2025, to conspiring to make false statements to a licensed firearms dealer. She now faces…
Florida has been named among 13 states involved in a growing multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to prepackaged chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger grocery stores. The outbreak, which is currently under investigation by the FDA, USDA, and CDC, has already sickened 17 people across the country. Of those, 16 have…
