STATE OF FLORIDA

May 14 2026WEATHER

Stormy Winds, Heavy Rains and a Heat Spike Hit Staten Island

Staten Island will see a mix of strong breezes and wet weather this week. In the afternoon, gusts may reach 40 miles per hour across much of the area. That same day, a slow‑moving cold front will bring widespread showers and possible thunderstorms from the evening into Friday. The heaviest

reading time less than a minute
May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Florida Stops Sloth Imports After Tragic Deaths at Closed Orlando Zoo

Florida has put a temporary hold on bringing sloths into the state after many of the wild‑caught animals died at a now‑closed attraction in Orlando. The two‑month pause was ordered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to stop new imports while it reviews rules for keeping these a

reading time less than a minute
May 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

New Plans for a Big Entertainment Zone Near Oklahoma City

Officials in Oklahoma and Norman have just launched building work for a huge entertainment area called the Rock Creek Entertainment District. This isn’t just another construction project—it’s a major step toward giving the area a fresh, lively boost. The plan isn’t just about building more stores or

reading time less than a minute
May 12 2026HEALTH

Staten Island trains workers to spot suicide and overdose risks at the same time

Staten Island is tackling two big problems—overdose deaths and suicide—by teaching frontline workers how to handle both at once. Around 300 people have already gone through a six-part training that mixes mental health and drug-use screening. The idea is to catch warning signs early, whether someone

reading time less than a minute
May 10 2026POLITICS

Florida’s new voting maps: who really benefits?

Florida lawmakers recently approved a plan to redraw voting districts, shifting the balance to give Republicans an even stronger grip on the state’s 28 U. S. House seats. The new setup would turn a 20-8 Republican majority into a lopsided 24-4 split. That’s a big change from just a few years ago, wh

reading time less than a minute
May 07 2026POLITICS

AI at the table: Next week's meeting could change tech talks

Officials from the US and China might add AI to the list of topics for their upcoming high-level meeting. The possible talks could happen during a summit planned for next week in Beijing. This isn't confirmed yet, but sources say both sides are looking at the idea seriously. The American team might

reading time less than a minute
May 06 2026EDUCATION

Florida schools test a different take on U. S. history for college credit

Florida is rolling out a new history course this fall, one that skips the traditional AP U. S. history route. Instead of using the College Board’s well-known program, the state created its own version called FACT U. S. History. The goal? To give students another way to earn college credit while avoi

reading time less than a minute
Apr 27 2026SPORTS

Gators’ New Court Spirit: A Young Player’s Energy Shakes Up Tennis

Florida tennis is no longer just about quiet focus and precise strokes. A new voice on the courts, a young player from London, is turning every match into a rally of cheers and teamwork. He grew up playing soccer, rugby, cricket, and golf, learning early that fun comes first. When he switched to

reading time less than a minute
Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Florida’s Redistricting Dilemma: Why Census Flaws Matter Now

Florida is preparing for a special legislative session next month to redraw congressional district lines, a move that happens more often than people realize. The state’s population grew fast in the last decade, but the 2020 Census missed about 750, 000 residents—a significant error that could shape

reading time less than a minute
Apr 22 2026CRIME

Florida Investigates AI for Possible Role in Campus Shooting

Florida’s top prosecutor recently announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its chatbot ChatGPT after a deadly shooting at a university last spring. The shooter, who killed two people and injured six others, reportedly used the AI tool to ask about guns and ammunition before the attack. Inv

reading time less than a minute