DeSantis signs concealed weapons bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a measure that will allow Floridians to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses.
The Republican-controlled Senate gave final approval to the measure (HB 543) on Thursday, about a week after the House passed it.
Panel backs lowering age to buy guns
Tallahassee — With backing from Speaker Paul Renner, a House panel last week approved a bill that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns in Florida from 21 to 18.
The bill (HB 1543) would reverse part of a 2018 law that set the minimum age at 21 after a gunman killed 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Nikolas Cruz, then 19, used a semi-automatic rifle to carry out the attack.
Gas prices to jump as ‘holiday’ ends
By Jim Turner
News Service of Florida
Florida motorists can expect to pay more at the pump as the state’s month-long gas tax “holiday” ends.
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas Monday stood at $3.29, about a dime cheaper than at the start of October. But the AAA auto club said that likely will change quickly when the state’s 25.3-cent-a-gallon gas tax returns Tuesday, after being suspended in October by lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Above-normal hurricane season on the horizon
Researchers have put forward a second above-normal forecast for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season. Colorado State University researchers on Thursday predicted 19 named storms, with nine growing into hurricanes, for the season that runs from June 1 to November 30.
Milton Riverwalk Park discussions continue
With the Board of County Commissioners and Santa Rosa Tourist Development Council behind the City of Milton’s vision, a new Milton Riverwalk Park may begin.












