Florida Politics reports that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Republican Austin Rogers in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District race. Rogers is seeking the open seat left by retiring U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn and will face Democrat Amanda Marie Green in November. The business group cited Rogers’ support for business growth and reduced regulation, while Rogers welcomed the endorsement. He won the Republican primary in August, according to the report.
Florida Politics reports that U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat running for reelection, criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s statement marking the Oct. 7 Hamas attack anniversary. Moskowitz argued the statement’s criticism of Israel diminished the victims’ suffering; Mamdani’s remarks mourned those killed and taken hostage while also condemning Israel’s subsequent actions in Gaza. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and activist Fred Guttenberg also criticized the mayor’s statement, according to the report.
Florida Politics reports that a state Department of Governmental Efficiency review says Astatula Mayor Zane Teeters exceeded his authority in personnel decisions, applied nepotism rules inconsistently and pressed the Town Council to pay attorney Anthony Sabatini. These are findings and concerns attributed to the report, not adjudicated conclusions in the excerpt. The report also describes rapid staff turnover. Teeters faces reelection and has called a public meeting to address the findings; the Florida Ethics Commission separately found probable cause in an abuse-of-office matter.
Florida Politics reports that Gov. Ron DeSantis declared an emergency across 25 North Florida counties as Tropical Depression Nine approaches. The National Weather Service expects the system to reach tropical storm strength early Wednesday and says it could become a hurricane Thursday. Forecast risks include rainfall of up to nine inches, flooding, strong winds, storm surge and tornadoes. State response teams are preparing supplies in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area for deployment to affected communities.
An electrical fire disrupted downtown Tallahassee near the Florida Capitol on Tuesday morning, Florida Phoenix reported. City utilities shut off electricity so crews could work, leaving nearby traffic signals out and prompting street closures around the Leon County Courthouse. About 153 downtown customers still lacked power around 1 p.m. The city placed most impacts along Monroe Street near an FDOT paving project, but the cause remained under investigation. Firefighters ruled out initial reports of a gas leak.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is encouraging independent agency board members to take financial and governance training following JTA service and staffing cuts and continuing JEA rate increases, Florida Politics reports. Participation remains voluntary pending legislation to establish permanent standards. The city’s finance office will offer training after a 90-day startup period, with financial statement instruction beginning next year. Deegan also wants agency executives to certify financial submissions, helping city officials assess the figures and identify risks.
Fernandina Beach and the North Florida Land Trust have secured two properties totaling nearly 10 acres for the Egans Creek Greenway, Florida Politics reports. Sherry Quattlebaum donated nearly nine acres, mostly wetlands, while the city purchased about one acre connecting to the Greenway along Sadler Road. The city will manage both for conservation and recreation. The additions connect protected land through a renewed partnership supported partly by the trust’s Amelia Forever Fund.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson is urging the National Park Service to investigate the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells on Horn Island and keep his family informed, The Floridian reports. His family has also requested FBI and Justice Department involvement. A grand jury found no credible evidence of criminal conduct connected to his death and described circumstances consistent with drowning. However, the reported autopsy findings left the cause and manner unresolved, a distinction central to the family’s objections.
Florida’s ABA Task Force has two meetings remaining before adopting recommendations for lawmakers on autism treatment spending, WUSF reports. Ideas under discussion include licensing businesses that offer applied behavior analysis, linking Medicaid payments to provider surveys and expanding parents’ treatment options. Centria Autism CEO David Harbour proposed payment penalties for failed surveys. State health care agency Secretary Shevaun Harris expressed interest in business licensing. The proposals remain under discussion; the panel has not adopted its final recommendations.
Republican Byron Donalds is challenging Democrat David Jolly’s willingness to debate as their race for Florida governor grows more personal, Florida Politics reports. Jolly says debating Donalds is pointless because he considers him dishonest. Donalds claims Jolly avoids debates because his shifting political positions would face scrutiny. Speaking in Key Biscayne, Donalds also criticized Jolly’s campaign videos as lacking policy detail and contrasted them with his own livestreamed events. Those criticisms remain Donalds’ campaign claims.
The Rays plan to open a Westshore preview center in early 2027 for their proposed Tampa stadium, Florida Politics reports. Visitors will see digital exhibits, while prospective ticket buyers and sponsors can book appointments. The project follows Tampa and Hillsborough County’s approval of about $876 million in local government funding for the ballpark. Financing validations, land-use decisions and additional agreements remain necessary before public funds can be released. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2029.
President Donald Trump signed an order allowing red-dyed diesel on highways and deferring the federal diesel excise tax through 2026, The Floridian reports. The White House says savings could reach $100 per fill with state cooperation. The measure addresses fuel costs also targeted by Florida Reps. Greg Steube and Anna Paulina Luna through separate legislative proposals. The outlet reports Florida diesel averaging $5.91 a gallon on Oct. 6, below the national $6.31 average.
