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Black Bears more active during Fall

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds residents and visitors that our state’s black bears are more active in search of food as autumn approaches. Following BearWise® practices can help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife, including securing garbage and removing food attractants. During the fall, bears start consuming more calories...

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Florida enrollment in Medicaid continues recent decline

(The Center Square) — Florida’s Medicaid enrollment continue to decline, according to recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on health policy, research and polling. According to data from the Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker, the number of people on Medicaid in the Sunshine State declined 7% from April to July,...

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Updates for Florida policyholders following Hurricane Idalia

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates for Florida policyholders following Hurricane Idalia, including the issuance of an emergency order by the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to protect policyholders impacted by the storm. Additional announcements include the approval of a fifth property insurer since March and the approval of 202,399 additional takeout requests...

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Several Florida areas lose eligibility for federal rural home loan program

(The Center Square) -– Nine counties in Florida have areas that will no longer be eligible to participate in a federal loan program for rural housing due to population increases. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development completed its recent review of rural areas nationwide, using data from the 2020 U.S. Census. The ruling goes...

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Citrus Sheriff Prendergast issues statement on Hurricane and evacuations

By Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast Hurricane Idalia is expected to impact Citrus County sometime Tuesday.  Winds are predicted to be Category 3 Hurricane strength, that means 129 miles per hour.  Catastrophic life threating storm surge up to 11 feet above ground level is expected. A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all of those...

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Water District monitors Tropical Storm Idalia

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia and have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2 as of 7 a.m. Monday. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during and after an emergency event. The...

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FWC recognizes Pasco County landowner for wildlife conservation efforts

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently recognized the outstanding wildlife habitat management efforts of private landowner Jake English of Pasco County. The recognition is part of the Wildlife Habitat Recognition Program, meant to formally honor exemplary landowners by gifting them with a sign to display on their property and a certificate recognizing...

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FWC continues to monitor avian influenza across Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues to monitor bird mortalities suspected to be attributed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza throughout Florida. This strain has been documented in the United States since 2021 and was detected for the first time in Florida in January 2022. The FWC has documented the virus in 37...

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Florida lawmakers strip away Disney’s special status

By Andrew Powell | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) — The Florida Legislature concluded its special session on Friday, passing bills regarding Disney’s autonomy, transport of foreign nationals and election fraud. Florida House Speaker Paul Renner said at a news conference before the House’s final meeting that the special session was successful and...

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Key Training Center: Choice, Independence

As the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 20% over the last five years, an increase for non-wage operational costs for iBudget providers has not been addressed in even longer. For the 2023 Legislative Session, we are seeking $44.6 million in General Revenue ($67.7 million in Federal Match) equating to $112,286,417 critical dollars to...