Government

Starting Monday and running through the end of the year, Florida will provide a sales-tax exemption on a variety of hunting equipment, the first time a state tax “holiday” includes guns and ammunition.

A deadline last week for Florida’s local leaders to remove all street art has come and gone, but in some cities the rainbows and colored roads haven’t disappeared. It’s unclear what state leaders will do in cities where elected officials have blown past their time limit.Some cities, including Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Gainesville, reluctantly agreed to have their streets paved when faced with a decision between art and state funding. Others, however, are using whatever leverage they can to keep their street art.

Trump administration says it's reviewing all 55 million people with US visas for potential deportable violations.

More than $38 million was awarded Thursday to 19 small and rural Florida communities through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These strategic investments will fund public infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and commercial revitalization projects that strengthen communities across the state.One of the largest awards — $6.4 million— went to the city of Arcadia to upgrade the William Tyson Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's request to end a policy protecting immigrant children in federal custody. The Flores agreement limits how long children can be held and requires safe conditions. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in California says it was a repetitive attempt and she saw no reason to terminate it. President Donald Trump's administration says the Flores Settlement Agreement hinders its immigration crackdown. In a hearing held last week, Gee questioned why a number of children are held longer than the 72-hour limit when border arrests are low. A government attorney cited logistical challenges and policy changes.

A federal judge is hearing closing arguments over whether to stop construction indefinitely at an immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The judge is considering Tuesday whether the facility violates environmental laws. Last week she ordered a two-week halt on new construction, but that doesn’t restrict law enforcement or immigration enforcement activity there. The center has hundreds of detainees in temporary tent structures and can hold up to 3,000 people. It was quickly built two months ago at a training airport. Detainees say there are worms in the food and overflowing toilets, while mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere.

Speaking to a hometown crowd, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, tried to ease concerns about the effects of potential property-tax cuts — particularly the effects on financially strapped rural communities.

Closures of lanes on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge will be about 30 minutes each; seek alternate routes if possible.

Seagate Development Group and Easterly Government Properties partner with FDLE to construct a 36 million dollar crime-fighting facility in Lee County. The 64,000 square foot facility is expected to be open in the fall of 2026.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners Tuesday addressed a number of issues including work on expanding the Cape Coral Bridge, repair of the Matlacha drawbridge, repair of boardwalks at several county park sites, and addressing illegal dumping in the county.