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Florida
19th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Donalds wins Florida GOP nomination

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for governor, positioning himself to potentially succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis in a state that has shifted firmly toward conservative politics. Donalds entered the primary with commanding fundraising and polling advantages and received an important early endorsement from President Donald Trump, while DeSantis remained neutral. His Republican opponents challenged his establishment ties and took tougher positions on data centers, while Donalds supported allowing them with regulation. The campaign also turned personal, with Donalds, who would become Florida’s first Black governor, facing racist attacks from rival James Fishback. In November, Donalds will face Democratic nominee David Jolly, a former Republican congressman and Trump critic who joined the Democratic Party in 2025. Jolly defeated state lawmaker Dotie Joseph, who described herself as a “battle-tested Democrat,” after presenting his conservative background as an advantage in increasingly Republican Florida.

NATIONAL NEWS

New federal guidance targets racial considerations in student discipline

The U.S. Department of Education has instructed schools not to consider race when developing or enforcing student discipline policies, arguing that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Constitution prohibit intentional discrimination, rather than policies that unintentionally produce racial disparities. The guidance, announced on Tuesday in a "Dear Colleague" letter, follows the department’s July decision to eliminate longstanding regulations recognizing “disparate impact” liability, and reverses approaches taken under the Obama and Biden administrations. The department argues that previous guidance pressured schools to adjust discipline practices based on racial outcomes, potentially undermining consistent enforcement. Supporters say the new approach will ensure students are disciplined according to individual behavior, while critics argue that it could make it harder to address disproportionate discipline rates among Black, Indigenous, and other minority students. The guidance does not carry the force of law, but sets out how the Trump administration intends to interpret and enforce federal civil rights protections. It states that schools can adopt race-neutral policies with mandatory punishments as long as they are applied consistently, regardless of race.

STATE NEWS

Florida vaccine exemptions raise alarm

Florida’s kindergarten vaccination picture is raising concerns as exemptions reach 5.9%, even as vaccination rates show a slight improvement and remain below the recommended 95% measles herd immunity threshold. The state reported 155 measles cases this year, up sharply from seven the previous year. President Donald Trump also questioned the combined MMR vaccine, saying: “Together there could be a possibility they're quite lethal,” while suggesting separate shots. Nationally, kindergarten vaccine exemptions reached a record 4.2% in 2025-26, representing about 155,000 children and marking a fourth consecutive annual high. MMR coverage fell to 92.4%, with declines also affecting polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and chickenpox vaccines. More than 250,000 incoming kindergarteners may now be susceptible to measles, increasing outbreak risks where unvaccinated children are concentrated.

Florida's foster care system under fire

Florida's foster care system faces scrutiny as advocates claim it fails to protect vulnerable children. Critics argue that the privatized model, unique to Florida, has led to a lack of accountability and increased risks for children. Stacie Schmerling, a former child protective services investigator, said: "It's a failed experiment," highlighting the confusion over responsibility among numerous agencies involved. The system's instability is evident, with many children experiencing multiple placements, leading to further trauma. Despite claims of success from the Children's Network of Southwest Florida, data shows a significant shortage of licensed foster homes, exacerbating the crisis. As a result, many children are placed in group homes, which often fail to meet their needs. The situation raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of Florida's approach to child welfare.

GOVERNANCE

Incumbents clash with newcomers in Volusia County election

Residents of Volusia County District 5 re-elected incumbent Ruben Colon, while newcomers Brenda Beery and Grace Kellermeier won in Districts 1 and 3, respectively. The board consists of five members serving four-year terms with a salary of $50,000. Incumbents highlighted Volusia County's two consecutive A district grades, while challengers focused on enhancing student academic proficiency and improving teacher recruitment. Beery, a former teacher, received 49.61% of the vote, advocating for increased classroom support and budget transparency. Kellermeier, the 2015 Teacher of the Year, won with 53% of the vote, promising to enhance board transparency. Colon secured his third term with 62.92% of the vote, emphasizing improved graduation rates and school safety. Tensions escalated during the election, particularly between Colon and his opponent Dean Condon, who proposed a mentorship program for students with disciplinary issues.

Pasco County voters make key choices

Pasco County voters participated in primary elections, with a turnout of 21.8%, lower than the 24.8% in August 2022. In the County Commission District 4 race, incumbent Lisa Yeager secured 62.4% of the vote against Jonathan Deckard, who focused on overdevelopment and public parks. Yeager, appointed in May 2024, had significant financial backing. In School Board District 1, Gino Collura and Kimberly Coward will face off in a runoff after receiving 31% and 35.3% of the votes, respectively. In District 3, Matt Geiger and Mollyana Ward advanced with 28.8% and 21.1%. Incumbent Megan Harding won District 5 with 72.1% against Michelle Mandarin. The District 2 race will continue in November between Seth Weightman and Stephanie Vazquez, both unopposed in their primaries.

Escambia County School Board incumbents win

Escambia County voters have re-elected incumbents Kevin Adams, Paul Fetsko, and David Williams to the school board. Adams secured District 1 with 60.92% of the votes, emphasizing the need to address declining enrollment and funding shortages. Fetsko won District 2 with 66.29% of the votes, citing lack of state funding as a major concern. David Williams, re-elected in District 3, advocated for a 5% increase in the Base Student Allocation to combat enrollment loss.

Broward school board sees new faces

Voters in Broward County elected two new members to the School Board while reelecting incumbents Maura Bulman and Allen Zeman. New representatives will fill two north-county seats after Nora Rupert and Lori Alhadeff opted not to run again. Nicole Morst triumphed over Sharry Kimmel in District 4, while Cynthia Dominique defeated Shelly Soffer in District 7. The fate of Adam Cervera, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, remains uncertain as he heads to a runoff against Roberto Fernandez III for the District 6 seat.

Incumbents hold their ground in Santa Rosa

In the Santa Rosa School Board elections, incumbents Linda Sanborn and Carol Boston successfully retained their seats, while Scott Peden lost his District 5 position. Sanborn won decisively against David Farrow, and Boston narrowly defeated Kyle Connolly with 50.45% of the vote. The District 5 race will proceed to a runoff between Marie Locklin and Jill Broxson Teston, as no candidate achieved the required 50% majority.

Runoff showdown for Miami-Dade school board seat

The race to fill the Miami-Dade District 1 school board seat vacated by Steve Gallon is heading to a runoff. Katrina Wilson, a former principal, led the initial voting with 32%, while Linda Cothiere secured second place with just over 20%, edging out Joy Jackson by less than two percentage points.

Flagler County school board shakeup

Flagler County's primary election has led to significant changes in the School Board, with newcomers Cathy Moon and Rob Wood winning their respective seats. Moon, a former U.S. Postal Service executive, secured 55.93% of the vote against Jill Woobright in District 1, while Wood defeated incumbent Will Furry with 59.05%. District 4 will see a runoff between Christy Chong and Trevor Tucker, who were separated by just 611 votes.

Gallo triumphs in Orange County chair race

Angie Gallo secured the Orange County School Board chair with 59.08% of the vote, emphasizing her commitment to increasing teacher pay and preparing students for military, college, or workforce paths. Gallo's opponent, Alicia Farrant, garnered 40.92% of the vote and expressed disappointment but acknowledged the voters' choice.

Filak wins big in Osceola County District 1

Greg Filak decisively won the open District 1 seat on the Osceola County School Board, defeating former member Jay Wheeler with 4,810 votes (60.3%) to Wheeler's 3,173 (39.7%).

DISTRICTS

What's working in Leon County schools?

Superintendent Rocky Hanna is focused on understanding the challenges facing Leon County Schools as competition for students intensifies due to school choice. The district has partnered with Caissa K-12 student recruitment firm to gather insights from families about their experiences. "This partnership will ... give us the data that we need, in order to make some informed decisions about ways for us to improve instead of just guessing," Hanna said. The district has seen a decline of approximately 1,100 public school students over the past five years, leading to significant financial pressures.

Buchholz High slips in rankings

Buchholz High School in Gainesville has been ranked No. 69 among Florida public high schools in the 2026-27 U.S. News and World Report rankings, a decline from No. 59 last year. LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said: "Every student deserves a pathway to success, and that journey often begins with selecting the right school." The rankings evaluate schools based on various indicators, including college readiness and graduation rates. In Florida, 57 schools ranked in the top 5% nationwide, with Buchholz being the highest-ranked in Alachua County, placing No. 1,053 nationally. Florida itself ranked No. 4 in the U.S. News Best High School state rankings.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Safety first: Seminole County schools prepare

As schools in Seminole County reopen, officials emphasize that safety extends beyond technology to include training and relationships. Capt. Ron Shaw of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said: “Despite all the technology and all the physical improvements we can do, its culture and climate.” Each campus has a law enforcement officer, and deputies have undergone extensive training in crisis intervention and mental health. They conduct quarterly drills and focus on creating an environment where students feel comfortable reporting concerns. Sheriff Dennis Lemma highlighted the role of school resource officers, who mentor and support students, stating: “They’re not just there for security, they’re there to mentor.” The sheriff’s office also encourages parents to follow safety rules during drop-off and urges families to report any concerns, whether anonymously or to trusted adults.

Safety audit launched after student accidents

A road safety audit is currently being conducted in Collier County following two incidents where Oak Ridge Middle School students were struck by vehicles. The Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is assessing the situation to identify issues and propose solutions. Carmen Monroy, executive director of the MPO, noted that the audit is still in its early stages, with the final report expected in September. The MPO may seek grant funding for safety enhancements once the report is finalized, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety for both parents and children.

TECHNOLOGY

ChatGPT introduces teen mode as scrutiny of AI safety grows

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for Teens, a new mode for users ages 13 to 17 that includes stronger safeguards, parental controls, and educational features. The mode will activate when users identify themselves as minors or are estimated to be under 18, with ChatGPT defaulting to the safer experience when a user’s age is uncertain. The service will restrict conversations involving high-risk topics, including self-harm, violence, and eating disorders. Parents can set “Quiet Hours,” manage certain settings, and receive notifications when sensitive subjects arise, while educational features include guided study, quizzes, homework reminders, and visualizations designed to support learning rather than simply provide answers. The launch comes amid growing scrutiny of AI chatbots’ potential effects on young people, including concerns about mental health, emotional reliance, and academic learning. OpenAI said it will use self-reported ages, behavioral and account signals, and verification methods to determine when the additional protections should apply.

LEGAL

Meta faces landmark federal child safety trial

Meta is facing the first bellwether federal trial over allegations that Instagram and Facebook have harmed children through addictive product features, with California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey seeking nearly $200bn in damages for alleged violations of federal child privacy and state consumer protection laws. The states argue that Meta knew features such as infinite scroll, beauty filters, and engagement-driven algorithms could contribute to compulsive use, anxiety, and other harms among young users, while continuing to promote its platforms as safe. Meta denies the claims, says it has introduced safeguards for teenagers, and argues that the states’ allegations are unsubstantiated and their financial demands disproportionate. The six-to-eight-week Oakland trial represents a significant legal test for Meta after recent setbacks, including a $6m California verdict against Meta and YouTube and a New Mexico ruling ordering Meta to pay nearly $1bn. Meta said it spent more than $2bn legal expenses related to social media addiction trials and other litigation from April through June, compared with quarterly profit of $18bn. Beyond damages, the four states are seeking changes to Meta’s products for users under 18, including bans on infinite scrolling, autoplay, “like” buttons, certain beauty filters, and engagement-optimized algorithms.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon orders 30 U.S. universities to review foreign partnerships

The Department of Defense has ordered 30 U.S. universities to audit partnerships with foreign universities and military training institutions, most of them Chinese, as the Trump administration intensifies scrutiny of potential national security risks. The universities have two weeks to review their relationships and terminate arrangements deemed problematic or risk losing federal funding, with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University reportedly among those affected. The Pentagon said the action is intended to prevent taxpayer-funded research from being stolen or exploited, following its publication of a list of 130 foreign institutions considered to pose an increased risk of research misappropriation. Most are Chinese, although Russian and Iranian institutions are also included. The American Council on Education criticized suggestions that U.S. universities have failed to address research security concerns, while China’s embassy accused Washington of politicizing academic exchanges. The move forms part of broader Trump administration efforts to scrutinize Chinese influence, investment, and activities in the United States and elsewhere.

DeSantis defends education reforms at New College

Gov. Ron DeSantis visited New College of Florida on primary election day to defend his higher education reforms and promote his efforts against “woke” curricula. Joined by state officials and New College President Richard Corcoran, DeSantis emphasized the college's transformation into a conservative institution, a move that has faced significant backlash from students and faculty. Christopher Rufo, a former trustee, has been instrumental in this shift, making the college a focal point for Republican education reform. U.S. Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education David Barker said: “Florida really has led the way on higher education,” highlighting the state's influence on national education discussions. DeSantis acknowledged the college's previous state, saying: “It was very, very dilapidated,” and noted the increased funding from the Florida Legislature, which has nearly doubled in the past five years.

FAMU students return for fall

Move-in at Florida A&M University (FAMU) commenced on Monday and will continue throughout the week as students return to campus for the fall semester. Sarah Dominguez, a resident director at FAMU, expressed the palpable energy among students, stating: "It's so exciting; summer was fun... so many excited faces." For some students, this marks their first experience living on campus, while others are returning. Senior Oksana Sun shared mixed feelings about her final year, saying: "It's a bit bittersweet... but it's also exciting because I know that I made it." The university is prepared to welcome both returning and new students as the semester approaches.
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