News Service of Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed two bills aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, according to the Florida Senate.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida and two individual plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in federal court in Miami. It challenges a law (SB 4-C) that passed during a February special legislative session.

“Members, if you look online, you will see there is no House Bill 1 filed. Nor is there a House Bill 3 or 5 or 7 or 9. I will not find meaning for my speakership in personal priorities. The mission of my speakership is to have this House be the most engaged, vibrant and dynamic legislative chamber in the country," said House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said that more state agencies have reached agreements for officers to be trained and participate in immigration-enforcement efforts with the federal government. Among them are the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida State Guard.

Rep. Rachel Plakon, R-Lake Mary, and Rep. David Borrero, R-Sweetwater, are preparing to seek re-election in 2026.

After easily winning re-election in November, state Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, is preparing to run for another term in 2028. Avila opened a campaign account this week to run again in Miami-Dade County’s Senate District 39, according to the state Division of Elections website.

A springs-advocacy group is challenging newly proposed state rules, saying they will not adequately prevent water withdrawals that could harm what are designated as “Outstanding Florida Springs.”

The Mortgage Firm, Inc. agreed to provide $1.75 million for a program to help with home purchases, refinancing and home-improvement loans in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas in Miami-Dade County, according to a Justice Department news release and the settlement.

Here are counties with the most abortions, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. The numbers reflect county residents who had abortions, not necessarily the counties where abortions took place.

Rep. Jim Mooney, R-Islamorada, filed a proposal that would lead to the flamingo replacing the mockingbird, which has been the state’s bird since 1927. The bill also would name the Florida scrub jay as the official state songbird.

The ruling comes after Floridians Protecting Freedom, a political committee that led unsuccessful efforts to pass the abortion ballot measure, filed a notice that it was dropping its challenge against the state.

A record 7.1 million Floridians are expected to travel more than 50 miles during the end-of-year holiday period, and most of them will drive.