Ana Goñi-Lessan - News Service of Florida

The state Agriculture Department issued an emergency rule prohibiting the importation of shelter and rescue dogs and cats from states with confirmed screwworm detections.

The unanimous vote is the latest step in a process that still needs approval by the State University System Board of Governors, which rejected the school's previous choice in 2025.

Democrats warned the measure could “bankrupt” local governments. If approved by the Legislature, it will appear on the November ballot.

Opioid-caused deaths fell by 42% from January 2025 to June 2025, and fentanyl-caused deaths fell 46%, according to an interim report released by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.

In total, FDEM has spent $458.5 million in emergency funds on illegal immigration enforcement in the past year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis called lawmakers back to address the vaccination issue in the special session that starts Tuesday. He also wants to pass artificial intelligence regulations and a new congressional districts map.

A collection of groups say proposed rules by the Education Department are “harmful,” arguing the move would affect the state’s economy and hurt currently enrolled students.

The governor postponed the redistricting special session by a week and added the vaccine issue, which failed to make it through any House subcommittee during the regular legislative session.

A hearing on the proposed rule is set for May 14 at Miami Dade College.

There have been about 1,500 wildfires in the first three months of 2026, and the state is on track to surpass the last two years' records. The busiest part of the fire season is April, May and June.