Story Timeline

Mar 17, 2026

Florida Lawmakers Advance Trump Rename for Palm Beach Airport, E-Bike Safety Rules

Bills sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis would honor the former president at the Treasure Coast region's main hub and impose new statewide regulations on electric bicycles.

Florida's 2025 legislative session wrapped without a state budget but sent several transportation-related bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis, including measures that would rename Palm Beach International Airp...

Mar 19, 2026

Indian River County Lifts Burn Ban After Rainfall Eases Fire Risks

Officials allow residents to resume controlled outdoor burns for agriculture and debris under ongoing Florida Forest Service regulations.

Indian River County officials have lifted an outdoor burn ban, citing recent rainfall that improved fire-danger conditions across the county. Residents and property owners who rely on controlled outd...

Mar 20, 2026

DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Slain Winter Haven Soldier

Treasure Coast government buildings join statewide tribute Saturday for Army Reserve Capt. Cody Khork, killed March 1 in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday ordered Florida and U.S. flags at the state Capitol and all state and local government buildings to be flown at half-staff Saturday in honor of U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Cody...

Mar 22, 2026

Florida Senate Debates Treasure Coast Vaccine Exemptions, Spending Limits, Immigrant Detentions Friday

Bills including SB 1745 would expand K-12 school vaccine opt-outs, curb local government budgets, and mandate holds on undocumented truck drivers in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

The Florida Senate is scheduled to take up a broad special-order calendar Friday that includes bills expanding vaccine exemptions for K-12 schools, restricting local government spending, and requiring...

Mar 22, 2026

Fort Lauderdale Deploys Speed Cameras in School Zones, Eyeing Treasure Coast Model

City commissioners unanimously approved the citation-funded program targeting drivers 11 mph over limits, which could inspire Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

Fort Lauderdale's City Commission has unanimously approved a school zone speed camera program that issues citations to drivers traveling 11 or more miles per hour over the posted limit — a technology ...

Mar 22, 2026

Florida Lawmakers Debate Arming College Staff, Gang Laws, DEI Ban

Senate and House sessions in Tallahassee target Treasure Coast schools by expanding the guardian program to universities, tightening gang penalties and prohibiting diversity initiatives.

The Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday in Tallahassee with both chambers taking up a range of bills that would directly affect Treasure Coast schools, local governments, businesses, and public safet...

Mar 26, 2026

Democrat Gregory Flips Trump-Endorsed Seat in Mar-a-Lago District

Political newcomer Emily Gregory won the special election for the Palm Beach-area Florida House seat, a victory national Democrats hail as momentum for 2026 midterms.

A Democrat won a special election Tuesday for a Florida state House seat covering the Palm Beach district that includes President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, a result national Democrats say signals gro...

Mar 27, 2026

Nathan Leads Tomkow by 405 Votes in SD 14 Special Election, Recount Hinges on Margin Math

Democrat Brian Nathan's slim edge in the Treasure Coast-adjacent race may trigger a mandatory machine recount if Florida law deems it 0.5% or less amid a rounding debate.

Democrat Brian Nathan leads Republican Josie Tomkow by 405 votes in the Senate District 14 Special Election, but whether that margin is narrow enough to trigger a mandatory machine recount under Flori...

Mar 30, 2026

Florida Lawmakers Send Bill Renaming PBI After Trump to DeSantis

The measure would honor the president at the airport serving Martin and St. Lucie travelers while blocking local governments from renaming major Florida airports.

The Florida Legislature sent Gov. Ron DeSantis a bill Monday that would rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, a move with direct implications for the airport that serve...

Mar 30, 2026

Martin County Clerk Slashes Fees Up to 40% for Suspended License Reinstatement

Residents can settle overdue court fines during Operation Green Light from April 13-24 at three locations to get back on the road legally.

The Martin County Clerk of Court is hosting a two-week driver license reinstatement event beginning April 13, giving residents with suspended licenses a chance to settle overdue court fines at a disco...

Apr 01, 2026

Donalds Raises Record $22M in Q1 for Florida Governor Race

The Trump-endorsed congressman's haul shatters records for non-incumbent candidates, pushing his total past $67 million and outpacing GOP rivals.

Republican Byron Donalds raised $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 for his Florida Governor's campaign, a record haul that pushes his total fundraising past $67 million since he entered the ra...

Apr 02, 2026

Martin County Surpasses $20M in Eco-Land Buys, Nears 1,000 Acres

Oversight committee praises progress but urges faster purchases amid legal concerns on two properties and committed sales tax funds.

Martin County's environmental land acquisition program has collected more than $20 million in sales tax revenue and secured nearly 1,000 acres in fee simple ownership, the Environmental Lands Oversigh...

Apr 02, 2026

Contractor Breaks Vero Beach Water Main, Sparking Boil Notice for 15th Street Homes

The precautionary alert affects about a dozen addresses on 15th Street after a 2-inch PVC line was struck Thursday, with repairs completed by Friday morning but water tests still pending.

The City of Vero Beach issued a precautionary boil water notice Thursday evening for roughly a dozen addresses on 15th Street after a contractor struck and broke a two-inch PVC water main, city offici...

Apr 03, 2026

Martin County Locks Up 2,700 Acres with $20M Conservation Push

Voter-backed sales tax revenue has safeguarded Treasure Coast lands from Barbie Ranch to Point Sienna Gardens, but tight budgets and boundary disputes threaten future buys.

Martin County's voter-approved conservation land program has quietly transformed nearly 2,700 acres of Treasure Coast landscape into permanently protected open space, county officials reported Tuesday...

Apr 03, 2026

St. Lucie Planners Back 30% Lot Coverage Hike for Suburban Homes

Unanimous vote allows larger single-story builds for aging residents in areas with upgraded roads, sewers and drainage, pending county commissioners' approval.

A permitting mistake at a subdivision off Pigway Road may soon reshape how much house St. Lucie County homeowners can put on a suburban lot. The St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission voted ...

Apr 03, 2026

State Absorbs Indian River Roads, Unlocking Funds for $250M Overpass

The transfer of County Road 510 and part of CR 512 to Florida's highway system ends years of delays, providing millions for critical infrastructure in the 510 corridor.

A funding bottleneck that has kept Indian River County's most ambitious road project on the drawing board for years may be cracking open. Officials confirmed Tuesday that several county roads will be ...

Apr 03, 2026

St. Lucie Board Slaps $250 Daily Fines on Five Fort Pierce Properties

Solomon Trucking faces penalties for unpermitted land clearing, while two neighbors' crumbling pipes flood yards in Fort Pierce.

The St. Lucie County Code Enforcement Board voted Tuesday to impose $250-per-day fines on five properties in Fort Pierce, targeting a trucking company that stripped vegetation without permits and two ...

Apr 04, 2026

Indian River's Go Line Buses Now Searchable on Google, Apple Maps

County officials say the tech upgrade tackles confusing schedules and transfers, potentially boosting ridership across the Treasure Coast.

Indian River County's Go Line bus system is now searchable on Google Maps and Apple Maps, county transportation officials told the Technical Advisory Committee on Tuesday. The change could lower one o...

Apr 04, 2026

St. Lucie Board Slaps $250 Daily Fines on Five Properties

Penalties could hit $50,000, with an occupied Fort Pierce rental facing the maximum for an unrepaired rotting roof since December.

The St. Lucie County Code Enforcement Board levied $250-per-day fines against five properties Tuesday, with potential maximum penalties stretching as high as $50,000. In at least one case, tenants are...

Apr 04, 2026

Martin County Spends $20M to Shield 2,700 Acres, But Panel Member Demands Quicker Pace

Funded by local sales taxes, the county has acquired 996 acres outright and secured easements on 1,699 more, yet a committee member warns rising land prices demand faster action.

Martin County's environmental land acquisition program has collected $20 million in sales tax revenue and protected nearly 2,700 acres of conservation land — but at least one committee member thinks t...