JIMMY PATRONIS

Republicans in Florida have introduced bills in the state legislature and the senate that would prohibit students from accessing TikTok on school-provided internet.

The battle against TikTok continues as federal lawmakers introduce legislation that would ban the social media app in the United States.

It’s time for Florida's Holiday Money Hunt! News4JAX is officially launching the yearly campaign with Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to help you put extra cash in your pocket -- at a time when all of us could really use the extra money.

The Florida Cabinet returned to an all-Republican lineup Tuesday as outgoing Senate President Wilton Simpson was elected agriculture commissioner and Attorney General Ashley Moody and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis won second terms.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is calling for a major overhaul in the way insurance is handled to prevent fraud in wake of Hurricane Ian.

Florida officials have warned people to be wary of fake charity funds spread through social media.

As residents all over Florida begin the process of recovery after disasters like Hurricane Ian, Florida officials are warning them of potential scammers trying to take advantage of their situations.

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis discusses the impact of Hurricane Ian on the state of Florida as officials work to help the Sunshine State recover.

Homeowners in the state of Florida who were already paying nearly triple the national average for property insurance, will be forced to pay even more after Hurricane Ian.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Friday warned people and businesses to beware of charity scams related to Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian is threatening to further destabilize Florida’s home insurance market.

The weekend before Tropical Storm Ian is anticipated to come toward Florida is a great time to start double-checking your hurricane kits -- or creating one.

As Tropical Storm Ian strengthens with a path toward Florida as a major hurricane, state officials are urging Floridians to prepare for possible post-storm insurance claims.

Florida state Sen. Jason Pizzo announced a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis after he orchestrated the transportation of 48 Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard.

The most significant race in Florida's primary election Tuesday is between the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates seeking to go against Gov. Ron DeSantis, who's unopposed in the Republican primary.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Wednesday warned of a cryptocurrency scam known as “pig butchering” or ”pig slaughtering.”

A ratings agency has plans to downgrade more than two dozen Florida-based property insurance companies in a move that could cost more money for homeowners with loans.

A Jacksonville firefighter battling for PTSD benefits is getting support from a state leader.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis praised Ben & Jerry’s parent company for a decision that will allow sales of ice cream in Israel.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer have called on Elon Musk to bring his business ventures to the River City.

In Jacksonville Monday, firefighters and first responders were honored along with teams needed in disaster areas after catastrophic storms.

Starting this summer, the home hardening incentive removes sales tax from storm resistant windows, exterior doors and garage doors.

A day after it was announced that Elon Musk had purchased Twitter for $44 billion, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry joined a chorus of elected officials looking to convince Musk to move Twitter headquarters to their state.

The state’s chief financial officer on Monday cautioned Floridians about a major rise in fraud losses across the nation and offered tips to prevent scams.

In a stop in Jacksonville Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he'll address the property insurance crisis in a special legislative session in May.

Florida homeowners are seeing their insurance rates go through the roof. It's the roof that's causing the huge increase.

Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s state fire marshal and chief financial officer, visited Jacksonville on Thursday to thank the Urban Search and Rescue team that’s made up of firefighters from a number of agencies in the area.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there were more than 101,000 reports of identity theft in Florida in 2020, making it the most reported category of fraud.

Edward Waters University warned students via social media early Tuesday morning that it had received “an anonymous bomb and threat of violence to the EWU campus this morning.”

If you haven’t checked your name yet in the Holiday Money Hunt, you could be missing out on cash that could be in your pocket in two weeks or less.

If you want some money – no strings attached – then you’re in luck.

Momentum is growing behind the possibility of the West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger expanding to the Sunshine State.

A nor'easter blew through northeast Florida leaving Floridians in need of insurance help.

In-N-Out Burger could become the next Florida convert as a result of the state’s COVID-19 policies, or at least that’s what Florida’s Chief Financial Officer hopes.

Tuesday was “National Savings Day,” a day when spending less and saving more are emphasized.

Among the 18 firefighters honored in this year’s ceremony, we’re told three died from COVID infections, acquired in the line of duty.

An insurance agent was arrested and charged with fraud after state investigators said he submitted fraudulent life insurance policy applications without the knowledge or consent of the named policyholders in order to obtain commissions.

Texas is getting involved in Israel's battle with the socially conscious Ben & Jerry's ice cream brand.

A 19-year-old man was arrested Friday and charged with arson hours after Jacksonville Fire-Rescue put out a fire at a Southside mobile home.

At an 8 a.m. briefing Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis was breathing a sigh of relief that the effects of Tropical Storm Elsa hadn’t been worse, but he cautioned that dangers might still lie ahead.

Better Business Bureau urges both consumers and businesses to take precautions when responding to unsolicited offers in the wake of Tropical Storm Elsa.

As more human remains emerge from the rubble of the collapsed Florida condo tower, the dead now include the first children.

State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said two peer team members will be assigned to each unit.

As rescue crews continue their search for survivors, disturbing details are emerging about the structural history of the building.

The disaster in Surfside has drawn emergency crews from across Florida. The number on the ground is equal to what was deployed in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Panhandle in 2018, the state fire marshal said.

The fifth day of an unprecedented international rescue effort brought only grim news: Two more bodies were pulled from the twisted metal-and-concrete ruins of Champlain Towers South, raising the death toll on Monday to 11 and dimming prospects of finding survivors.

Officials say there are still 159 people unaccounted for after the partial collapse of a beachside building in Florida.

The arduous and heartbreaking task of recovering the bodies of victims at the site of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo began overnight and continued into a somber Friday morning in Surfside.

Authorities say nearly 100 people are still unaccounted for after part of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed in a town outside Miami.

It’s Monday, May 31, Memorial Day, and time to commemorate the men and women whose profound sacrifices allow us to gather freely today.

President Joe Biden will visit FEMA headquarters in Washington D.C. on Monday for a briefing on the Atlantic hurricane outlook and preparedness efforts. Florida is also expected to release new information on storm resources Monday.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Wednesday that the most recent Florida Unclaimed Property Online Auction brought in an impressive $899,000, with 59,000 items sold.

Registration begins Friday for the 2021 Florida Unclaimed Property Auction, which will be held online for the first time in the program’s history.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida businesses, governments and healthcare providers will be protected from coronavirus lawsuits if they made a good effort to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under a bill signed by Republican Gov. The legislation was the first bill to go to the governor during the 60-day legislative session that began March 2. In order for a lawsuit to move ahead, a plaintiff would have to show that the defendant deliberately ignored guidelines. DeSantis had a live band playing a cover version of The Beatles “With a Little Help from My Friends” in the Cabinet meeting room before he signed the bill. They said the language in the bill and need to prove gross negligence will make it difficult to bring a case forward.

The Associated Press interviewed each of the Cabinet members to discuss their 2021 legislative priorities:CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JIMMY PATRONISOne of Patronis's top priorities reflects an issue supported by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican legislative leaders: Passing a bill to shield businesses from lawsuits related to COVID-19. He said he was inspired by a California law that went into affect last year in that state. A wide ranging food insecurity bill would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for farmers who donate food to charities. “It makes sure that we can go after those folks like guardians and other fiduciaries that are exceeding their scope and taking advantage and exploiting seniors,” Moody said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis weighs in on what can be accomplished during Florida’s 2021 legislative session. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried shares her thoughts on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address. And University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab Director Dr. Michael Binder explains recent poll results.

Members of House and Senate panels have expressed concerns that workers who allege they contracted COVID-19 on the job aren’t getting workers’ compensation benefits. A state report shows that 29,400 coronavirus-related workers’ compensation claims were filed as of Dec. 31, including 13,409 claims filed by health care workers and educators. Claims related to COVID-19 accounted for 31 percent of the 93,228 workers’ compensation claims filed in 2020. Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business Florida, said it’s insurers, not employers, that determine whether workers’ compensation claims lead to payments. “Insurers licensed to provide workers’ compensation coverage in Florida are reminded of this statutory requirement, which must be applied on a non-discriminatory basis,” Altmaier’s memo said.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee on Monday encouraging them to consider relocating the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo to the United States and, more specifically, to Florida. “The state of Florida has successfully allowed sports to take place during the pandemic,” Patronis wrote to Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee. Additionally, our international tourist destinations, like Disney parks have been open and operating safely in Florida for some time. Japan was awarded the 2020 Summer Games in 2013 and has spent at least $25 billion preparing for the Olympics. Publicly, the International Olympic Committee and organizers in Japan are adamant that the games will happen and are planning for the four-month torch relay across Japan to begin March 25.

Bill sponsor Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said “fewer than 10” lawsuits have been filed against business owners related to COVID-19. The other proposed amendments were offered by Rep. Ben Diamond, a St. Petersburg Democrat who is an attorney. “I think that idea, candidly, jeopardizes the bill,” Diamond said. The committee shot down the two amendments by Diamond, including one that would have deleted the provision from the bill. Diamond called the withdrawn amendment “a first attempt at this issue” of providing greater protections to employees.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, whose job includes the role of state fire marshal, cautioned Floridians to follow fire-safety guidelines ahead of the first New Year’s holiday with a law bolstering the availability of fireworks. Ron DeSantis signed a measure (SB 140) that allows people 18 and older to buy fireworks to use on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Independence Day. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, called the state’s prior fireworks rules “one of the craziest laws we have on the books.” The old fireworks law prohibited explosives, such as firecrackers, torpedoes and roman candles, while allowing relatively innocuous devices such as sparklers. “You’re basically perjuring yourself every time you purchase fireworks, because you’re signing a paper that most people, I would say everyone, doesn’t use for that purpose,” Rodriguez said in February. The new law eliminated the need for people to declare why they are buying fireworks if they use the fireworks during the three holidays listed in the bill.

Ron DeSantis’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic Thursday, as first-time unemployment claims in Florida were up last week from the holiday-shortened previous week. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 25,012 initial jobless claims were submitted in Florida during the week that ended Dec. 5, up from 23,063 claims during the previous week, which included Thanksgiving. Last week’s Florida total was among the lowest for a seven-day period since pandemic-related unemployment exploded across the state and nation in March. Since the start of November, the state has averaged just over 26,000 new claims a week. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has paid out nearly $19.1 billion, mostly in federal money, to almost 2.13 million unemployment claimants since March 15.