A new state law, House Bill 253, took effect in October and makes it illegal to display anything that obscures a vehicle’s license plate — even partially or from an angle. Since the law passed, questions and confusion have flooded social media and local law enforcement inboxes.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has announced results of a worldwide operation called Fentanyl Free America, which was also conducted in the Sunshine State, including the Jacksonville area.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is Florida’s presumed top target in its search to replace fired coach Billy Napier.

The eastern two-thirds of the United States is experiencing some of the coldest weather of the autumn season.

After New York City elected Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood invited New Yorkers to move to the Sunshine State.

Football is back in Jacksonville, but as you know, the Sunshine State isn’t always bright and sunny. Here’s what you need to know before heading to EverBank Stadium.

Florida plans to become the first state to eliminate vaccine mandates that have been a cornerstone of public health policy for decades in keeping schoolchildren and citizens safe from infectious diseases.

Homeowners’ associations have been a mainstay in many Florida communities for decades now, imposing rules on their neighborhoods to help keep property values steady. But now, a South Florida lawmaker is considering the elimination of HOAs across the Sunshine State, as reported by our sister station WKMG in Orlando.

Florida is now one of six states moving to ban sugary junk food items from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) benefits starting next year.

Florida has carried out a record ninth execution this year, putting to death a man convicted of killing his wife and their two children decades ago.

Florida’s population has grown faster than any other state since 2020, according to the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates released on Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot. More than 4,000 animal species, in fact, are native to the Sunshine State.

The United States Census Bureau released on Thursday its 2024 population estimates, and Jacksonville was among the cities that experienced some notable growth.

The Jaguars released receiver Gabe Davis on Wednesday, quickly moving on from the costly free agent who had a turbulent season in Jacksonville before going on injured reserve.

From sky-high property taxes to soaring insurance premiums, affordability is becoming a dealbreaker for people wanting to move to the Sunshine State, and it’s resulting in bold proposals from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A massive Sargassum bloom is spreading across the Atlantic, but Florida’s beaches are likely to stay clear this season. Discover how ocean currents and advanced satellite tracking are keeping the seaweed offshore—and why the Caribbean is facing greater impacts.

It’s starting to feel like an annual tradition: Panthers vs.

The push to pay all high school coaches better in Florida hit the state Capitol on Tuesday morning as members of the Florida Coaches Coalition spent more than five hours meeting with lawmakers and making their case for better pay.

Political analyst Sean Freeder joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on this week's Politics & Power to talk about the issues surrounding DOGE -- both DeSantis & Musk style.

For 2024, Florida was listed among the top states in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. While the Sunshine State ranked No. 9 overall, it was the top state nationwide for “Education” and “Economy.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis named his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as the state’s attorney general.

The Fort Mose Jazz and Blue Series is continuing its tradition of bringing live music to one of the most historical sites in the nation—Fort Mose Historic State Park.

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, lightning is one of nature’s deadliest and most unpredictable weather phenomena. Meteorologists can forecast the general conditions that cause lightning but no one can predict exactly when or where lightning will strike.

When the sun rose on the Gulf Coast Wednesday, palm trees were dusted with snow, waves crashed on icy beaches, and overjoyed Southerners grabbed whatever would slide and headed for the closest hill.

Freezing temperatures and snow are moving across Florida this week. AAA has advice to help residents stay safe while protecting their home and car.

In a rare sight in Florida, snow plows were deployed across the state on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning to help clear the roads of snow and ice.

When you think about the Panhandle of Florida you think of Destin, Pensacola, 30A, and white sandy beaches. On Tuesday, those sandy beaches turned into white SNOWY beaches!

Florida drivers might think they’re experts at driving in dangerous conditions, but subfreezing temperatures this week are bringing the possibility of an unusual hazard for the Sunshine State: icy roads.

A rare frigid storm is charging through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast, blanketing New Orleans and Houston with snow, closing highways and grounding nearly all flights.

After one of the worst years in decades for home sales in the Sunshine State, local realtors are reporting an uptick in activity to start 2025.

Hockey.

Beginning January 1, 2025, a widely used adult website will be revoked from the state of Florida.

Beginning January 1, 2025, a widely used adult website will be banned in the state of Florida.

More than 119 million Americans will travel for the holidays. More than 7 million Floridians have holiday travel plans.

Florida leads the nation with more than 88 reported burglaries per 100,000 people. That’s nearly four times the national average of 22.5 per 100,000.

When it comes to bridges in Florida, there is plenty to see and explore. From historic to short, tall to long, there are a variety of monumental and breathtaking bridges to drive to. According to the National Day Calendar, November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month.

Amendment 4, a ballot proposal that would have enshrined abortion rights in the Florida Constitution, failed Tuesday, giving a major political victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis — and dealing a huge blow to abortion-rights supporters.

Hurricane Milton’s devastating landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast hit one of the most popular areas for temporary residents who spend the winter months living in the Sunshine State.

On the first day of early voting, voters across the Sunshine State, including those in St. Johns and Duval counties, got a chance to cast their ballots ahead of the November 5th election.

In response to Hurricane Milton, local nonprofit City Rescue Mission announced it will increase its overnight capacity and extend its hours for people seeking shelter.

The abortion battle is intensifying in Florida with Amendment 4 supporters saying Gov. Ron DeSantis is engaging in government overreach and breaking the law by tapping into taxpayer-funded resources to fight the November ballot initiative. Also, is Florida in play for Kamala Harris? And the three key states that could put Donald Trump back in the White House.

Gas prices are quickly falling across the Sunshine State after a drop in the crude oil market, according to the American Automobile Association.

Democratic Party heavyweight Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear spoke to News4JAX about how the party plans to change Florida to a swing state.

The Democratic National Convention is well underway and much of the discussion for Florida delegates who are on hand in Chicago is Jacksonville.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried is hosting the first of four delegation breakfasts on Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Researchers looked at several factors, including hurricane risk assessments and anticipated financial loss from hurricanes according to FEMA.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is worried about two amendments to the state constitution that will be on the ballot in November.

Drivers gave mixed reactions to the new welcome signs at the Florida state line.

A new bill that goes into effect on July 1 creates a voucher program that gives free swim lessons for kids.

Florida is one of the most attractive states for investors because of weak tenant-protection laws, a recent study found.

The Sunshine State's economy is so large that if it were a country, it would rank in the top 20 in the world.

Six swing states could swing the pendulum in the presidential election. Right now Florida isn’t among them.

U.S. officials who predict, prepare for and respond to natural disasters have a message for Floridians: It’s not a matter of if but when a hurricane will hit the state.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is relocating from Atlanta to Jacksonville this fall, making the announcement on Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.

Carter Verhaeghe tapped in a pinpoint pass from Aleksander Barkov for the lead 58 seconds into the third period, Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 of their NHL playoff series opener.

A new study ranked Florida as one of the most dangerous states for online dating.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in favor of paying high school football coaches in the state more.

The new pro-wrestling themed movie is released in select theaters this week. The producers of the sci-fi movie joined the latest episode of the Going Ringside podcast

Climate researchers are raising the alarm about sea level rise, tidal flooding, and extreme rain.

Growing up aboard a sailboat amidst Florida’s coastal beauty, Jonas Lorence’s heart remains tethered to the Sunshine State despite his relocation to Texas. Fondly recalling Florida as a cherished second home, Jonas Lorence Band has left its musical mark across the state, with vibrant performances echoing through iconic locales like St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach. From salty sea breezes to the lively rhythms of Funky Little Beach Town, the essence of Florida permeates Jonas Lorence’s musical journey, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the Sunshine State.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold public hearings next week to determine if two private insurance companies can increase their premiums by more than 53%.

Lawyers trying to keep an abortion-rights measure off the Florida ballot told the state Supreme Court that the proposed amendment is deceptive.

Lawyers trying to keep an abortion-rights measure off the Florida ballot told the state Supreme Court that the proposed amendment is deceptive.

The largest bank in America announced an investment in Northeast Florida. JPMorgan Chase plans to open ten new branches in the region, which would increase branch presence by about 50%.

Florida lawmakers and Jacksonville-area residents are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to do more to address what economists call an “affordable housing crisis.”

It was a wide-ranging debate where the candidates touched on various topics including foreign policy, abortion, and aid to Ukraine, but two statements raised some eyebrows and made News4JAX run them through the Trust Index.

Grayson Howard transfers from South Carolina to Florida

A petition initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida constitution has reached the necessary number of verified signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot.

About 35 million visitors came to Florida between July and September of 2023. That’s according to the latest numbers from Visit Florida.

Florida's citrus production is expected to improve in the upcoming season compared to last year when twin hurricanes battered the state.

As a major hurricane, Idalia not only threatens the lives of Floridians but also the progress of Florida’s property insurance market that was already in crisis.

To ensure students are prepared to start the school year on the right foot, volunteers, organizations and others have organized backpack giveaways and free school supply events.

The oldest historically Black collegiate fraternity in the U.S. says it is relocating a planned convention in two years from Florida because of what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration’s “harmful, racist and insensitive” policies towards African Americans.

Travelers, considered a bellwether for the insurance industry due to its size, said catastrophe losses doubled in its most recent quarter and the company swung to a loss as severe wind and hail storms in a number of regions led to rising coverage claims.

AAA says it won’t renew a small percentage of homeowner and auto insurance policies in hurricane-wracked Florida, joining other insurers in limiting their exposure in the Sunshine State.

This will be the second true “heatwave” of the summer, and will likely result in Heat Advisories and feels like temperatures above 105° in the afternoon.

Record ocean heat has invaded Florida with a vengeance.

At least 100 people lined Atlantic Boulevard near Spring Park Road on Thursday morning to protest Florida’s new immigration laws.

The largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in the U.S. has joined other civil rights organizations in issuing a travel advisory for Florida.

National Safe Boating Week begins this weekend, and boating experts are sharing some simple rules to keep you safe -- and alive.

New data shows that March is the deadliest month to drive in the Sunshine State, and Jacksonville tops the list of deadly crashes statewide.

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Day is commemorated every March 29 as a day to publicly honor the courage and sacrifice of the 3 million men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War.

A $711 million plan to make housing more affordable statewide is headed to the governor’s desk, and there is also help on the way for people in Jacksonville who are struggling to pay bills.

At its statewide conference in Orlando, member organizations of the Florida NAACP voted unanimously to recommend that the national NAACP board issue a nationwide travel advisory against moving or visiting the Sunshine State.

Advocates for open government are ringing alarms about plans by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration that could make it harder to learn what public officials are doing and to speak out against them.

AAA survey said 83% of Floridians plan to travel this year. That’s significantly higher than the 61% in 2022.

Flagler Palm Coast is on the search for a head football coach after Robert Paxia announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon.

The News4JAX I-TEAM found that short-term vacation rentals are helping to drive up traditional rents in Northeast Florida, and it's not just in tourist hot spots.

The U.S. population center is on track this decade to take a southern swerve for the first time in history.

Did you know Florida produces 25% of the world's supply of ____?

People could soon get the abortion pill at retail pharmacies.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was sworn in on Tuesday in Tallahassee for the start of his second term.

As soon as 2023 rings in, Florida leaders will be sworn-in for their four-year terms in office.

As 2023 inches closer, records and data show the Sunshine State changed a lot in the past year. From overall population to housing and politics, 2022′s impact on Florida was significant.

When the new year starts in less than a week, a number of new laws will take effect in Florida.

Say the word crocodile and many people think of Australia, the Amazon or even those National Geographic specials showing huge reptiles ambushing wildebeests crossing rivers.

For the surfing Santas off Florida’s central coast, the Atlantic Ocean felt more like the North Pole than the Sunshine State as temperatures plunged to around freezing, while freeze warnings were in place for at least half of the state.

Local realtors are responding to what a study conducted by a national research team called “alarming signs” that could show a housing crisis is in the future for cities in the Sunshine State.

Hurricane Ian not only ravaged southwest Florida on land but was destructive underwater as well.

It has been an active stretch for hurricanes in Florida in the past seven years.