The News Service of Florida

A Senate committee next week will hold a panel discussion about issues affecting condominium owners and associations, as many residents grapple with increased costs. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will hold the discussion Jan. 14, according to a Senate calendar. The committee’s chairwoman, Fleming Island Republican Jennifer Bradley, and vice chairman, Sunny Isles Beach Democrat Jason Pizzo, have been key players in recent years on condominium issues. Lawmakers during a 2022 special legislative session passed a measure aimed at requiring condominium associations to have adequate financial reserves to pay for needed repairs to buildings. Also, the bill set requirements for inspections of condominium buildings that are three stories or higher. Any “substantial structural deterioration” found by engineers or architects would require more-detailed inspections. Association boards were also required to have “structural integrity reserve” studies to determine how much money should be set aside. The law was tweaked in 2023, and the Legislature in 2024 passed a measure that targeted wrongdoing by members of association boards. The laws, along with higher property-insurance premiums for condominium associations, have led to residents facing increased costs. Lawmakers passed the changes after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 people.

During the tranquil, contemplative days at the end of each year and the start of another, editorial writers and network commentators pause and take a long look at events shaping our lives.

A service is scheduled Jan. 15 in Ocala for former Gov. Buddy MacKay, who died on New Year’s Eve at age 91.

TALLAHASSEE — As an appeals court considers the constitutionality of a 2023 Florida law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows, it also is looking at another question: Is the case moot after an Orlando restaurant that challenged the law closed and said it plans to reopen elsewhere?

State emergency-management officials are advising people in North Florida and Central Florida to brace for cold weather Tuesday. “Frigid temperatures & breezy winds will make temperatures feel much colder than they actually are tomorrow morning across North & Central FL,” the state Division of Emergency Management said in a post Monday on the social media site X. “Remember to dress in multiple loose warm layers & break out your hats & gloves!” The Weather Channel on Monday projected temperatures falling Tuesday morning to 30 degrees in Pensacola and 31 degrees in Jacksonville, while going down to 39 degrees in Orlando and 40 degrees in Tampa.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will take a little more time to mull a replacement for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been tapped to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state. DeSantis on Tuesday said he will appoint a senator to complete the remaining two years of Rubio’s term around the time of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. “I think we've got a number of great candidates, but I want to make sure that we know what we're going to get,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Tampa. When Rubio was named to Trump’s Cabinet in November, DeSantis said he expected to name a replacement by the beginning of January. DeSantis reiterated Tuesday his appointee must be strong on immigration enforcement and support cutting the federal bureaucracy. “I can endorse somebody and they run and win, like they don't owe me anything,” DeSantis said. “But, if I'm appointing you, I want to know that you're going to be strong on all these issues. Then you run in ‘26 and get elected on your own. Right? Great. And then you can, you know, you answer to the voters there. But this one, for these next two years, we want somebody that's really going to be able to deliver.” Rubio’s term is scheduled to expire in 2028, but DeSantis’ appointee would serve until an election is held in 2026. Several names continue to be floated as potential candidates, including Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, state Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fl., and James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ chief of staff.

Florida had more than 5,900 deaths linked to COVID-19 in 2024 — but the total was far lower than during the previous four years.

News organizations have a major problem with a lack of public confidence, our Capitol Columnist writes.

During the tranquil, contemplative days at the end of each year and the start of another, editorial writers and network commentators pause and take a long look at events shaping our lives.

Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, represents District 16, which is a key part of a redistricting lawsuit.