Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida

Attorneys for the businesses that challenged the state law filed a motion seeking $749,642 in fees and $41,144 in additional costs related to the lengthy legal battle. The state faces an Oct. 28 deadline to respond to the request.

The lawsuit came after a record 1,100 manatees died in 2021 in Florida, many because a lack of seagrass — a key food source — led to starvation. The most deaths, 358, were in Brevard County, which includes a large part of the Indian River Lagoon.

The Leon County judge rejected an injunction request by the sponsor of the ballot measure and wrote it is not for the courts to intervene and "decide what the people will be permitted to consider."

An analysis suggests that Helene’s private insurance market losses could land in the range of $3 billion to $6 billion. Additional federal losses could approach $1 billion.

The committee pushing for Amendment 4 claims a website and ads created by the state Agency for Health Care Administration are carrying "misinformation." The agency says it is providing facts for Floridians.

It returned the permitting authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A federal judge this week refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Florida has violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that have helped lead to manatee deaths.

The state urged a federal judge to toss out a constitutional challenge to a new law preventing strippers under 21 from performing in adult-entertainment establishments.

The law, which took effect July 1, includes second-degree felony charges for people who employ or allow dancers under 21 to perform nude in the establishments.

It claims the state's Agency for Health Care Administration is spreading misinformation.