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Florida starts school Monday. Does its annual sales tax holiday help?

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Florida starts school Monday. Does its annual sales tax holiday help?


The big story: Ready or not, students across the Tampa Bay region and Florida start returning to classes on Monday.

Many teachers headed back a week or so ago, preparing their classrooms and getting updates on the latest rules, initiatives and approaches they’ll implement in the new academic year. Bus drivers have been out practicing their routes, while safety officers have put in place the latest security measures.

As for parents, they’ve had the opportunity the past several days to get their back to school supplies tax-free, as part of Florida’s annual tax holiday intended to make it more affordable to get things like fresh outfits, new electronics and basics such as folders and pencils. The tax hiatus runs through Sunday.

But do such events make a real financial difference for families, or are they simply gimmicks politicians can use to claim they lowered taxes? It depends on which experts you ask. Read more here.

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Hot topics

Taxes: Monroe County voters will decide the fate of the school district’s local-option property and sales taxes in November, Keys Weekly reports.

School board elections: Republicans and Democrats are looking to August school board races as an indicator of how November might look, despite board elections being nonpartisan, News Service of Florida reports. • The primary is 11 days away. Check out the Tampa Bay Times’ voter guide to learn about Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas candidates before casting your ballot.

Salaries: Teachers in Florida’s Treasure Coast are finding it more difficult to afford living the communities where they work, WPTV reports.

Safety: Four north Florida school districts are partnering with the local prosecutor’s office to curb youth violence and substance abuse, Jacksonville Today reports. • Miami-Dade County schools aren’t keen on walkthrough metal detectors, despite the interest of neighboring districts, WTVJ reports.

New schools: After two years in portables, students at an Alachua County middle school will get to take classes in a newly rebuilt school, the Gainesville Sun reports.

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Enrollment: Volusia County schools are experiencing an enrollment downturn, making it more difficult for budgeting, Hometown News Volusia reports.

Cellphones: Lee County schools are looking into how new cellphone restrictions will be enforced, WINK reports.

Book challenges: An Osceola County book store has launched a section focused on books removed from local school library shelves, Spectrum 13 reports.

In higher ed

FAMU: An independent report says the “fraudulent” contribution of $237 million to Florida A&M University was void long ago, Associated Press reports. • FAMU trustees said they hope to have a new president in place by June 2025, WFSU reports.

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USF: The USF College of Public Health has a new dean.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

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Before you go … Can you play music as well as an orangutan?



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This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026

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This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026


This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — On the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida” host Janine Stanwood welcomes President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Audra Berg, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning for the South Florida Water Management District Carolina Maran, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and State Rep. Kevin Chambliss.

The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

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Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.



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Florida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days

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Florida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days




Florida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days – CBS Chicago

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Police say the 36-year-old man was missing for six days before he was found in quicksand-like muck at a sand plant.

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South Florida leaders take preventative safety measures after the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran

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South Florida leaders take preventative safety measures after the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran


South Florida leaders are taking preventative measures to keep residents safe after the U.S. and Israel launched major strikes on Iran early Saturday morning.

Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella-Levine Cava issued a statement reacting to the military operation that President Trump dubbed on Truth Social as “Operation Epic Fury.”

The statement reads: “The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran poses serious risks to regional stability and international safety.”

She goes on to say that her thoughts are “with the people of Israel and the Jewish community here in South Florida who are watching these events with worry and uncertainty.” She also says the Iranian people “deserve peace, safety, dignity, and the freedom to live without repression.”

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Of the Trump administration’s decision to launch the military operation, Levine-Cava writes: “Any military action taken without congressional authorization is a dangerous precedent, and we must learn from our nation’s past challenges. What must come next is a serious effort to restore stability and pursue diplomacy, not further violence.”

As for measures she will be taking, she says she asked her Chief of Public Safety to “ensure public safety agencies are aware and ready to activate plans in case of any disruption.”

The Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz also issued a statement saying that MDSO is “taking immediate security measures by increasing patrols to ensure the safety of our residents.” She said that they have increased security presence around places of worship, cultural centers, and schools. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the servicemen and women protecting our national security interests around the globe,” Cordero-Stutz wrote. 

Aventura Police have also responded to the current situation on X, saying that they are monitoring the “current situation in the Middle East with our local, state, and federal partners.”

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@aventurapoliceis monitoring the current situation in the Middle East with our local, state and federal partners. At this time there are no known or credible threats to the US or Miami-Dade County. In an abundance of caution, we have implemented a heightened security posture with directed patrols at our religious facilities and other sensitive locations throughout @cityofaventuraWe will continue to monitor and report any suspicious behavior.https://x.com/aventurapolice/status/2027787245164335222/photo/1

X/Aventura Police


They go on to say: “At this time, there are no known or credible threats to the U.S. or Miami-Dade County.” However, they note that in “an abundance of caution,” they will be increasing security in religious facilities and other locations they deem as “sensitive” throughout the city.

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The City of Miami Beach also posted its statement to X, saying it is also “closely monitoring the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” They also note that at this time, there are no known credible threats to the city.

They write: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have increased our uniformed presence at synagogues, schools, and other key locations citywide. We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners and leaders within the faith-based community.”

screenshot-2026-02-28-at-2-07-36-pm.png

Miami Beach Police Department Increases Patrols Ahead of Purim Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflicthttps://x.com/MiamiBeachPD/status/2027752171173773807/photo/1

X/Miami Beach Police


They also urge residents to report any “suspicious or unlawful activity” to call their non-emergency number at 305-673-7901 or, if it is an emergency, call 911. 

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Other cities’ police departments, such as Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, and Hallendale Beach, posted on their social media that they will also increase security measures after the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. 



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