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pushback grows against Florida State Parks development plans

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pushback grows against Florida State Parks development plans


Florida has 75 state parks that draw millions every year. This week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection released development proposals for nine state parks, including two in the Tampa Bay area. 

The plan adds amenities and lodging to parks in what Governor Ron DeSantis has called “the great outdoors initiative.” 

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The sunshine state has more than 800,000 acres of land within its state parks – with 2.3 million visitors each year – including Honeymoon Island and Hillsborough River State Park in the Bay Area.

Florida wants to add golf courses, pickleball to state parks

Under the governor’s proposal, nine parks in Florida would undergo major developments, including 18-hole golf courses, pickleball courts and 350-room park lodges.

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Plans for the state parks in Tampa Bay call for four pickleball courts at each park, and a disc golf course. It’s getting push back from local groups. 

“We just feel really strong that don’t fix it if it’s not broken, and that the state owns a lot of land in the state of Florida that they could use to do something like that with that’s not a state park,” said Robin Miller with Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. “It’s impossible not to disrupt the wildlife, the birds, you know, all of the things that each park has.”

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Republican Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have come out against the proposal, along with other state officials from both parties. 

READ: Great Horned Owl that escaped during Tropical Storm Debby dies after being rescued

“Florida natural spaces are unique and special, and I adamantly oppose Governor DeSantis’ radical plan to literally pave paradise and put up a pickleball court … Florida’s unique natural lands and habitats — our state’s identity and way of life — should not be bulldozed to cut developers a cheap deal,” said Representative Kathy Castor from Tampa Bay.

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However, the Department of Environmental Protection said the plans only hope to expand public access to parks, increase outdoor activities and provide more lodging options to accommodate more tourists in these destinations.  

Following major public interest in the plans, the Florida DEP said on Friday that they are rescheduling planned meetings for next week to accommodate bigger crowds. Meetings are now expected the week of Sept. 2.

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Infant viciously mauled by family bulldog during diaper change in Florida home

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Infant viciously mauled by family bulldog during diaper change in Florida home


A 1-year-old Florida boy was viciously mauled by his family’s bulldog as his mother changed his diaper at home, police said.

The terrifying attack unfolded Friday afternoon when the six-year-old American bulldog suddenly lunged at the infant inside the Hallandale home, about 20 miles north of Miami, according to the Hallandale Police Department, multiple outlets reported.

The mother had looked away for just a moment during the changing – then sprang into action when she heard the dog growl and attack the boy, the devastated father told WPLG.

The terrifying attack unfolded Friday afternoon when the six-year-old American bulldog suddenly lunged at the infant during a diaper change inside the Hallandale home. WPLG Local 10

She managed to rescue the infant from the canine’s jaws but was also bitten during the frantic struggle.

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The child, who reportedly suffered serious injuries, was airlifted to a local children’s hospital. 

Aerial footage from WPLG captured the panicked mother running behind the baby’s stretcher as medics rushed him inside. 

The child, who reportedly suffered serious injuries, was airlifted to a local children’s hospital.  WPLG Local 10

The boy’s father, who surrendered the hostile dog to Broward County Animal Care and Control, said the dog had never acted aggressively before the horrifying incident, NBC 6 South Florida reported.

Neighbor Roy Green also noted the bulldog always seemed calm and was heartbroken for the family.

“Somebody having a baby that young I know how they feel,” Green told WPLG.

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While the young boy is expected to make a full recovery, the dog was reportedly euthanized Saturday. WPLG Local 10

“I seen it when [the father] laid down on the ground, he was crying. It’s really sad.”

While the young boy is expected to make a full recovery, the dog was reportedly euthanized Saturday.

An investigation is ongoing.



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Florida locks in official visit from 4-star safety Jaylen Scott

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Florida locks in official visit from 4-star safety Jaylen Scott



The Mobile, Alabama defensive prospect sets official stop in Gainesville, adding defensive backfield firepower to Gators’ 2027 recruiting efforts.

The Florida Gators landed a significant recruiting visit this spring as four-star safety Jaylen Scott set an official visit to Gainesville, joining a growing list of top defensive targets exploring Florida’s 2027 class.

The 6-foot, 165-pound standout from Mobile (Alabama) Williamson is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top safeties in his class and has drawn attention from several Power Four programs. His decision to schedule an official visit followed a productive in-school visit with head coach Jon Sumrall and safeties coach Chris Collins, a connection he emphasized as a factor in his recruiting process.

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“The school visit with Coach Sumrall — and my relationship with Coach Collins,” Scott said of what led to setting the trip.

The Gators pursuit of Scott comes as Florida continues to strengthen its secondary under a new coaching regime. Florida already boasts young defensive backfield talent like Jordan Castell, and adding Scott could solidify future leadership in the secondary.

Jalen Scott’s Recruiting Summary

Scott is ranked No. 153 overall and No. 15 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 industry ranking has him at No. 112. He has offers from 20 total schools so far, including eight other SEC programs and the Florida State Seminoles.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.





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Florida’s tourism is the highest it’s ever been, and it’s all thanks to a rise in domestic travel, Gov. DeSantis said

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Florida’s tourism is the highest it’s ever been, and it’s all thanks to a rise in domestic travel, Gov. DeSantis said


Florida attracted a record 143.3 million visitors last year, up 0.2 percent from 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced Friday.

The preliminary estimate is bolstered by domestic tourism, which accounted for 91.5 percent of the travelers. The 131 million domestic visitors were up 0.3 percent from 2024.

Overseas travel was up 4 percent on the 2024 figures, with nearly 9.3 million visitors.

But the 2.9 million Canadian visitors for all of 2025 marked a 14.7 percent drop from 2024.

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Last month, tourism leaders in Florida said they were expanding efforts to draw Canadians, where the U.S. has seen a travel backlash over the words and actions of President Donald Trump, from tariffs to calling the U.S.’s northern neighbor the 51st state.

“We’re doing what we can, just as we are with any country outside the United States, to make sure that visitation remains strong,” Visit Florida President and CEO Bryan Griffin said during an executive committee meeting on Jan. 26.

Friday’s release from DeSantis’ office stated that the Canadian visitation remained “consistent with historical trends where Canadian travel represents approximately two percent of total visitation.”

In 2019, the last year before the COVID pandemic, Canadians were at 3.11 percent of the state’s tourism figures, with 4.088 million Canadians among an overall tourist count of 131.07 million.

The release also put fourth quarter numbers at a record 33.5 million travelers, of which 30.31 million were domestic, 2.55 million were overseas and 642,000 were Canadian.

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The fourth quarter count is up 0.6 percent from the same quarter of 2024, with domestic visitors up 0.8 percent, overseas travel up 2.7 percent and Canadian visits down 13.1 percent.

At the January executive committee meeting, Griffin anticipated growth with the overseas figures as the top three sources were showing growth: Brazil was up 10.4 percent, the United Kingdom saw a 6 percent increase, and visits from Colombia were 6 percent higher than in 2024.



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