Jason Shoaf

Opponents of the bill said the state and communities should focus on securing garbage so bears will not be attracted to homes

Supporters point to increased incidents of bears venturing into residential communities, while critics say the change will result in more deaths of the once-threatened bears.

It’s being called a huge win for Florida’s environment

Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida, with the most-recent hunt held in 2015

On Tuesday, the Florida House gathered in the Capitol for day two of a week-long special legislative session.

Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, has introduced such legislation the past two years. “It’s what we need here in North Florida. We’re inundated," Shoaf said.

The Apalachee Center gave “Community Hero” awards to state Senator Corey Simon, state Representatives Jason Shoaf and Allison Tant, and Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil.

A legislative budget panel this week gave Gov. Ron DeSantis millions more dollars to pump into storm recovery projects, two weeks after category 4 Hurricane Ian landed in Southwest Florida and crossed the state. Ian landed nearly 4 years after category 5 Michael hit the Panhandle, where recovery continues.

TALLAHASSEE --- Republicans Jason Shoaf and Randy Maggard won special elections Tuesday for House seats in North Florida and Pasco County, keeping the…

Jason Shoaf and Randy Maggard could be halfway to the Florida House.Shoaf, a Port St. Joe Republican, and Maggard, a Dade City Republican, easily won GOP…