Central Florida park closed as search continues for alligator that attacked a cow

Pine Meadows Conservation Area is closed until further notice

by Mia Schaeperkoetter April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

An alligator attempted to drag a cow into water in the Pine Meadows Conservation Area, located just under an hour north of downtown Orlando.

Florida News

‘Climate cartel’: Uthmeier subpoenas environmental nonprofit for alleged trade law violations

“The Climate Cartel is trying to hijack our judicial system to accomplish their net-zero carbon agenda,” Uthmeier said

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Florida News

‘God Squad’ withdrawal of protection for Gulf species draws another challenge

Environmental groups want to block Trump administration rules letting energy companies bypass endangered species protections in the Gulf

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Florida News

Trump admin sued over move to strip endangered species protections in Gulf

“The God Squad” voted to exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from environmental safeguards

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Arts + Culture

Orlando’s 26 best trails for hiking, biking and being outdoors

Touch grass!

by Orlando Weekly March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs bill that could block proposed Manatee County cruise ship terminal

“Construction of a new port next door I think struck a lot of people as being unnecessary,” DeSantis said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

News

Florida bill banning local government ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

News

Coalition calls on Legislature to address $759M backlog of state park repairs

A coalition of 32 groups and businesses is urging Florida state lawmakers to step up funding for repairs to the Florida State Parks system

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 9, 2026March 10, 2026

News

Winter freeze causes more than $3B in Florida agriculture losses

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson described the freeze events as “one of the most damaging” in Florida agriculture history

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

News

New bill would ban cites, counties from enacting climate change policies

The bill says that it is Florida state policy to prohibit the adoption or implementation of “net-zero policies” by government entities

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

Orlando Area News

SeaWorld Orlando rescues 16 sea turtles amid cold snap

SeaWorld’s animal care team is providing treatment with the goal of stabilizing and rehabilitating the sea turtles until they are healthy

by Juanita Olarte February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

News

Youth climate-change activists redirect focus to opposing AI data centers

Activists are backing legislation that would protect Floridians from being taken advantage of by corporations’ AI data centers

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

a glass of filthy, polluted water on a white background

News

Florida lawmaker is back with bill promoting water pollution

House Bill 479 is this year’s worst of the worst.

by Craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

News

Bear hunt, land swaps, electric rates: Florida’s environmental year in review

Fifty-two black bears were “harvested” during the 2025 Florida black bear hunt, the first of its kind in a decade, FWC announced this week.

by Christine Sexton and Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

News

Video shows police wrestling alligator in Central Florida backyard

Two deputies are seen following the animal from the front porch to the backyard, which the gator got to by ramming open a gate

by Chloe Greenberg September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

News

Florida cuts number of bear hunt permits to be issued

A commission spokeswoman didn’t give an explanation for the decrease

by News Service of Florida September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

News

Conservation group launches lawsuit against Florida bear hunt

Bear Warriors United argues killing ‘187 bears will cause imminent and irreparable harm to the Florida black bear species’

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

News

Florida approves first bear hunt in a decade despite pushback, potential lawsuit

Opponents announced plans to quickly file a lawsuit to fight the hunt, contending the commission hasn’t followed its own rules about the need to follow a science-based approach

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida August 13, 2025September 22, 2025

News

Two endangered Florida panther kittens struck and killed by vehicle

That brings Florida’s total panther deaths to 12 so far this year

by Chloe Greenberg August 13, 2025August 23, 2025

News

Florida wildlife officials appear poised to OK the state’s first bear hunt in a decade

The FWC gathers this week in North Florida for a final vote

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix August 12, 2025August 24, 2025