NewsNight

NewsNight takes an in-depth look at the concerns of workers at Florida’s largest hospitality companies amid the changing immigration enforcement landscape under the Trump administration. Plus, a look at plans for a regulated Florida black bear hunting season in December, and next steps in the development of a permanent Pulse memorial.

Following weeks of tense negotiations, Florida lawmakers finally agree on a budget and tax plan. The panel also looks at the debate over the future of Tourist Development Tax revenues and how they should be spent. Plus, President Trump signals a shift in focus for his administration’s deportation program.

Concerns emerge over the readiness of FEMA and the National Weather Service as hurricane season gets underway in the Atlantic. The state’s flagship university faces uncertainty after the Florida Board of Governors rejects Santa Ono’s selection to be the school’s next president. Plus, a look at the latest developments at NASA amid questions over future leadership and funding.

As Epic Universe officially opens its doors, tourism industry leaders expect a boost to already record visitor numbers to the state. NewsNight looks at the likely impact of Central Florida’s newest theme park on the economy and infrastructure. Plus, Sunshine Corridor plans progress as a study is approved into a Sunrail extension to the airport and the attractions area.

Central Florida arts organizations watch the budget fight in Tallahassee as lawmakers debate spending levels, tax relief, and potential future changes to how Tourist Development Tax revenues can be used. Plus, a look at the growing calls for independent candidates to run in Florida’s next gubernatorial election.

This week of NewsNight, President Trump proposes a 24% cut to NASA’s budget, putting science programs and the future of the Space Launch System and Orion in doubt. And new polling shows a large majority of Floridians oppose repealing post-Parkland gun laws. Plus, a look at student homelessness in Central Florida.

This week of NewsNight, Governor DeSantis signs a bill supporters say will crackdown on fraud in the citizen-led constitutional amendment process, but that critics claim will make it too hard to get initiatives on the ballot. Plus, lawmakers pass new measures to try to ease cost burdens for condominium owners.

This week on NewsNight, local leaders face pressure from immigration advocates over state requirements to comply with federal enforcement agents. Plus, communities across Central Florida struggle with solutions to the region’s homeless population, as data show the number of unhoused people remains stubbornly high.

This week on NewsNight, Florida adds hundreds of millions of dollars for water quality projects around the state, including for the Indian River Lagoon. But federal DOGE efforts spark concerns over potential impacts on restoration work in the Everglades. Plus, a look at projections for the 2025 hurricane season.

This week on NewsNight, Central Florida food banks grapple with supply shortages triggered by federal funding cuts amid reports of unprecedented demand. Plus, Florida lawmakers discuss a potential sales tax cut as the state’s finances come into focus.

This week on NewsNight, local governments and agencies are pledging funds to pay for a study into the potential Sunshine Corridor between Orlando International Airport to the attractions area. Plus, a look at the potential economic impact on Central Florida of a drop in cross border travel from Canada.

This week on NewsNight, Florida begins implementing its new legislation aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigration, while state officials launch an effort to ensure local law enforcement compliance. And Florida politicians walk a tightrope on the ending of temporary protected status for Venezuelans and Haitians.

This week on NewsNight, conversations with Republican and Democratic lawmakers previewing the upcoming Florida legislative session which begins on March 4th. Plus, the panel looks at the key bills filed on issues ranging from changes to the state’s constitutional amendment process, to open carry on college campuses.

This week on NewsNight, Florida lawmakers compromise with Governor DeSantis on bills that include $300 million to tighten immigration enforcement and assist the Trump administration with its deportation efforts. Plus, the Department of Homeland Security halts an extension to Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, leaving the future for many in Florida uncertain.

This week on NewsNight, the Trump administration’s shake-up of government leads to changes at NASA. The panel looks at the president’s call for an expedited timetable for getting astronauts to Mars, and how cuts to federal spending might affect the space agency. Plus, Governor DeSantis floats relocating NASA headquarters to Florida.

This week on NewsNight, a conversation with outgoing Orlando International Airport CEO, Kevin Thibault, about major upgrades to support a continued increase in passenger numbers, the search for his replacement, and the future of transit connectivity in the Central Florida. Plus, the panel discusses next steps for Sunrail as local governments take over control of the commuter service from the state.

This week on NewsNight, Governor DeSantis clashes with legislative leaders over a bill to aid the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Plus, professors from a several state universities in Florida file a lawsuit challenging restrictions on DEI initiatives in higher education.