Florida News Roundup: Heat Dome Warning, Second Vibrio Death and More

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Florida news: South Florida and the Southeast are bracing for an intensifying heat dome, Florida recorded its second flesh-eating bacteria death of the year in Marion County, and a paddleboarder rescued a woman from an alligator attack. With Tuesday’s primary approaching, nearly 1.5 million Floridians have already voted, state officials submitted revised ballot language for the Amendment 3 property tax measure, and Florida is seeking to scrutinize The New York Times’ editorial process.

South Florida and the Southeast brace for intensifying heat dome

South Florida and the broader Southeast are preparing for an intensifying heat dome, NBC 6 South Florida reported. The forecast calls for dangerously hot conditions across the region in the days ahead. (NBC 6 South Florida, Aug. 14, 2026)

Florida records second flesh-eating bacteria death of the year

Florida recorded its second death this year tied to flesh-eating Vibrio bacteria, with the latest case reported in Marion County. CIDRAP reported the state’s second flesh-eating bacteria death of 2026, and WUSF confirmed the second Vibrio-related death was reported in Marion County. (CIDRAP, Aug. 11, 2026; WUSF, Aug. 9, 2026)

Paddleboarder rescues woman from alligator attack

A Florida paddleboarder rescued a woman from an alligator attack, The Guardian reported. The dramatic rescue took place in Florida waters this week, according to the report. (The Guardian, Aug. 11, 2026)

Nearly 1.5 million Floridians have already voted ahead of Tuesday’s primary

Nearly 1.5 million Floridians had voted in advance of Tuesday’s primary elections, Florida Phoenix reported Friday. Early voting ends soon, and mail-in voting has declined sharply ahead of the August primary, according to the Tallahassee Democrat and Miami Herald. (floridaphoenix.com, Aug. 14, 2026; Tallahassee Democrat, Aug. 14, 2026; Miami Herald, Aug. 10, 2026)

Florida submits revised Amendment 3 property tax ballot language

Florida officials submitted revised ballot language for Amendment 3, the property tax measure, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. WKMG also reported on the new language for the state’s property tax amendment. (Tallahassee Democrat, Aug. 14, 2026; WKMG, Aug. 14, 2026)

Florida seeks to scrutinize The New York Times’ editorial process

Florida is seeking to scrutinize The New York Times’ editorial process, Politico reported. The move signals a new front in the state’s ongoing clashes with national media outlets. (Politico, Aug. 10, 2026)

For more on the Sunshine State, see the Florida guide.