While state universities are starting the new academic year in July with a major financial boost, Florida's 28 state colleges will face a budget cut.

The University of Florida finished first among the 11 universities eligible for state performance funding in the upcoming budget year, garnering $55 million of the $245 million total.
 
UF netted $7 million in new performance funding, up from $48 million in the current year, in a list approved Thursday by the state university system's Board of Governors, which was meeting at the University of South Florida.
 

A new study that followed the outcomes of Florida university students who earned bachelor's degrees in 2015 shows that more than 90 percent of students were working within one year of graduation, with full-time employees earning a median salary of $39,100.

Candidates seeking to follow Gov. Rick Scott are off to a fast fundraising start, with new reports showing Adam Putnam holding a money advantage in the 2018 governor's race.

Temporary “protected status” has been extended for another six months for thousands of Haitians who fled to the United States after their island was ravaged by an earthquake in 2010.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Monday said “after a careful review of the current conditions in Haiti and conversations with the Haitian government,” he has agreed to extend the temporary protected status until Jan. 22.

Florida lawmakers on Monday approved a budget that will dramatically increase university funding and student financial aid, while leaders defended a performance standard that could impact the University of South Florida.

With the state battling 106 wildfires covering 124,000 acres as of Wednesday, Florida's top forestry official warned the fire season has yet to reach its peak.

Jim Karels, director of the Florida Forest Service, said Florida is experiencing an "active early fire season," with drought conditions throughout the state.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala said Monday he was glad to have made it "a third of the way" through the annual legislative session.

"Only 14 more weeks to go," Latvala, R-Clearwater, told the Capital Tiger Bay Club during a lunchtime appearance a few blocks from the Capitol.

As he moves to a job at Florida Atlantic University, state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said Tuesday his more than 16 years as a Florida lawmaker and Cabinet member have been "an honor of a lifetime."

The Florida House is pushing for $164 million in budget cuts in its initial higher-education budgets.