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With property insurance described as a "hidden tax" on homeowners, Florida lawmakers gave final approval to a massive bill to overhaul the state's troubled insurance market. But supporters acknowledge it's designed to keep more private insurers in the state rather than lower rates, and for some homeowners, the bill could increase costs.

The Florida Senate on Tuesday approved sweeping legislation that would overhaul the state’s property insurance system, which has struggled due to insolvencies, high costs and major storms.

Florida's beekeepers are still feeling the impacts of Hurricane Ian now more than two months later. According to Greater Good Charities, the storm decimated at least 100,000 hives, and beekeepers said hives are continuing to dwindle because queen bees rattled by the storm aren't laying as many eggs as usual.

Warm Mineral Springs Park has remained closed since Hurricane Ian passed in September. The City of North Port is working to reopen as quickly as they can with many trying to come out to the park. 

A Michigan Army veteran and bicycle shop owner, who was in Florida to deliver free bikes to children affected by Hurricane Ian, died in a crash in Punta Gorda. Steven Pringle was hauling a trailer full of bikes when he drove through an intersection that was missing a stop sign due to the hurricane.

Florida's special legislative session on property insurance begins Monday. State lawmakers will be together for a week-long special session and will be challenged with finding a way to make rates both affordable and available. 

More than 120 kids were picked for the North Port Police Department's “Shop with a Cop” event this year.