Welcome to My Florida News (MFN), a statewide local news platform housed in the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. MFN uses artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to develop and expand community-focused reporting across all 67 Florida counties.
MFN began in September 2022, when we started using AI to help produce local news for Florida communities facing limited access to reliable local journalism. Between October 2023 and October 2024, the platform, then known as MyMiamiNews.org, was initially tested in Miami and the surrounding areas. In February 2025, the focus shifted to a partnership with UF IFAS in rural news desert counties. In September 2026, MFN launched as a statewide community information hub, providing county-specific news and information to communities across Florida.
MFN addresses news deserts and civic decline by providing credible, community-centered news and information designed to help create more informed, knowledgeable, and engaged citizens. Our mission is to provide Floridians with clear, trustworthy, and locally relevant reporting while strengthening connections between residents, community organizations, researchers, and local government.
Today, MFN uses AI-assisted tools to develop locally relevant news and information drawn from Florida nonprofits, UF/IFAS Extension’s EDIS research, and official city and county government sources.
What We Offer
Local Impact Stories
We highlight inspiring work from Florida-based nonprofits, showcasing how their programs, partnerships, and volunteers are transforming lives in every corner of the state.
Research-Driven Local Reporting
Using the deep scholarship of UF-IFAS’s EDIS, we translate complex agricultural, environmental, health, and economic research into clear, actionable stories—customized for each Florida county.
County Insights and Public Information
We now ingest and analyze information from official county websites—including announcements, programs, initiatives, services, and community priorities.
This allows us to generate county-specific reporting that reflects current local government activity, public resources, and emerging issues that matter to residents.
Community Spotlight
We feature nonprofits across Florida, spotlighting their missions, achievements, and the passionate people driving change behind the scenes.
Expert Perspectives
Our platform brings together voices from local leaders, researchers, nonprofit professionals, and community advocates to provide context, clarity, and guidance on the challenges shaping Florida’s future.
Our Vision
At My Florida News, we are more than a news outlet—we are a community-powered platform rooted in the belief that local information creates local empowerment.
Our vision is a more connected and informed Florida, where the work of nonprofits, county governments, researchers, and volunteers is understood, celebrated, and supported.
Join us as we illuminate Florida’s stories—big and small—and build a statewide movement toward deeper engagement, informed decision-making, and stronger communities.