Jacksonville, Fl — The Trump administration announced on Thursday new oil drilling off the Florida and California coasts for the first time in decades.
The federal government has not allowed drilling in federal waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which includes offshore Florida and part of offshore Alabama, since 1995, because of concerns about oil spills.
The drilling proposal drew bipartisan pushback in Florida, where a spokesperson for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said the Trump administration should reconsider.
Senator Rick Scott said the state’s coasts “must remain off the table for oil drilling.”
Scott and Senator Ashley Moody introduced legislation this month to maintain the drilling moratorium from Trump’s first term.
The administration’s plan calls for new drilling off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico at least 100 miles from shore.
The new designation distinguishes the targeted area from the Eastern Gulf where drilling is prohibited under a moratorium Trump signed in his first term. Industry representatives said the change was aimed at addressing concerns from Florida officials who oppose drilling near their tourism-friendly coasts.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis of Florida led a group of Republican lawmakers who asked Trump in a Thursday letter to withdraw some parcels off the Florida coast from leasing.
They warned that oil exploration could interfere with a training area for nearby military airbases.
▶ Listen to Jacksonville’s Morning News Interviews
Salute America - Honoring Our Heroes at The Holidays: Tickets are on sale now for the December 10, 2025 show at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, featuring Erick Erickson and Drew Steele. The host of Florida’s Voice, every weeknight at 9:00 pm, joined Jacksonville’s Morning News.
The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services’ Max Block Food Pantry is hosting a two-day food giveaway next Monday and Tuesday from Noon to 3 p.m., with plans to distribute 200 food bags each day to Jacksonville families. We spoke with Marilyn Darius, food pantry supervisor, about the event and ongoing need for donations through the holiday season. You can make a secure, online donation here.
Wildlife Wanderer Curtis Dvorak joins JMN to discuss the upcoming Toast to Conservation event in February, featuring guest speaker Robert Irwin! Crikey! Tickets to the event have sold out, but corporate sponsorships are still available. The Colors of the Wild promotion starts this weekend, showcasing the Gardens and featuring a huge collection of incredible Chinese lantern exhibits. And Curtis shared breaking news: the new Manatee habitat opens March 6! Now is a great time to get a Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens membership -- and they make great holiday gifts too!
Click here to download our free news, weather and traffic app. And click here to subscribe to our daily 3 Big Things newsletter.
CAPITOL UPDATE: Ryan Schmelz addresses a number of DC headlines. A controversial call by six veteran Democratic lawmakers to US troops to “refuse to follow unlawful orders,” drew a harsh response from President Trump, who called the statements “seditious behavior, punishable by death.” This sent the White House into a damage control spiral, insisting Trump did not intend to call for literally executing congressmen. In other news, the House moved to repeal a provision allowing senators to (individually) sue the Justice Dept. for up to $500k/ea in regard to phone record searches in an FBI investigation called “Arctic Frost.” And finally, the House staged a “vote” on a Resolution to Denounce Socialism, in part as a response to the election of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, who meets with Trump later today.
Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh turns a weather eye on the weekend, as temps are expected to remain mild to unseasonably warm leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday next week.
©2025 Cox Media Group
