IRC Media Tuesday Evening News Brief — September 29, 2026

Five stories to know this Tuesday evening across Indian River County, Florida and the nation.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ANNOUNCES PUBLIC FORUMS ON AMENDMENT 3

Indian River County will hold two public forums explaining Amendment 3, the property-tax proposal on Florida's November 3 ballot, and its potential effect on county finances and services.

The sessions are scheduled for October 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Intergenerational Recreation Center and October 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. County estimates indicate the amendment could reduce county property-tax collections by roughly $22 million in fiscal year 2027-28 and roughly $41 million the following year, although no corresponding service cuts have been adopted.

The proposal would increase the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes if approved by at least 60 percent of voters. The forums give local voters an opportunity to hear how county officials say the amendment could affect finances and services.

FLORIDA CABINET APPROVES MORE THAN 90 TERRORIST DESIGNATIONS; COURT CHALLENGE PLANNED

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted Tuesday to designate more than 90 organizations under the state's new terrorism law. The designations include CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and the antifa movement, along with foreign organizations already designated as terrorist organizations by the federal government.

The designations are scheduled to take effect November 5. The ACLU says it intends to seek a preliminary injunction on behalf of CAIR-Florida, which argues the state action violates First Amendment and due-process protections.

SUPREME COURT TEMPORARILY ALLOWS THIRD-COUNTRY DEPORTATIONS TO RESUME

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily allowed the Trump administration to resume a policy permitting some migrants to be deported to countries other than their nations of citizenship while litigation continues.

A lower court had blocked the policy over due-process concerns. The Supreme Court's action is temporary, with fuller arguments expected in December, and should not be described as a final ruling that the policy is constitutional.

FEDERAL WATCHDOG SAYS MORE THAN $800 MILLION CANNOT BE WITHHELD PAST FISCAL-YEAR DEADLINE

The Government Accountability Office said Tuesday that the Trump administration cannot lawfully keep more than $800 million in congressionally appropriated money withheld beyond the end of the fiscal year.

The dispute centers on an attempted “pocket rescission.” GAO concluded the Impoundment Control Act does not permit appropriated funds to be withheld past their expiration while Congress considers the rescission request. Further litigation could follow.

U.S. OFFERS UP TO 40 MILLION MORE BARRELS FROM STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Tuesday that energy companies can seek to borrow up to another 40 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The exchange is part of the U.S. commitment to an international emergency release coordinated after disruptions related to the war involving Iran. Companies must submit proposals by October 6 and will be required to return the borrowed oil along with additional premium barrels.

For Florida drivers, the key question is whether increased supply and changing conditions around the Strait of Hormuz ultimately translate into relief at the pump.

That's your IRC Media Tuesday Evening News Brief for September 29, 2026.

We'll continue following developments across Indian River County, the Treasure Coast, Florida and the nation.

IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.