The Tallahassee Reports Daily Briefs: Monday, April 8, 2024

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LOCAL NEWS

A DUI case that has garnered national attention went to trial Friday morning. An edited clip of the arrest of Calvin Ridley went viral on social media after showing an officer pouring out alcoholic contents during Ridley’s traffic stop. The Tallahassee Police Department has denied any allegations of misconduct and said Thursday it will release the full footage after the trial. “It is reprehensible that video intended to sway a jury and do a disservice to those involved in this trial be released when and how it was,” said Police Chief Lawrence Revell.

On April 9, the Leon County Commission will address $2,395,366 in opioid litigation settlement funds and consider approving an agreement with Big Bend Community Based Care, LLC, doing business as Northwest Florida Health Network (NWFHN) , on behalf of the State of Florida. 

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LOCAL SPORTS NEWS

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (28-10, 9-3) pulled out a tough 4-3 win over Louisville (23-16, 4,8) on Sunday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium in Louisville, Ky. FSU will return home next Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a series against Notre Dame.

Florida State women’s golf All-American Lottie Woad birdied her final two holes, shot a final round 69 and won the championship of the Fifth Annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur at the famed Augusta National Golf Course.

FLORIDA NEWS

Florida’s three female Supreme Court justices explained in their dissents why abortion shouldn’t have been given ballot access for November. “In my view, the summary does not give the voter any clarity on the decision they must actually make or reveal the amendment’s chief purpose. Instead, it misleads by omission and fails to convey the breadth of what the amendment actually accomplishes—to enshrine broad, undefined terms in our constitution that will lead to decades of litigation,” said Justice Grosshans.

Last month, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis joined the top financial officers of 20 other states in urging the IRS to shut down Direct File, which is a free tax preparation service. The signers argued that “Direct File will create challenges for taxpayers and state treasurers and the costs of Direct File far outweigh any potential benefits it may confer to taxpayers.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that would allow Florida arrestees to get their firearms back quicker. The bill says that weapons “not either seized as evidence or seized and subject to forfeiture … must be returned upon request to the person from whom the weapons, electric weapons or devices, or arms were taken within 30 days after such request is made.”

NATIONAL NEWS

A total solar eclipse will pass over North America today, with almost 32 million Americans living in its path. It marks the last total solar eclipse visible in the US for the next 20 years. See here to track the eclipse’s path.

No. 1 South Carolina won the women’s NCAA basketball championship yesterday, beating Caitlin Clark and No. 1 Iowa by a score of 87-75. The victory caps a perfect 38-0 season for the Gamecocks and avenges a loss to the Hawkeyes in last year’s semifinals.

Trump campaign raises $50.5M at Florida fundraiser over the weekend, surpassing $26M haul from a late March fundraiser held by the Biden campaign (More) | See current polls (More).

Markets rebound Friday, closing up (Dow +0.8%, S&P 500 +1.1%, Nasdaq +1.2%); Dow sees worst week in 2024 despite Friday’s gains (More).

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