The Tallahassee Reports Daily Briefs: Thursday, September 19, 2024

LOCAL NEWS

City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and his progressive colleagues are once again using the divisive issue of abortion in an attempt to win control of the city commission, even though the city has no jurisdiction over abortion.

The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the August 2024 passenger traffic increased 16.8% when compared to traffic one year ago. The number of passengers was up 11,909 from the 70,956 reported during August 2023 to 82,865 in August 2024.

FLORIDA NEWS

PolitiFact assessed a television ad this week promoting Amendment 4, rating it as “mostly false” due to concerns over the accuracy of claims made by the group Yes on 4. The ad asserts that Florida’s six-week abortion ban includes “no real exceptions,” even in cases of rape or health risks.

A five-year, multimillion-dollar effort to expand student enrollment and continue other major changes at New College of Florida was approved Wednesday by the state university system’s Board of Governors, despite some concerns about the spending.

NATIONAL NEWS

The Federal Reserve announced a half-percentage-point cut in benchmark rates yesterday, at the higher end of market expectations. The decision marks the central bank’s first rate cut since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. See how the Fed works here (w/video).

The House votes 220-202, with some Republicans joining Democratstoreject a stopgap government funding bill brought by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R, LA-4); bill included measure to require proof of citizenship to register to vote (More).

Markets closed lower on yesterday’s rate cut news (S&P 500 -0.3%, Dow -0.3%, Nasdaq -0.3%).

TALLAHASSEE WEATHER