The Tallahassee Reports Daily Briefs: Thursday, May 8, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Steve Stewart discusses the debate over using air service incentives in Tallahassee on The Preston Scott Show.

News briefs from the April 22, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting include public speaking policy and closing of a charter school.

The Downtown Concert Series will return to the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park for its tenth year of bringing free live music to the Tallahassee community.

LOCAL SPORTS NEWS

Chiles, Florida High Fall in Beach Volleyball Regional Finals.

FLORIDA NEWS

Though they will have to return to Tallahassee to hammer out a budget, Florida lawmakers Friday night finished most of the business of the 2025 legislative session. Here’s a look at 10 big issues from the session — some that passed, some that didn’t and some that remain up in the air.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to make his case to Floridians about the need for property tax reform at a roundtable in Tampa on Wednesday.

NATIONAL NEWS

The Federal Reserve held benchmark interest rates steady yesterday for the third consecutive meeting, at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The central bank gave no indication of plans to lower rates in the coming months, rebuffing a call from President Donald Trump to spur economic activity with rate cuts.

The first day of the papal conclave ends with black smoke as 133 cardinals fail to reach the two-thirds majority to elect a new pope in the first vote (More). 

US stock markets rose (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +0.3%) after news of yesterday’s outlook, and as the US prepared for highly anticipated trade talks with China later this week. 

TALLAHASSEE WEATHER