The Tallahassee Reports Daily Briefs: Thursday, October 9, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Changes are coming to high schools in Leon County next week. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 14, a new bell schedule will slightly lengthen the school day. All high schools will end at 1:55. Some of them will start a tad earlier at 7:25, and some lunch times may differ.

Steve Stewart discusses the recent increase in violent crime incidents.

The Board of County Commissioners recently held a meeting to discuss seven potential charter amendments for consideration by the Citizen Charter Review Committee (CCRC). The CCRC, a group of citizens appointed to review the Charter every eight years, will review the proposed amendments and make recommendations.

LOCAL SPORTS

On Oct. 3rd and Oct. 4th, Bishop Kenny high school hosted a two-day JV tournament with teams including Chiles, Bishop Kenny (JV), Bishop Kenny (FR), Ponte Vedra, Bartram Trail and Middleburg. Chiles did not lose a set during the competition.

FLORIDA NEWS

A Florida lawmaker who suddenly switched parties last year filed a state version of a federal bill Wednesday that would ban courts and agencies from using Shari’a Law.

The growth-management group 1000 Friends of Florida and an Orange County resident Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new state law that blocks cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans.

NATIONAL NEWS

Federal authorities announced yesterday the arrest of a Florida man in connection with the Palisades Fire, which burned over 23,400 acres in Los Angeles over 24 days this January. Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former California resident, is charged with destruction of property by means of fire, a felony with a five- to 20-year prison sentence.   

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty yesterday to criminal charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding tied to testimony he gave more than five years ago. The 64-year-old’s trial is set for Jan. 5 and is expected to last two to three days. 

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow -0.0%, Nasdaq +1.1%), Nasdaq and S&P 500 close at record highs after Federal Reserve meeting minutes from September show officials see at least two more rate cuts this year (More).

TALLAHASSEE WEATHER