The TR Daily Briefs: Monday, January 5, 2026

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

Monday, January 5, 2026

Weather: Today, mostly cloudy, high near 66 and a low around 50. Tuesday, sunny, with a high near 73. NWS

US stock markets end the first trading day of the new year mixed (S&P 500 +0.2%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq 0.0%); analysts project around 11% growth for the S&P 500 in 2026 (More).

_________________________________________________

Local & State News

Dr. Neal Dunn, the U.S. representative for Florida’s 2nd congressional district, released a statement supporting the recent action by the Trump administration in Venezuela. Read more.

According to multiple reports, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers played a pivotal role in shaping federal marijuana policy that culminated in President Donald Trump’s recent decision to support reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug — a major shift with potential lasting effects on the cannabis industry. Read more.

Sports

Chauncey Wiggins and Robert McCray V scored 22 points each in Florida State’s 91-87 loss to the No. 5/6 Duke Blue Devils in the Tucker Center. Wiggins’ 22 points tied his career high which he set against Alcorn State on November 4, 2025. Wiggins’ four made 3-point shots tied his career high. Wiggins has made four 3-point shots against three teams during his career. The Seminoles fell to 7-8 and 0-2 in ACC play, and Duke improved to 13-1 and 2-0 in ACC play. Read More

Obituaries

Francis (Tanny) Perkins Buford passed away on January 1, 2026. She was born on April 11, 1935; the sixth generation of her family born in Tallahassee, Florida. Tanny was a 1953 graduate of Leon High School and attended Florida State University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Read more.

Halley B. “Hal” Lewis Jr. passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at age 84. Hal graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1964 and went into teaching before returning to FSU to earn his master’s degree in 1968. Read more.

_________________________________________________

National News

US special forces conducted an early morning raid in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas Saturday, striking military facilities and capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The pair was transported to New York City to face federal drug- and terrorism-related charges, with their first court appearance expected this morning. See photos here.

New York City’s subway and bus fares rose to $3 yesterday, up 10 cents for most rides. The planned hike, along with increases in other Metropolitan Transportation Authority services, is expected to raise $350M annually. It goes into effect days after Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) took office after running in part on a pledge to make NYC buses free.

President Donald Trump says US oil companies will be involved in expanding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure following capture of President Nicolás Maduro; oil prices stable, remain at five-year lows at $58 per barrel (More).