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LOCAL NEWS
Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum was found not guilty of lying to the FBI. The remaining 18 charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy, were declared a mistrial because the jurors were deadlocked. The trial revealed the justice system is “in desperate need of real reform,” the former mayor said. He alluded to taking action on it in the future.
Leon County’s Lively Vocational College has received a large grant from the Hendrick Racing NASCAR team. The money will put the college’s automotive technology progam on a faster track. College Director Shelly Bell said the cash will definitely come in handy.
A Tallahassee couple behind multiple businesses, including Island Seafood restaurant, was sentenced to federal prison time this week after pleading guilty to charges related to a COVID relief scam. Wilbert Stanley III and Felicia Jackson-Stanley pleaded guilty to counts of wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and making false statements. The man was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and the woman was sentenced to 24 months. They were also ordered to pay more than $2.8 million in restitution to the Small Business Administration.
FLORIDA NEWS
Florida lawmakers passed a bill banning Tik Tok from government devices and networks. Both versions of the bill received unanimous support in both chambers of the legislature. “It’s imperative that we protect our state security and ensure the safety and privacy of every Floridian,” said State Rep. Carolina Amesty. “Let’s ban digital applications created by foreign governments that are a threat to our state security from all state-owned devices.”
Florida legislators also passed a bill that would decriminalize fentanyl test strips. House members voted 116-0 for SB 164, which would remove fentanyl test strips from Florida’s list of banned drug paraphernalia. The bill would provide a legal way for Floridians to know if a substance they are about to ingest has any traces of fentanyl in it.
SPORTS NEWS
No. 3 Florida State softball plays host to the Louisville Cardinals this weekend with the ACC regular season championship on the line. The Seminoles are in control of the ACC standings and need just one win this weekend to clinch their 14th ACC Regular Season Championship. Tonight’s game can be heard on 96.5 The Spear and viewed on the ACC Network Extra.
TALLAHASSEE WEATHER
A couple illegally takes $4.8 million from COVID relief funds and only get about 3 years in prison. That's "earnings" of about $1.5 million per year. It appears crime really does pay; quite well I might add.
The $2.8 million restitution payback at $50 per month will take a very, very, very long time.
The Tallahassee Couple stole over $5 Million, why are they not made to pay back ALL of that Money PLUS Fines?
WHY would you would criminalize fentanyl test strips when you ALLOW Junkies to do FREE Syringe Swaps?