Bill Targeting Union Votes Stumbles, But Advances in Senate

Bill Targeting Union Votes Stumbles, But Advances in Senate

By Gray Rohrer, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Legislation putting new rules on some public sector unions’ certification votes is headed to the Senate floor after passing through committee Monday, but only after some GOP members expressed concern over the measure. The bill (SB 1296) was also amended to water down the thresholds […]

Timeline of Confusion: A Look at FL’s Cost Projections for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

Timeline of Confusion: A Look at FL’s Cost Projections for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

By Liv Caputo, The Florida Phoenix For months, the price tag for the Everglades immigrant detention center the DeSantis administration calls “Alligator Alcatraz” was left to media speculation. Confusion abounded as various reports estimated the facility could cost anywhere between $245 million and $450 million for the year. But analysts weren’t the only ones drawing conjectures. So were the […]

Tallahassee MSA Residential Sales Prices Trending Down

Tallahassee MSA Residential Sales Prices Trending Down

The January 2026 median sales price of existing homes in the Tallahassee MSA ($325,000) is down 5.8% when compared to December 2025 ($345,000), according to the Florida Association of REALTORS®. The Tallahassee MSA includes Leon, Jefferson, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties. Leon county accounts for almost 90% of the MSA real estate transactions. The January 2026 […]

Florida Supreme Court Blocks Challenge to Gov. DeSantis’ Redistricting Push

Florida Supreme Court Blocks Challenge to Gov. DeSantis’ Redistricting Push

By Gray Rohrer, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The legal challenge, brought by two Florida voters and supported by the National Redistricting Foundation, was tossed by a unanimous decision by the court. […]

Opinion: Lawsuit Reforms Must Continue

Florida has made progress in leaps and bounds over the past few years in one important area: lawsuit abuse reform. For many years, our state was rated a judicial hellhole because the costs of litigation were so high, which spilled over into the regular economy and affected all Floridians, even those not directly involved in […]

DOJ: Trump Administration Won’t Pay for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Construction Costs

DOJ: Trump Administration Won’t Pay for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Construction Costs

By Liv Caputo, The Florida Phoenix A $608 million federal reimbursement that Florida’s been counting on to pay for the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” lockup won’t cover construction costs — if the money comes through at all, Justice Department lawyers have declared. Instead, any potential dollars would only fund “operational costs,” not “construction or facility modification,” […]

Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: February 24, 2026

Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: February 24, 2026

Provided below are the news briefs from the February 24, 2026, Leon County School Board meeting. Consent Construction Items – all votes were 5-0 Item 18.01 JRA Architects, Inc.– Short Form Agreement, Lincoln Auditorium Re-Roof project in the amount of $25,123. Item 18.02 Cook Brothers, Inc. Change Order # 1 for Construction Manager Services for Woodville K-8 […]

FSU Board of Trustees Approves Contract Extension for President Richard McCullough

FSU Board of Trustees Approves Contract Extension for President Richard McCullough

By Amy Farnum-Patronis, FSU News Florida State University’s Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to approve a three-year contract extension for President Richard McCullough, who became president in 2021, reaffirming the board’s confidence in his visionary leadership.   “Our board could not have a better partner in moving Florida State University forward than President McCullough,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins. “His vision and determination have […]

Apply Now for Leon County’s Fall 2026 Junior Apprenticeship Program

Apply Now for Leon County’s Fall 2026 Junior Apprenticeship Program

Leon County is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 semester of the Junior Apprenticeship Program. In partnership with Leon County Schools, this program grants high school juniors and seniors residing in and attending a public, charter, private or LCS virtual school within Leon County a unique opportunity to earn hourly wages while building valuable […]

Leon County Attorney Chasity O’Steen Honored with Tallahassee Bar Association

Leon County Attorney Chasity O’Steen Honored with Tallahassee Bar Association

Leon County Government recently announced County Attorney Chasity H. O’Steen received the Tallahassee Bar Association’s 2026 Martha Barnett Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, presented on February 11, 2026, during the TBA’s Past Presidents’ Reception & Awards Dinner. “On behalf of the Board and the entire community, I want to congratulate Chasity O’Steen on this well-earned […]