The agenda item was originated by the underground utilities and public infrastructure division. Program engineer Jared Whitaker responded to the request for more information by stating that the multi-faceted project was designed to upgrade aging infrastructure and resolve long-standing operational bottlenecks in the northeast service area.

According to staff, coordinating pipe replacement directly with Blueprint’s ongoing road construction reduces design and construction expenses, avoids future roadway disruptions, and maximizes taxpayer investment.

Key components of the utility plan include the following:

Water Main Upsizing: Replacing and relocating existing water mains into a dedicated utility corridor to improve system capacity, lower head loss, and enhance local fire protection.

Wastewater Force Main: Constructing a new force main along Bannerman Road that connects Pump Station 94 directly to the new Bannerman main.

Addressing Aging Facilities: Pump Station 94, located in Summerbrook, was constructed in 1991 and is nearing the end of its operational service life as well as its design capacity.

Eliminating Private Easement Bottlenecks: Currently, wastewater from Summerbrook and Ox Bottom is pumped across private property easements into a gravity sewer in Killearn Estates.
.
Three Key Points of Contradiction

Despite staff’s technical presentation, Commissioner Matlow strongly contested the item. During commission discussion, Matlow made several assertions that directly contradicted the facts and scope presented by Engineer Whitaker:

1. “Roadway Driven” vs. “Development Driven”
   
   Engineer Whitaker: Stated explicitly that the utility improvements are “roadway driven and operational in nature, not development driven,” pointing out that the active Blueprint roadway project merely provides a cost-effective opportunity to execute planned operational upgrades.
   
   Commissioner Matlow: Contradicted staff, declaring, “this is not roadway driven because a roadway does not create a need for new sewer capacity,” and arguing that the $10 million advancement was designed to accommodate new development on the urban fringe
   .
2. Pipe Destination and Purpose
   
   Engineer Whitaker: Explained that the proposed force main links Pump Station 94 in Summerbrook directly to the new Bannerman force main to serve the broader northeast service area— a point later reiterated by City Manager Reese Goad, who noted the line’s terminus is the pump station
   .
   Commissioner Matlow: Alleged that the project represents an “expansion on Meridian Road with all pipes leading to the Phipps property,” questioning if the infrastructure was secretly intended to support development on that tract
   .
3. Availability of Details and Justification
   
   Engineer Whitaker: Laid out specific project locations (Bannerman Road, Summerbrook, Killearn Estates), identified exact capacity constraints (Pump Station 94 reaching design limits), and outlined the neighborhoods benefiting from the work.
   .
   Commissioner Matlow: Maintained that the commission was being asked to authorize nearly $10 million with “no explanation of the location, the area, the need which areas would be served or why we need new capacity.”

The item passed 3-2 with Matlow and Commissioner Jack Porter voting no.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says automated license plate readers have helped reduce crime by over 64% over the last ten years.

His comments come in the aftermath of the Florida Department of Transportation this week revoking general use permits for ALPRs like Flock.

Since then, there’s been a wave of counties and local municipalities announcing they were doing away with the technology despite the FDOT memorandum only applying to state roads.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said they would fully comply with FDOT’s directive and also discontinue ALPR use throughout Duval County.

Lake County Commissioners voted to remove all Flock cameras and license plate readers.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Aden said they would also begin removing devices on county rights-of-way and formally notify Flock to work through contract timelines for equipment removal. He did not rule out using ALPR’s again in the future but said the department would “wait for clearer legal guidance on constitutionality before revisiting the program.”

Gualtieri said he believes there is misinformation around what ALPRs do.

“ALPR automates what officers have long done manually and will continue to do on the computers in their cars, and that is to check license plates against law enforcement databases. But ALPR does it with greater speed and accuracy to enhance public safety,” said Gualtieri during a press conference.

He added that ALPRs don’t videotape, run continuously or photograph and identify people and rather take only motion-activated photos of license plates and vehicles.

“We recognize the recent concerns being raised about ALPR. We are committed to working with policymakers and communities to ensure that this technology is used responsibly. We’re also committed to making sure ALPR is properly understood,” said Gualtieri.

He pointed to more than 64% reduction in crime he said Pinellas County has enjoyed over the last decade and said in one service area the number of stolen cars went from 529 in 2015 down to 230 in 2025.

“That’s a 56% reduction. We’ve been using ALPR all that time. This reduction in crime is not by accident. It’s by design and by using technology such as ALPR,” Gualtieri said.

FDOT’s memorandum stated the purpose was to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life.

Gualtieri acknowledged there were “legitimate concerns” like officers who have improperly used ALPR databases. He said when those incidents happen, those officers are held accountable.

“The abuses get attention but compared to how many officers have ALPR access and how many inappropriately access the systems, the abuses are very minimal. We don’t need to throw the baby out with the bathwater because a few people did something stupid. We support ALPR regulation,” said Gualtieri.

NewsGuard has evaluated the reliability of more than 36,000 news sources worldwide. A 2025 peer-reviewed analysis of NewsGuard’s ratings database found an average score of 63.6, placing TR’s score nearly 29 points above that benchmark. In the U.S., the 92.5 assigned to Tallahassee Reports is 35.7 points above the U.S. average of 56.8.

Tallahassee Reports publisher Kathy Stewart responded to the ratings by saying, “over the last 15 years we have strived to provide the community with a credible source of fact-based local news. The ratings from these independent groups indicate we are succeeding.”

NewsGuard designated Tallahassee Reports as “Generally Credible,” stating that the website “mostly adheres to basic standards of credibility and transparency.” TR received credit for eight of the organization’s nine criteria.

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NewsGuard’s review noted that Tallahassee Reports does not publish false or egregiously misleading information, gathers and presents information responsibly, maintains effective correction practices, responsibly distinguishes news from opinion, avoids deceptive headlines, clearly labels advertising, identifies those in charge and provides information about its writers.

In its assessment of the publication’s journalism, NewsGuard concluded that articles on TallahasseeReports.com are “typically fact-based and well-sourced,” frequently relying on elected officials, government releases and government data. The review also found that headlines accurately reflect story content and that news articles are typically neutral in tone.

NewsGuard also reviewed TR’s corrections practices and found that the publication has a policy to post corrections identifying any mistake and explaining how it was corrected.

TR lost 7.5 points on one transparency criterion. While Tallahassee Reports identifies itself as a project of the nonprofit Red Hills Journalism Foundation, NewsGuard said the website does not disclose its donors, which does not satisfy NewsGuard’s standard for nonprofit financing disclosure.

In response, Stewart said “in a small media market like Tallahassee, it is import to offer privacy for those small donors who want to be involved with journalism. Also, any donor that contributes more than 5% of Red Hills’ annual revenue is identified in a publicly available document.”

Local Government Advertising

NewsGuard also investigated recent criticisms related to Tallahassee Reports receiving local government advertising.

NewsGuard confirmed that city expense data show that the city paid Tallahassee Reports $28,000 from January 2024 to March 2026. NewsGuard stated that “all payments were classified as advertising, a common practice for city governments” and added “over the same period from January 2024 to March 2026, the city paid the Tallahassee Democrat $40,500 for advertisements..”

On the issue Stewart said, “these findings indicate news consumers need to be diligent in evaluating the statements from community leaders who challenge the messenger rather than TR’s fact-based journalism.”

Other Rating Services, Political Bias

Media Bias/Fact Check, another rating group, currently describes Tallahassee Reports as having a right-leaning editorial perspective but fact-based local reporting. Its November 2024 review specifically says TR’s local news uses relatively neutral language and cites government records. It reported no failed fact checks at the time of its review.

There is some disagreement about political orientation. A current aggregation of ratings reports that Ad Fontes Media rates TR “Center,” while Media Bias/Fact Check rates it “Right.” Ground News currently gives Tallahassee Reports a “Lean Right” bias rating and “High” factuality rating.

For comparison, the Media Bias/Fact Check rates the Tallahassee Democrat and WFSU as Left-Center Bias and Florida Phoenix as Left Bias.

NewsGuard Nutrition Label – Tallahassee Reports

Friday, September 11, 2026

Weather: Today, showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3pm, with a high near 90. Tonight, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3am, with a low around 74. Saturday, showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm with a high near 91. Saturday night, a 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm with a low around 74. NWS

US stock markets: close down (S&P 500 -0.6%, Dow -0.6%, Nasdaq -0.7%) as oil prices again top $100 per barrel, pushing 10-year Treasury yield to its highest mark since at least October 2023 (More).

Local Sports: Maclay (6-4) erased an early two-set deficit to upset Florida High (3-2) 3-2 in a non-district matchup Thursday night, Sept. 10, overcoming losses in the opening two sets before winning the final three to complete the comeback. Going into the match Florida High was ranked 83 in Florida, while Maclay was ranked 169. Details.

Local & State News

The Leon County Commission will hold the first of two public hearings Tuesday, Sept. 15, on an 18-month moratorium on large-load customer facilities, including large-scale data centers. Details.

First-time jobless claims in Florida showed a slight decline over the prior two weeks as month-to-month business optimism dipped. Details

National News

The American flag is flying at half-staff today as the US recognizes the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Godby senior running back Kamren McMillan was named Offensive Player of the Week after a big performance in the Cougars’ 21-10 win over Pensacola Catholic. McMillan carried 16 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per carry. His longest run covered 73 yards. Through three games, McMillan has rushed for 458 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Florida High senior linebacker Jason Harville earned Defensive Player of the Week honors following the Seminoles’ 18-15 victory over South Walton. Harville recorded 19 tackles, including 15 solo stops, four tackles for loss and a sack. Through three games, MaxPreps lists Harville at 13 tackles per game.

FAMU DRS senior Jaylon Rogers was selected as Offensive Lineman of the Week. The Baby Rattlers defeated SmartEn Sports Academy 32-22, rushing for 205 yards in the victory.

Maclay senior linebacker Tucker Poppell was named Impact Player of the Week. Maclay remained unbeaten with a 42-14 victory over Aucilla Christian.

The Week 3 selections mark the second consecutive week that Florida High and Maclay players have received Quarterback Club honors. In Week 2, Florida High defensive lineman Dahmetri Ross was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Maclay quarterback Beau Beshears was selected as Impact Player of the Week.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club recognizes area high school football players each week during the season in four categories: offense, defense, offensive line and impact player.

Florida legislators will gather one last time ahead of the November elections to go over the state’s financial outlook and sign off on budget amendments that would direct more money into the state’s immigration enforcement activities.

The Legislative Budget Commission — which meets Friday — is a combined House and Senate committee that meets periodically and has the power to sign off on mid-year adjustments to the state budget.

Another big job for the commission is its annual September vote on the Long Term Financial Outlook, a snapshot of the state’s budget situation for the next three years. The outlook, required by the state Constitution, is meant to put legislators and other state officials on notice about whether a budget surplus or deficit looms.

Talk about potential deficits outlined in past outlooks have prompted debates among House and Senate leaders over whether adjustments or budget cuts are needed. House Republicans in the past two years have pointed to the outlook as the reason to hold firm on tamping down spending.

The outlook is drawn up after economists and legislative staff spend their summer on new forecasts for how much tax money will come into the state’s accounts as well as estimates for spending on education, the environment, and healthcare.

The preliminary outlook projects that the Florida Legislature, and whoever is elected governor to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, will have an estimated budget surplus of $7.1 billion to work with for the 2027-28 fiscal year that will start next July.

That surplus, however, will drop to nearly $3.4 billion in the 2028-29 fiscal year and then slide into a projected deficit of $1.02 billion in the 2029-30 fiscal year.

The report notes that “strategic” legislative actions earlier this year have helped.

“Reduced spending levels combined with a modest level of revenue adjustments for Fiscal Year 2026-27 had ripple effects throughout the Outlook that led to the improved ending balances,” the outlook states.

The outlook outlines 15 critical needs and 28 high-priority needs that will drive expenditures over the next three years, including money for Medicaid, the state and federal funded health care safety net program, and a projected deficit in the state employee health insurance program. The State Group Health Insurance program deficit could grow to nearly $1.8 billion by the end of the 2029-30 fiscal year.

When it comes to expenses, the outlook uses a three-year average of spending, which means the final numbers could shift depending on what the Legislature does. 

For example, the outlook points out that over the past three years, the Legislature has transferred $1.6 billion into the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to pay for costs associated with natural disasters as well as Florida’s efforts to combat undocumented immigration.

Although Gov. Ron DeSantis maintains the state will eventually be reimbursed by the federal government, the fund paid the expenses associated with Alligator Alcatraz, the detention center created in the Everglades that was shut down a year later.

At the same commission meeting, legislators are being asked to shift an additional $240 million from general revenue into this trust fund. The Florida Division of Emergency Management says it needs more money to pay “outstanding obligations.”

A second budget amendment would give DEM authority to spend $250 million to process payments, including nearly $188 million in the “illegal migration appropriation category.”

Two Florida Democrats who are fighting for their political lives after seeing their congressional seats redistricted voted Tuesday for a resolution denouncing “socialism in all of its forms.”

Kathy Castor and Darren Soto joined six other Democrats in supporting the congressional resolution. The final vote was 220-192, with two Democrats voting present.

The resolution “denounces socialism in all of its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America.”

Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have seen success in high-profile primary races across the country this summer, including in Florida, where Jacksonville state Rep. Angie Nixon defeated the vastly better-funded Alex Vindman in the primary for U.S. Senate last month.

Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Crank, who sponsored the resolution, said last week that it was a “simple up or down vote” on the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Castor has represented a district in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years, but her re-election hopes are in question after her district was redistricted to one that Donald Trump won by more than 10 points in 2024. Soto’s Central Florida district was completely wiped out, and he now is running in an area that supported Trump by more than 18 points in 2024.

Florida Republicans have seized on the momentum of the DSA nationally this summer to paint Florida Democrats as socialists, and they received a gift of sorts when Nixon defeated Vindman.

“The DSA has infiltrated the Democratic Party at all levels of government and has never been more apparent than here in the state of Florida with the election of Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Tuesday during a Republican Party of Florida event in Tampa. “It has never been more apparent that the Democratic Party of Florida is the DSA.”

Most Democrats opposed the resolution because it included language urging passage of the SAVE America Act.

“House Resolution 1490 explicitly calls for enactment of the so-called SAVE America Act, which is the top legislative priority of far-right extremists. Accordingly, I will vote No on the latest MAGA effort to rig the midterm elections,” House Democratic Leader Hakeen Jeffries said.

FAMU announced Aug. 31 that Richard W. Schweigert has been hired as interim chief financial officer and vice president for Finance and Administration. Schweigert previously held the same interim positions at FAMU from August through December 2019.

Schweigert returns at a critical time for the university. FAMU has been working to correct financial and operational problems identified through state audits while also dealing with staffing shortages in its financial operations.

During an Aug. 31 Board of Trustees meeting, Schweigert said the university’s Controller’s Office currently has nine vacancies and is working to fill the positions. Trustees also approved an $894,000 contract extension through June 2027 with accounting firm Mitchell Titus, which is assisting FAMU as it prepares its 2026 financial audit and strengthens financial controls.

FAMU President Marva Johnson said Schweigert’s previous experience at the university will help during the transition.

“He understands our institution, our governance structure and the demands of operating a major public university,” Johnson said. “That institutional knowledge is an asset as we strengthen the University’s financial position and advance our strategic priorities.”

Schweigert has extensive experience managing university finances. Most recently, he served as interim CFO at The College of New Jersey from April 2023 through June 2025. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade as CFO of the Colorado State University System, overseeing finances for a multi-campus system with a $1.5 billion budget.

The appointment follows another period of turnover in FAMU’s top financial position. Nichole Murry, who had served as acting CFO since July 2025, resigned earlier this year to become CFO of the Glades County School District. She had succeeded former CFO Rebecca Brown, who resigned in 2025 amid scrutiny over financial and operational audit issues.

FAMU said its national search for a permanent CFO remains underway. Schweigert is expected to focus in part on procurement alignment and strengthening internal financial controls while that search continues.

Johnston’s Meat Market, which has operated in Monticello since 1926, plans to open a Tallahassee location at 3628 Shamrock Street West in Killearn Village Square. The new store will give Killearn residents a nearby option for fresh meats, custom cuts and smoked products outside the traditional supermarket setting.

The expansion comes as the neighborhood butcher — once a fixture in communities across the country — has largely given way to large grocery chains. Johnston’s has maintained that traditional approach, emphasizing personal service, custom-cut meats and relationships between customers and the people preparing their food.

The company’s history dates back 100 years to Felix and Alice Johnston, who opened a grocery store and refrigerated meat-locker business in Monticello in 1926. At the time, before home refrigeration became widespread, local families could rent cold-storage lockers for their meat.

Over the decades, the business evolved into Johnston’s Meat Market and became known throughout North Florida for fresh cuts, smoked sausage and other country-smoked products.

The Johnston family operated the business for three generations. Patrick Figueroa, who joined Johnston’s as general manager in 2022, purchased the company in 2024, becoming only the fourth owner in its century-long history.

The Killearn store represents a significant expansion for the longtime Monticello business and introduces Johnston’s “know your butcher” philosophy to one of Tallahassee’s largest established neighborhoods.

Nearly a year and half after the mass shootings on Florida State University’s campus, a victim has filed a negligence lawsuit against the university.

In the suit, filed in Circuit Court in Leon County Monday, graduate student Madison Askins alleges the Student Union at FSU lacked proper security to prevent the shootings.

“On the date of the incident, Defendant owed Plaintiff, as a student, a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of the plaintiff,” the six-page complaint argues. 

Represented by Morgan & Morgan, Askins seeks damages worth more than $50,000.

FSU breached its duty by “negligently failing to inspect or adequately inspect the area in and around the student union of the Premises where students are instructed to go under the supervision and/or instructions of Defendant’s agents, representatives and/or employees for entry/exit of its Premises, to determine whether the dangerous condition existed at the time Plaintiff was in the area,” the suit claims.

The FSU Board of Trustees is the sole defendant. 

“Defendant is responsible for the negligent acts and omissions of its agents, servants and/or employees, or any other company, entity or agency responsible for maintaining the Premises in a safe condition under the doctrine of respondeat superior.”

The complaint cites the doctrine of respondeat superior, which, according to Daniel J.H. Greenwood, a Hofstra University law professor, “is the doctrine that states that an employer is responsible for an employee.”

The alleged shooter, Phoenix Ikner, remains in jail awaiting trial, which has been postponed until the summer of 2027.

Following the 2025 shooting, Askins spoke with ABC News from her hospital room, saying she played dead after being shot. According to that report, she was wounded in her lower back.

Families of the two people who died in the shooting filed lawsuits against ChatGPT.  The first suit, filed in May, claims the alleged shooter was “co-conspiring” with its AI chatbot. A similar suit was filed last week. 

The state filed suit against ChatGPT earlier this year, alleging the company should have known the damage its chatbot would cause.

FSU did not respond to a Tuesday afternoon request for comment.

The shooting prompted passage of a package of provisions related to campus safety during the 2026 legislative session, including allowing authorized faculty members to carry guns.

North Florida Christian senior wide receiver James Butler was named Offensive Player of the Week following a big performance in the Eagles’ 42-21 win over Port St. Joe.

Butler caught passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns as North Florida Christian’s offense erupted for six touchdowns. Quarterback Callum McQuagge threw for 219 yards and four scores in the victory, with Butler emerging as his top target. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior also plays defensive back for the Eagles.

Florida High junior defensive lineman Dahmetri Ross earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Seminoles defeat Chiles, 24-14, on Friday night.

Ross, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle, recorded a sack, a tackle for loss and three quarterback hits in the win. Florida High held Chiles scoreless in the second half after the teams went to halftime tied at 14.

Ross entered the season as an experienced contributor along Florida High’s defensive front. As a sophomore in 2025, he recorded 43 tackles, including six tackles for loss, in 10 games.

Rickards senior tackle Zamari Williams was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Williams is part of a Raiders offensive line that helped Rickards battle Eastside in Gainesville before falling 28-25. The loss dropped Rickards to 1-1 following a 41-34 season-opening victory over Godby.

Maclay senior quarterback Beau Beshears was named the Impact Player of the Week as the Marauders continued their fast start with a 58-28 victory over Rutherford. Maclay improved to 2-0 and has scored 96 points through its first two games.

Beshears entered his senior season after a breakout junior campaign in which he completed 68.9% of his passes for 2,458 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 358 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club recognizes four area high school football players each week in the categories of offensive player, defensive player, offensive lineman and impact player.

For the week of August 24–30, the average temperature at Tallahassee International Airport was 82.0 degrees, exactly matching the 1991–2020 normal for those dates. The week began hot, with a high of 96 degrees on Monday, August 24, but temperatures dropped substantially later in the week. Highs reached just 86 degrees Thursday, 84 Friday and 85 Saturday before rebounding to 95 Sunday.

The week’s lowest temperature was 73 degrees, recorded Sunday. Four of the final five days finished with average temperatures below normal, including Friday at 79 degrees — 3 degrees below normal.

The cooler finish, however, has not erased what was an unusually hot August. Over the 28 days ending August 30, Tallahassee averaged approximately 84.4 degrees, about 2.0 degrees above the date-specific historical normal of 82.4 degrees. The period included back-to-back 100-degree highs on August 17 and 18.

Rainfall remains the bigger developing weather story.

Only 0.25 inches of rain fell during the seven-day period, compared with approximately 1.48 inches normally expected, leaving the week about 1.23 inches below normal. Measurable rain fell on five days, but amounts were small. The wettest day was Wednesday, August 26, with just 0.13 inches.

The trailing four-week period was also very dry. From August 3 through August 30, Tallahassee received 1.78 inches, compared with approximately 6.87 inches normally expected — only about 26% of normal.

Through August 30, month-to-date rainfall stood at 5.99 inches, 1.42 inches below the normal 7.41 inches. The longer-term deficit is much larger: year-to-date rainfall totaled 29.51 inches, compared with a normal 43.13 inches, a deficit of 13.62 inches, or roughly 32%.

No daily temperature or rainfall records were tied or broken during the week. NWS records for Tallahassee extend back to 1896.

By the Numbers

About the data: Tallahassee Reports uses official NOAA/National Weather Service observations for Tallahassee. Temperature and precipitation comparisons are calculated against NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals. Weekly reports cover Monday through Sunday, while four-week comparisons cover the 28 days ending Sunday.