Nicky Fiore – Maclay

Nicky Fiore finished the 2026 season as a highly productive hitter, posting 26 hits in 55 at-bats for a .473 batting average across the full schedule.

He got off to a slow start, going hitless in three of his first four games, but quickly broke out with a 2-for-2 performance against Godby that included a double and 3 RBIs. From there, Fiore settled into a consistent offensive rhythm, stacking multiple multi-hit games through February and March while driving in runs throughout the lineup.

His strongest stretch came in mid-to-late March, when he regularly produced extra-base hits and key run support in wins over teams like Rickards, JCHS, FSUHS, and Rockledge. He also contributed in several high-scoring games, helping power blowout wins where the offense exploded.

While he had occasional quiet outings, Fiore consistently responded quickly after hitless games and avoided extended slumps.

Tucker Poppell – Maclay

Tucker Poppell finished the 2026 season as one of the most productive and consistent hitters in the lineup, posting a .446 batting average (37 hits in 83 at-bats) across 99 plate appearances.

He started the season with steady, modest production before breaking out in mid-March with a dominant stretch of multi-hit games. His biggest offensive surge came in games like TCHS (3/11), Munroe (3/21), and JCHS (3/24), where he combined for a large share of his season production and drove in key runs during lopsided wins.

Poppell showed strong extra-base ability throughout the year, finishing with 7 doubles and 1 triple, while also consistently driving in runs with 27 RBIs total. He had several standout performances in blowout wins, including a 6-RBI game against TCHS and a 4-RBI effort against Munroe.

While he had a few quieter stretches, Poppell regularly responded after hitless games and maintained a strong overall rhythm at the plate.

Saunder Dinkelman – Chiles

He showed immediate impact early in the season, collecting hits in several of the team’s first games, including a key performance against Buchholz (1-for-3 with a double). After a couple of early quiet games, he settled in and became a steady run producer, highlighted by a breakout 4-RBI, 3-hit performance against Choctawhatchee that included a home run and a triple.

Dinkelman’s production stayed strong throughout March, where he regularly delivered multi-hit games and extra-base power, including home runs against Choctawhatchee, Suwannee, Lakeside School, Wakulla, and Ponte Vedra. He also had multiple three-hit games and several multi-RBI performances in wins over top regional opponents.

One of his most dominant stretches came in mid-March through early April, where he consistently drove in runs and provided power in big wins like 15–0 against Lakeside School and 17–2 against North Florida Christian.

While he had a few hitless games scattered throughout the season, he repeatedly bounced back quickly and remained a reliable offensive threat.

TALLAHASSEE – Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a $114.5 billion spending plan Friday, wrapping up a special session to complete the budget more than two months after they failed to do so during the regular session.

The Senate voted unanimously in favor of the budget and the House voted 99-6 for the plan, but the vast support for the measure belied the tense process to produce it.

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, insisted on cutting the current budget of more than $115 billion, while Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, preferred to keep funding essentially level.

“Floridians expect their government to spend responsibly and prioritize the issues that matter most to families across our state,” Perez said in a released statement. “For the second year in a row, the Florida House has led the charge in passing a budget that reduces spending while continuing to invest in public safety, education, environmental protection, health care, and infrastructure.”

For his part, Albritton, a citrus farmer, was pleased with the $196 million in the budget to support the beleaguered citrus industry, which has endured freezes, a greening disease and encroaching development that has led to a massive shrinking in the number of boxes it produces each year.

“Florida citrus is making a comeback, one tree at a time,” Albritton said in a released statement. “This heritage industry is not only vital to our state’s economy, but it is truly a part of our DNA. Mark my words, Florida citrus is not going down on my watch. Citrus matters, and I am running to this fight.”

The budget includes $30 billion for K-12 schools, with $201 million for teacher pay increases. That raise, though, will only go to teachers with 10 years of experience, with the increase capped at $3,000 per year.

Republicans said they wanted to use the money to prevent veteran teachers from leaving the field.

“That’s a great approach to trying to retain veteran teachers,” said Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education.

Democrats, though, said the funding isn’t enough, as many districts faced potential cuts this year due to declining enrollment and teachers struggle to keep up with inflation.

There were funds included to mitigate the effect of enrollment declines for school districts, but Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said that would still leave Orange County with a $13 million shortfall for its schools.

Smith voted for the budget, but also took issue with the zeroing out of preeminence funding for universities. The University of Central Florida recently qualified for the funding, which is designed to push schools to boost research. But now the school won’t be able to receive the money. In the current budget, $40 million was set aside for preeminence funding, which went to the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida International University and the University of South Florida.

“The preeminence framework remains a part of Florida law,” said Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, in response to Smith. “This is something that I hope we will revisit next year.”

Other Democrats called for raises for all state workers, instead of the 4 percent raises are targeted only corrections officers, state law enforcement officials and firefighters included in the budget.

“Our state employees are having difficult times paying their bills, paying for childcare, paying their car note, paying for property insurance, car insurance, all those things,” said Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando. “There’s nothing we can do about pay raises this year, but for those coming back next year, I hope that we will put this on our radar screen and make sure that it happens.”

Still, only six House Democrats voted against the budget, although the main theme from Democrats was that it doesn’t do enough to help Floridians facing cost of living constraints.

“I don’t know what it’s going to take for us to wake up one day and realize that we are really not doing the things for the people in the state of Florida that we should be doing, as opposed to doing what companies need,” said Rep. Dianne Hart-Lowman, D-Tampa, who voted against the budget.

House budget chief Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, defended the spending plan as putting the state on a better fiscal path that will avoid the deficits in future years projected by state economists.

Friday, May 29, 2026

Weather: Today showers and thunderstorms likely, with a high near 90. Tonight, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with a low around 72. Saturday, showers and thunderstorms likely, with a high near 88. Saturday night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, with a low around 73. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq +1.0%) (More).

Local & State News

Steve Stewarts discusses questions about an LCS meeting addressing construction contracting.

First-time jobless claims in Florida eased for a second consecutive week following a spike when nearly 5,000 Spirit Airlines workers were laid off in the state. Details

National News

US and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative deal yesterday to extend a ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin nuclear negotiations. The proposal has been sent to President Donald Trump for review.

Trump Accounts app launches in the US; parents and guardians of US children born between 2025 and 2028 can register their kids for the 530A, tax-preferred investment accounts seeded with $1K each (More).

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Weather: Today, a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Tonight, a slight chance of showers with a low around 71. Thursday, a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 86. Thursday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with a low around 71. NWS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow -0.2%, Nasdaq +1.2%) (More).

Local & State News

The Leon County School Board voted 4-1 on May 26 to place a proposed one-mill property tax increase on the November ballot, a move expected to generate approximately $24 million annually for Leon County Schools. Details.

Peter Schweizer, the bestselling author and government accountability watchdog known for his hard-hitting investigations into political corruption, has officially endorsed Tallahassee resident and Iraq war veteran Luke Murphy in the Republican primary race for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Details.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday denied Florida’s request to prevent California and Washington from issuing licenses to commercial truck drivers who are not in the country legally. Details

Florida attracted slightly fewer tourists in the first quarter than during the same period last year, data from the state’s tourism marketing agency released Tuesday show Visit Florida reported an estimated 39.89 million people journeyed to the state between January 1 and March 31, down 1 percent from the first quarter of 2025. Details

National News

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) defeats incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) in primary runoff (More).

President Donald Trump to hold Cabinet meeting at White House, canceling original planned trip to Camp David in Maryland; follows US strikes on Iran late Monday (More).

Hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hope people don’t become complacent as the agency is the latest to forecast a “below-normal” storm season.

Highlighting new drone technologies and changes in the forecast cone at an event in Lakeland, the federal agency’s outlook anticipates up to 14 named storms for the six-month season that begins June 1.

Between three and six of the named storms are expected to reach hurricane strength, with winds at or above 74 mph. The forecast also includes three-to-five of the hurricanes reaching Category 3 or greater status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, where maximum winds are at least 111 mph.

NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said people shouldn’t ease preparations because of the forecast. He noted that there were only four hurricanes in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida with 175 mph sustained winds and four in 1965 when Hurricane Betsy left more than 80 dead on a path that included southern Florida and Louisiana.

“We’re ready. We need to get the American public ready as well. And don’t let words like below average – don’t let all those words change the way you prepare,” Graham said during a press event at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland. “Even if you have a few storms, they could be big ones.”

The forecast is based in part on “El Niño” conditions occurring late in the six-month hurricane season that begins June 1. This weather phemomenon is said to increase vertical wind shear that disrupts systems from building and makes it harder for the development of the eastern waves coming off of Africa to strengthen into storms.

Graham said people also need to look beyond the forecast size of a storm and listen for threats of flooding rainfall, rip currents, storm surge, and other inland dangers.

For the 2026 season, Graham noted the National Hurricane Center cone graphic will include tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for inland areas and account for forward motions and directional or lateral uncertainty rather than straight track error.

“This is a much better way to independently visualize uncertainty in both direction and timing,” Graham said.

Matthew Rosencrans, NOAA’s lead hurricane season forecaster, said the impacts of El Niño are mostly on the Atlantic waters.

“Most of the effects of El Niño are deep in the tropics,” Rosencrans said. “They won’t have those long run-ups, those long storm tracks, you can get those storms in the Gulf that have the short awareness times.”

The forecast follows similar outlooks from Colorado State University researchers, who have called for a “somewhat below-normal” Atlantic hurricane season, and the meteorological company AccuWeather.

The school’s forecast models have predicted 13 named storms, instead of 14 to 15 in an average year, six hurricanes instead of seven, and two reaching major storm strength instead of three.

The researchers also based their model on waters being slightly cooler than normal in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic and for currently weak La Niña conditions to likely transition to El Niño in a few months.

The meteorological company AccuWeather has predicted 11 to 16 named storms for 2026, with four to seven reaching hurricane strength.

Last year, the Atlantic produced 13 named storms and five hurricanes, four of which reached Category 3.

None of the 2025 storms, though, made a direct landfall in Florida or the U.S. 

From 2022 to 2024, Florida took direct hits from six hurricanes, including four that were Category 3 or stronger.

Visit Florida President and CEO Bryan Griffin said the tourism marketing agency is in line to receive $80 million from the state in draft budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027 now before the Senate and House – the same level as the current year.

“We’re very pleased about that, for the support among all the different decision-makers in the state,” Griffin told members of the Visit Florida Executive Committee on Wednesday. “We’re grateful, and we’re going to continue to make sure that they have everything they need, to know that we are being effective and spending money wisely, and being good stewards of the taxpayer dollar.”

Visit Florida, expected to release first quarter 2026 tourism numbers by Friday, estimated a record 143.3 million people traveled into Florida in 2025, a 0.2 percent increase from 2024.

The House and Senate are in the middle of a special session to resolve differences in the budget, but funding for Visit Florida isn’t part of the dispute. Both chambers set aside $80 million in their preferred spending plans.

Last month, the Board hosted a standing-room-only public meeting where residents, community stakeholders, and representatives from Trulieve shared their perspectives and concerns regarding the ongoing issues surrounding the facility.

Two separate state regulators have raised concerns related to the facility, including issues involving “discharging of water,” “standing water,” and the “presence of excessive pollutants” referenced in a recent Notice of Non-Compliance issued by the Suwannee River Water Management District. 

Residents say their concerns go far beyond regulatory issues. Many describe a constant industrial-type noise, some comparing it to standing near an airport jetway, along with persistent skunk-like odors that are affecting daily life, raising concerns about property values and potential health impacts.

Concerns about the facility intensified following complaints from nearby residents and findings by state regulators. In April 2026, the Suwannee River Water Management District issued a notice of non-compliance alleging multiple violations of the company’s Environmental Resource Permit. Inspectors cited unpermitted impervious surfaces, standing water in stormwater ponds, erosion caused by prolonged water discharge, and excessive pollutants leaving the site during pumping events. Nearby residents also reported foul “skunk-like” odors and concerns about declining water quality in nearby creeks and groundwater.

Trulieve has denied causing environmental harm, stating that independent testing showed water quality within normal limits and that the facility remains in compliance with state standards. Regulators continue monitoring the site while residents and local officials call for additional oversight and testing.

Trulieve also argued that its Jefferson County cannabis facility is exempt from certain wastewater discharge permitting requirements because the company considers the operation an agricultural nursery rather than an industrial facility.

The analysis compares 12-month average taxable sales growth from December 2022 through October 2025 — labeled as the “peak” period — with growth since October 2025, when the national economy began slowing. The “total” column combines both periods to show which local economies have remained resilient despite the downturn.

Statewide, taxable sales growth during the “peak” period was 7.8%. Since the peak, growth has declined 2.8%, for a net growth rate over the period of 5.0%.

Among Florida counties, Sumter County posted the strongest peak-period growth at 19.0%, followed closely by Clay County at 20.3%. Saint Johns County ranked third at 14.7%, while Manatee County recorded 12.9% growth and Pasco County posted 11.3%.

Several counties in Central and Northeast Florida dominated the peak growth rankings, reflecting strong population gains and consumer spending during the post-pandemic expansion.

At the opposite end, Monroe County experienced the weakest peak growth at negative 5.4%, followed by Okaloosa County at negative 3.2%, Seminole County at negative 2.6%, Lee County at negative 0.9%, and Escambia County at negative 0.6%.

Since the October 2025 slowdown, however, nearly every county has experienced declining taxable sales growth. The counties hit hardest by the downturn were Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties, each showing a 6.9% decline since the peak. Pinellas County followed with a 6.5% drop, while Broward County posted a 6.1% decline and Duval County fell 5.8%.

Leon County also saw a notable decline of 5.7% since October 2025.

Tourism-heavy counties were particularly vulnerable during the slowdown. Monroe, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Seminole counties all posted declines exceeding 5% after the peak period.

Despite the economic slowdown, several counties still maintained positive overall taxable sales growth, indicating stronger consumer activity and comparatively resilient local economies.

Sumter County led the state with a total gain of 19.8%, followed by Clay County at 18.5% and Saint Johns County at 12.6%. Manatee County remained strong at 10.0%, while Nassau County posted 7.3% total growth.

Other counties that stayed in positive territory included Orange, Lake, Sarasota, Marion, Palm Beach, Brevard, Walton, Santa Rosa, and Leon counties, though some showed only modest gains after recent declines.

The statewide total remained positive at 5.0%, suggesting Florida’s economy overall continues to outperform many states despite weaker consumer spending trends.

Still, a growing number of counties have now slipped into negative territory on the combined measure. Broward County posted a total decline of 5.5%, Lee County fell 4.9%, and Seminole and Monroe counties each recorded a negative 7.9% total change — the weakest overall performance among the counties analyzed.

The data highlights a widening divide between counties that continue benefiting from population growth and in-migration and those more dependent on tourism, discretionary spending, or slower-growing local economies.

Matlow sought to take advantage of a recently revealed federal government audit of a grant program awarded to the city. In the process Matlow accused City Manager Reese Goad and his “brother-in-law” of “public corruption.”

Matlow wrote on a social media post, “Nepotism between Reese Goad as City Manager and Adam Jacobs, Budget Director for the COT housing department underscores the poor judgement of Reese Goad again. The city manager and his brother-in-law have cost the city another political, financial, and reputational black eye… This is a dark moment for our city.”

Matlow continued, “Both Mr. Goad and his brother-in-law have let down our city government.”

The attack backfired when it was revealed that Matlow’s claims were false. The Budget Director for the city referenced in Matlow’s post is not related to City Manager Goad.

Matlow used the false narrative to make dramatic claims, writing, “the embarrassment of public corruption amid allegations and findings by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development against the City of Tallahassee is the very last straw we can take.”

The audit initiated by the federal government has not been completed and no findings have been released.

Matlow offered an apology for his mistake at the end of Wednesday’s city commission meeting but was criticized by Mayor Dailey for not understanding the impact of his irresponsible actions on an innocent city employee. Dailey demanded Matlow make a formal apology at the next city commission meeting and include that apology on social media where Matlow published his accusations.

Matlow left the city hall chambers while Dailey was responding to Matlow’s attack on Goad.

In the 2024 election cycle, Inman-Johnson took on Commissioner Curtis Richardson. Richardson won reelection, capturing 50.71% of the general election vote with Inman-Johnson receiving 49.29% of vote.

Like Kalicki, Inman-Johnson is part of the Tallahassee progressive movement led by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

“I’m not willing to let Dianne Williams-Cox be re-elected without a meaningful challenge. City Hall is in disarray; it’s clear we are going to need stability and ethical leadership in Seat 5 to guide our City through this interim period,” said Inman-Johnson. “I’m willing to serve one term and make sure the transition is successful.”

In addition to Dianne Williams-Cox, the seat 5 race also includes candidates Tifany Hill and Bernard Stevens.

The news release from the campaign is below;

TALLAHASSEE, FL— Dot is back.

Dot Inman-Johnson filed to run for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5 to challenge Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox.

“I’m not willing to let Dianne Williams-Cox be re-elected without a meaningful challenge. City Hall is in disarray; it’s clear we are going to need stability and ethical leadership in Seat 5 to guide our City through this interim period,” said Inman-Johnson. “I’m willing to serve one term and make sure the transition is successful.”

Inman-Johnson cites the hostile state government takeover of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, reckless selloff of Capital City County Club, questionable administration of the Fire Services Fee and chronic City Hall self-dealing, with political insiders benefitting themselves by sitting on local government boards in her decision to run.

The announcement comes as embattled City Manager Reese Goad abruptly resigns leaving a void in responsible leadership to appoint his successor.

Dot Inman-Johnson served honorably as Mayor and City Commissioner, building consensus from neighborhoods and business interests alike. A historic figure in Tallahassee politics, Inman-Johnson was the first Black woman to serve as Mayor and gave the Key to the City to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks.

A proven vote getter, she received 40,856 votes against incumbent Curtis Richardson last November and 15,791 votes in a first-place August primary result, for a total 56,647 ballots cast for Inman-Johnson in the most recent City elections.

“I have advocated and navigated high stakes community issues that divided our community like the coal plant, and helped guide the creation of Kleman Plaza downtown development that now bears my name at Dot Inman-Johnson Park.”

Since 2024 Dot has remained in the spotlight leading the fight against what she cites as an illegal tax in the way the Fire Service Fee is administered.

“We need to move forward with engaged neighborhoods, a responsible business community, leaders unwilling to blur ethical lines, and most of all the restored trust of everyday Tallahassee residents,” she added.

“I have the expertise to bring stable, ethical leadership during this transition to get our house back in order,” concluded Inman-Johnson.

Dot’s official campaign operations will launch the week of May 18, when she will be available for media interviews.

 Florida’s largest teachers union filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Department of Education, alleging the disparity between traditional public schools and private schools receiving taxpayer vouchers violates the state constitution.

The lawsuit filed in the Leon County Circuit Court by the Florida Education Association was joined by a group of parents, school board members and civil rights organizations. It alleges nearly $5 billion in taxpayer dollars are being sent to private schools and charter schools via the Family Empowerment Scholarship, which aren’t held to the same standards or oversight as traditional public schools.

That discrepancy violates the Florida constitution’s requirement for the state to “make adequate provision for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high-quality system of free public schools,” the lawsuit claims.

“With this lawsuit we are simply asking for accountability, transparency and a basic set of educational standards, which is what every parent wants – regardless of where they choose to send their children,” said FEA President Andrew Spar. “Floridians have made it clear we should be strengthening not abandoning our public schools.”

Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas defended the universal voucher program, saying the program empowers parents.

“Thanks to (Gov. Ron DeSantis), every Florida family has access to universal school choice, empowering them to select the learning environment that best fits their child’s individual needs,” Kamoutsas wrote in a post on X. “We stand unapologetically convicted on the principle of always putting students first!”

As of March, there were an estimated 521,000 students enrolled in private and home school options using voucher funds for the 2025-2026 school year, according to data from the state’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research.

According to the lawsuit, about a quarter of the state’s education budget is going to voucher programs, up from 12 percent in 2021.

In 2023 lawmakers expanded the existing voucher program, which was targeted initially to low-income families, to any K-12 student in the state. The law provides that money from corporate tax credits, which funded the initially program, be used first before general funds are used for the universal voucher program.

Last year, the state’s auditor general found a “myriad of accountability challenges” within the voucher system. The report showed overspending and delays in scholarship payments that resulted in a funding shortfall and a system without proper controls to verify where students who received the voucher payments were being educated.

A bill that would have implemented the recommendations from the report passed the Senate but never received a hearing in the House.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he will quickly sign the new Congressional district map his office put before state legislators this week.

Appearing at a groundbreaking for an interstate interchange in Ormond Beach, DeSantis replied that he will sign the controversial legislation (HB 1D) “as soon as I get it.”

“This is something that we’ve been fighting for a number of years … the fact that we’ve had so much population growth and the districts are really not representative of where Florida is today versus four years ago,” DeSantis said while at Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach. “So we had justification. “

The Florida House and Senate approved the major mid-decade redrawing of the state’s 28 congressional districts Wednesday, a move that could help Republicans retain control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections.

Democrats and voting rights groups have also announced plans to contest the maps in court once signed.

The House voted 83-28 on the changes expected to increase Republican representation in the Florida congressional delegation that currently stands at 20-8.

The Senate voted 21-17, with four Republicans — Sens. Alexis Calatayud of Miami, Ileana Garcia of Miami, Erin Grall of Vero Beach and Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island — joining 12 Democrats and one no party affiliation senator voting against the proposal.

The bill, though, hasn’t been formally transmitted to his desk.