Tallahassee Man Pleads Guilty to Communicating Threats to Injure Children

Tallahassee Man Pleads Guilty to Communicating Threats to Injure Children

Demetrius Alpha Omega Murray, 33, has pleaded guilty in federal court regarding the six-count Indictment for interstate communication of threats to injure children. The allegations in the Indictment caused the lockdown of three Tallahassee area schools. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea. U.S. Attorney Heekin […]

Tallahassee Police Department Swears In 24 New Officers

Tallahassee Police Department Swears In 24 New Officers

On January 30th, the Tallahassee Police Department welcomed its first class of 24 officers of 2026 following their Swearing-In Ceremony. The event carried special significance as it kicked off the start of the department’s bicentennial year, marking 200 years of service to the Tallahassee community. After completing in-house training, these officers were formally sworn in […]

City Announces Customer Assistance Program Amid High Utility Usage

City Announces Customer Assistance Program Amid High Utility Usage

Due to the recent cold weather and resulting higher electric utility bills, the City of Tallahassee announced the launching of the Weather Relief Assistance Program (WRAP). The city press release notes that “January has been one of the coldest in decades in Tallahassee, with multiple rounds of freezing weather, including 10 nights where temperatures fell below […]

Fewer Students, Higher Taxes

Fewer Students, Higher Taxes

Board member Wood advocates for a $30 million property tax increase. As budget discussions intensify, Leon County School Board member Rosanne Wood is making a public plea to preserve neighborhood schools, arguing that the typical $1 million in savings gained from a closure is a negligible fraction of the district’s $368 million operating budget. Instead, […]

Commissioner O’Keefe Compares ICE Agreement to Fugitive Slave Act, Nuremburg Laws

Commissioner O’Keefe Compares ICE Agreement to Fugitive Slave Act, Nuremburg Laws

On Tuesday, January 27th, the Leon County Commission, after much discussion, voted 6-1 to accept a $500,000 grant that reimburses LCSO for expenses it has and will incur for cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Commissioner David O’Keefe voted no. Due to the controversy related to local officials helping with the enforcement of immigration […]

Leon Teachers Union Demand “People Over Property” as District Faces Critical Financial Decisions

Leon Teachers Union Demand “People Over Property” as District Faces Critical Financial Decisions

In a passionate appeal during a recent school board meeting on Monday January 26, Scott Mazur, speaking on behalf of Leon classroom teachers and instructional staff, called for a radical shift in how the district manages its resources. Mazur urged officials to prioritize the district’s “human capital” over its physical property, arguing that the current […]

Texas Man Arrested by LCSO in Online Child Exploitation Investigation

Texas Man Arrested by LCSO in Online Child Exploitation Investigation

On Monday, January 26th, 46-year-old John Fredrick Black was arrested in Texas and booked into the Harris County Jail on a warrant issued by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant stems from an undercover investigation into online child exploitation in Tallahassee. Earlier this month, detectives with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation and […]

LCS Adds 47 Administrators as Student Enrollment Declines

LCS Adds 47 Administrators as Student Enrollment Declines

Reports filed with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) show that the Leon County School Board has added 47 School Administrator positions over a 6-year period while the number of students declined and the number of teachers were reduced. This information comes amid a debate about how to address the financial struggles of the school […]

Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: January 13, 2026

Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: January 13, 2026

Provided below are the news briefs from the January 13, 2026, Leon County School Board meeting. Items for Consideration -all votes were unanimous, 5-0. Item19.01, Item 19.02, & 19.03 The Board voted, following a public hearing, for approval of amendments to Policy 1210, 3210 & 4210 related to Standards of Ethical Conduct, effective January 14, 2026. […]

Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Briefs: January 14, 2026

Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Briefs: January 14, 2026

Provided below are the news briefs from the Tallahassee City Commission meeting held on January 14, 2026. Consent Agenda The city commission voted unanimously to approve 6 consent items. Item 8.01: Approve Award for Vacant Lot Mowing Services to Silvina Lawn Care Inc., D/B/A Val’s Lawn Care (IFB-011-26-KM). Item 8.02: Acceptance and Appropriation of the State-Funded Grant […]