Monday, April 20, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 80. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 52. Tuesday, sunny, with a high near 84. Tuesday night, a low around 58. NWS

US stock markets rally Friday (S&P 500 +1.2%, Dow +1.8%, Nasdaq +1.5%) following preliminary news the Strait of Hormuz was “fully open” (More).

Local & State News

The latest jobs report shows the Leon County February unemployment rate is 4.9%. The January unemployment rate was revised to 5.0%. There were 158,654 people working in Leon County in February compared to January’s revised employment number of 156,764. More details.

On April 14, the Leon County Commission voted 6-1 to revive a charter amendment that would address the historical harms caused by past Leon County government policies. The proposal calls for the county to study past injustices and allocate funding toward corrective initiatives. Leon County Commissioner Brian Welch was the only no vote. Following the meeting, Welch posted written comments about the issue and a link to a video of his comments during the meeting on his social media platforms. Details

House and Senate leaders still don’t have a deal on topline budget numbers, although offers continue to be exchanged between the chambers, one top negotiator said Friday. Details

A panel of the Florida Legislature agreed Friday to distribute more than $105 million in federal dollars to shield FIFA World Cup matches in Miami from unmanned drones and other attacks. Details

National News

The US says it has seized an Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz—an almost 900-foot cargo vessel that allegedly refused the US’ warnings to stop. The claim comes days before the countries’ two-week ceasefire expires Wednesday. See US footage of the ship here.

Gunman kills seven of his children and one other child in Shreveport, Louisiana, in what police characterize as a domestic incident (More).

Friday, April 17, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 89. Tonight, a low around 59. Saturday, a high near 89. Saturday Night, a low around 64.  NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.3%, Dow +0.2%, Nasdaq +0.4%) after Israel and Lebanon agree to temporary ceasefire (More).

Local Sports: On April 13 and 14, Chiles hosted the FHSAA 3A District 2 tournament involving six total teams at Tom Brown Park. Chiles won both district titles as a team for boys and girls while Leon finished runner-up in both the boys and girls divisions as well. Details

Local & State News

On Monday, April 13, the Leon County School Board received a presentation outlining the current and projected residential growth patterns across Leon County, highlighting the geographic distribution of new housing, development approvals, and long-term population trends that will influence school enrollment and facility planning.  Details.

LCS Seeks Renewal of Half-Penny Sales Tax, $500M in Revenue: The half-penny sales tax has been a longstanding funding source for local schools, first approved by voters in 2002 and renewed again in 2012. Since the last renewal, the tax has generated approximately $397 million in revenue to support school facilities and capital improvements. The current voter-approved funding authorization is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2027. Details.

Undocumented immigrants would be barred from admission to state colleges under a proposed rule by the Florida Department of Education. Details.

Justice John Couriel will be Florida’s next chief justice, after he was unanimously elected to the post Thursday by his fellow justices on the Florida Supreme Court. Details.

National News

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 5 pm ET yesterday, which may aid efforts to extend the fragile US-Iran truce.

President Donald Trump nominates retired Coast Guard officer and former deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (More).

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Weather: Today, a high near 88. Tonight, a low around 59. Friday, sunny, with a high near 88. Friday night, a low around 58. NWS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.8%, Dow -0.2%, Nasdaq +1.6%); S&P 500 rises to new high (More).

Local Sports: On April 13 and 14, Chiles hosted the FHSAA 3A District 2 tournament involving six total teams at Tom Brown Park. Chiles won both district titles as a team for boys and girls while Leon finished runner-up in both the boys and girls divisions as well. Details

Local & State News

The Leon County Commission voted 6-1 to revive a charter amendment that would address the historical harms caused by past Leon County government policies. Details.

LCS Seeks Renewal of Half-Penny Sales Tax, $500M in Revenue: The half-penny sales tax has been a longstanding funding source for local schools, first approved by voters in 2002 and renewed again in 2012. Since the last renewal, the tax has generated approximately $397 million in revenue to support school facilities and capital improvements. The current voter-approved funding authorization is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2027. Details.

Florida’s special session on redistricting will be delayed one week, after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation Wednesday postponing it and reviving a couple of his priorities that failed during the regular legislative session. Details

The Supreme Court of Florida released its February results for the Florida Bar exam, with nearly 62 percent of takers passing the test. Details

National News

President Donald Trump signals peace talks with Iran could resume as US military enforces blockade on all commercial ships from Iran (More).

Jury finds Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster illegally monopolized ticketing market and overcharged customers, with remedies pending; verdict was brought by 34 states and DC after Live Nation settled separately with the DOJ (More).

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 89. Tonight, a low around 60. Thursday, a high near 89. Thursday night, low around 59. NWS

US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +1.2%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +2.0%) (More)

Local & State News

On Tuesday April 14, the Leon County Commission voted to appoint Commission Chair Christian Caban as a negotiator over the fairground lease in an attempt to get a proposed redevelopment project off the ground. Details.

The latest local campaign contribution reports show that the contribution leaders to date are Tallahassee mayoral candidates Daryl Parks and Loranne Ausley, with bot pulling in more than $200,000. Check out the details.

Saying he wants to build a city that “is the envy of the nation,” former Tampa MayorBob Buckhorn filed paperwork Monday to become a candidate to return to lead City Hall.

Gov. Ron DeSantis could push back the special session on congressional redistricting, he said Tuesday. Details

National News

President Donald Trump says second round of negotiations with Iran could restart this week; the US turns away six ships as it continues blockade of Strait of Hormuz (More).

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sold to nonprofit publishing group, will no longer shut down following the 240-year-old company’s January announcement (More).

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 87. Tonight, clear, with a low around 59. Wednesday, sunny, with a high near 88. Wednesday night, a low around 59. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +1.0%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq +1.2%) (More).

High School Sports: Chiles (12-1) enters the final stretch of the regular season ranked No. 6 in the state of Florida and No. 12 nationally, the highest ranking in Leon County by a wide margin. See rankings.

Local & State News

On Saturday, April 11, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that School Board chair Marcus Nicolas has accepted the top job at a media company owned by prominent Tallahassee attorney and lobbyist Sean Pittman. In the report, Nicolas said “his new role does not pose a conflict”. However, TR’s research indicates there are several connections between Sean Pittman operated businesses and the Leon County School Board which raise questions about potential conflicts. Details.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia pulled in more than $1.2 million in the first quarter as he seeks a full term in the Cabinet office to which he was appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Details

Attorney General James Uthmeier raised $1.91 million in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the $336,000 raised by Democratic challenger José Javier Rodríguez, according to numbers posted by the Division of Elections website. Details

National News

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D, CA-14) says he will resign after House Ethics Committee announces probe into sexual misconduct allegations; Swalwell exited the California governor’s race late Sunday (More).

US existing home sales fell by 3.6% month over month in March, the lowest level since June; median home price of $408,800 is up 1.4% from a year ago (More).

Monday, April 13, 2026

Weather: Today, partly sunny, with a high near 83. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Tuesday, sunny, with a high near 86. Tuesday night, clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. NWS

US stock markets close Friday mixed (S&P 500 -0.1%, Dow -0.6%, Nasdaq +0.4%), but end best week since November as fragile US-Iran ceasefire holds (More).

Local & State News

Florida State University and the City of Tallahassee on Friday completed the legal transfer of city-owned hospital assets, marking a historic milestone for FSU Health, the university’s academic health system. Details.

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Lawmakers remain in a holding pattern, with no concrete progress made on the budget. Legislative leaders issued memos to members saying they won’t need to return to the Capitol next week because there’s no agreement on allocations – top line numbers for the spending plan. Details.

Compared to January’s citrus forecast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s April production forecast for oranges rose by 2%. Details

National News

President Donald Trump announced yesterday that the US would begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz. The decision comes after talks with Iran collapsed Saturday over broad disagreements, including Iran’s nuclear program, ending the highest-level negotiations between the two since 1979. 

New York officials opened a probe into Rep. Eric Swalwell (D, CA-14) over the weekend, following allegations by multiple women of sexual assault. Several high-profile people and organizations also withdrew endorsements from Swalwell, who currently leads Democratic candidates in the June 2 primary for governor with 13%-14% in polls. 

Friday, April 10, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 83. Tonight, a low around 57. Saturday, sunny, with a high near 85. Saturday night, low around 58. Sunday, a high near 85. Sunday night, low around 59. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq +0.8%) ahead of US-Iran talks (More).

Local & State News

Press Forward North Florida, an initiative of the Community Foundation of North Florida, is proud to announce the launch of the Capital Region News Collaborative — a coalition of six local news organizations joining forces to provide deeper, community-centered reporting on issues that matter most to the region. Details.

Florida A&M University has announced plans for the ceremonial investiture and accompanying events for President Marva Johnson, who was selected as the 13^th president of the historically Black public university nearly a year ago.

Colorado State University researchers on Thursday projected a “somewhat below-normal” Atlantic hurricane season. Details

National News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday he is seeking direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants. The announcement came a day after Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed more than 300 people and followed repeated requests from Beirut. Talks between the two countries are expected to begin next week in Washington, DC. 

The US fertility rate hit another record low (w/charts) in 2025, falling from 53.8 to 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released yesterday. The decline extends a nearly two-decade slide and reflects a broader shift toward later childbearing and smaller families. See data here.

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Weather: Today, sunny, with a high near 79. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 56. Friday, sunny, with a high near 82. Friday night, a low around 57. NWS

US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +2.5%, Dow +2.9%, Nasdaq +2.8%), oil falls below $95 per barrel on US-Iran two-week ceasefire (More).

Local & State News

During a Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) press conference on Wednesday, April 8, Police Chief Revell announced the arrest of 42-year Chandale Mills following a months-long narcotics investigation that resulted in the seizure of trafficking-level quantities of illegal drugs, multiple firearms, and nearly $30,000 in cash. Details.

Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in January to 4.5 percent, a jump of 0.2 percent from December, data released Wednesday from the Department of Commerce show. Details

There won’t be a special session to work on the budget next week, legislative leaders announced Wednesday.

National News

Iran accuses the US of violating ceasefire, closes the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s attacks on Lebanon (More).

Justice Department says Pam Bondi will not comply with a House subpoena to testify on the Epstein files April 14, as she is no longer attorney general (More).

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Weather: Today, a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3pm, with a high near 76. Tonight, a low around 55. Thursday, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Thursday night, mostly clear, with a low around 55. NWS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.1%, Dow -0.2%, Nasdaq +0.1%), with most traders waiting on the outcome of deal to pause fighting in Iran (More).

Local & State News

TPD crime incident numbers for March 2026 are in. The numbers show that year-to-date (YTD) property crime and violent crime incidents are up 20.7% when compared to YTD numbers in March 2025. Details.

The state stepped in last week to help manage the distressed finances of two rural school districts, and that could be just an inkling of what’s to come, state leaders say, as enrollment continues to decline. Details

University of Florida researchers are asking South Florida residents for help against the spread of Asian swamp eels. 

National News

The US and Iran agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire yesterday afternoon, finding an off-ramp to avoid potential widespread strikes across Iran. The agreement was mediated by Pakistan, with officials pointing to the possibility of a longer-term pause in fighting.

Clay Fuller (R) defeats Shawn Harris (D) in Georgia’s special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R, GA-14), 56-44%; district went for President Donald Trump in 2024 by 37 points (More).

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Weather: Today, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Wednesday, a 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.5%, Dow +0.4%, Nasdaq +0.5%) and oil prices rise slightly as investors hope for Iran war ceasefire (More) 

Local & State News

Tallahassee city commissioner and mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow recently took to social media and the pages of the Tallahassee Democrat to defend a judge who has come under fire for granting bail to a convicted sex offender. Details.

Ramon Velazquez Rodas, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for charges relating to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Details.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill allowing the state to designate groups as “domestic terrorist organizations.” It backs up an executive order he issued in December placing that label on two Islamic groups. Details

National News

President Donald Trump shares details of rescue mission for second airman from fallen F-15E plane in Iran; threatens journalist who revealed a US crew member was in Iran with prison unless they reveal their source (More)

No. 1 Michigan won the men’s college basketball championship last night, beating No. 2 UConn, 69-63. It marks the Wolverines’ second title and the first since 1989 and puts a bow on the program’s best season in school history, with a 37-3 record. 

Monday, April 6, 2026

Weather: Today, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Tonight, a low around 55. Tuesday, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 77. Tuesday night, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. NWS

US stock markets closed on Friday.

Local & State News

According to filings with Leon County and the City of Tallahassee, the number of single-family residential construction permits was up 26.1% in March 2026 when compared to March 2025. Details.

The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) is currently conducting a homicide investigation in the 1100 block of Apalachee Parkway. Details.

Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson reflected on her experience thus far as the university’s leader, particularly in light of widespread public pushback to her selection. Details

Florida continues to wait for signs of a budget and paperwork for other pending special sessions. In the meantime, the state bumps through the early stages of bill signing season, with Gov. Ron DeSantis drawing anticipated pushback on some of the measures he’s signed into law. Details

National News

The US rescued the second of two crew members from a downed F-15E aircraft in Iran, officials revealed yesterday. Both were evacuated with non-life-threatening injuries.

Average US gas price rises above $4.10 per gallon as oil markets wait on reported ceasefire talks between the US and Iran; see state-by-state breakdown at the pump (More).

Friday, April 3, 2026

Weather: Today, a slight chance of showers between 11am and noon, with a high near 83. Tonight, a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm with a low around 65. Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Saturday night, mostly clear, with a low around 61. NWS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 +0.1%, Dow -0.1%, Nasdaq +0.2%) (More).

Local & State News

TPD makes arrest in fatal shooting on Faringdon Drive. Details.

On March 30, Dr. Benny L. Bolden, Jr., the Director for Interdivisional Support Services and Secondary Schools for Leon County Schools, notified students and parents about changes to graduation criteria. Details.

Local, state and federal law agents have wrapped up a major probe into human trafficking in and around Tallahassee. Details.

State general revenue collections for February exceeded expectations by $154.5 million, according to the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. Details

The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 4,936 initial unemployment applications were filed last week in Florida, down from a revised count of 5,398 the week ending March 21.

National News

President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi yesterday, removing the country’s top law enforcement officer after a 14-month tenure. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general.

The UK convenes 41 countries to pressure Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the US would not play a lead role in restoring the waterway during prime-time address Wednesday.