Tallahassee Reports
The
In a joint statement released on November 12, Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare rejected rumors of a hospital taxing district. P1
Leon County Government recently announced two standout performances at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park. P3
Tallahassee State College (TSC) has been recognized as the No. 1 institution in the Best Colleges in Florida 2026 ranking by Research.com. P2
The Leon County Commission voted to approve a bid for construction of the Big Bend Scenic Byway (BBSB) Improvements Project. P5
The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the October 2025 passenger traffic decreased 7.1%, continuing a downward trend. P9
Saying “the First Amendment is not absolute,” a federal judge rejected an attempt to require state officials to reinstate a biologist who was fired because of a social media post. P6
The Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP and Tallahassee ALERT hosted a town hall Tuesday night on the future of the FSU-TMH merger. P5
Two Groups Sue City Over Fire Services Fee
By Steve Stewart
The ACLU of Florida and the Southern Poverty Law Center is suing the City of Tallahassee over its fire services fee.
The fire services fee is about $20 month and is paid on Tallahassee residents' utility bills and unincorporated county residents' tax bills. It funds the city’s fire department and firefighter salaries. The county does not have its own fire department, so the city provides those services.
ACLU of Florida Attorney Nicholas Warren said the fee is illegal under the Florida constitution and is an unfair bur-
Growth Debate Docks at Lake Jackson County
By Steve Stewart
Commission Votes 5-2 to Limit NE Development
On Tuesday, November 18, Leon County Commissioners voted to adopt a recommendation related to a controversial Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan change that addressed development around Lake Jackson. The recommendation was modified from a previous proposal based on further analysis by staff experts.
The Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan is a set of policies and rules that regulate the community’s longterm growth plan.
The land use discussion focused on the Urban Services Area (USA), a boundary that defines where central water & sewer and city electric service will be provided, and therefore, promotes development in those areas.
Staff had previously recommended the expansion of the USA in the Lake Jackson area on the east and west side of Meridian Road. However, on Tuesday, the staff presented a more limited expansion from
what was previously recommended. The proposal passed 5-2 with Leon County Commissioners Rick Minor and David O’Keefe voting against the proposal. Minor and O’Keefe voted against the recommendation because it did
not limit growth enough. Commissioner Brian Welch said he was willing to compromise.
“There’s a fine line between reasonable concerns about growth and then just being nitpicky and being averse to
University President Carousel: FSU Focused on McCullough
By Jay Waagmeester
Florida Phoenix
Amid a flurry of moves that has seen several Florida university presidents get replaced in the past year one leader is staying in place.
The chair of the Florida State University’s Board of Trustees says he’s looking forward to extending President Richard McCullough’s contract.
With his initial 2021 contract expiring Aug. 31, 2026, Chair Peter Collins told the Phoenix that McCullough, 66, is the “perfect person” for the job.
Florida State University President Richard McCullough speaks to reporters at the College of Medicine on July 9, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)
“He’s doing a great job, there’s no plans on changing that,” Collins said late last month.
Collins said he plans to take McCullough’s contract extension to the Board of Governors to approve next year.
“I don’t anticipate any problem with that,” Collins said.
BOG regulations limit university presidents to one-year contract extensions once their original terms expire.
FSU ranked #21 among public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, keeping close to the top 20, when in 2021 it landed at #19.
FSU was the third-highest scoring public institution in the 2025 perfor-
mance-based funding metrics.
Eight of the 12 state universities have concluded or have started a presidential search since June 2024. That figure includes the University of North Florida, which is anticipated to start a presidential search if the BOG votes, to make current UNF President Moez Limayem head of the University of South Florida. Incoming BOG chair Alan Levine said he intends to support Limayem.
Collins, who was unanimously elected chair of the FSU Board of Trustees in August for a two-year term, said he doesn’t anticipate FSU becoming the ninth university with a new president.
“There’s going to be no change in leadership prior to the end of his next year. We would extend him now as a board if we could,” Collins said.
On the recent controversy around presidential appointments, Collins said, “I have no concern on that at all for Florida State or President McCullough. He’s done a fantastic
even common-sense reasonable requests,” said Welch. The majority of commissioners accepted delaying USA expansion east of North Meridian until more analysis of its impacts is done but did not support the more strin-
By Steve Stewart
In a joint statement released on November 12, Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare rejected rumors of a hospital taxing district, saying their academic medical center plan requires no new taxes as negotiations continue.
FSU and TMH are working to finalize a partnership to create an academic medical center. City leaders and state officials have said the creation of an academic medical center could reshape Tallahassee’s health care landscape, expand specialized care, and spur new economic development tied to research, workforce training, and biotech.
But this week, negotiations were overshadowed by talk about a special hospital taxing district.
“Let us be clear: Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare do not support the creation of a special hospital taxing district in Leon County or anywhere else…Our focus remains on strengthening our partnership to establish an academic health center that will serve the entire Tallahassee community,” the statement reads.
“This collaboration will enhance health care access, advance medical education, and improve health outcomes for all residents. Taxes have never been a part of our conversations, and they never will.”
The statement came after days of online debate, political speculation and questions about behind-the-scenes negotiations
Expanding urban services near Lake Jackson was before the Leon County Commission.
Tallahassee State College (TSC) has been recognized as the No. 1 institution in the Best Colleges in Florida 2026 ranking by Research.com, a leading university ranking platform. In addition to the state-wide recognition, Research.com has also recognized TSC as the No. 2 Best Value College in the United States.
The 2026 rankings were developed through a comprehensive analysis of data from multiple reputable sources, including Peterson, the Integrated
The Tallahassee QB Club recently announced that the club’s 76th Annual Jamboree will feature keynote speaker Warrick Dunn. The club notes that for the “first time in our storied 76-year history, Warrick Dunn takes the podium—delivering what is sure to be an unforgettable message of grit, leadership, and giving back. This is the night Tallahassee football lives for.”
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and the College Scorecard. Research.com’s evaluation considered factors such as degree offerings, quality of education, affordability, popularity, and overall student experience.
In its announcement of the list, Research.com highlighted TSC for its “strong transfer pathways, affordable tuition, high-quality instruction, modern facilities, partners with local industries to provide easier career paths for students, and holds vibrant
campus activities to help students stay engaged and connected.”
“We are deeply honored to receive both state and national recognition from Research.com,” said Dr. Jim Murdaugh, president of TSC. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to providing an exceptional learning environment that supports our students academically, professionally, and personally.”
With this recognition, TSC surpassed 34 other colleges and universi-
Dunn played at Florida State University, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards in 3 straight seasons. He graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree and was a three-time All-ACC selection. Dunn’s jersey, along with those of other Seminoles players has been retired by the university. His number (28) may still be worn by Seminole players, but his jersey will be displayed in the Moore Athletic Center at FSU. He also won a national championship in 1993 with Florida State.
Dunn was a running back for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL draft, after playing college football for the Florida State Seminoles. Dunn was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 and earned three Pro Bowl selections in his career. After his playing career, Dunn took a minority stake in the Falcons’ ownership group led by Arthur Blank.
Dunn, who has been recognized for his charitable activities, founded Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) to honor his late mother’s dream of homeownership. The program partners with local community organiza-
tions to reduce the burden on new, single parent homeowners by fully furnishing their new house, providing downpayment assistance checks, and stocking the pantry with food.
The event is scheduled for December 2 at The Champions Club, 225 Champions Way, and begins at 6:00 P.M.
Described as A Night to Honor Excellence, the club will present 10 prestigious awards to the Big Bend’s brightest studentathletes from our 10 local high schools and two universities, including: Bobby Bowden Head Coach of the Year, Charlie Ward Offensive Player of the Year, Mickey Andrews Defensive Player of the Year, Peter Warrick Receiver of the Year, Gene Cox ScholarAthlete of the Year, Monk Bonasorte Heart Award, and Jake Gaither Sportsmanship Award. The awards are sponsored by Champions First Credit Union. Reserved sponsorship tables and individual tickets are available. The event is free for club members or $100 for guests and nonmembers. Tables available for $2000. Also, the club asks that you bring an unwrapped toy for the Annual Toy Drive.
Register for tickets here: https://tallahasseeqbclub.com/events/#!event/ register/2025/12/2/76th-annual-jamboree
Florida A&M University
ties across Florida, reaffirming the college’s mission to provide a highquality and affordable education that prepares students for today’s competitive workforce.
President Marva Johnson, J.D., recently announced the appointment of John F. Davis as vice president and director of athletics, and Angela Suggs will return to the university as special assistant to the president and advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics. Suggs began her role in the Office of the President on Nov. 10. Interim Director of Athletics Michael Smith will continue to lead the Department of Athletics and assist with the transition until Davis’ official start date of January 5, 2026.
President Johnson highlighted Davis’ proven ability to manage complex enterprises, overseeing the budgets of a multibillion enterprise, while ensuring compliance and accountability, as some of the factors that led to her decision.
“John Davis is a dynamic and results-oriented leader who brings more than three decades of executive experience in leading large-scale organizations, building high-performing teams, and driving strategic growth across Florida. I am pleased to welcome him to Florida A&M University as my pick for vice president and director of athletics,” said Johnson.
Davis currently serves as secretary of the Florida Lottery, a position he’s held for the last five years. Since taking the helm, he has guided the Lottery’s significant growth, making it a $9 bil-
lion enterprise that funds public education statewide. Under his direction, the agency established new systems and processes that achieved record-breaking revenue.
Before his tenure at the Lottery, Davis served as executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber and president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, where he led historic membership and revenue growth, and forged enduring partnerships across all sectors.
“It is an honor to take the role of Vice President and Director of Athletics at FAMU. This position excites me and aligns with my experience in leading transformational change across public and private sectors. I view collegiate athletics as a business enterprise evolving alongside professional sports. To establish and advance a new trajectory for athletics at Florida A&M University, I intend to leverage the knowledge I’ve gained from various roles, including my experience as a collegiate student-athlete and advising on NIL policies,” said Davis.
TOTO & Earth, Wind & Fire to Perform at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park
Leon County Government recently announced two standout performances at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park: An Evening with TOTO on Thursday, February 26, 2026, and the return of the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire on Friday, April 24, 2026, in partnership with Word of South Festival. Tickets for both concerts go on sale on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Iconic rock band TOTO brings “An Evening with TOTO” on February 26, 2026, showcasing classic hits like “Africa,” “Rosanna,” and “Hold the Line.” Few bands have made a larger imprint on pop culture than TOTO, one of the top touring acts globally. The band’s largest hit, “Africa,” has reached the
milestone of two billion streams on Spotify alone and is certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. As the band approaches five decades of recording, TOTO remains a globally recognized and highly influential force in modern music.
The legendary Earth, Wind & Fire returns to Tallahassee on Friday, April 24, 2026, in partnership with Word of South Festival, following their soldout performance at the venue in 2022. The group is celebrated globally for its innovative fusion of R&B, funk, soul, and jazz. With over five decades performing, Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90
National Civics Bee North Florida Application Portal Now Open
The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the National Civics Bee to North Florida for the 2025-2026 program year. This annual initiative, now expanding to all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, invites middle school students to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities, and build trust in others and institutions through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition.
The National Civics Bee begins with a written essay and culminates in live events at the regional, state, and national levels.
The essay application portal is now open and closes on February 3, 2026. All students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to apply.
The top 20 finalists from the essay submissions will be invited to the regional competition on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Turner Auditorium on the campus of Tallahassee State College.
Learn more and submit your essays online at nationalcivicsbeenorthflorida.com
million records worldwide. Their iconic catalog includes timeless hits like “September,” “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “After the Love Has Gone.” Their numerous accolades include nine Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), four American Music Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.
Earth, Wind & Fire: General Admission: $95, P2 Reserved Seating: $112, & P1 Reserved Seating: $125
Ticket Information (including all taxes and fees):
An Evening with TOTO: General Admission: $64, P2 Reserved Seating: $89 & P1 Reserved Seating: $112.
For more information on The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park, seating details, and other concerts, visit https://TheAdderleyAmphitheater.com/.
TMH Announces “B” Grade from Industry Group
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare recently announced that the hospital received a “B” grade in the fall Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade ratings.
TR reported on the spring ratings in May which revealed that Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) and HCA Florida Capital Hospital both received a “B” grade.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is rating system focused on 22 evidence-based measures of hospital safety, including infection prevention, error reduction, medication safety, patient experience and staffing.
“TMH has implemented systemwide initiatives to strengthen our culture of safety,” said Chief Executive Officer Mark O’Bryant. “This score shows our community the hard work that happens day in and day
out to keep our patients safe. We’re incredibly proud of our colleagues for achieving these high safety standards.”
“Our achievement reflects years of work behind the scenes to align our teams around best practices – standardizing our processes, monitoring metrics and relentlessly pursuing high-reliability performance,” said Jana Iezzi-Tumblin, Vice President and Chief Improvement & Analytics Officer for TMH. “We are extremely proud of these collective efforts and our unwavering commitment to improvement.”
City Commission Reviews Fire Services Transition Plan
By Casey Drayer
During the November 19th city commission meeting, elected officials received a high-level overview of the impacts related to staffing, assets, and equipment, as service to Leon County residents unwinds.
Since 2009, the City of Tallahassee Fire Department has provided fire services to the city residents and unincorporated Leon County under an Interlocal Agreement. During the September 17th meeting, the board notified Leon County that it will not be renewing this agreement, giving the County three years to establish an independent fire services operation. The agreement ends on October 1, 2028.
As a result, the city will dispose of Fire Stations 10-14,
along with their related equipment. This includes #10 near Oak Valley, #11 on Centerville Rd, #12 near Chaires, #13 in Woodville, and #14 near Lake Talquin State Park. Stations located within city limits will continue operations uninterrupted.
The city is currently in the process of building Station #17, a public-safety priority for Southside Tallahassee. However, it was initially planned to serve both the city and the county, with 90% of its intended coverage area in the latter. The design will be revised to be a city-only operation, ensuring it is appropriately sized for coverage within city limits.
All current TFD workers will remain employed by the city, including those whose stations will be eliminated.
The update notes that with the increased staffing resulting from the expiration of the agreement, firefighters will be able to concentrate on defined roles and functions during response operations rather than having to divide responsibilities among fewer personnel. Under current operations, TFD is able to staff emergency incidents at approximately 71% of the single-family residence staffing level recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for safe and effective incident response.
With the expiration of the agreement and the refocusing of operations within the city limits, TFD staffing will be brought up to 100% of this NFPA standard, providing a safer and more efficient
County Commission Votes 5-2 to
GROWTH, From Front Page
gent proposals by Minor and O’Keefe.
Residents and representatives from environmental groups, including Friends of Lake Jackson and 1000 Friends of Florida, spoke out against Comp Plan changes that would green-light more development near the Lake Jackson aquatic preserve, which includes Carr Lake and Mallard Pond, and an already congested North Meridian Road.
Analysis of Lake Jackson Area Topics
The original recommendation, which included a proposed expansion of the Urban Services Area (USA) in the Lake Jackson area, was submitted to state review agencies, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), which provided comments primarily
focused on the Lake Jackson Basin and the proposed Urban Services Area (USA) expansion.
However, FDEP expressed concern that the expansion could increase development pressure within the basin and potentially elevate nutrient loading to Lake Jackson. The agency also raised concerns about the proposed changes at the intersection of Meridian Road and Bannerman Road/ Orchard Pond Parkway, noting that additional impervious surfaces in that location could adversely affect water quality. FDEP further recommended reevaluating the proposed changes from Rural to Lake Protection, emphasizing the need to ensure consistency with the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve management objectives and long-term water quality protection goals. In response to public input
Since 2009, the City of Tallahassee Fire Department has provided fire services to the city residents and unincorporated Leon County
operational environment. Increased personnel on scene will improve incident effectiveness, reduce risk to firefighters, and enhance the City’s ability to protect structures from fires. This transition represents the
highest operational priority of the Tallahassee Fire Department and marks the most significant enhancement to fire service delivery for Tallahassee’s residents in decades.
Limit NE Development
and comments received from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), staff conducted a comprehensive review of the transmitted Urban Services Area (USA) expansion in the Lake Jackson Basin, evaluating environmental and transportation implications.
Environmental Review
The staff noted that the Lake Jackson Basin is one of Leon County’s most environmentally sensitive areas and is protected under multiple layers of local and state regulation. The staff noted that the area west of Meridian Road presents heightened environmental risk even under the existing protective standards. Any expansion of the USA into this area would introduce greater potential for runoff and erosion that could challenge stormwater management
Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: November 18, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Provided below are the news briefs from the November 18, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting.
Items for Consideration -all votes were unanimous, 4-0. (Jones absent)
Item 19.01. The Board held the annual meeting of the Leon County School Board Leasing Corporation. There was no business before the Leasing Corporation.
Item 19.02 , Item 19.03 & Item 19.04. The Board voted to advertise amendments policies 1210, 3210 & 4210 related to Standards of Ethical Conduct and Policy 4210 Standards of Ethical Conduct, for a public hearing and adoption on January 13, 2025.
The revisions to these policies incorporate amendments to the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession relating to employees reporting to a District authority any arrest for a felony or misdemeanor offense listed in F.S. 435.04. Revisions also include language that Board employees shall not knowingly misrepresent military service for material gain as set forth in F.S. 112.3131.
Item 19.05 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 5780 Student/Parent Rights, for a public hearing and adoption on January 13, 2025. Revisions address issues related to diabetes management, removing the term “Naloxone” and replacing it with the generic term “emergency opioid antagonist” and specified that any emergency opioid antagonist supplied by a school district must be approved by the FDA, and to require that before a student participates in athletics, the student must receive an electrocardiogram, unless the parent objects in writing.
Item 19.06 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 2410 School Health Services, for a public hearing and adoption on January 13, 2025. These amendments include new requirements for school boards related to anaphylaxis training and student emergency action plans for anaphylaxis in schools that serve
students in kindergarten through grade 8.
Item 19.07 The Board voted to advertise amendments to Policy 2417 Comprehensive Health Education, for a public hearing and adoption on January 13, 2025. Policy 2417 is being revised to incorporate a requirement that school districts provide basic training in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, once in middle school in a physical education or health class and once in high school in a physical education or health class in accordance with F.S. 1003.453.
Item 19.08 The Board voted to approve Fitzgerald Collaborative Group, LLC as the highest ranked firm for Raa Middle School construction project. Once negotiations have been finalized, the contract will be submitted to the Board for approval. The total estimated construction budget is $68,000,000.00.
Item 19.09 The Board voted to approve the Professional Architectural Consulting Services Contract with Architects Lewis+Whitlock, PA in the amount of $750,685.00, for Griffin Middle School improvements.
Item 19.10 The Board voted to adopt School Year Calendars for 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 20282029. The proposed regular school year calendars meet all statutory and collective bargaining agreement requirements.
Item 19.11 The Board approved out-of-county travel for School Board Chair Laurie Cox, School Board Vice Chair Marcus Nicolas, and School Board members Darryl Jones, Alva Smith, and Rosanne Wood to attend the FSBA Annual Conference to be held in Tampa, Florida, on December 2-5, 2025. Board policy requires that all outof-county travel be approved in advance by the School Board.
Item 19.12 The Board approved the 2025-2027 MOU between Capital Area Action Agency Head Start and Leon County Schools to strengthen early learning and ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
systems during construction and compromise long-term water-quality objectives for the Lake Jackson Basin.
Transportation Review
From a transportation standpoint, North Meridian Road serves as a key north–south connector through the Lake Jackson Basin and is designated as a canopy road— a protected corridor defined by its continuous tree canopy that limit opportunities for widening or realignment. The corridor already experiences significant peak-hour congestion. Without major capacity improvements—which are impractical due to canopy protections, narrow right-ofway, and topographic limitations—additional development in the surrounding area would likely push the roadway to experience heavier congestion and longer travel times during
commute periods
Based on the evaluation of environmental and transportation factors, staff decided that maintaining the existing designation west of Meridian Road—and not expanding the Urban Services Area (USA) in that location—provides the most balanced and sustainable approach.
This recommendation does not preclude property owners from seeking future changes through the Comprehensive Plan amendment process, which remains the appropriate mechanism for considering site-specific development proposals.
Both the city and county will hold final hearings in December, when the state will have a final chance to weigh in before the maps are officially adopted.
Leon County Commission Meeting Briefs: November 18, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Below are the news briefs from the Leon County Commission meeting held on November 18, 2025. The Board approved 14 Consent Items unanimously (7-0). Consent Items 11 & 12 passed 6-1 with Commissioner Caban voting no.
General Business
Item 17. The Board voted unanimously to ratify Board Actions taken at the October 28, workshop on the 2026 State and Federal Legislative Priorities and approval of a Resolution encouraging the Florida Legislature to support legislation that requires a court to order that a person found guilty of certain sexual or violent offenses be held without bail while awaiting sentencing because they are a danger to the community.
Item 18. The Board voted 5-2 (Minor, O’Keefe no) to accept a status report on the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Mobility Element (LME) update, including information about additional community engagement directed by the Board on July 8, 2025. This item also seeks Board direction on specific policy recommendations developed in response to community and state agency input and further supported by staff analysis, and requests that the Board schedule the adoption public hearing for December 9, 2025.
Item 19. The Board voted unanimously to appointment Mary Ann Koos and Katie Watkins to the Canopy Roads Citizens Committee for the remainder of three-year terms ending on October 31, 2028.
Public Hearings
Item 20. The Board voted 5-0 (Maddox, Proctor absent) for the First and Only Public Hearing for an Ordinance to Establish Procedures for Review and Approval of Certified Recovery Residences. The item requests the Board conduct the first and only public hearing and adopt an Ordinance amending Article VI of the Land Development Code (LDC) to create a new section
for certified recovery residences in order to comply with new legislation adopted during the 2025 Legislative Session.
The proposed Ordinance will establish procedures for the review and approval of certified recovery residences within Leon County. Recovery residences (also known as ‘sober homes’ or ‘sober living homes’) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments for individuals in recovery who are attempting to maintain abstinence from alcohol and drugs. These residences offer no formal treatment and are, in some cases, self-funded through resident fees.
Item 21. The Board voted 5-0 (Maddox, Proctor absent) for the First and Only Public Hearing to Consider and Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Map to Change Zoning Classification for 4.88-Acres Located at 3028 Okeeheepkee Road from the Lake Protection (LP) Zoning District to the Lake Protection Node (LPN) Zoning District.
The subject property is located within the Lake Protection category of the Future Land Use Map (FLUM), which establishes long-term land use designations consistent with the goals of the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan. The 2015 amendment to the Lake Protection category created the Lake Protection Node (LPN) zoning district. That amendment identified four key intersections within the Lake Protection area as nodes where compact, mixed-use development could be permitted. These nodes were established to promote infill and reinvestment at existing intersections rather than allow linear or sprawling development that could encroach upon sensitive watershed areas. Properties within a quarter mile of these intersections would be permitted to rezone to the Lake Protection Node zoning district, enabling higher-density residential, limited commercial, and mixed-use development in a manner that clusters growth and preserves surrounding environmental resources. One such intersection is that of Highway 27 North (North Monroe Street) and Sessions Road.
Board Approves Contractor for Big Bend Scenic Byway Improvements
By Steve Stewart
At the November 18th meeting, the Leon County Commission voted to approve a bid for construction of the Big Bend Scenic Byway (BBSB) Improvements Project to Arris General Contractors Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, in the amount of $1,168,352. This project is fully funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Florida Department of Transportation.
Leon County has a Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to manage the project on behalf of the threecounty region utilizing federal grant funds.
The Big Bend Scenic Byway (BBSB) is a designated 220mile scenic driving corridor that follows existing state, county, and local roadways through Leon, Wakulla, and
Franklin Counties. It is part of both the Florida Scenic Highways Program and the National Scenic Byways Program, which recognizes roadways of exceptional scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational value. The designation does not create a new road or trail; instead, it highlights the significance of existing transportation routes that showcase the region’s distinctive landscapes and heritage.
The agenda item notes “The Byway traverses one of Florida’s most ecologically diverse and culturally rich regions, offering access to state and national parks, wildlife refuges, historic towns, and recreational areas. It preserves an authentic view of ‘Old Florida,’ where coastal marshes, pine forests, and small communities remain largely undeveloped.”
The corridor includes two primary segments: the Forest Trail, which extends through
inland forests, rivers, and wetlands, and the Coastal Trail, which follows the Gulf shoreline through estuaries, barrier islands, and historic fishing communities. Together, these routes connect travelers to hundreds of plant and animal species, archaeological sites, and landmarks that reflect the area’s natural beauty and maritime heritage. The Byway functions as both a transportation corridor and a regional tourism resource, attracting visitors interested in nature-based recreation while supporting local economies and conservation efforts.
The Big Bend Scenic Byway Improvements Project was developed to enhance visitor experience, interpretive opportunities, and corridor identity. The BBSB Corridor Management Entity (CME) successfully obtained a Federal Highway Administration grant to fund these improvements, which include the installation of 11 covered
Two Groups Sue City Over Fire Services
FIRE SERVICE, From Front Page
den on low-income residents, including renters, students and seniors.
Specifically, the ACLU said “higher-income and white households may even end up paying less each month than lower-income and Black households because the city structures its fire services fee into two “zones” with differing rates: an “inner” zone that is more racially diverse and lower-income, where each household pays a higher fee, and an “outer” zone that is predominantly white and higher-income, where the fee is lower."
Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal ruled Ocala's fire
By Casey Drayer
services fee was unconstitutional in 2020 because it was not voluntary. The Leon County Attorney recently provided an analysis of the Ocala case upon a request from Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban. The analysis highlighted the fact that the if someone failed to pay the fire service fee, Ocala would disconnect that person’s utility service – water, sewer, and electric. Ocala’s ordinance also provided that unpaid fire service charges constituted a lien on the property to which the service was provided, and the lien was then treated as a special assessment lien against
the real property.
Warren says Tallahassee’s fee is like the one Ocala used to have.
“If you assert your rights and choose not to pay it, they'll cut off your water, cut off your power, send it to collections, put a lien on your house and whatnot,” he said.
City Manager Reese Goad has previously noted that while the Ocala case appears to be very similar, it has a different ordinance, making it a legally different scenario.
The fire services fee has been at the center of contentious debates in recent months between the city and the county.
informational kiosks, 17 wayside bench exhibits, 13 gateway (portal) signs, and 64 driver approach markers across Leon, Wakulla, and Franklin Counties. These enhancements will improve wayfinding, visitor comfort, and public understanding of
FSU, Tallahassee Memorial Reject Talk of Taxing District
TAXING DISTRICT, From Front Page
which include the future governing structure of a final deal.
The discussion of a possible tax was related to a private discussion among interested parties that became public. The discussion was focused on the relationship structure between Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the University of South Florida (USF), who are longtime academic partners. Several people have held up the relationship as a model for FSU and TMH to follow. TMH CEO Mark O’Bryant brought up the TGH-USF partnership at a
luncheon meeting with the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates. Under the TGH-USF model, the two entities coexist without one owning the other. This approach appeals to some, like City Commissioner Jack Porter who is against FSU purchasing TMH or the hospital assets currently owned by the city. Porter inquired about the TGH-USF model during a recent city commission meeting. However, until now, the discussions about the TGH-USF relationship never addressed the existence of a healthcare tax.
LCS Approves $157,500 in Grants for Title I School Teachers
On November 18th, the Leon County School Board approved the Unified School Improvement Grant (UniSIG) Supplemental Teacher and Administrator Allocation of $157,500. If approved, the grant will be awarded to Oak Ridge Elementary and Griffin Middle School, helping the schools recruit and retain teachers and ultimately improve student outcomes.
This grant ensures the funding will be given to the most effective teachers and administrators who are located at a school that received a grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ from the Florida Department
NAACP, Tallahassee ALERT
Host Town Hall on TMH-FSU Merger
The Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP and Tallahassee ALERT hosted a town hall Tuesday night on the future of FSU Health. The groups discussed the potential merger between Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, focusing on how Florida A&M University will play a part in the new venture. Speakers at the town hall, including Dr. Bruce Strouble, chair of Tallahassee ALERT, said the merger is being rushed, and they want a more concrete outline of how TMH will operate besides a memorandum of understanding.
“We’re concerned about the continuance of indigent care,” Strouble said. “I know that’s in the MOU, but that MOU is non-binding, so how is the community going to have those guarantees mandated in this transaction, and then also is the question of should we turn over such a large-scale public asset?”
Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor criticized the merger and how it could impact community members of a
of Education in the recent past school year.
The funds will not be directly included in the teachers’ and administrators’ base salaries. Instead, they will be used as financial incentives to encourage recruitment, offer retention bonuses, and support professional development aligned with the school’s improvement goals. Through this process, it ensures that students located at struggling schools have access to highimpact teaching and leadership.
In the 2024-2025 school year, both Oak Ridge Elementary and Griffin Middle were the only schools to receive a ‘D’ grade from the state. Since
local economic status, among other concerns.
“This so-called agreement executed in principle outside of public engagement - must be put on a referendum in November 2026. Anything short would preclude the voices of citizens,” he wrote.
County Commission Revise Rules Related to Fireworks, Alcohol In preparation for the upcoming World Cross Country Championship (WXC) on January 10, 2026, the Leon County Commission approved a revision to Policy 06-1, “Use and Scheduling of Parks & Recreation Facilities”, authorizing the waiver of prohibition of fireworks. The revisions would authorize the County Administrator to enter in to and execute agreements for specific events such as national cross-country championships. Additionally, the Board voted to schedule the first and only public hearing to consider an Ordinance amending laws related to the use of alcohol at the County Parks and Recreation facilities upon written approval of the County Administrator.
As part of WXC celebration, the event organizers have
the 2021-2022 school year, Oak Ridge has earned two ‘Cs’ and now two ‘Ds’. Griffin has maintained a ‘C’ for three years but ultimately lowered to a ‘D’ this past school year.
The student’s overall test scores determine these grades. At Oak Ridge, 37% of the students achieved proficiency in reading, and 32% in math. 29% of the students at Griffin achieved proficiency in math, with only 26% in reading.
The approval of the 2025-2026 UniSIG allocation would enable these
Local News Briefs
requested permission for a professionally facilitated fireworks display. Fireworks have become a popular feature of cross-country championships. The Policy would be revised to authorize the waiver of the prohibition of fireworks upon the approval of the County Administrator. In addition to the fireworks display, the organizers of WXC intend to provide alcoholic beverages at the event.
Tallahassee Middle School
Student Arrested for Weapon Possession
A Griffin Middle School student is facing charges for having a weapon on campus.
The school resource deputy searched the student’s backpack after getting a tip about a gun. The search turned up a black metal airsoft pistol.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says the 13-year-old was arrested Monday and is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds.
Press release from LCSO:
On Monday, November 17, a School Resource Deputy was notified that a 13-year-old Griffin Middle School student in the 8th grade was in possession of a gun on campus.
schools to hire and retain successful teachers and administrators who focus on supporting and improving the students and their outcomes.
A school administrator identified the student and conducted an administrative search of the student’s backpack. The search revealed a black metal air soft pistol.
The student was taken into custody and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center. The student has been charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Grounds.
The student will also be disciplined in accordance with the Leon County Schools Student Code of Conduct. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents and guardians to speak with their children about the consequences of bringing weapons to school and the importance of maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.
Tallahassee's Kearney Center Aims to Increase Transitional Homes
Tallahassee needs more affordable housing, specifically for people facing homelessness. That’s why Tallahassee's shelter for the unhoused, the Kearny Center, held a fundraiser at The Dwellings the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Rick Kearney, who estab-
lished the emergency shelter in 2015, said he hopes to expand The Dwellings’ capacity for transitional housing next year. It’s already got 130 tiny homes.
“We’re going to build 205 new affordable units, 2- and 3-bedroom units, right here.”
Coach Sue Semrau, the storied former women’s basketball coach at Florida State University, is helping to champion the cause.
“Many of you know that there’s been a lot of budget cuts, government budget cuts, federal budget cuts, and that has impacted the Kearney Center. Almost a third of their budget has been cut – $1.3 million.”
Sonya Wilson, the executive director of the Kearney Center, said the shelter’s mission isn’t a matter of giving people handouts.
“We’re here to assist individuals into becoming independent again. We’re not about enabling people. We’re about empowering them.”
The shelter program plans to start The Dwellings' expansion in the first or second quarter of 2026.
the Byway’s natural and cultural features.
Biologist’s Reinstatement Denied After Kirk Post
By Dara Kam
The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Say-
ing “the First Amendment is not absolute,” a federal judge rejected an initial attempt to require state officials to reinstate a biologist who was fired because of a social media post after the murder of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker’s ruling Thursday came in a lawsuit filed by biologist Brittney Brown, who worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alleging that her Sept. 15 firing — five days after Kirk was shot during an appearance at a Utah university — violated her First Amendment rights. Brown sought a preliminary injunction to require the commission to reinstate her.
While Walker’s order sided with state officials in denying a preliminary injunction, he also indicated that a decision about reinstating the fired employee could change if more information is provided to bolster Brown’s arguments.
Lawyers for commission
Executive Director Roger Young and Melissa Tucker, a division director, said the agency fired Brown to “prevent foreseeable disruption,
reputational harm and loss of public trust. The agency did not police ideology; it protected credibility central to its mission.”
The decision about whether to grant the “extraordinary relief” sought in a preliminary injunction rested on whether Brown’s speech rights outweighed the rights of the state agency to operate efficiently, Walker’s ruling said.
“As discussed at length on the record at the hearing on plaintiff’s motion, the crux of this case comes down to whether plaintiff has met her burden … to show that her free speech interest outweighs FWC’s (the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s) interest in the effective and efficient fulfillment of its responsibilities,” Walker, who held a hearing Monday, wrote in a 12-page order.
“Weighing both sides’ competing interests” involves “a nuanced, fact-intensive determination,” the judge said.
“And while plaintiff asserts the record is sufficient to demonstrate that the scale tips in her favor at this juncture, this court is not persuaded given the extraordinary affirmative relief plaintiff now seeks — namely, reinstatement to her previous position,” the ruling said. “At this
early stage, plaintiff has not yet demonstrated that her interests tip the scales. Only time will tell if this changes on a more developed record.”
Brown was fired after she reposted on her personal Instagram account a post from an account called “@ whalefact.” The post said, “the whales are deeply saddened to learn of the shooting of charlie kirk, haha just kidding, they care exactly as much as charlie kirk cared about children being shot in their classrooms, which is to say, not at all,” according to the lawsuit.
Walker pointed to an “unrebutted declaration” by Tucker, who testified that there was a largely negative reaction from the public about Brown’s post. The public outcry “disrupted agency operations, required diversion of staff resources to manage responses, and raised legitimate concerns about the agency’s credibility and public trust,” according to Tucker.
Walker’s ruling said that Brown “understandably argues that Tucker’s declaration was short on specifics and largely conclusory” but noted that the fired worker’s lawyers did not seek to question Tucker or cross-examine her at Monday’s hearing “to explore flaws” in the state’s
Judge Nixes Growth Law Case
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
An administrative law judge Tuesday rejected Ocoee’s challenge to a decision by the Florida Department of Commerce that changes to a city comprehensive plan were “null and void” because of a controversial new state law.
The law, passed during this spring’s legislative session, has drawn criticism from cities and counties throughout Florida and two constitutional challenges in Leon County circuit court.
Part of the law affects counties included in federal disaster declarations after last year’s hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. In part, it bars cities and counties in those areas from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to comprehensive plans or landdevelopment regulations through Oct. 1, 2027. The prohibition was retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024. Cities and counties contend that the law has effectively frozen comprehensive plans, which are designed to serve as blueprints for development and land-use decisions.
Unlike the lawsuits in circuit court, Ocoee filed its case in September at the Division of Administrative Hearings. It challenged the actions of the Department
position.
“Without more, this court cannot conclude on this sparse record that the public’s negative reaction was not disruptive enough to justify the action FWC took,” the judge wrote.
Gary Edinger, a Gainesvillebased First Amendment attorney who represents Brown, said in an email Friday that Walker’s ruling wasn’t unexpected, based on the judge’s questioning during the hearing.
“Preliminary injunctions are extraordinary and rarely granted in the federal courts. It is a shame we could not prevail coming right out of the starting gate, but the writing is clearly on the wall in this case. We expect to do well at trial,” Edinger said.
Edinger told Walker that Brown’s lawyers did not seek to depose Tucker or request documents from the state agency in advance of Monday’s hearing because they wanted to move forward with the case as quickly as possible. Brown has been unemployed for a month and she would not be eligible for back pay, even if she is reinstated, Edinger argued. Walker this week fasttracked the case, setting what Edinger called “a remarkably
of Commerce, which oversees land planning in the state and on Aug. 27 turned down the city’s proposed comprehensive plan changes.
The department said in a letter to the city that it had found conflicts between the revised comprehensive plan and the new state law.
“These conflicts render the proposed and adopted comprehensive plan amendment null and void ab initio,” the department said, according to Tuesday’s ruling by Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early.
Ocoee contended in the challenge that the department’s interpretation of the law should have gone through a rulemaking process — and, as a result, was an improper “unadopted rule,” under administrative law. Also, the city argued the department had overstepped its authority, what is known as an “invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority.”
But Early rejected the arguments, primarily focusing on the rulemaking issue. He said Ocoee had not shown that the department’s interpretation of the law applied widely to local governments.
The circuit-court lawsuits were filed by a collection of cities and counties and the growth-management group 1000 Friends of Florida. Judge Angela Dempsey on Friday issued an order consolidating the cases.
Workers’ Comp Rates to Drop by 6.9% Next Year
By: Florida Phoenix Staff
Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky ordered a 6.9% decrease in workers’ compensation rates for the coming year. The reduction applies to both new and renewal policies effective Jan. 1, 2026.
“I am pleased to approve a substantial rate cut of 6.9% for Florida’s workers’ compensation policies this upcoming year. This rate decrease directly translates to reduced operating costs for businesses, encouraging investment and growth throughout Florida’s economy,” Yaworsky said in a prepared statement Monday.
“This also marks the ninth consecutive year of rate decreases for workers’ compensation policies — more evidence of Florida’s success in managing risk and maintaining a competitive insurance environment.”
Workers’ compensation is a nofault system that aims to protect employers from getting sued by injured employees and provide workers injured on the job with the care they need to return to work. Employers are required to provide compensation for lost wages if an employee misses more than eight days of work due to
an injury.
Most employers in Florida are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance but there are exceptions for businesses with four or fewer employees and for construction companies with four or fewer officers. While those firms aren’t mandated to carry the coverage, they are required to file for exemptions with the state.
The 6.9% rate reduction matches the recommendation put forth by the National Council for Compensation Insurance earlier this year. NCCI is the licensed rating organization in Florida, authorized to suggest workers’ compensation rates. NCC’s filing is a recommendation only. Florida’s insurance commissioner is charged with setting the rates.
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Businesses Services earlier this year reviewed employers’ workers compensation premiums in 50 states and Washington, D.C. The analysis ranked Florida No. 30 in the nation for workers’ comp costs in 2024. That was an improvement from the previous analysis of 2022 premium data, when Florida ranked No. 28 for workers’ comp premiums.
expedited rocket docket” in Brown’s attempt to get her job back.
Edinger called Thursday’s ruling “about the best order I’ve ever received following a lost motion.” In a fourpronged analysis to determine whether Brown met legal standards for a preliminary injunction, Walker found that three prongs favored Brown’s position, Edinger said.
“As for the final prong — evidence of disruption at the FWC — the court determined that this was a factually intensive inquiry which requires additional development through discovery,” Edinger said.
Edinger told reporters Monday that he has been contacted by other government employees who were fired for posting negative comments about Kirk. He called officials’ response to the Kirk criticism unprecedented and said he was confident that Walker would ultimately rule in Brown’s favor.
“It’s going to be an important statement saying that the government can only go so far, and that we live in a free society and we have to tolerate a diversity of opinion, even amongst our peers, our neighbors and other public employees,” Edinger said.
University President Carousel: FSU Focused on McCullough
MCCULLOUGH, from front page job, everybody in state government, I think, recognizes that. Certainly the BOG recognizes that. It’s a big job, right?” And he’s the perfect person for it right now. So I don’t anticipate any outside factors or outside influences affecting certainly our decision over the next year and certainly our decision to take him to the BOG for his one-year extension.”
McCullough, through a university spokesperson, declined to discuss his future at FSU. McCullough in August was awarded a pay raise, now putting his salary at $1.25 million. He also was given a positive performance review that included a $567,000 one-time bonus. His initial 2021 contract provided him a $700,000 base salary.
The president laid out his goals for the year at the Oct. 31 FSU Board of Trustees meeting, which included a focus on national rankings, research and entrepreneurial excellence, as well as athletics and community engagement.
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Report: Public Views on Book Removals and Religious Opt-Outs
By Zach Goldberg, Ryan Owens, & James V. Shuls FSU’s Institute for Governance and Civics
On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, ruling in favor of religious parents who objected to their elementary-school children being required to participate in lessons that included pro-LGBTQ+-themed storybooks.
In a 6 – 3 opinion, the Court held that Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland violated the First Amendment by denying parents the ability to opt their children out of instruction that conflicted with their religious beliefs.
The ruling has far-reaching implications for religious liberty, parental rights, and the future of curriculum policy in public education. The dispute arose after the district added several books—such as Uncle Bobby’s Wedding and Pride Puppy—to its elementary reading list in 2022.
The books clearly supported LGBTQ+ positions. Though the District initially allowed parents to request that their children be exempt from such lessons, it later rescinded that opt-out policy. The parents then filed a legal challenge. The Court sided with the parents.
The Court’s majority opinion reaffirmed that the Constitution protects parents’ rights to guide their children’s religious upbringing, especially in matters of moral and ideological sensitivity. When schools force students— against their parents’ wishes—to participate in and take sides on such morally unsettled issues, they violate parents’ free exercise rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing. Just as schools cannot require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, they cannot require students to support LGBTQ+ positions. Schools must provide advance notice to and accommodate parents who object to content on religious grounds.
The Court has spoken, but
what is public opinion on these issues? Who supports giving parents the right to opt their children out of lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs? How do Americans view the broader question of whether such content should be required in classrooms?
Prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,004 U.S. adults.
The survey, conducted between May 21 and June 3, 2025, gauged public views on the issues involved in the case, including parental rights, religious accommodations, and public support for prohibiting and removing schoolbooks that contain transgender characters or storylines.
Key findings from the poll:
-The public supports religious opt-outs. Roughly 6 in 10 Americans support allowing parents to opt their children out of elementary
school lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs. Support remains high across most demographic groups and is largely unaffected by whether the lesson involves gender identity specifically.
– Democrats and Republicans see the issues very differently. While Republicans over whelmingly support opt-out rights (80.3%), Democrats are more divided (45.7%). The partisan gap is even wider when it comes to prohibiting and removing transgenderthemed books from public schools, with 74.5% of Republicans in favor compared to just 22.8% of Democrats.
-The public treats el-
ementary schools and high schools differently. Support for prohibiting and removing transgender-themed books is much higher when students at issue are elementary students rather than high school students (53.5% vs. 40.3%).
-K-12 parents are more sensitive to trans-themed books in elementary schools. Americans with children in K–12 schools are more likely to support trans-themed book prohibitions and removals (54.0%) than are non-parents (44.1%). Democratic K–12 parents are far more supportive of transgender-themed book removals in elementary schools (47.0%) than Democratic non-parents (19.8%).
Governor’s Property Tax Cut Proposal Not Ready to Launch
By A.G. Gancarski Florida Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis has said for months that eliminating property taxes is very important to him. But he hasn’t rolled out specific plans for a constitutional amendment, even though the 2026 Legislative Session begins in weeks.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins says that’s because what DeSantis wants isn’t yet ready to roll out.
“DeSantis will roll out his proposal when he’s ready and at the appropriate time, and those facts and details will be laid out,” Collins said in Jacksonville.
Collins, said two weeks ago DeSantis was “being diligent and dotting the I’s, crossing the t’s, and making sure that all the second-, third-, and fourthorder effects are thought about and taken care of.”
Apparently, the diligence continues.
House Speaker Daniel Perez last
month unveiled eight potential constitutional amendments that, if OK’d in the Legislature in the coming Session, would go directly to voters for possible approval in the 2026 election. A House committee will mull those provisions in a meeting Thursday.
But Collins says they are nonstarters as voters and lawmakers would be flummoxed.
“Guys, it’s very confusing. When a bill like that goes forward and you have multiple proposals, it confuses the Legislature, it confuses the people on the ballot. Let’s do one,” he said.
“Getting rid of property tax on homesteaded properties, that’s what our people want.”
As a reminder, here are the House proposals:
— HJR 201 by Rep. Kevin Steele: Eliminates non-school homestead property taxes outright. If approved, homeowners would no longer pay city/county non-school levies on their primary residence.
Phases out non-school homestead property taxes over 10 years by adding a new $100,000 exemption each year to a homeowner’s non-school tax base.
— HJR 205 by Rep. Juan Porras: Exempts Florida residents over 65 from paying non-school homestead property taxes.
— HJR 207 by Rep. Shane Abbott: Creates a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes equal to 25% of a home’s assessed value. This broad exemption would cut bills for current homeowners and aid first-time buyers entering the market.
— HJR 209 by Rep. Demi Busatta: Establishes a property insurance relief homestead exemption by granting an additional $100,000 non-school exemption to homestead owners who maintain property insurance, linking relief to insured, more resilient homes.
Government Returns
Many of the roughly 670,000 furloughed federal government employees began returning to work after Congress passed a bill to end the US’ longest-ever government shutdown.
Some government operations remain disrupted. States that had not released food stamp benefits this month due to lack of federal funds—including West Virginia and South Carolina—will resume payments within three days.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to release its September jobs report as soon as next week, but it may not be able to provide accurate economic data for October. Meanwhile, flight reductions at 40 major airports were at 6% yesterday, with over 1,000 flight cancellations; mandated flight restrictions will be rescinded once staffing returns to normal levels, potentially as soon as next week.
The shutdown cost the US economy an estimated 60,000 private-sector jobs and an estimated $14B per week or $84B in all, an expected dip of 1% to 2% in annualized GDP growth.
NAR Forecast: Home Sales
Expected to Jump 14% in 2026
National News Briefs
Existing-home sales are projected to rise by around 14% in 2026, according to National Association of REALTORS®
Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Yun delivered his 2026 housing outlook today during the Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Houston.
Yun said the expected rebound reflects easing mortgage rates, continued job gains, and improving market stability after several challenging years. Home prices are forecast to increase by 4% next year, supported by steady demand and persistent supply shortages.
"Next year is really the year that we will see a measurable increase in sales," Yun said.
"Home prices nationwide are in no danger of declining."
Mortgage rates are projected to decline modestly, averaging around 6% in 2026.
Yun emphasized that while rates are influenced by more than Federal Reserve decisions alone, broader economic factors are contributing to gradually lower borrowing costs.
"As we go into next year, the mortgage rate will be a little bit better," said Yun. "It's not going to be a big decline, but it will be a modest decline that
will improve affordability."
FEMA Resignation
The acting chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency resigned on November 18 after six months in the role, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
David Richardson's tenure was marked by scrutiny over FEMA's response to July's deadly floods in central Texas, which killed more than 130 people, including children at an all-girls summer camp.
Richardson drew criticism for having no disaster management experience and for what colleagues described as a lack of accessibility during the Texas floods.
A former Marine Corps officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he also served as assistant secretary for the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.
Richardson had taken over as FEMA's acting head after his predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, was removed following opposition to the Trump administration's plans to restructure the agency and shift more disaster-response duties to states.
Karen Evans, who has served as FEMA chief of staff, will become the new acting administrator Dec. 1.
— HJR 211 by Rep. Toby Overdorf: Eliminates the cap on “portability” of Save Our Homes (SOH) benefits, allowing homeowners to transfer their accumulated SOH differential to a new primary residence, even when the replacement home is of lesser value, thereby preserving long-built tax savings.
— HJR 213 by Rep. Griff Griffitts: Slows the growth in the assessed value of non-school homestead property taxes to 3% over three years for homestead property (currently it’s 3% per year) and 15% over three years for non-homestead property (currently at 10% per year).
— HB 215 by Rep. Jon Albert: Makes statutory changes, including requiring a two-thirds vote to increase millage rates and allowing newly married couples to merge their accumulated SOH benefits when establishing a shared household.
Robotaxi Rivalry Revs Up
Amazon’s Zoox began offering robotaxi rides to the public in San Francisco yesterday, challenging Alphabet-owned Waymo’s Bay Area dominance and marking the first time two rivals are operating in the same city.
Founded in 2014 by an Australian designer and the son of Apple’s chairman, Zoox was acquired by Amazon for roughly $1.3B in 2020. Zoox builds its boxy, all-electric, steering-wheel-free vehicles, while Waymo installs its technology into cars from manufacturers such as Jaguar and Chrysler.
This summer, Amazon announced the conversion of a former California bus factory into a Zoox plant projected to make 10,000 robotaxis annually. Roughly 50 Zoox vehicles now operate between San Francisco and Las Vegas, where the company first began offering public rides in September. Rides in both cities are currently limited to select areas and are free, pending regulatory approvals.
Waymo, which has charged for rides in San Francisco since 2023, expanded its routes last week to highways around San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
Congress Votes on Epstein
On Tuesday, November 18,
Congress approved a bill directing the Justice Department to release unclassified files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House passed the bill 427-1, while the Senate agreed to deem the legislation passed as soon as it arrived in the chamber. President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the measure, is expected to sign it into law.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act directs the attorney general to release records concerning Epstein, his former associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and others referenced in Epstein's criminal activities. Information tied to ongoing investigations or containing sensitive victim data can be withheld. Trump has urged the Justice Department to investigate prominent Democrats and financial institutions for potential ties to Epstein. See a timeline here.
The push for transparency follows the release of more than 20,000 pages of Epsteinrelated documents last week, some of which mention Trump. The president maintains his friendship with Epstein ended in the early 2000s, before Epstein's 2008 conviction.
— HJR 203 by Rep. Monique Miller:
Business News
October Airport Passenger Traffic Down 7.1%
The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the October 2025 passenger traffic decreased 7.1% when compared to traffic one year ago. The number of passengers was down 6,267 from the 88,252 reported during October 2024 to 81,985 in October 2025.
The calendar year-to-date comparison, January through October, shows passenger traffic is down 4.88% in 2025 when compared to 2024.
Relative to 2024, the Passenger Traffic Report
shows year-over-year passenger counts in August were up 4.3% for American Airlines and up 14.7% for the Delta Group.
Jet Blue ended service in November 2024 and Silver Airways ended service in June 2025.
The graph to the right shows the annualized number of passengers for the last 37-months. The highlighted numbers on the graph indicate the annual traffic during the month of October over the last four years.
The annual rate of passengers at TIA in October 2025 – 928,154 – is down 1.94% when compared to one year ago (946,535). The annualized number of passengers is calculated by summing the previous 12 months of traffic.
Healthgrades Recognizes HCA Florida Capital Hospital
HCA Florida Capital Hospital recently announced it has achieved numerous distinctions for exceptional clinical outcomes from Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital.
Notably, HCA Florida Capital Hospital was named among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation for surgical care in 2026 and received the Healthgrades 2026 Surgical Care Excellence Award™.
ratings for gallbladder removal surgery; treatment of sepsis; treatment of pulmonary embolism; and treatment of diabetic hospitalization.
“As a top-performing hospital, we are grateful for this national recognition of our exceptional team’s dedication to providing the highest quality of patient care,” said HCA Florida Capital Hospital CEO, Dale Neely. “These achievements further affirm HCA Florida Capital Hospital’s expertise in multiple areas of specialty care and underscore our hospital’s longstanding commitment to our community.”
Cardiac Excellence: HCA Florida Capital Hospital is a 2026 Healthgrades five-star recipient for treatment of heart attack and also received five stars for pacemaker procedures for the fifth year in a row (2022-2026).
Vascular Excellence: HCA Florida Capital Healthcare is a Healthgrades five-star recipient for the second year in a row for carotid procedures (20252026).
Orthopedic Excellence: HCA Florida Capital Hospital has received a five-star rating for hip fracture treatment for the ninth year in a row (2018-2026).
Exceptional Services: HCA Florida Capital Hospital also received five-star
HCA Florida Capital Hospital’s achievements are based on patient outcomes. Each year, Healthgrades evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top hospitals in key specialty areas. These evaluations empower patients to find a hospital that excels in their procedure or condition.
“Healthgrades’ specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize HCA Florida Capital Hospital for its consistently superior outcomes in key service areas, including surgical care and several other vital areas of care.”
*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
$SqFt was calculated to be 229.2 $/SqFt. Current homes listed for sale in Ox Bottom range from $470,000 to $775,000. For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com. Recent Single-Family Home Sales in Ox Bottom Manor Average $589,867
The table above lists the most recent single family home sales in the Ox Bottom Manor neighborhood. The sales information is from the Leon County Property Appraiser.
The Ox Bottom Manor community is located about nine miles north of Florida's Capital in the rolling hills and canopy roads of northeast Leon County. Many of the homes were built in the 1990's.
The table above list 15 recent transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $525,000 to a high of $775,000. The average sales price for these transactions was calculated to be $584,433.
Reviewing another popular mea -
By Robert Stewart
Chiles’ Owen Ekk Wins Two State Titles
On Nov. 15th, Chiles, Leon and Lincoln high schools competed in the swimming and diving FHSAA 3A state meet at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training Center located in Ocala, FL.
Boys
As a team, Chiles placed fifth overall with 155 total points while medaling in three different events.
Chiles’ lead swimmer, Owen Ekk, won two state titles placing first in the 100 freestyle with a season best of 44.74 and in the 200 IM with a personal best of 1:46.23. The Chiles relay team also medaled placing second in the 200-medley relay with a personal best of 1:33.91. The relay team consisted of Chiles swimmers including Ethan Ekk, Crosby Fenniman, Tyler Wang, and Will Bracken. Other notable performances from Chiles included Crosby Fenniman placing fifth in the 100 breaststroke finals with a time of 58.58 and Kipton Fenniman placing eighth in the 500 free finals with a time of 4:43.01.
Leon placed 24th as a team with a total of 26 points. Notable performances from the Lions in -
cluded Sean McFadden placing eighth in the 100 backstroke finals with a time of 53.05, Jake Askey placing 13th in the 200 freestyle finals with a time of 1:44.03 and Conner Smith placing 11th in the 1M diving finals with a score of 299.15.
Lincoln entered one swimmer in the state meet in the non-championship division in Joseph Gussak. Gussak medaled in two events placing third in the 100 freestyle finals with a personal best of 1:21.76 while also placing third in the 50 freestyle finals with a personal best of 35.35.
Girls
Chiles placed 11th as a team with a total score of 60 points. Notable performances from the Timberwolves swim team included McKay Yearty placing sixth in the 500 freestyle finals with a time of 5:06.83, Dahee Seo placing 15th in the 100 backstroke finals with a time of 1:02.92, and Zaharo Korovesis placing 15th in the 100 breaststroke finals with a personal best of 1:12.12.
Leon placed 20th as a team with a total score of 21 points. Notable performances from the Lions included Ava O’Steen placing seventh in the 1M diving finals with a score of 336.60 and Karena Perry placing ninth in the 1M diving finals with score of 320.40.
Lincoln placed 37th with a total score of 3 points. Notable performances from the Trojans included Lily Edwards placing 14th in the 1M Diving finals with a score of 304.20 and Cassidee Moore placing 21st in the 100 breaststroke preliminaries with a time of 1:13.51.
Volleyball Wins Back-toBack State Championships
By Robert Stewart
On Nov. 8th, the Chiles volleyball team completed their post season run winning the FHSAA 5A state tournament for the second year in a row. The Timberwolves finished their historic season with a three-set win over Archbishop McCarthy (28-4) in the state finals with set scores 25-15, 25-19, and 25-23. On their way to the state finals, Chiles notched notable wins over top teams, including a five-set victory over Beachside (21–25, 25–18, 22–25, 25–19, 15–10) in the regional finals and a straight-set win against Port Charlotte (25–17, 25–21, 25–19) in the state semifinals.
During the state finals, Eva Goodson (Sr.) and Lindsay Smith (Sr.) led the Timberwolves on offense with 18 and 16 kills, respectively. On the defensive side of the net, Jorja Williams (Sr.) led the team in blocks with eight and Madison Joyner (Sr.) and Natalie Gibson (Sr.) led the team in digs with 16 each. As a team, Chiles was very consistent on serve receive allowing only three errors the entire game. The state championship win caps off a 3-year run for Chiles with an 81-8 record.
Four Leon County Schools Compete in Golf State Tournaments
By Robert Stewart
On Nov. 11th, Nov. 14th and Nov., 18th, three different classification’s of FHSAA golf state tournaments took place, featuring four schools from Leon County. All of the tournaments were played over two days, included two rounds, and took place at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL. Participating Leon County schools included Florida High, Maclay, Lincoln and Chiles. Lincoln and Maclay both entered full teams of five golfers, while Florida High and Chiles entered individual golfers.
1A
In the boys tournament, Florida High’s Hunter Glantz was the only Leon County golfer competing. Out of a field of 96 total golfers, Glantz placed 42nd with a total stroke score of 154 (+10). During the first round Glantz
shot a 76 while claiming his only birdie of the tournament on hole number six, which is a 395 yard par-4. Glantz finished the tournament with a round of 78 on the second day wrapping up his freshman season with the Seminoles.
In the girls tournament, Florida High’s Peyton Johnson had the best finish out of any Leon County golfer shooting a total of 137 (-5) for both days with a round of 68 (-3) the first day and 69 (-2) the second. Johnson finished her round tied first on the second day of the tournament, ultimately forcing a three hole playoff with four other golfers. Johnson finished the FHSAA 1A State Championship tied for second, claiming FHSAA state runner-up honors.
The Maclay girls golf team’s 2025 season came to an end as they placed 15th as a team in the FHSAA 1A State Championship with a total
stroke score of 685 (+117).
The Maclay girls golf team was made up of five gofers including Mollie Sprague, Trisha Patel, Tessa Cooper, Addie Sprague and Reece Erwin. Notable performances from the Marauders included Mollie Sprague shooting a 163 (+21) with a 77 (+6) the first day and an 86 (+15) on the second and Trisha Patel shooting a 169 (+27) with an 82 (+11) the first day and an 87 (16) on the second.
2A
Finishing their second FHSAA 2A state championship in back-to-back seasons on Nov. 19th, the Lincoln boys golf team placed fifth in a field of 16 teams with a stroke score of 627 (+51). The Lincoln Boys golf team was made up of five golfers including Bryce Matthews, Chase Fleischer, William Young, Brandon Hawkes and Ethan LaFuria.
Notable Performances from the Trojans included Bryce Matthews and Chase Fleisher who placed T4th and T21st, respectively. Matthews shot a total of 145 (+1) while shooting a 70 (-2) during the first round and a 75 (+3) during the second. Fleisher shot a 155 (+11) while shooting a 76 (+4) during the first round and a 79 (+7) during the second.
3A
Chiles entered two golf-
ers into the FHSAA 3A state championships in Alex Parker and Rhys Cochran. Out of a field of 97 golfers, Parker finished T11th with a score of 150 (+6) with rounds of 78 (+6)and 72 (E) while Cochran finished T21st with a score of 161 (+17) with rounds of 86 (+14) and 75 (+3).
Owen Ekk, Chiles lead swimmer.
Boys Lincoln Golf Team: Chase Fleischer, William Young, Bryce Matthews, Ethan LaFuria and Brandon Hawkes