Tallahassee Reports
The Reports
The latest Leon County Sheriff’s Office School Resource 2024-25 Annual Report is out, and it shows a 38.3% increase in high school arrests when compared to 2023-24. P1
Amid criticism, the Leon County Children’s Services Council (CSC) is publicly revising their recently published impact report. P5
The Tallahassee City Commission voted 3-2 on Wednesday, October 22, against ending the city’s 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. P4
The latest campaign reports filed with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections for the 2026 election cycle shows that Tallahassee mayoral candidate Daryl Parks raised $91,775. P5
The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the September 2025 passenger traffic decreased 6.2%. P9
On October 14th, the Leon County Commission unanimously approved acceptance of opioid litigation settlement funds in the amount of $926,843. P5
School Board member Alva Smith addresses the financial impact of under capacity schools. P7
Superintendent Hanna Commits to Evaluating LCS Operations
By Steve Stewart
Following an opinion article by Leon County School Board
Alva Smith addressing operational efficiencies, Superintendent Rocky Hanna, during Tuesday’s school board meeting, pledged to conduct an operational review of school finances before the end of the year.
Smith has argued for almost a year that the operation of low-capacity schools was hurting LCS finances. In the opinion article she stated, “It is time to reimagine Leon County Schools, do what’s best
FSU Includes FAMU in Agreement
City Votes 3-2 to Move Forward. Matlow & Porter Vote No.
By Steve Stewart
On Wednesday, October 22, the Tallahassee City Commission voted 3-2 to hold a final public hearing about transferring the city owned hospital assets to Florida State University.
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and Commissioner Jack Porter, who voted no, continued to indicate they are not interested in moving forward with the agreement approved by the parties, despite changes to the governance structure proposed by FSU. At stake, is the move to a healthcare delivery model that has been adopted across the U.S. in many cities as the most efficient approach to improve healthcare and take advantage of the financial benefits
If the sale fails, FSU President McCullough said the partnership with
back to a transactional relationship that we've had
in a rapidly growing industry sector. Before the vote, the two main issues discussed related to the
governance structure detailed in the recently MOU signed by FSU and TMH and the valuation of the assets that
Florida House Offers Menu of Property Tax Cuts
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House recently rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments to cut property taxes, while looking to shield funding for schools and law enforcement.
House Speaker Daniel Perez, RMiami, outlined the menu of proposals, which came as Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a top priority of asking voters in the 2026 elections to slash homestead property taxes.
“If we have faith in the voters to elect us, we should not be afraid to let them be a part of the conversation about the taxes they pay,” Perez, R-Miami, wrote in a memorandum to House members. “It is our position that the House does not need to limit itself in presenting one single plan, but instead allow the people of Florida the ability to choose some, all, or none of the proposals on the 2026 ballot.”
As examples, Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 201) that would eliminate nonschool homestead taxes. Meanwhile, Rep. Monique Miller, R-Palm Bay, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 203) that would phase out non-school homestead property taxes over 10 years. Under Miller’s proposal, the homestead tax exemption would increase by $100,000 annually.
Currently, homeowners can qualify for a homestead exemption from
would be transferred to FSU under the agreement.
On the governance issue, FSU President
local-government and school-district taxes on the first $25,000 of the taxable values of their properties and from local-government taxes on the values between $50,000 and $75,000.
Another proposal (HJR 205), sponsored by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, would exempt people ages 65 and older from paying non-school taxes on their homes.
Perez this spring created a select committee to study property taxes. The issue is being closely watched by cities and counties, which rely heavily on property taxes to pay for services and say they could need other sources of money to make up for tax cuts.
The House proposals include sections aimed at preventing reductions in law-enforcement funding.
Asked Wednesday while in West Palm Beach about alternative revenue sources to replace property taxes, DeSantis reiterated a position that the “vast, vast majority of property tax revenue is not from homestead Floridians’ properties. It’s second homes,
Richard McCullough said during the meeting FAMU and FSU had reached an agreement that would give FAMU
By Steve Stewart
The latest Leon County Sheriff’s Office School Resource 2024-25 Annual Report is out, and it shows a 38.3% increase in high school arrests when compared to 2023-24. The increase was driven by a significant increase in arrests at Leon and Rickards high schools. The chart below shows the arrests for each of the five major Leon County high schools.
The purpose of the annual report is to document the operations of the Deputy School Resource program. The Deputy School Resource program currently serves 18 schools within the district. A total of 23 deputies are assigned to the unit. Deputies are given primary assignments at six high schools, ten middle schools, and two nontraditional schools. Members are also given secondary school assignments and respond as requested. The unit is supervised by one lieutenant and three sergeants.
Sheriff Walt McNeil’s message, in part, is “the challenges facing our children continue to evolve. Together with the School Board, we proactively address issues such as bullying, mental health, threats of violence, and substance abuse through joint programming, training, and intervention initiatives. Our combined efforts extend beyond safety – they represent an investment in the future of Leon County.”
The full report can be viewed online.
Key Highlights
Key Highlights from 2024-25 report note that LCSO participated in 80 active shooter drills, deputies provided instruction
TMH would change. "We would dial
with TMH," said McCullough.
By Kathleen Haughney FSU News
Florida State University President Richard McCullough has named Jeremy Slaga as the university’s first Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer to help lead FSU Health.
In this new position, Slaga, a seasoned healthcare executive, will be instrumental in shaping FSU’s health enterprise and expanding clinical opportunities and community engagement throughout the state.
An FSU alumnus, Slaga currently serves as Chief Integration Officer for the Temple Health system, which includes six hospital campuses and more than 1,550 physicians and scientists. He will begin his new role at FSU on January 5, 2026.
“Florida State University is committed to advancing healthcare in our community and throughout our state,” McCullough said. “Jeremy is a visionary healthcare leader with a
tremendous amount of experience who will be an extraordinary partner in this endeavor, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”
Slaga will report to McCullough and work closely with top administrators across the university as well as key healthcare partners throughout the region.
“FSU Health offers an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact by collaborating with clinical, research and educational partners throughout the region,” Slaga said. “I am thrilled to join FSU and work alongside our colleagues across Florida as we develop a transformative network dedicated to enhancing health and healthcare for our communities.”
In Tallahassee, the idea of an academic health center at TMH has been under discussion for more than a decade. The TMH Board of Trustees first outlined the vision in its 2008 strategic plan, and the hospital has since
added multiple residency programs in internal medicine, general surgery and psychiatry.
In 2022, the Florida Legislature and Governor supported the university with $125 million to build an academic health research center on the TMH campus. The 140,000-squarefoot building is slated to open in 2026 and includes clinical research space, a family residency practice, laboratory facilities, and other resources designed to bridge the gap between academic research and patient care.
The university also announced plans this past spring to build a hospital in Panama City Beach and has recruited new talent through joint hires with Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, TMH, and the Andrews Institute. FSU also recently launched the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health (ICON-Health), both designed to help address pressing healthcare needs in our state.
Slaga has spent 18 years working within prominent academic healthcare organizations, including Emory Healthcare, UPMC, and the Temple University Health System. This work has included strategic planning, IT optimization, procurement, and the nuances of value-based care administration.
Slaga earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from FSU in 2002. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School.
Worldand Chaat:
The Tallahassee State College campus was overflowing with the region's 9th grade students on Thursday, Oct. 23. They were exploring the many career opportunities now available through the area's private, public and community service sectors.
More than 3,000 students came from Leon and surrounding counties as the Third Annual World of Work Expo got underway on Thursday, October 23.. The event was held through Friday.
The Tallahassee State College Foundation recently announced that award-winning chef, author, and television personality Maneet Chauhan will headline the 2026 Cleaver and Cork, presented by Amazon. Now entering its eleventh year, the signature culinary event series continues to bring nationally acclaimed chefs and unforgettable experiences to Florida’s Capital City.
The Best Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India, which received the IACP Cookbook Award in 2021.
"There's obviously a need for engineers and opportunities right out of high school to come to work for us as technicians to learn the engineering trade and build your education while you're also building your career."
And when it comes to jobs that pay exceptionally well, Lively Aviation Instructor Doug Willard says it's hard to beat aircraft mechanics.
"You can start out probably $30 to $50 an hour."
The World of Work Expo then opened to the general public Thursday afternoon. It continues Friday morning for more of the region's 9th grade students.
The Expo featured various industry-specific worlds of opportunities for ninth grade students, teachers, and parents in the Big Bend area. The purpose of WOW is to create awareness of the many high demand, high wage job opportunities that exist in North Florida early enough in high school that students may plan their pathway and graduate with a plan in place and well on their way to college or career. Construction remains one of the neediest fields when it comes to workers. And John Trombetta with TerraCon was happy to tell the students all about it.
Known for her bold flavors and vibrant personality, Chef Chauhan is a two-time champion of Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions” and a permanent judge on Food Network’s “Chopped.” A 2012 James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award recipient, Chauhan is also the founding partner and president of Morph Hospitality Group in Nashville, Tennessee. Her acclaimed restaurants, including Chauhan Ale & Masala House and The Mockingbird, blend global influences with her Indian heritage and Southern flair.
Chef Chauhan’s culinary journey began in Punjab, India, where she worked in some of the country’s finest hotels before studying at the Culinary Institute of America. Her career has taken her from New York City to Chicago and now to Nashville, where she and her husband, Vivek Deora, continue to expand their hospitality ventures, most recently opening eet by Maneet Chauhan at Disney Springs in Orlando. She is also the author of two cookbooks, Flavors of My
Chef Chauhan will headline the Signature Dinner on Friday, March 6, the original exclusive dining experience of Cleaver and Cork. The evening will feature a bespoke four-course meal curated by Chef Chauhan, with each course paired with sommelier-selected wines from around the world curated by Hummingbird Wine Bar. “Cleaver and Cork has become one of Tallahassee’s most anticipated events,” said Heather Mitchell, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the TSC Foundation. “We’re honored to welcome Chef Maneet Chauhan and the Fox Bros. for this exciting year and grateful to our sponsors, including Amazon and Peter Boulware Toyota, for helping us continue this incredible tradition of food, fun, and philanthropy.”
Proceeds from Cleaver and Cork benefit student scholarships and programs at Tallahassee State College. Tickets are available now at https:// cleaverandcorktsc.com/.
Lively Technical College Launches Welding Program at Chiles High School
Lively Technical College, in partnership with Leon County Schools, recently announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art welding facility at Chiles High School, made possible through a $631,000 grant from the Florida Department of Education (DOE).
“This new facility at Chiles marks a significant step in modernizing education and addressing workforce needs,” said BJ Van Camp, Director of Lively Technical College. “It empowers students with skills that have immediate relevance and value in the job market, ensuring a future workforce that is not just educated but well-prepared for industry demands.”
The program will provide high
school students with early access to hands-on training in welding—a high-demand skill vital to industries such as construction, manufacturing, and aerospace. By introducing career and technical education at the high school level, Lively Technical College and Leon County Schools are helping build a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the needs of Florida’s growing workforce.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasized the importance of linking education with real-world opportunities: “Programs like this give our students a head start on life after high school. Whether they choose to enter the workforce immediately or pursue further education, they’ll graduate
with valuable skills that open doors to high-demand careers.”
The new welding facility, spanning 1,838 sq. ft. has officially opened with its first 51 students. The program will be fully integrated with Lively Technical College, offering industry-aligned curriculum, certified instructors, and clear pathways to advanced training and certifications.
“At Chiles, we strive to prepare our students for success in every possible way,” said Joe Burgess, Chiles High School Principal. “Adding welding to our curriculum allows us to serve students who want to explore careerfocused, hands-on learning that leads directly to good-paying jobs and longterm stability,”
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has been accredited by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, a recognition that highlights TMH’s commitment to providing the highest level of stroke care available in the region. This accreditation demonstrates that TMH meets rigorous national standards for quality and patient safety, particularly in the rapid diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients.
“Earning this certification reflects the dedication of our entire team to providing the most advanced, evidencebased stroke care,” said Lindsay Ancheta, Neuroscience Service Line Administrator. “For our patients and their families, this means greater access to life-saving treatments and resources, right here in our community.
It underscores our role as the region’s leading hospital for advanced neuroscience care.”
As the only hospital in the region to hold this accreditation, TMH offers patients access to highly trained stroke specialists, advanced diagnostic imaging and the latest treatment protocols proven to improve outcomes for patients experiencing stroke. With two state-of-theart neurovascular labs on-site, TMH is uniquely equipped to perform mechanical thrombectomies, a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots from the brain through a small incision in the arm or leg, restoring blood flow in patients experiencing the most severe types of strokes.
“Stroke is a medical emergency where rapid response can mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong dis-
ability,” said Shyamal Bir, MD, Stroke Neurologist and Medical Director of the Stroke Program at TMH. “This certification validates the systems we have built to deliver immediate, comprehensive care—giving our patients the best chance for survival and recovery. It also reaffirms TMH’s role as a trusted resource for stroke care in our community.”
By combining nationally recognized standards with compassionate, patient-centered care, TMH continues to advance its mission of transforming healthcare, improving outcomes and serving as a lifeline for the community.
For more information about stroke care, visit TMH.ORG/ Stroke
By Steve Stewart
The Tallahassee City Commission voted 3-2 on Wednesday, October 22, against ending the city’s 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
During the meeting, Mayor John Dailey, and Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson, voted against a move to rescind Tallahassee’s agreement with ICE. Commissioner Jack Porter spoke strongly against that decision.
“I love Tallahassee, but I’m truly ashamed of our city right now and our complicity in our president and governor’s unconstitutional, immoral and dangerous agendas,” she said.
Back in August, a motion by City Commissioner Jeremy
City Votes to Keep ICE Agreement
Matlow requesting the city attorney to provide information on the steps required to challenge the legality of agreements between the city and ICE passed unanimously.
During that city commission meeting, TPD Chief Revell told the commissioners that one officer has completed training related to inputting data related to illegal immigrants that are arrested. Revell noted TPD officers do not seek to determine the immigration status during traffic stops and do not participate in immigration enforcement actions.
Matlow’s motion also included a request for information on the status of a current lawsuit in South Miami related to 287 (g) agreements and to determine if there are ways for the city to participate in that
lawsuit.
The South Miami lawsuit was seeking a ruling that the city is not obligated to enter a 287(g) agreement and that it would not be considered a sanctuary city — a designation that carries penalties — if it does not enter such an agreement. A judge recently threw out the lawsuit.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have warned cities against leaving or not entering agreements to work with federal immigration officers—saying individual commissioners could face suspension.
Most Florida cities have not inked such agreements, and argue they are not required to.
Florida law specifies that sheriff’s offices and jails must enter agreements to work with
“I love Tallahassee, but I’m truly ashamed of our city right now and our complicity in our president and governor’s unconstitutional, immoral and dangerous agendas,” Porter said.
federal immigration officers.
Cities aren’t mentioned, but DeSantis says commissioners could be punished under a different law that bans so-called sanctuary cities. About 40 speakers, including resident Juniper Curtis, asked commissioners to stand up
to DeSantis’ threats and fight them in court.
“History will look on as cowards will look on, as failures will look on as the people who stood by, as immigrants were rounded up, as immigrants were attacked,” Curtis said.
FSU Includes FAMU in Governance of Health Center Proposal
one seat on the governing board of the new academic health center.
McCullough explained that "FAMU will have one voting director on the TMH board of directors who will be part of the FSU recommended board members. The first two years of affiliation, the director will be a FAMU employee, and after that, the first two years, FAMU will provide a pool of candidates to FSU and FSU will pull from that pool to be nominated by the TMH board as a FAMU director."
McCullough says he recognizes the future of the hospital and access to care is a serious matter for the community.
“This is not a game. We’re
not making this stuff up. Okay, this is stuff we really are going to do. And whatever you read or whatever somebody is saying, they’re just wrong, they’re just wrong. This is what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to do something and be a good partner to the city, to TMH, to FAMU and TSC,” he said.
Amid a tense back and forth between Commissioner Matlow and FSU President Richard McCullough, McCullough indicated there are limits to his patience in dealing with those who appear committed to scuttling the agreement.
McCullough told Matlow FSU has no intention of reopening the MOU with TMH for further negotiations. He
explained concerns about governance will be addressed with amendments to the original agreement. FAMU officials offered public support to this approach.
Porter joined Matlow in opposition to moving forward. “We could say we want a 10 to 7 governance structure, community seats versus academically appointed seats. We could say and we want residency requirements for all board seats we could say, and we want to memorialize the first right of refusal so that if FSU decides ever which they want to sell, that we have the right to buy it back. We could request a more fleshed out plan for indigent care. These
are all things we could be asking for, but we haven’t yet,” she said.
However, Mayor John Dailey stated at the meeting that a final decision was not being made and won’t be made until all the details are on the table.
“The final meeting will have all the finished documents before us. That’s the final decision. This is just the next step in the process. I don’t want to get in position where we’re trying to pigeon toe Florida State, FAMU, TCC, or TMH, for that matter, right now, because we have recognized and have stated on the record that these negotiations are moving forward,” he said. However, this was not
enough to garner support from Matlow and Porter.
The valuation of the city owned assets was also discussed at the meeting. The agenda item provided various approaches to valuing the assets. The city commission vote provided direction to City Manager Reese Goad to continue negotiations over the coming weeks and determine what type of consideration –funds and/or services – the city will receive for the transfer of the assets to FSU.
The final public hearing will happen when all the parties finalize their agreements.
www. T allahassee R epo RT s .com
Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: October 14, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Provided below are the news briefs from the October 14, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting.
Items for Consideration -all votes were unanimous.
Item 19.01 The Board voted to approve the members of the Lively Technical College Titan Advisory Committee
On August 12, 2025, the Leon County School Board approved the vision of the Titan Advisory Council, which is to foster meaningful partnerships to promote program development for a regional impact. Educators, industry leaders, and the community will work together to ensure Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are aligned with current and emerging workforce demands, provide students with relevant skills and experiences, and promote lifelong career success. This vision supports the advancement and continuous improvement of the educational system at Lively Technical College (LTC).
The primary purpose of the Lively Technical College Titan Advisory Committee is to collaborate with community and business partners to ensure that the LTC mission is carried out with excellence. The Committee serves as a vital resource to LTC and the LTC Director, offering guidance and support to create a robust K-20 ecosystem where educational programs are purposefully aligned to establish clear, sustainable pathways from middle school and high school through post-secondary attainment.
The composition of the committee is being placed on the Board agenda for approval as follows: Keith Bowers, Office of Economic Development, Corrie Melton, VP at Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Jabarie Allen, Phusion AI, DeeDee Rasmussen, ABC of North Florida, Tony Brandin or Gabe Matthews, Florida Department of Transportation, David Pollard, Director of the City of Tallahassee Aviation, Brian Self, Dan Foss Turbocor, Doris Maloy, Leon
County Tax Collector, Dr. Alma Littles, Dean of Medicine at Florida State University, Don Monda, Proctor Dealerships in Tallahassee, Clint Weber, Prime Meridian Bank, and Kelli Otte, Oasis Center for Women and Girls
Item 19.02: The Board voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Leon County School Board, Florida, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida State University for the purpose of establishing a Research Practice Partnership at Griffin Middle School.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a Research Practice Partnership (RPP) between Leon County School Board, Florida, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida State University. The purpose of this partnership is to study and address the impact of exclusionary discipline, specifically Out-of-School Suspension (OSS), on academic achievement collaboratively, with a targeted focus on underserved student populations at Griffin Middle School.
Building on this shared commitment, the partnership seeks to develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable, evidence-based strategies that empower educators to reduce the use of OSS and improve academic and behavioral outcomes for students. These efforts will be guided by data sharing, collaborative research, and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders.
Item 19.03: The Board voted to approve the Compensation and Language Package between Leon County Schools (LCS) and The Leon Classroom Teachers Association (LCTA) for 2025-2026 School Year.
Item 24.01: School Board Member Alva Smith addressed the operational efficiency impact of under capacity schools. Smith argued the LCS financial issues require immediate action. Superintendent Hanna committed to reviewing the concerns and reporting back to each school board member before the end of the year.
Leon County Commission Meeting Briefs:
October 14, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Below are the news briefs from the Leon County Commission meeting held on October 14, 2025. The Board approved 15 Consent Items.
General Business
Item 16. The Board voted unanimously to accept the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Board Retreat Overview. Each year, the County Administrator presents the Board with a proposed overview for the Annual Retreat. The Annual Retreat provides an opportunity for the Board to receive a status report on the implementation of the County Strategic Plan’s 102 Strategic Initiatives, 16 five-year Targets, and 4 Bold Goals to update the plan for FY 2026.
Item 17. The Board voted unanimously to accept five staff recommendations related to the Opioid Litigation Settlement Funds Fiscal Year 2026. The vote accepted the $926,843 in direct and State of Florida-allocated opioid litigation settlement funds and authorized the County Administrator to enter into and execute agreements with Big Bend Community Based Care, LLC, to utilize settlement funds for the provision of substance abuse treatment services resulting from opioid abuse and the purchase of EMS equipment to address opioid use disorders in the community, approved a budget amendment, and approved agreements with DISC Village, Leon County Detention Facility, and 2-1-1 Big Bend.
Item 18. The Board voted unanimously to accept the legal analysis -as requested at the September 23, 2025, Board meeting -and not to advance the issue related to who should operate and maintain the fire department to the Citizen Charter Review Committee.
The analysis stated that the consideration of an amendment of the Charter to pose the question of whether the City or the County should operate and maintain the fire department would constitute nothing more than an advisory opinion and would not be binding on the City or the County. Moreover, passage of a resolution by both the City and County Commissions and dual referenda of the City and the County electors would be required for a complete transfer of the fire department from the City to the County, absent a change in general or special law that otherwise permits or requires the transfer of services without dual referenda, pursuant to Article VIII, Section 4, of the Florida Constitution. Unilateral action by the Board and County electors to effect a transfer would be unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Item 19. The Board voted unanimously to make full board appointments to the CareerSource Capital Region Board and the Tourist Development Council. The Board voted to appoint Corrie Melton, to the CareerSource Capital Region Board for the remainder of a fouryear term ending June 30, 2029. The Board voted to appoint Emily Johnson-Truitt to the hotelier seat on the Tourist Development Council for a four-year term ending October 31, 2029.
Public Hearing
Item 20. The Board voted 6-1 (Proctor voted no) to hold the First and Only Public Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Regarding the Use of Speed Detection Devices in School Zones. The proposed Ordinance authorizes the placement, installation, and operation of automated School Zone Speed Detection Systems (speed cameras) on County and state roadways within the unincorporated areas signed as school zones.
By Steve Stewart
The Leon County Children’s Services Council (CSC) recently published its first impact report detailing services to more than 126,000 people in Leon County during a 3-year period from 2021 to 2024. However, now the methodology and numbers are being challenged as inaccurate the CSC Executive Director Cecka Green is responding to the charges.
The impact report was the result of stakeholders wanting to understand how the funds raised through the CSC property tax – approximately $8 million per year – is being used to improve the lives of children in Leon County.
“It is as much about transparency as it is about impact,” said School Board Member Darryl Jones, CSC Leon Chair.
The report documents how approximately $23.4 million has been invested
CSC Revises Impact Report Numbers
in programs and supports that expand access to quality childcare, strengthen families, and create year-round opportunities for young people. The report states that “Since June 2022, these investments have reached more than 126,000 children, youth, and families, with 70% living in the 32303 and 32304 zip codes, where challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability are most acute.”
However, people who follow the CSC meetings, like Emily Fritz, have noted that the numbers – investments have reached more than 126,000 children – in the report do not make sense.
“The statistics in the report are inaccurate. The numbers are not off by a small amount; they’re off by the thousands.
CSC staff has acknowledged the data contains extensive duplicates, but they believe that’s acceptable,” Fritz wrote in an opinion article.
“None of the information
Superintendent Hanna Commits to Evaluating LCS Operations
HANNA, From Front Page
for our students and teachers, and stop trying to operate the same number of facilities on a decreasing level of students and revenue.”
Smith noted that all but seven of Leon’s traditional public schools have experienced between 2%-35% declines in enrollment from 2010 to 2025.
Smith had indicated that she would make a motion during Tuesday’s meeting to mandate a review of school board operations. However, Hanna headed off the motion by addressing the Board and pledging to complete an evaluation of operations and present a plan on how to address some of Smith’s concerns.
Smith seemed content with Hanna’s pledge and did not bring forth a motion. Smith stated she now feels like her concerns are being heard.
provided in the impact report is skewed, none of it is doctored, and none of it is false,” Green told the Tallahassee Democrat ahead of a special council meeting on Oct. 20. Green did acknowledge the count represents services, not actual people served, and insisted the report itself was accurate.
CSC Treasurer Paul Mitchell concurred with Green’s revised comments. “I want to be clear that we are not serving 126,000 people but we have delivered on roughly 126,000 services to about 7,000 people,” Mitchell said.
“I’m glad she acknowledged it, but I was disappointed that she did not offer to reword that page of the report,” Fritz told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Another issue that was identified in the review of the impact report relates to the nature of the services provided by the CSC. Reports indicate that each meal provided
by Second Harvest of the Big Bend – which was funded by the CSC in summer 2022 and 2023 – counted as a service and the nonprofit recorded 112,052 meals served. Green said that these services represented the bulk of the reported total of 126,399 services provided.
This means that beyond providing meals, the CSC –sold to the public as an organization that would identify, and fund solutions related to children services – has provided 14,000 services to approximately 7,000 people.
Fritz noted that “Leon County voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a taxpayer funded Children’s Services Council in 2020.
Since its inception, $30.8 million has been paid by local taxpayers when many are struggling to make ends meet. The public deserves reliable information.”
Among the report’s highlights:
Kindergarten Readiness:
More than $4.2 million for prenatal supports, affordable childcare, and pre-K resiliency programs, ensuring children have the best possible start when they enter school.
Youth Success: $6.6 million for mentoring, mental health, internships, and three summers of enrichment services that reached thousands of youth with safe, structured learning opportunities.
Family Well-Being: $6.3 million for housing stability, food security, parenting education, afterhours counseling services, fatherhood supports, and legal services.
Capacity Building: Targeted training, technical assistance, and evaluation support to strengthen dozens of local nonprofits and grassroots providers.
Leon County High School Arrests Up 38% in 2024-25
ARRESTS, From Front Page
on anger management, bullying prevention, cybersecurity, and substance abuse awareness, and the unit expanded its hands-on engagement with youth, partnering with the Council on the Status of Men and Boys and leveraging internal LCSO programs to build positive relationships.
On the enforcement side, the report documents that there were 470 criminal complaints on campuses with outcomes that included 91 physical arrests, 106 civil citations, and 276 diversions.
In addition to criminal matters, deputies handled 2,553 non-criminal complaints, addressing behavioral concerns, disputes, and other school related incidents to maintain order and support school administration.
Also, the unit facilitated 13,418 student counseling sessions, reflecting a 44.1% increase over the previous year and conducted 2,316 parent conferences.
High School Arrests
The report documents 65 arrests in the five
major Leon County high schools. Leon High School led with 36 arrests, a 111.8% increase over the 17 arrests reported in the previous year. Rickards was next with 17 arrests, a 21.4% increase over the 14 arrests in the previous year. Godby (5), Chiles (1) and Lincoln (6) all reported one less arrest in 2024-2025 relative to the 2023-2024 numbers.
Leon County Approves Opioid Funding to Strengthen Treatment and Prevention
By Casey Drayer
On October 14th, the Leon County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved acceptance of opioid litigation settlement funds in the amount of $926,843 for 2026, authorized contracts with organizations providing treatment and support for people affected by opioids and approved the purchase of emergency equipment to respond to overdoses.
Leon County’s opioid overdose rate remains low
Leon Teachers Reject Latest Contract Offer
The Leon County School Board recently approved an agreement with the teachers union that included a $40 pay raise in their bi-weekly paycheck. In addition, LCTA President Scott Mazur said the teachers’ association was able to secure “several important language changes in the contract.” However, the LCTA membership voted not to accept the contract. Both sides have now returned to the bargaining table. But after hours of back and forth, they're now back where they started. Last week’s negotiations started with teachers and staff sharing their top concerns. They called for clearer contract language, guaranteed funding for future raises, and a staffing and workload balance. They also pushed to reject the state’s pay increase of about $40 per paycheck Throughout the session, LCS Human Resources Director Brett Shively repeated several times that there’s no room in the budget for additional raises. “If we had the
compared to the state. Overall, in the County, opioid overdoses per 10,000 people have decreased from 4.57 to 3.93 between August 2024 and July 2025. During that same period, statewide overdoses per 10,000 individuals have decreased from 14.13 to 9.64. Although the rate has steadily declined since 2024, the County remains committed to providing treatment and support services for those with opioid addictions and continues to work on reducing the impact of this abuse in the
money, we would be giving the money as raises. We have no incentive here to tell a lie,” said Shively.
Union representatives pushed back, saying funding decisions come down to priorities, not limitations. “There doesn't seem to be any hesitation to spend money. But in the terms of salary, it's not matching what is in those other categories, and I think that is the burn for most people,” Scott Mazur, president of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association said.
The next bargaining meeting is set for November.
Daryl Parks Leads Mayoral Candidates in Contributions
The latest campaign reports filed with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections for the 2026 election cycle shows that Tallahassee mayoral candidate Daryl Parks raised $91,775. Parks was followed by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow who raised $73,489 and Loranne Ausley with $64,082.
In the Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3 contest, Talethia Edwards reported
community. The County will continue to collaborate with DISC Village, a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention and treatment services. The state recognizes the group as a Certified Abuse Treatment provider, and they are the only local provider of MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment). This treatment is the use of approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapy; a method that supports long-term recovery by
Local News Briefs
$15,200, P.J. Perez reported $13,040, Max Herrle reported $7,032 and Norm Roche reported $856.
In the race for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5, incumbent City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox reported $17,375. Challenger Bernard Stevens has not yet to report contributions.
In the Leon County Commission District 1, Commissioner Bill Proctor is the only candidate, and he reported $12,050 in contributions.
In the race for Leon County Commission District 3, challenger Charles Lorch reported $13,700 while incumbent Commissioner Rick Minor has yet to report contributions.
In the race for Leon County Commission District 5, the only candidate, David Hawkins, reported $100 in contributions.
The next campaign reports are due to be filed no later than January 12, 2026.
“We the People Say No to Tyranny”: Protesters Gather at Florida Capitol
Demonstrators recently gathered at Tallahassee’s
addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Within 2025, DISC Village has assisted about 643 Leon County residents.
Leon County will also further collaborate with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to provide opioid substance abuse treatment. Additionally, the County will be updating EMS vehicle equipment to better assist with opioid overdoses. This includes the purchase of approximately four transport ventilators.
The Board of Commis-
Capitol as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protest; one of 2,500 happening across the country. Thousands, if not millions, of people have assembled to oppose what the organization describes as authoritarianism and federal overreach by the Trump administration.
At 10 a.m., an estimated 7,500 citizens lined Monroe Street and the front of the Old Capitol, shouting “USA! USA!” while holding signs such as “We the People say no to tyranny” and “Hands off my Social Security.” Faye Johnson, a local protester, told WXTL Tallahassee, “The change I hope to see first is that America wakes up to what is happening — and that people start holding their legislators accountable, whether they’re Democrat or Republican. It really doesn’t matter.” In a news release, the president of the Service Employees International Union, April Verret, stated, "No Kings Day is about claiming what we’ve already built. Working people built this country, not billionaires. We’re protecting what we’ve built, and we’re building
sioners has also agreed to continue work with 2-1-1 Big Bend, a Lyft transportation service that provides free round-trip rides to medical appointments, food pantries, employment agencies, and job interviews. They have agreed to expand the current partnership to ensure residents with opioid or other substance use disorders have consistent access to treatment providers, such as DISC.
what’s next.”
This event marked the third No Kings protest that had drawn thousands to the historic Capitol. The previous event took place on June 14th, which corresponded with Flag Day, the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, and President Trump’s 79th birthday.
Temporary Road Closure of Hannon Mill Road
From Thursday, October 23, through December 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, there will be a temporary, segmented road closure of Hannon Mill Road between Crawfordville Road and Woodville Highway. This closure is for the installation of a sewer main.
This will be a daily, segmented road closure beginning at Woodville Highway and ending at Crawfordville Road. The closure will restrict through traffic; however, access will be maintained for local residents and businesses throughout the duration of the closure.
DHS Sec. Kristi Noem Touts Florida Partnership in Bradenton Appearance
By Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem came to the Tampa Bay area on Monday, where she praised the partnership between the federal government and Florida law enforcement agencies in cracking down on undocumented immigration.
“Florida has been, I think, the state that has provided the most law enforcement agreements under the 287(g) than any other state” she said at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in Bradenton. “It shows that they recognize the importance of bringing individuals to justice that have [been] convicted [of] crimes against the people that live in their communities.”
By Jim Turner
Under legislation passed by GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee earlier this year, all 67 counties in Florida are required to enter into 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). That program allows local law enforcement to work with ICE to deport undocumented immigrants. Although municipalities in Florida are not required to enter into those agreements, hundreds of them have — including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and St. Petersburg. Noem said she came to West Central Florida on Monday because often “we see the news distorting the truth and not bringing the real facts” to the public when it comes to ICE detaining “criminal illegal aliens.”
She specifically cited the cases of four undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds who have recently been detained and deported.
Since January, Noem said, DHS has arrested more than 480,000 undocumented immigrants, 70% of whom she said had either been charged or convicted of criminal allegations. However, according to data obtained by Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, as of Sept. 21, 71.5% held in ICE detention have no criminal conviction.
She also touted how effective the Trump administration’s offer to allow people to “self-deport” has been. DHS has promised to give individuals who wish to return
to their countries of origin
$1,000 each and one-way airplane tickets.
The DHS reported last month 1.6 million people have voluntarily self-deported and more than 400,000 people have been deported since Jan.
20. Noem also reported that since ICE began advertising for 10,000 new agents, the agency has received more than 175,000 applicants.
Citrus Budget OK’d as Industry Seeks Rebound Gas Prices Hit 2-Year Low
The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Citrus Commission on Wednesday moved forward with a $23.4 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, as the industry comes out of a year with historically low production.
The commission, which oversees the Florida Department of Citrus, had expected to receive an initial forecast this month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the 2025-2026 growing season, but the forecast was not released because of the federal-government shutdown. Part of the budget is funded by what is known as a “box tax” on growers.
“Once the forecast is released, we will bring any adjustments to you for your approval,” Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Department of Citrus, told commissioners. “Hopefully those will be excess boxes.”
The box tax will remain unchanged from the past year: 5 cents for fresh oranges, 7 cents for grapefruit and specialty crops, and 12 cents for processed oranges.
The budget anticipates the industry in the 2025-2026 growing season, which recently started, will fill 11.6 million 90-pound boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit and 350,000 boxes of specialty fruits. The department also anticipates drawing box-tax revenue from imported oranges and grapefruit.
Florida growers during the 2024-2025 season produced enough oranges to fill 12.15 million boxes of oranges. Grapefruit production was at 1.3 million boxes, while tangerines and tangelos were at 400,000 boxes and lemons were at 670,000 boxes.
With the industry hammered by hurricane damage and citrus greening disease and development overtaking groves, the overall harvest during the 2024-2025 season was the lowest in more than 100 years.
In the state budget that took effect July 1, legislators approved $124.5 million for the industry. That includes $100 million for new disease-resistant trees, grove management, therapeutic tools and rehabilitating existing trees.
Marisa Zansler, the Department of Citrus’ director of economic and market research, said “early field observations” show new plantings to replace the loss of older trees, with the commercial inventory down 24 percent from a year ago.
“The goal here is to start to see a reversal of this trend over time,” Zansler said. “It may not happen this season or next season, but it will happen, especially as we see these great efforts into the replanting sector.”
The commission’s spending plan includes money for marketing and research. Part of the marketing might include teaming with six Major League Baseball teams during spring training in 2026 — the New York Yankees in Tampa, the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, the Atlanta Braves in North Port, the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers and the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota.
Contract talks are still underway. But the effort could include between-inning promotional giveaways and signs around stadiums, including digital signs behind and around home plate.
Florida House Offers Menu of Property Tax Cuts
TAX CUTS From Front Page investment properties, commercial properties.”
“Nobody asks, ‘Why can’t government spend less money?’” DeSantis added.
DeSantis has proposed the state cover lost property-tax revenues for rural “fiscally constrained” counties, which have limited tax bases.
While the Senate doesn’t have a committee to focus exclusively on property taxes, Majority Leader Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican who will become Senate president after the 2026 elections, said Tuesday he’s interested in property tax reform.
“I do believe there’s ways we can make our property tax system more fair and more economical, if you will, to taxpayers,” Boyd said.
Almost all of the House proposals released Thursday would require voter approval because they would be constitutional amendments. Lawmakers will consider the proposals during the legislative session that will start in January.
Other proposals include:
— Rep. Shane Abbott, R-DeFuniak Springs, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 207) that would create a new nonschool homestead exemption equal to 25 percent of the assessed value of homes after other exemptions are applied. Perez’s memo said the proposal, in part, could help first-time homebuyers.
— Rep. Demi Busatta, R-Coral Gables, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 209) that would create an additional $100,000 homestead exemption for people with property insurance.
— Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican who co-chaired the House select committee, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 211) that would allow people to transfer the full value of accumulated “Save Our Homes” benefits to new homes. That would add to what is known as “portability” of Save Our Homes benefits. The Save Our Homes law limits annual increases in the assessed value of homesteaded properties to 3 percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.
— Rep. Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach, is sponsoring a proposal (HJR 213) that would change the Save Our Homes caps. It would limit increases in taxable values for homestead property to 3 percent over three years. The limit is currently 3 percent a year. Also, increases in the assessed values of non-homesteaded property would be limited to 15 percent over three years, rather than the current 10 percent a year.
— Rep. Jon Albert, R-Frostproof, is sponsoring a proposal (HB 215) that would require two-thirds votes by local governments to increase tax rates.
The bill would also allow newly married couples to combine accumulated Save Our Homes benefits.
An average gallon of gas in Florida reached a nearly two-year low over the weekend, according to the AAA auto club. Florida’s average gallon of gas was at $2.90 on Sunday, which was 2 cents less than a week earlier and the lowest for the state since the pump average of $2.86 on Dec. 18, 2023.
“Robust global oil supplies and the seasonal dip in gasoline demand have helped push pump prices to their lowest level in almost two years,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a press release on Monday. After months of wild fluctuations, the average per-gallon price in Florida also moved at a relatively steady pace over the past week. Across the state averages ranged from $2.68 in Okaloosa County in the Panhandle to $3.09 in Lafayette County in the Big Bend region. Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, was at $3.07, while Orange County was at $2.92 and Duval County prices were at the statewide average. Nationally, the average of $3.04 on Sunday was down from $3.08 a week earlier and continued to meet an anticipated slow autumn decline.
In addition to a decline in the U.S. price of crude oil, overall demand is down as gas providers make the switch to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce.
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Alva Smith: Under Capacity Schools Impact Teacher Salaries
As recently reported, our dedicated teachers and other employees continue to be tremendously underpaid. Leon County School District operating reserves have dwindled down to the minimum amount required by law and this year we were embarrassingly only able to offer our teachers a minimal raise, and other support staff saw no raise at all. Something drastic has to change, now. The immediate remedy to this on-going problem is staring us in the face. We must lower our operational costs and apply that savings to raise the amounts that we pay our employees.
Our ability to pay teachers a higher wage is handcuffed by the operation of too many under capacity schools caused by popularity of School Choice vouchers and scholarships, well-performing Charter Schools and shifting population demographics. Leon County Schools current enrollment is just under 32,000 and we are operating
51 school sites. Compare this to our neighboring county Okaloosa Schools (an A district) which is similar in size, serving just over 32,000 students at only 44 school sites. By operating efficiently, Okaloosa Schools teacher salaries are paid an average of $6,000 more than their counterparts in Leon. Our enrollment declines didn’t happen overnight but have been a slow steady decline over the past 15 years.
FLDOE Average Daily Attendance reports show ALL but seven of our traditional public schools have experienced between 2%-35% declines in enrollment from 2010 to 2025. Years of declines have led to seven of our traditional public schools currently operating between 70%-75% of student capacity, and another five operating between 60%-69%. So where did the students go?
Two factors have contributed to this loss here in Leon County. While several charter schools have come and gone, two successful models have
attracted students. Tallahassee School of Math & Science, and School of Arts & Sciences (both locations) have both flourished with academic success and are boasting a combined total enrollment of over 1500 students and counting.
Additionally, Family Empowerment Scholarships (FES), which assists families choosing private school, has expanded significantly. As a direct result of school choice scholarships, Leon County Schools revenue was reduced by $3.5 million in 2021. That amount has increased exponentially to a reduction of $28.2 million. Yet, we continue to operate school sites that were needed prior to School Choice.
Around the state, this is impacting other districts to an even greater extent. Many of those districts have reacted by closing schools and consolidation of schools onto one campus. Enrollment loss has prompted Broward County to consider closing 34 schools, and both Orange and
Hillsborough counties are reporting losses of 7,000 students each. Recently, Duval county’s decision to close five schools and relocate those students to other nearby campuses will allow the district to save an average of $1 million per school closure.
Parents are letting us know they want choice and it’s time for Leon County Schools to adapt. Zip code can no longer dictate the school our children attend. Enough of the finger pointing and blaming, each side boasting that their model is best for our students. I am a member of the Leon County School Board and it’s time we quit warning that tough times are coming, and actually take action to ensure that we are operating efficiently with our resources, taking into account varying enrollment trends throughout our community. Strong lead-
ership around the state has led to consolidation of undercapacity schools, opening the doors of empty classrooms to locally successful private Pre-K programs, and conversion of empty facilities for workforce housing or youth training programs. It is time to reimagine Leon County Schools, do what’s best for our students and teachers, and stop trying to operate the same number of facilities on a decreasing level of students and revenue.
The Children’s Services Council Report is Inaccurate
By Emily Fritz
The Children’s Services Council (CSC) released its “Impact Report” for years 2021 – 2024 at its September 18 meeting. The report was distributed to the media, which ran several stories on it. The statistics in the report are inaccurate. The numbers are not off by a small amount; they’re off by the thousands. CSC staff has acknowledged the data contains extensive duplicates, but they believe that’s acceptable. The incidence of duplicates was not disclosed in the report. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Leon County has 54,931 children under age 18. The CSC serves only a fraction of these children. However, the report states: “CSC Leon provided services to 126,399 children, youth, and families across Leon County.” If every child in Leon County was served by the CSC, and all their families participated, the numbers would be far less than 126,399.
The CSC also serves adults ages 19 –24. I’ve asked staff how many participants fall into each age group but have not received a reply. The CSC statute specifies that services are to be provided to children. It does not say adults can receive services. Voters were not told the CSC would serve adults when it appeared on the ballot in 2020. Here’s the kicker. Until August 2023, the CSC tracking system did not delete duplicates. If a family or child accessed four programs, they were counted four times. If they did this for two years, they were counted eight times. The CSC has contracted with 137 programs, so the opportunity for duplicates is enormous.
The report states that 70% of the recipients reside in zip codes 32303 and 32304. Only 12,646 children live in these two zip codes. If every child and family in these zip codes utilized CSC services, which is unlikely, the numbers are not even close to 88,479 (70% of 126,399.)
During the public comment sec-
tion of the September 18 meeting, I questioned the numbers. When the item came up on the agenda, staff gave no explanation, and no Council members asked questions. It was approved on the consent agenda. Later in the meeting, Executive Director Cecka Green referred to my comments and said the report was for a four year period. She did not say that many people were counted multiple times.
The report could have been written in a less misleading way. It would have also been clearer if the number of children and the number of families were listed as separate statistics. I met with CSC staff and expressed my concerns. When I said the numbers were presented improperly, Ms. Green’s response was “Duly noted.”
They did say their current tracking system will eliminate duplicates in the future.
Leon County voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a taxpayer funded Children’s Services Council in 2020. Since its inception, $30.8 million has been paid by local taxpayers when many are struggling to make ends meet. The public deserves reliable information. This report is clearly not that.
Courtside Crime Ring
Portland Trail Blazers coach
Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among over 30 people arrested as part of two multimilliondollar gambling schemes. Federal prosecutors charged both men with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. Billups allegedly conspired with La Cosa Nostra—the fivefamily crime network known as the Mafia—to fix high-stakes poker games. He allegedly did so using X-ray tables, premarked cards, and hidden cameras. Rozier is accused of coordinating gameplay decisions (like leaving a game early) to rig sports bets. Both men were placed on leave yesterday, days into the 202526 season.
Separately, collegiate athletes and team staff will be allowed to bet on professional sports beginning next month. The rule change and federal indictments come as the American sports betting industry posted a record $13.71B in revenue last year, and 43% of Americans say legal sports betting is bad for society, up 9% from 2022.
Existing-Home Sales Up in September
Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-overmonth in September, according to the National Association
of REALTORS® ExistingHome Sales Report. The Report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and homebuyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory. Month-over-month sales increased in the Northeast, South and West, and fell in the Midwest. Year-over-year, sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South, and remained flat in the West.
"As anticipated, falling mortgage rates are lifting home sales," said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun.
"Inventory is matching a fiveyear high, though it remains below pre-COVID levels," Yun added
Total existing home sales were up 1.5% month-overmonth to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million, with a 4.1% increase in sales year-over-year.
The September median sales price was $415,200. The median existing-home price for all housing types, up 2.1% from one year ago ($406,700) – the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.
In the Northeast, there was a 2.1% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 490,000, up 4.3% year-over-year. The median price was $500,300, up 4.1% from September 2024. In the Midwest, there was
a 2.1% decrease in sales
month-over-month to an annual rate of 940,000, up 2.2% year-over-year. The median price was $320,800, up 4.7% from September 2024.
In the South, there was a 1.6% increase in sales monthover-month to an annual rate of 1.86 million, up 6.9% yearover-year. The median price was $364,500, up 1.2% from September 2024.
In the West, there was a 5.5% increase in sales monthover-month to an annual rate of 770,000, with no change year-over-year. The median price was $619,100, up 0.4% from September 2024.
Antidepressants Analysis
Researchers have compared 30 antidepressants for a variety of side effects, including impact on weight, heart rate, total cholesterol, and blood pressure. The meta-analysis reviewed 151 randomized trials with data on 58,534 people. Researchers analyzed the drugs’ side effects for around eight weeks, with impacts ranging widely. People taking agomelatine lost over 5 pounds on average, while those taking maprotiline gained nearly 4.5 pounds. Some antidepressants—desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, and paroxetine—were associated with higher total cholesterol. Nortriptyline was associated
with a 14 beats-per-minute increase in heart rate, while fluvoxamine was associated with a decrease of 8 beatsper-minute.
More than 11% of US adults take medication for depres
sion. Researchers hope the analysis—and an online tool they had previously developed—will help practitioners better tailor prescriptions to meet patients' unique concerns and preferences.
Ballroom Bulldozing Begins
The White House began demolition last week to prepare for its $250M, 90,000-squarefoot ballroom. Parts of the East Wing's outer walls have been bulldozed, with staffers instructed not to take photographs at President Donald Trump’s request.
Trump announced plans for the White House Ballroom in July and aims to complete the project by the end of his term. The space is expected to seat up to 900 people—over four times the capacity of the East Room, the White House’s largest event space. Trump said he is privately funding the project alongside other donors. That reportedly includes corporate contributions from Apple, Amazon, Google, Palantir, and Coinbase, among others. The space will include gilded Corinthian columns, gold and crystal chandeliers, and a checkered marble floor.
As president, Trump has broad authority to make updates to the White House complex; construction is typically also overseen by federal agencies.
Media Giant Mulls Sale Warner Bros. Discovery said it is weighing a full or partial sale after receiving unsolicited interest. The news comes roughly four months after the conglomerate announced plans to split its struggling cable networks from its more profitable studio and streaming arms, creating two publicly traded companies. The HBO and CNN parent company did not disclose potential buyers, but Skydance Media founder David Ellison has reportedly expressed interest. Ellison, the son of Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, acquired CBS owner Paramount for roughly $8B in August, forming Paramount Skydance. He also bought conservative news startup The Free Press for about $150M this month. Streaming company Netflix and NBC owner Comcast are reportedly interested parties as well. Warner Bros. Discovery said it will continue working toward splitting the company by mid-2026 as it evaluates offers. Separately, the company raised prices for HBO Max streaming plans.
National News Briefs
Single-Family Construction Permits Trending Down
According to filings with Leon County and the City of Tallahassee, the number of single-family new construction permits were down 6.1% in September 2025 when compared to September 2024. Permit values were down 9.2%.
There were 31 permits issued in September 2025, down 2 permits from the 33 issued one year ago. There were 39 permits issued in August 2025. The value of the September 2025 permits was $9.2
million, down 9.2% from the $8.7 million reported in September 2024.
The 3-Mnth Avg. data (Jul. – Sep.) –which smooths out the month-to-month volatility – shows no increase in the number of permits issued over the same 3-month period one year ago.
The 3-Mnth Avg. data show a 17.2% increase in monthly average permit value during this period. The 3-month average permit values increased from $9.3 million in September 2024 to $10.9 million in September 2025.
The chart to the right shows the number of permits issued each month for the last 36-month period. A 3-Month Ave. line is also included. The highlighted numbers relate to permits issued in the month of October to 2022.
Despite the recent downturn in permits
September Airport Passenger Traffic Down 6.2%
The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the September 2025 passenger traffic decreased 6.2% when compared to traffic one year ago. The number of passengers was down 4,706 from the 75,715 reported during September 2024 to 71,009 in September 2025.
The calendar year-todate comparison, January through September, shows passenger traffic is down 4.66% in 2025 when compared to 2024.
Relative to 2024, the Passenger Traffic Report shows year-over-year passenger counts in August were up 2.3% for American Airlines and up 20.0% 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 September over the last four years.
issued, comparing the year-to-date numbers from 2025 (410) to 2024 (407) show roughly the same number of permits issued through September.
The annual rate of passengers at TIA in September 2025 – 934,177 – is down 0.64% when compared to one year ago (940,158). The annualized number of passengers is calculated by summing the previous 12 months of traffic.
April Passenger Traffic Report
Jun-25
The table above lists the most re
cent single family home sales in the Killearn Acres neighborhood. The sales information is from the Leon County Property Appraiser.
Killearn Acres is located just north of Killearn Estates in NE Tallahassee. The neighborhood is known for it's streets being named after Thoroughbred race horses.
The table above list 15 recent transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $275,000 to a high of $385,000. The average sales price for these transactions was calculated to be $325,093
Reviewing another popular measure of home value, the dollar per square foot ($/SqFt) shows a range starting with a low of 165.5 $/SqFt to a high of 246.1 $/SqFt. The average $/SqFt was calculated to be 206.5 $/SqFt.
Current homes listed for sale in Killearn Acres range from $255,000 to $429,000. For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com.
Chiles Advances in State Playoffs, FSUS Run Ends
By Robert Stewart
On October 22nd, the Chiles Volleyball team began the 5A FHSAA State Championships with a straight set win against Choctawhatchee with set scores of 25-7, 25-14, and 25-17. Advancing to the regional semi-finals, the Timberwolves took on fourth seeded Ponte Vedra on Saturday, October 25th in Tallahassee. Chiles beat Ponte Vedra in straight sets, 25-13, 25-14 and 25-18.
The Timberwolves will host Beachside on the October 29th in the regional finals, looking to make the final four and secure back-to-back state titles.
Notable performances from the Chiles and Ponte Vedra game included Eva Goodson (Sr.) with 12 kills on 27 attempts and 1 error, Jorja Williams (Sr.) with 6 total blocks, and Madison Joyner (Sr.) with 13 digs.
Finishing the regular season 24-1, Chiles won the 5A District 2 tournament, with a 3-0 win against Columbia in the semi-finals and a 3-0 win against Lincoln in the Finals. Lincoln Made it through the semi-final round upsetting the higher seeded Leon in a fifth set tiebreaker with set scores 2725, 25-27, 26-24, 16-25, and 17-15. The Trojan’s season came to an end
losing to Chiles with set scores of 258, 25-6 and 25-9.
During the district final against Lincoln, Chiles had notable performances from Lindsay Smith (Sr.) with 12 kills on 20 attempts and 3 errors, Eva Goodson (Sr.) with 11 kills on 17 attempts and 1 error, and Jorja Williams (Sr.) with 4 total blocks.
Florida High
On October 21st the Florida High Volleyball team, started the 3A FHSAA State Championship with a straight set win against Episcopal School of Jacksonville with set scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 25-18. Advancing to the regional semi-finals, the Seminoles faced off against Pensacola Catholic on Oct. 25 in Tallahassee.
Florida High’s 2025-2026 season (206) came to an end with a hard-fought loss, 24-26, 25-22, 25-21, and 25-11.
Previously, Florida High beat Marianna in straight sets to claim to the 3A District 2 title with set scores of 25-15, 25-19 and 25-11.
Notable performances from the Seminoles included Addison Mayernick (Jr.) with 12 kills on 22 attempts with 4 errors, Hunter Cook (Sr.) with 11 kills on 22 attempts with 2 errors and Olivia Woods (Jr.) with 8 digs and 0 dig errors.
CCS Volleyball Program Excels Under New Coach
By Robert Stewart
The Community Christian (CCS) volleyball team just finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a record of 21-4, winning the most games during one season in school history. The Chargers are ranked 17 statewide in Class 1A and are seeded first in the district tournament with the first game starting on Oct. 16th. But this level of success didn’t come overnight — it followed a coaching change that helped steer the program in a new direction after several challenging seasons. After having a record of 0-13 during the 2023-2024 season, CCS hired a new head coach in Jacob Stringer, who led the team to their first winning season since the 2020-2021season with a record of 12-8 in 2024. The Chargers have since improved with an opportunity to further that improvement as they enter the post season. While the coaching change
set the foundation for success, it was the players’ performances on the court that sparked the turnaround.
Avea Casperson leads the team in kills with a total of 354 kills on 695 attempts and 76 errors. Sarah Bradley leads to the team in aces with 154 on the season which also ranks her first in the state of Florida. On the defensive side, Korben Steinmetz leads the team with 110 total blocks placing her 5th in the state and Violet McMillan leads the team with 523 digs also placing her 5th in the state in that category.
Godby Defeats
By Tyler Powell
On October 24, the Lincoln Trojans (5–4) took on the Godby Cougars (4–5) in an exciting non-district matchup. Lincoln, coming off a road loss the previous week, looked to bounce back and secure a win on senior night. Godby, meanwhile, coming off back-to-back losses, hoped to prove they still had plenty left in the tank. What followed might turn out to be one of the best nights of football we’ve seen this season.
In one of the most thrilling games of the season, Godby rallied late to stun Lincoln 30–28 in a Friday night matchup filled with turnovers, explosive plays, and a last-second touchdown to seal the win. Godby opened the night with momentum, but their first drive was cut short when Maliek Denmark snagged an interception for Lincoln. The Trojans, as usual, quickly capitalized as quarterback Taylor Jacobs Jr. connected with tight end Will Tawney on a deep pass that set up a short touchdown run by running back Tadarius Huggins, giving Lincoln an early 6–0 lead to start the game.
The Cougars answered with a steady drive fueled by newly starting quarterback Lazarus Chambers and running back Kamren McMillan, eventually setting up a field goal to make it 6–3. Lincoln tried a trick play on fourth down early in the second quarter, but it backfired when corner C.J. Allen for Godby picked it off, stopping the drive in its tracks.
That stop was not enough to slow Lincoln for long, as they bounced back when quarterback Taylor Jacobs Jr. found receiver Kabran Paul for a short touchdown reception, stretching the lead to 12–3. Godby responded almost immediately as Chambers powered through on multiple quarterback keepers before punching in a touchdown to cut the deficit to 12–10.
Later in the half, Lincoln’s quarterback was intercepted again, this time by athlete Jamarin Simmons, setting the Cougars up deep in Trojan territory. With under a minute left in the first half, Chambers connected with receiver Jerrell Hall for a touchdown to give Godby a 17-12 halftime lead, foreshadowing what was to come.
After a slow start to the third quarter, Chambers struck again, tossing a touchdown to Jamarin Simmons to extend the lead to 24-12. Lincoln kept it close when Tadarius Huggins broke through for his second touchdown of the night, cutting the lead to 24-19.
Early in the fourth, Lincoln surged ahead when Will Tawney scored out of the Wildcat formation, putting the Trojans up 25–24. A few minutes later, heavy pressure from Lincoln’s defense forced Chambers to fumble, setting the Trojans up with great field position. Though they could not reach the end zone, they converted a short field goal to push the lead to 28–24 with under five minutes remaining.
But the Cougars were not done. Still on the prowl, Chambers led a gutsy final drive, converting key runs and completions as the clock ticked under a minute. Facing fourth down with just eight seconds left, Chambers connected once again with Jerrell Hall in the end zone for what would turn out to be the gamewinning score, putting Godby ahead 30–28. Lincoln had one last snap, but time expired, sealing a statement win for the underdog Cougars.
Notable performances for Godby included QB Lazarus Chambers (Sr.) with three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, WR Jerrell Hall (Sr.) with two receiving touchdowns, and ATH Jamarin Simmons (Jr.) with one touchdown reception and one interception. For Lincoln, RB Tadarius Huggins (Sr.) recorded two rushing touchdowns.
