Controversy after controversy under TPD Police Chief Lawrence Revell has made it clear the department cannot move forward in public trust with him at the helm.
Business/GOP Backed Candidates, David Bellamy Big Winners; Dianne Williams-Cox Flips on Taking New Money; Ethics Watchdogs’ Warnings Realized
Twenty-Seven Million Dollars, Six members of the Florida State University Board of Trustees, One City Commissioner’s Re-election Campaign, at least $65,000 in political committee donations, and $560,000 in CRA dollars to the developer behind it all.
The text messages have been sent out by the advocacy group Grow Tallahassee and the city candidates that have endorsed include Bellamy, Dailey, and Williams-Cox.
A Tallahassee Police Department recruitment video released publicly by Our Tallahassee has raised concerns in the community about militarization in the department.
Eddie Gallagher, a former Navy SEAL who was accused and subsequently pardoned by Donald Trump recently trained the Tallahassee Police Department.
Two of three school board candidates believe “the big lie”.
Rabbi Barry Silver Esq., from Boca Raton, has challenged Florida’s new abortion law that took effect July 1, and he’s doing it on some very novel legal grounds.
Williams-Cox met with the developer group in January. A recording of their meeting is being released by Our Tallahassee for the first time.
During his 30-year conservation career, Draper was a leading advocate for water and land conservation and Everglades restoration. He is known for being able to work with both business and agency leaders.
Dempsey filed a motion to grant disqualification, recusing herself from overseeing the lawsuit which seeks to bring Leon County’s 1% sales tax agency under sunshine.
Matlow’s lawsuit against the 1% sales tax agency, which hopes to force Blueprint’s IMC to meet in the Sunshine, has a new motion filed, requesting the recusal of Judge Angela Dempsey for her close relationship with VancoreJones from overseeing the case.
Pollute, pay, repeat. That’s the governing rhythm in Wakulla County, as taxes are paid so developers can pollute. Now, locals are fighting back.
Six schools will begin the 2022-2023 school year with new leadership and one school will transition to new leadership in June.
Just days left until the field solidifies, see where candidates are raising and spending money across races for city and county commission.
A key organizer of Patriot Front’s combat drills in Tallahassee was arrested in Idaho, the first known arrest of members who took part in the Tallahassee drills.
DeeDee Rasmussen held off the announcement of her resignation for at least four months, while Laurie Lawson-Cox claimed she was running for the seat in 2024, collecting thousands from education lobbyists and individuals who endorsed Rasmussen, following her last-minute resignation announcement, the public is left with just days to field any alternative candidate.
Push polling is condemned by national political organizations. Two local campaigns with the same political consultant recently push polled people in Tallahassee.
Rep. Allison Tant continues work for smooth transition away from Florida Dept. of Education control. Additional funding secured from federal Covid dollars and for wraparound family services.
The Florida Commission on Ethics will hold a probable cause hearing Friday after a year-long investigation into the allegations against Tallahassee City Manager Reese Goad.
Bob Lotane argues that “gun control” messaging by advocates has fallen short of other successful progressive messaging. Lotane says a new paradigm is needed for talking about “gun control”.
Jimbo Jackson, Principal and Leon County Commissioner passed away Saturday morning. Jackson was a beloved Principal and Leon County Commissioner, representing Southeast Leon County.
Chamber of Commerce to receive $112,013 in tax dollars originally designated for the “preventive, developmental, treatment, and rehabilitative services for children”, some money spent on creating promotional videos for Chamber members.
“Removing ‘ghost guns’ from the hands of convicted felons is essential in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This investigation and the resulting sentence demonstrate that cooperation between law-abiding citizens and law enforcement makes our communities safer.”
On Sunday, the Democratic Black Caucus endorsed Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried for Governor.
Public records show that the Chamber’s public relations consultant, Hammerhead’s Skip Foster, worked behind the scenes to shut down City Walk-Urban Ministry.
Former Mayor Debbie Lightsey outlines the delays behind the eight-year project to rewrite the mobility element of the comprehensive plan.
Pierre breaks down how Mayor John Dailey took credit for the work of LGTBQ+ groups and bailed on them when they needed help the most.
Tuesday’s meeting provided a surprising setback yet again in the long quest to save the Lake Hall School.
Early Sunday morning, the Chabad House of Tallahassee suffered from a catastrophic fire to the structure. Read Rabbi Oirechman’s email about the fire.
David Bellamy took to Real Talk 93.3 on Thursday, just days after the potential reversal of Roe v. Wade was made public to voice his opposition to the city’s women’s reproductive rights resolution.
Pay raises released following the botched roll-out of city reorganization leave management scrambling, public, officials out of the loop.
Shooting this afternoon on Gaines Street leaves one victim with life-threatening injuries, and lingering questions about police reporting policy.
Read the press release sent by the City of Tallahassee today, announcing a large reorganization of the city government.
Florida Republicans have had virtually unfettered oversight of property insurance for over a generation. Despite their undying adherence to cliches that free markets solve everything, Florida’s insurance industry is in absolute freefall.
“We have to listen to the people we work for,” Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor says of his opposition to the $27 million dollar Doak deal.
“I believe the entire decision-making process should happen in public view,” City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow says of Blueprint’s mysterious Intergovernmental Management Committee, in an email to supporters.
“To the public, it looks like we aren’t being open and transparent,” said Rick Minor, who, along with Kristin Dozier, was denied the right to speak at the meeting.
After the Civil War, a group of freed slaves purchased land from plantation owners who had fallen on hard times and built the Lake Hall School.
City Commissioners addressed a coalition of 19 religious congregations in Tallahassee who banded together to ask local leaders to make an in-person commitment for their two policy priorities that the group developed for more than two years.
National education expert, with Jefferson County experience, says things are bad but can be fixed with the resumption of local control
“Our community tried with all of their might to change the majority of our commissioner’s minds, now the community must change the majority of its commissioners,” Marcelin said.
“FPL profits on the backs of working families and politicians like Ashley Moody are part of the business model,” Daniel Uhlfelder, a candidate for Florida Attorney General, said.
“It’s no accident that I talked about my plans to protect voting rights the first week I announced I was running for governor,” Crist says, in an interview with Our Tallahassee publisher Bob Lotane.
“It does not appear from the body-worn cameras that his head hit the concrete ground at all,” Revell said on Monday, in defense of the officer who used a technique that Department policy forbids.
Tallahassee Police Department seen on video lifting young man off the ground to slam his head into the pavement during an arrest in the All Saints neighborhood.
“Commissioner Matlow stepped up for public safety and our first responders in a very big way over the past couple of years,” said Davis, “these have been difficult times for our members and he has not only been willing to listen, but has worked to address some of those problems to ensure we can provide the highest level of public safety.”
Dozier’s comments come after the legislature passed a map that eliminates Rep. Al Lawson’s representation of Leon County, and is on the Governor’s desk. He’s promised to veto any alternative map which would include Lawson’s current district.
The country’s largest development company is finally seeking government approvals in Leon County. A look inside the pending real estate deals looking for local government approval next week.
Influential State Lobbyists Showing Clear Interest in David Bellamy over Jeremy Matlow. The race continues to outpace others in fundraising.
The Intergovernmental Management Committee, made up of County Administrator and City Administrator took a vacation together hours after the Seminole Boosters’ vote.
Premier Fine Homes CEO Steve Ghazvini didn’t waste any time attacking newly filed challenger to Mayor John Dailey. The company has been Dailey’s largest donor.
These geologic features unique to this property are vulnerable to stormwater runoff with elevated pollutants from manmade disturbances. Contaminated water will enter the Floridan Aquifer, manifesting at Wakulla Springs.
Charter schools, primarily funded through dollars taken directly from public school budgets, have grown to over 687 with a student enrollment approaching 350,000.
Public commentary, unpaid and non-conflicted, has been overwhelmingly opposed to giving FSU $26.5 million of our collective tax dollars. To our knowledge, Mayor Dailey has yet to return these funds
“This is an issue that has been a little bit under the radar,” said former FSU VP David Coburn. Video and Documents Reveal Trustees Discussing Infrastructure Cost of Gambling Operation, Coburn Pointed to Public Funding Request
The Former Sheriff of Wakulla County’s involvement in the controversial deal was not disclosed publicly previously.
Kristin Dozier is likely to announce a run for Mayor. A look at Dailey’s first three years and the state of the race.
Dailey compared his acceptance of over $20,000 in reelection campaign contributions from the Seminole Bosoters to “voter suppression.” Now Proctor is asking him to apologize for his comments.
Proctor Responds to Mayor John Dailey’s Defense of “Voter Suppression” to Not Accept Seminole Boosters Money.
“Irreparable and catastrophic harm” to Wakulla Springs, say springs experts who have analyzed the pending rezoning of a gas station above the Wakulla Springs cave. Wakulla County Commissioners vote on the deal on February 22nd. Can you send them an email letting them know you support saving our springs?
Just Weeks Before the Critical Stadium Vote, Dailey’s Reelection Campaign Received Twenty Five Checks from Seminole Boosters, FSU Leadership.
Fine is pushing budget language to strip $200 million from the “Dirty Dozen” and redistribute the money to districts that complied. Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna responded, calling Fine “a childish, immature bully.”
Jack Porter, who sits on the Tallahassee City Commission, cited one example: Florida’s housing crisis. She pointed to trailer park in her community where the owner doubled rents and pushed residents out of their homes.
The proposed gas station poses a “truly grave threat” to the springs, according to the official nonprofit partner of Wakulla Springs State Park.
Can you send a message to Leon County, Tallahassee, FSU and Seminole Boosters that you don’t support using public dollars for the stadium deal?
Joey Lamar, a candidate for Leon County Commission District 3 rejects the proposed ordinance criminalizing houselessness in an op-ed.
“At this time, we are unaware of any actionable activity or offenses,” FSU Associate Vice President for Student Affairs says in response to an FSU Student who was part of the Neo-nazi group Patriot Front, in an email obtained by Our Tallahassee. “FSU also prides itself on protecting freedom of expression and speech and the right to peacefully assemble,”
Leaks from Patriot Front show videos of neo-nazi combat training in Tallahassee this October, in Lafayette Park and Leon County’s Williams’ Landing.
Florida A&M University Labor Union Holds Picket Line to Protest Stalled Contract. AFSCME members demand a decent contract from FAMU.
Residents of the Meadows Trailer Park faced with few options. Last week, City Commissioners Porter & Matlow and Leon County Schoolboard Chair Darryl Jones held a press conference with residents.
David O’Keefe, candidate for Leon County Commission District 5 says Leon County Commissioners should vote no on the proposed homelessness ordinance.
“It is evident that DeSantis is trying to restrict minority representation,” Leon County’s Representative Al Lawson says, after Governor DeSantis’ office releases proposed congressional redistricting map which eliminates black access seat in North Florida.
We uncovered a previously unreported $100,000 Donation to Ron DeSantis Months After Being Appointed. University Claims Lobbying E-Mails Exempt from Public Records. FSU Board of Trustees Chair Shows Contempt for Our Community, Regarding 27 Million Dollar Seminole Boosters Deal.
Bob Lotane Looks at the $27 Million Dollar Seminole Boosters Deal. The final vote on the deal is on February 24th in the City Commission Chambers.
From Justice to Ethics, Amazon Economic Development to Public Engagement. VanderMeer outlines the various issues people in Tallahassee should be paying attention to in 2022
TPD Chief Revell Subject of Federal Sexual Orientation Discrimination Complaint which Began Before Revell’s Controversial Billy Graham Conference Appearance.
Five candidates vie for Kristin Dozier’s open seat on the Leon County Commission, the most progressive district, spanning midtown to Chaires.
Subpenoeas, Discrimination, and Severance Agreements: There is a perfect storm of a former worker’s trial brewing under the legal guidance of Marie Mattox, and it could spell bad news for city executives.
Tallahassee’s Political Veteran Vincent Evans to head up Congressional Black Caucus.
City worker alleges in depositions she was denied promotion based on race, age despite being promised the position by Goad. Her case goes to trial in February 2022.
Meet the candidates looking to succeed Kristin Dozier on the Leon County Commission, for District 5.
Fried and VanderMeer discuss Fried’s positions on a number of environmental issues in her campaign to be Florida’s Governor.
Kristin Dozier Responds to Outgoing FSU Athletics Director David Coburn Night Before Vote on $27 Million Seminole Boosters Deal for Luxury Stadium Seating
Jeremy Matlow’s Opposition Posts His First Month Fundraising; Nearly 40% of his campaign was from just one lobbying firm.
The Tallahassee Branch NAACP asks the community to assemble Monday at The Lincoln Center, continuing conversation on public dollars.
Revell’s Defiant at Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, Proclaims Faith. Revell refused to answer questions about whether he thought being gay was a sin.
Former US Attorney Larry Keefe rolls the reputational dice. Once a respected prosecutor, in the months since the 2020 elections, Keefe has fallen far and fast into the alt-right.
FAMU Alumnus, White House Staff Vince Evans Being Recruited to Run for Tallahassee Mayor in 2022
The foreclosure comes in the wake of Burnette’s conviction on five out of nine charges for bribery and lying to federal investigators in Tallahassee’s public corruption trial.
Tallahassee Police Department Chief Lawrence Revell Attended and Spoke at Three Day Retreat at Homophobic Billy Graham Law Enforcement Retreat
This past week, Intergovernmental Agency, controlled by our five City Commissioners, and seven County Commissioners gave $27 million dollars of our money to a stadium project.
The Tallahassee Mayor Adjourned a Meeting to Avoid Passing Ethics Reform, Denying Commissioner Porter the opportunity to speak.
Since the 2020 Elections, Republicans have dominated Democrats across the state at party voter registration. Not in Leon County.
Jackson has been a relentless critic of City Hall for more than ten years. We catch up with him to talk about how it all started for him, and some of his thoughts on the bribery crisis.
Following the Maddox Lovefest at Amelia Island at the annual Chamber Conference. We wonder, is the 111-Year-Old Institution Still Relevant?
Learn More About Our Tallahassee, a new multi-platform news outlet covering politics and government in Leon County.