Judge orders JSO to show secret video of controversial Duval County jail death to family
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has previously refused to disclose the video and has only released a heavily redacted incident report about Faggart’s death.
ENVIRONMENT
Jacksonville, Florida’s Gun Violence Is Rooted in Redlining and Homes Built on Toxic Waste
Poisons from Jacksonville, Florida’s “Brown’s Dump” seeped into the lifeblood of residents. The harm to their physical and mental health is tied today to another public health crisis: high rates of gun violence among children.
Unleashed by Florida lawmakers, landowners move to convert farms into subdivisions
State Rep. Adam Botana pf Bonita Springs told The Trib he sponsored the law because ‘sometimes certain municipalities and counties get a little big for their britches, and they need to be either restricted or cut back.’
Watchdogs warn Amendment 3 may cut funding for flood control and drinking water
The measure would cut funding for Florida’s five water management districts, which are responsible for stopping floods, securing the drinking water supply, preventing toxic algae blooms and overseeing millions of acres of public land. About 30% of the districts’ budgets, on average, come from property taxes.
Criminal Justice
From merch to donor checks: How Uthmeier campaign benefitted from Alligator Alcatraz
Fans can buy $30 t-shirts, $27 baseball hats, and an $8 set of bumper stickers to advertise their support for the attorney general and the makeshift facility he’s credited with coming up with the idea for.
On the ballot: Will Florida remain the nation’s death penalty capital?
Gov. Ron DeSantis in his final two years in office has turned Florida into the death penalty capital of the developed world. Since securing their party’s nominations, neither man running to replace him this fall has discussed in detail whether they would keep that distinction.
How state officials fought for months to keep a lid on Hope Florida report
This week, a higher court issued a damning rebuke of the grand jury and its report, which the court found was ‘careless in its grammar, mistaken in its law, and unfaithful to its own record.’
EDUCATION
School tax proposals will share ballot with Amendment 3, prompting fears about voter confusion
As state lawmakers push to cut property taxes through Amendment 3, over 40% of Florida’s public school districts will also have their own property tax before voters on the ballot.
Public school districts will still face financial pressure if Amendment 3 passes
School districts will experience an indirect financial squeeze because programs like summer camps are often funded by agencies that would be affected if voters approve the amendment.
DeSantis exercises ‘unprecedented’ power to label groups ‘domestic terrorists’
Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted to advance the terrorist designations Tuesday, approving the proposal in just over 30 seconds and with no discussion.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Only 3 Florida county court races are left, and 2 target sitting judges
Of the 18 county court judicial races in Florida this year, three elections remain for a seat on the “people’s court.”
Recently released from prison, Aaron Zahn could be entitled to damages from JEA, arbitrator rules
The arbitrator, Leslie W. Langbein of Miami Lakes, issued a 36-page decision that does not once mention Zahn’s convictions, which followed a years-long federal grand jury investigation.
Ex-JEA CEO Aaron Zahn released from prison 20 months after reporting for 4-year sentence
Aaron Zahn was found guilty of charges connected to his contentious push to sell Northeast Florida’s public utility to enrich himself and his top executives.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Virginia utility merger could shed more light on political controversies in Florida
The U.S. has never elected a Black Republican governor. Can Florida?
In Florida, immigrant Medicaid crackdown ensnares eligible families
Update: Gov. DeSantis drops death warrant for man deemed mentally unfit
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