For the first time in her time on the Leon County School Board, Alva Swafford Smith won’t face a real opponent in November. Smith, the District 1 incumbent, qualified in June with only a write-in challenger, all but assuring her a new term she says will be her last.
Tag: tallahassee
Posted inElections
As Leon schools face budget pressure, candidates Nicolas and Reilly Jr. make their case to District 5 voters
In the race for the Leon County School Board District 5 seat, voters can choose between Marcus Nicolas, the incumbent, and James Reilly Jr., the challenger, each of whom has his own approach to problem-solving.
Posted inState Government
Florida lawmaker liable for sexual harassment; jury awards $450K in damages
A Leon County jury has found Republican state Rep. Fabian Basabe of Miami Beach liable for sexual harassment, battery and defamation in a rare and dramatic civil case that aired serious allegations against a sitting lawmaker up for re-election.
Posted inState Government
Tallahassee on trial: Lawmaker faces sexual harassment claims in civil case
A civil trial unfolding in a courtroom across from the Florida Capitol complex offers a mix of serious allegations against a sitting lawmaker and reality TV buffoonery.
Posted inBehind the Story
Recap: Celebrating Local News Day across Florida
Journalists and community members passionate about local news gathered to celebrate Local News Day at bookstores across Florida.
Posted inFlorida
Local News Day launches nationwide — and we’re a Founding Newsroom!
We’re excited to share the launch of Local News Day, a new nationwide day of action dedicated to connecting communities with trusted local news and information.
The Florida Trib is proud to be a Founding Newsroom of Local News Day.
Taking place on April 9, 2026, Local News Day will bring together hundreds of local newsrooms across the country to celebrate the essential role local news and information plays in our everyday lives — from helping people make informed decisions to strengthening community connection and accountability.
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Florida wipes ‘culture,’ ‘diversity’ and other terms from UNF teacher-education courses
State officials cast a wide net in seeking to ban certain terms, ensnaring courses where words like “culture” and “diversity” appear in innocuous contexts.
Posted inFlorida
DeSantis faces federal scrutiny after Florida redistricting trial wraps up
A federal trial scrutinizing Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Florida redistricting maps concluded, questioning whether he intentionally discriminated against Black voters.
Posted inChanging Florida
Florida redistricting trial: Plaintiffs argue DeSantis displayed ‘extreme inconsistencies’
In a federal trial, plaintiffs argue that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis intentionally discriminated against Black voters during redistricting. The case puts the spotlight on voting rights, racial discrimination, and the power dynamics between the Legislature and the governor.
Posted inChanging Florida
Florida redistricting trial: Expert claims DeSantis’ role broke norms
Day 2 of Florida’s redistricting trial spotlights expert testimony, alleging Gov. DeSantis intervened with racial bias in the Legislature’s mapmaking.