Blaise Gainey
Lead Government Reporter/ProducerBlaise Gainey is a State Government Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.
Follow Blaise Gainey on Twitter: @BlaiseGainey
Email Blaise Gainey at blgainey@fsu.edu
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A U.S. Department of Justice study found since 2006 there has been a pattern of sexual abuse at Florida’s all-female prison, Lowell Correctional Institute. Rep. Dianne Hart (D-Tampa) is filing bills aimed at cracking down on sexual abuse in prisons. Allegations from inmates at the all-women's prison in Ocala describe sexual abuse and other illegal treatment that has gone on for more than a decade. -
Floridians have been left confused and frustrated by the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. While most expected a unified distribution plan the responsibility has been passed on to the state’s 67 local health departments—which has led to a patchwork of policies. But Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz says he thinks those kinks will soon get worked out. He spoke during a virtual press conference Wednesday. -
St. Petersburg Republican Senator Jeff Brandes has filed a bill to protect business from “frivolous” COVID-19-related lawsuits. Brandes says the measure is at the top of his agenda. -
School teachers are calling for a change in the vaccine distribution plan created by Governor Ron DeSantis. While DeSantis says he’s prioritizing the highly vulnerable elderly population first, school employees are asking to be included on the priority list. Scott Mazur is the president of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association. -
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is announcing plans to open additional vaccination sites, as well as converting current COVID-19 testing sites. He says about 80% of COVID-19 vaccines sent to the state have been given to hospitals across Florida. -
The fine for driving past a school bus displaying a stop signal has increased with the new year. Tickets for the infraction have doubled. Drivers can now face fines up to $400 dollars. Rep. Emily Slosberg (D-Delray Beach) sponsored the bill during last year’s legislative session. -
A Florida coalition is requesting utilities remain on until June of 2021 for people behind on payments. Between March and October, Florida’s four largest utility companies incurred more than 60 million in debt due to late payments -
Leon County officials say help is needed to keep residents in their homes. A federal moratorium on evictions ends in January. But some residents are already being kicked out of their homes after they lost the protection of a state eviction moratorium back in October. -
Eviction filings during the pandemic could have long term impacts on renters. Stephanie Johnson is the managing attorney with Legal Services of North Florida. She says the filing alone could prevent a person from being able to rent in the future. -
Thousands of Americans are still out of work and a federal eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year. Florida Apartment Association says some landlords are trying to keep people in their homes.
