The number of Florida School Districts that want teachers to carry guns is growing. When this story first aired in May, there were 30 districts participating in the state’s “Guardian” Program. Today, there are 39. We take a look at the ongoing debate over the program, and get an update on where districts are now. Lynn Hatter has more.
As lawmakers prepare for the start of the legislative session many are looking for ways to address growing concerns about mass shootings. But what causes gun violence? While some point to the fire arms themselves others say mental health could be the cause—some have gone as far as Republican Representative Mike Hill who is pointing to an article by the gun rights publication AmmoLand that blames the use psychiatric drugs. Regan McCarthy has more….
Despite the lawsuits pending in both state and federal courts thousands of felons throughout the state are now eligible to vote, thanks to Amendment 4 and Governor Ron DeSantis signing the implementing bill into law. However, to do so they will have to register first, and organizations and advocates have been fanning out across Florida to sign up these newly eligible voters. Joining those efforts is former Leon County Commissioner Bob Rackleff. WFSU’s Blaise Gainey met with him in the Bond Neighborhood in Tallahassee.
Greenwood, Florida’s only grocery store caught fire after Hurricane Michael. A year after the storm, it still hasn’t been replaced. Robbie Gaffney reported on how this community is banding together to assist elderly and low-income residents who can’t travel to find fresh food.
October 10th was the first anniversary of Category 5 Hurricane Michael hitting the Panhandle. Even a year after the storm made landfall near Mexico Beach, we found children and adults struggling with the catastrophe and the changes it brought. Gina Jordan filed this report about the sometimes painfully slow recovery.
Following the Florida legislature’s approval of a state hemp program, Cannabis Director Holly Bell began advising those who want to get into the industry on what they need to do. Ryan Dailey attended one such presentation in Tallahassee. At the time, Bell said hemp growing permits could be issued before the end of 2019 – but now the expectation is they’ll be issued in January.