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Principal of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Dr. Benny L. Bolden, Jr., shares his inspiration for managing the school in Tallahassee, FL. He wants his students and the community to know that his school is run in the vein of care, hope, and love. He tells his students that if they would have known him in his youth, they would be shocked that he was their principal today. He sees himself in his students and makes it his assignment to give them his care, hope, and love.

With most of the criminal defenses in the six-county 2nd Judicial Circuit now falling to the Public Defender's office, that job is of vital importance to the region's criminal justice system. Also, there are widespread calls to reform that system, even as the pandemic is shrinking the state revenues on which that system depends. To talk about those and other issues are: Incumbent Public Defender Andy Thomas; and challenger Jessica Yeary.

On tonight’s program: The demand of Florida’s Education Department to fully reopen schools this fall has attracted a teachers’ union lawsuit; The sometimes violent controversy over protective mask wearing looms over the possible reopening of Florida schools; Some Florida hospitals and their staffs fear the present COVID spike will push them beyond their abilities to cope; The ACLU, Dream Defenders and others have been asking for the release of certain Florida prison inmates due to COVID-19. But the Capital region’s state attorney says it’s tough deciding who to release and who to keep locked up; A landmark federal court case about the vote in Florida is suddenly settled; The incidence of child abuse typically increases during times of stress and uncertainty. But the number of such cases now being reported is down and a noted advocate has one possible explanation.

The Americans With Disabilities Act took effect on July 26, 1990. Much has been accomplished since then to make all of society more accessible and participatory> But much more still needs to bring the full promise of the legislation to fruition. To talk about it are: Florida State University's J.R. Harding, long-time advocate; Dr. Max Lee of environmental consulting firm Koogler Associates; and Michael Elliott, CEO of Soar Technology, which provides services for the visually-impaired.

On tonight’s program: The State of Florida has ordered schools reopen in a matter of weeks. The state’s largest teachers union is pushing back in court; As Florida high school sports officials look at pushing back the date of the athletic season, the state’s leaders argue THAT decision is best left to parents; What happens if a COVID-19 outbreak hits a school?; A new Florida task force takes action aimed at getting visitors back into the state’s nursing homes; Florida’s clemency process remains sidelined by the pandemic. But critics contend that process hasn’t been fully functional in years; E-scooter use is up as riders find its a great way to cover distance while keeping social distance; If you hate dialing long phone numbers, you may soon want to get an auto-dialing machine.

Three of the four candidates for the seat being vacated by retiring Judge Charles Dodson talk about their judicial philosophies, legal background and qualifications. Vying for the seat are: Tiffany Baker; Nina Moody; and Amanda Wall who appear on the program. A fourth candidate, Pete Williams, was invited but did not respond.

The five contenders for Tallahassee City Commission Seat Two talk about crime, development and the challenge of providing critical services during a pandemic-driven revenue downturn. The guests are: Incumbent Commissioner Curtis Richardson; and the challengers: Trish Brown; Bill Schack; Geraldine Seay; and Lynette Halter.

Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey has served on the bench for 14 years. Now she faces a challenge from Tallahassee Attorney Kevin Alvarez. The candidates discuss their judicial qualifications, temperament and legal philosophy.

On tonight’s program: A group of college professors says there’s no way to reopening classes safely this fall. Especially since many of the schools’ reopening plans were made before coronavirus cases really began to climb in Florida; As if a pandemic isn’t enough, a hurricane threatens Florida’s eastern seaboard; A flood of vote-by-mail ballots is coming to Florida’s county elections offices. We’ll find out if they’re ready for the tsunami; Some Florida election supervisors are extending their early voting periods; Most of those being held in Florida’s county jails aren’t felons. That means they still have the right to vote although exercising that right may be another matter all together; A Central Florida State Representative says a recent Supreme Court appointment made by the governor doesn’t follow the rules and wants the appointment reversed. The appointed justice, meanwhile, thinks the rules say otherwise; Whether it’s the local Shakespeare troupe or touring rock band, the performing arts shutdown imposed by the coronavirus is taking a heavy toll across Florida.

Incumbent School Board Member Dee Dee Rasmussen and Challenger Alex Stemle discuss their differing approaches to guiding the school district through the challenge of COVID-19 and other educational issues.