criminal justice

After years of voter disenfranchisement, Floridians had finally had enough. In 2018 state voters approved a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to most felons. The legislature attempted to stymie that effort by passing a state law requiring them to repay fines, fees, and restitution. A lawsuit ensued, with organizations like the ACLU claiming the law amounted to a poll tax, and Republican lawmakers defending it. This story takes a look at what’s happened with the amendment since it passed, and the push to get people signed up to vote before the August primary.

Former head and co-founder of Seminole Productions Mark Rodin is being charged with defrauding Florida State University of $1.2 million. In an unrelated case, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced the indictment of five former Florida State University students and one former University of Florida student over embezzling money.

Voter registration advocates are rushing to register new voters in the run-up to the August primary and November presidential election. In Florida, the effort has been slowed as the state fights a lawsuit over whether felons have to repay fines and fees before they can vote. The first of a four-part series examines the implications of Florida’s Amendment 4, and the ongoing battle over felon voting rights.

The Village Square will host three forums to address race and equality in Tallahassee. It's an organization that attempts to bridge partisan divides and move the ball forward on important issues.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians of scammers trying to impersonate health officials. Moody says the calls are going out from people pretending to be contact tracers to get personal details from victims. She's advising people to verify that contact tracing calls are coming from county health departments.

Bay County's first official Juneteenth Celebration took place in downtown Panama City over the weekend. Hundreds of protestors expressed solidarity against racism and called for justice on behalf of African Americans killed by the police.

The man accused of murdering 74-year-old Victoria Sims and 19-year-old Toyin Salau is facing charges of kidnapping, murder and sexual assault. New court filings show 49-year-old Aaron Glee Jr. has confessed to both murders.

A town hall on police reform led to repeat calls to fire Tallahassee's Chief of Police Lawrence Revell and City Manager Reese Goad. Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor and City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow hosted the talks, which drew about 30 people.

Tallahassee activists are calling for the city to create a council that would have managerial power over the city police department. Organizers are also urging officials to redirect some of TPD's money to social services and other programs.

The Tallahassee Police Department says the sexual assault Toyin Salau reported before her death is not related to her murder. The Department also says Victoria Sims’ house had been burglarized. The two women were recently found dead on Monday Road. The case has sparked more outrage in Tallahassee, as friends and family grieve for the protester and the AARP volunteer.