Blaise Gainey

Orlando area lawmakers are proposing a bill that would help ensure every qualified citizen in Florida is able to vote. The legislators say changes are needed sooner rather than later.

The Florida State University football team fired its head coach Sunday after the team took another loss, making Willie Taggart’s record 9-12 while in charge of the Seminoles. FSU Athletics Director David Coburn addressed the media a day later to talk about a search for a new coach two years after hiring Taggart. 

The Restoration of Voting Rights Work Group has approved a list of recommendations to send to the legislature. One proposal would enhance the Clerk of Court’s financial accounting system to include a breakdown of restitution, fines, and fees owed by felons. 

Most Florida felons had their voting rights restored after the passage of 2018’s Amendment 4. Earlier this year the legislature put in place a law that tied rights restoration to the repayment of all fines and fees. But, a ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle says the state can’t deny the right to vote based on a failure to pay, as long as a person genuinely can’t.

The Florida Education Association is visiting 30 counties and advocating for better funding for public education. They will make 50 stops on the tour. President Fedrick Ingram, says he is going directly to the people most affected by the decades of underfunding for public schools.

Prosecutors in the murder trial for a slain Florida State University law professor are focusing on the ties between the people accused of killing him, and his ex-wife’s family. Markel was entangled in a bitter child custody fight at the time of his death. 

The third day of the trial for FSU Professor Dan Markel who was shot down in his driveway is taking place today at Leon County’s Courthouse. Wendi Adelson is Dan Markel’s ex-wife. Jeffrey Lacasse, who she was dating around the time of the murder, testified today. Many contradictions were noticed between what he and Wendi Adelson who testified Friday had to say.

The second day of testimony in the murder trial of Florida State University Professor Dan Markel featured Wendi Adelson, his ex-wife. She confirms the two were entangled in a custody battle over their two children prior to Markel’s death.

Currently, there are four ways Florida’s constitution can be changed. One method is through the Constitution Revision Commission or CRC. The group meets every twenty years to propose changes or additions to the constitution – giving voters the final say.

The last CRC met in 2018 and caused controversy by bundling several unrelated ideas. Now some lawmakers want the group dissolved for good. 

A proposed assault weapons ban would prohibit all semi-automatic shotguns and rifles that are capable of holding more than 10 rounds. State economists say that would affect around 71 percent of rifles and half of shotguns. Charlie Strickland, CEO of Talon Training Group, says it’d be a big hit to his business.