More than 5.4 million Floridians had voted early or by mail, with registered Republicans holding a 40.2% to 37.8% lead over Democrats. The state’s GOP registration advantage now exceeds 1.5 million, while past elections have shown Republicans turning out strongly on Election Day. Voters also face a close governor’s race, a Senate contest, congressional races and constitutional questions. The early vote figures show why both parties are watching Election Day turnout closely.
Toll sign at Jacksonville’s Hart Bridge; file photo, not a current JTA toll proposal. · Photographer not listed · Public domain · File photo; display crop
Jacksonville’s Financial Audit and Oversight Committee heard from two former transportation authority finance chiefs as it investigates how JTA accumulated a $40 million deficit. Former CFO Raj Srinath, who served from 2023 to 2025 during the period central to the decline, did not attend. Councilman Chris Miller said the committee may subpoena Srinath but will first give him time to testify voluntarily. Members want his account before questioning former CEO Nat Ford, expected in January.
After several additional shootings in Tallahassee since the Perry Street mass shooting, City Commission Seat 3 candidates outlined prevention ideas. P.J. Perez proposed after-school arts and trade programs, stronger ties between residents and law enforcement, and neighborhood investment. Tom Derzypolski called for more youth programs and community centers, with evening hours and help from local universities. Both candidates emphasized opportunities for young people, though the excerpt presents their proposals rather than evidence about their likely effects.
Leon County voters are deciding county commission races, five charter amendments and two school funding measures. The ballot questions include renewing a half-cent school infrastructure tax and creating a one-mill property tax for teacher pay, security, arts and athletics. Charter proposals address city-county rule conflicts, street naming, the charter preamble, review time for future amendments and reporting on underserved communities. The county reported 51,958 early votes, exceeding the 2022 midterm total and approaching the 2018 record.
Wakulla County commissioners accepted an annual affordable housing report but postponed direction to staff until all commissioners could attend. Recommendations include waiving some permit or sewer fees, changing parking rules and allowing larger accessory dwelling units to be rented. The report proposes raising the accessory unit size cap to as much as 1,200 square feet and removing a restriction limiting them to nonpaying guests. The county has not set a date for further consideration, so the proposals are not adopted policy.
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody enters Election Day as the favorite against Democrat Angie Nixon, but recent polls suggest a closer contest than many expected. A -commissioned poll put Moody at 49% and Nixon at 45%, within the margin of error. Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Cook Political Report both shifted the race from Safe Republican to Likely Republican. The excerpt describes Moody’s appointment to the Senate and Nixon’s path from progressive organizer to the Democratic nomination.
Clemson defeated Florida State 36-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium, with four interceptions of quarterback Ashton Daniels helping the Tigers build a halftime lead. Florida State rallied to 29-24 in the second half before Clemson added a touchdown and another interception to secure the win. The game also included a tribute to former Seminole Peter Warrick, recognized as the school’s 12th College Football Hall of Famer. Florida State is scheduled to visit Boston College next weekend.
The Arc Jacksonville’s Laundry Caddie service employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Heather Martin, the business’s first hire. Martin helps process customer orders at the pickup-and-delivery laundry service. The report cites 2024 data showing 17% of people with these disabilities receiving state-funded services held paid community jobs; it says Florida’s rate among working-age residents is 44.5%, ranking 40th nationally. The nonprofit’s workforce director says employers should recognize the contributions people with disabilities can make at work.
Official portrait of President Donald Trump; file photo, not a photo of the action described. · Shealeah Craighead · Public domain · File photo; display crop
At a Daytona Beach rally, President Donald Trump urged Republicans to vote for U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Moody and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, despite saying he was confident about their prospects. He asked supporters to act as if the candidates were narrowly behind. Trump also attacked Democratic nominees Angie Nixon and David Jolly, making personal and policy claims about them. Those remarks are campaign rhetoric; the excerpt provides no independent evidence for the claims. The rally came during the campaign’s final stretch.
Faith leaders and residents gathered in Tallahassee for a vigil after a series of shootings, including a Perry Street attack that wounded 11 people. Police Chief Lawrence Revell said six victims remained hospitalized, three in critical condition, and police had arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the Perry Street shooting. Revell said the investigation continues and announced plans for increased police presence and lighting on Perry Street after Saturday’s Florida A&M football game.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Deputy Superintendent Michelle Gayle, 64, on a grand theft charge tied to the Foundation for Leon County Schools. The sheriff’s office said investigators found more than $1,200 in allegedly false reimbursements and discrepancies between information Gayle supplied and payments received. Leon County Schools said it will conduct an internal administrative review and work with the foundation’s board on financial oversight. The charge is an allegation; the excerpt reports no court finding.
Wakulla County commissioners upheld staff’s finding that neighbor Richard Blake filed his appeal too late to challenge a development permit application for a proposed 191-home subdivision in Crawfordville. Blake raised concerns including older utility and school capacity letters and stormwater reviews. County planning staff said the application relied on prior approvals and did not grant new development approvals. Blake said he plans to take the dispute to court. The commission’s vote allows the staff determination to stand.
DOJ confirms a court-authorized HSI search in the Washington area. AP identifies Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home; officials have not described what investigators are examining.
A diesel pump at a fuel station in Finland; file photo, not connected to the reported U.S.–Russia agreement. · Santeri Viinamäki · CC BY-SA 4.0 · File photo; display crop
President Donald Trump says Russia will supply diesel to U.S. and global markets. The delivery, payment terms and effect on Florida fuel prices remain unclear.
A White House committee is scheduled to hear allegations against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Nov. 5. The inquiry is a new step in President Trump’s effort to remove her, not a finding that she committed wrongdoing.
Leon County Courthouse in Tallahassee; file photo, not an image of the October fire. · Tim Ross · Public domain · File photo; display crop
Leon County’s buildings are set to reopen after the Monroe Street electrical fire. Damage to network hardware has kept criminal courts from accessing the databases needed to operate.
Tallahassee City Hall with Plaza Tower; file photo illustrating the municipal campaign-finance story. · Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0 · File photo; display crop
Pirate Radio checked the campaign’s spending report. It confirms a reported consultant payment, while the questions about who directed the Facebook-page operation remain open.
WCTV reports that the Tallahassee Food Network’s 17th Youth Symposium on Food and Hunger brought children and young adults to FAMU Developmental Research School. Organizer Dr. P. Qasimah Boston said participants explored food insecurity and other community concerns, with organizers hoping to take their ideas to city government and community leaders.
The question: Follow up on whether organizers share students’ recommendations with local officials and what actions, if any, result.
WCTVSource reporting2026-10-31Found Nov 1 · 4:00 AM ETAntonio Gallo · Brief
The r/Tallahassee “Bored in Tally” post lists FAMU Homecoming activities, including the parade on Oct. 24, and the Tallahassee Greek Food Festival at Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church. The post invites readers to suggest additions and cautions that events can be canceled.
The question: A reporter could check which events drew crowds and how organizers handled attendance and access.
r/TallahasseePublic social post2026-10-22Found Oct 22 · 4:00 AM ETAntonio Gallo · Brief
WCTV reports that Leon County commissioners unanimously chose a dual-track approach after a workshop: renegotiate the fire services agreement with Tallahassee while planning for a county-run department. A county attorney cited an estimated $15 million to $21.2 million revenue shortfall in a review; WCTV said the city had not responded to those findings.
Response / context: WCTV reported that the city had not provided feedback on the findings by publication. In earlier WCTV reporting, the city attorney said the city would defend itself against Leon County’s accusations.
The question: Review the underlying billing and collections analysis, then track how the city responds and whether negotiations resolve the disputed service agreement.
WCTVSource reporting2026-10-20Found Oct 21 · 4:00 AM ETAntonio Gallo · Brief
WCTV reported that demonstrators lined Monroe Street outside Tallahassee’s Historic Capitol on Oct. 17 for a No Kings rally criticizing Trump administration policies. WCTV also reported Florida GOP Chair Evan Power’s response, which alleged outside funding; the article does not independently substantiate that allegation.
Response / context: WCTV reported that Florida GOP Chair Evan Power shared a statement alleging the demonstrations were funded by outside entities. No supporting evidence for that allegation was located in the reviewed article; it does not establish wrongdoing.
The question: A follow-up could examine rally attendance and organizer plans for future demonstrations, while separately checking any claims about funding against records or named sources.
WCTVSource reporting2026-10-17Found Oct 18 · 4:00 AM ETAntonio Gallo · Brief
Tallahassee · Things to do
Tallahassee youth symposium raises food access and civic questions
WCTV reports that the Tallahassee Food Network’s 17th Youth Symposium on Food and Hunger brought children and young adults to FAMU Developmental Research School. Organizer Dr. P. Qasimah Boston said participants explored food insecurity and other community concerns, with organizers hoping to take their ideas to city government and community leaders.
The question: Follow up on whether organizers share students’ recommendations with local officials and what actions, if any, result.
Tallahassee · Things to do
Tallahassee Reddit roundup lists this weekend’s local events
The r/Tallahassee “Bored in Tally” post lists FAMU Homecoming activities, including the parade on Oct. 24, and the Tallahassee Greek Food Festival at Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church. The post invites readers to suggest additions and cautions that events can be canceled.
The question: A reporter could check which events drew crowds and how organizers handled attendance and access.
Tallahassee · Public money
Leon County weighs renegotiating fire services while planning county department
WCTV reports that Leon County commissioners unanimously chose a dual-track approach after a workshop: renegotiate the fire services agreement with Tallahassee while planning for a county-run department. A county attorney cited an estimated $15 million to $21.2 million revenue shortfall in a review; WCTV said the city had not responded to those findings.
Response / context: WCTV reported that the city had not provided feedback on the findings by publication. In earlier WCTV reporting, the city attorney said the city would defend itself against Leon County’s accusations.
The question: Review the underlying billing and collections analysis, then track how the city responds and whether negotiations resolve the disputed service agreement.
Tallahassee · Things to do
No Kings rally draws demonstrators to Tallahassee’s Historic Capitol
WCTV reported that demonstrators lined Monroe Street outside Tallahassee’s Historic Capitol on Oct. 17 for a No Kings rally criticizing Trump administration policies. WCTV also reported Florida GOP Chair Evan Power’s response, which alleged outside funding; the article does not independently substantiate that allegation.
Response / context: WCTV reported that Florida GOP Chair Evan Power shared a statement alleging the demonstrations were funded by outside entities. No supporting evidence for that allegation was located in the reviewed article; it does not establish wrongdoing.
The question: A follow-up could examine rally attendance and organizer plans for future demonstrations, while separately checking any claims about funding against records or named sources.