Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 25, 2016

The state could have saved $218,000 in policing costs alone in a single year by sending low-level juvenile offenders into civil diversion programs instead of arresting them, a government watchdog group said Thursday. Florida TaxWatch said juvenile misdemeanor pre-arrest diversion programs — JPADS in Tallahassee parlance — “are crucial to keeping juveniles from deeper involvement […]

Associated PressAugust 14, 2016

Two months after the massacre at a gay Orlando nightclub, residents say this city of newcomers is bonding in unprecedented solidarity, upending an old adage attributed to a former governor: “Florida isn’t so much a community as a crowd.” Elements that often unite communities — sports teams, food culture, generations of residents living in the […]

Associated PressAugust 10, 2016

More than a third of the 49 patrons killed during the Pulse nightclub massacre were shot in the head, and most of the victims had multiple bullet wounds, according to autopsy reports released this week. Only two victims had traces of soot, gunpowder or stippling, meaning most of the victims were likely more than 3 […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 26, 2016

On Monday evening, as the eyes of most Jacksonville Democrats were glued to their TV screens to see Philadelphia’s drama, a more local event, with more relevance in terms of local representation, was off television and in a local church. Candidates in Jacksonville’s House District 13, where incumbent Reggie Fullwood has drawn three primary challengers and […]

Associated PressJuly 10, 2016

The Dallas shooting that killed five officers has spurred an outpouring of support for police, not only in Texas but hundreds of miles away. Around the country, people have showed up at local departments with flowers, sent social media messages or called to say thanks. They delivered coffee, pizzas, cakes and moments of solace for […]

Brendan FarringtonJune 6, 2016

There was a significant increase in murders, rapes and motor vehicle thefts in Florida last year, according to crime statistics released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Friday. There were 1,040 murders in Florida last year, up from 984 the year before. That includes 767 murders involving guns, an increase of 11.2 percent. […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is scheduled to give his State of the City this morning. Here are some things to look for in his speech. Transportation – In his 2014 speech, Buckhorn called for a funding referendum to support expanded bus service and light rail in Tampa, saying that the goal should be a referendum in the […]

Marc YachtAugust 24, 2015

A recent Gallup Poll asked Americans what they thought to be the most pressing challenges facing the nation. The concerns were divided into economic and non-economic issues. It would behoove the current presidential aspirants to study the country through its citizens’ eyes rather than standard party politics. It’s clear the average Joe and Jane have […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJune 16, 2015

Welcome to another installation of “my bad luck is your source for information!” About six months ago, I reported my identity had been used by someone somewhere to file an unemployment claim. I was lucky. All it took were a handful of phone calls, a few hours and some mildly aggravating music-on-hold in order to […]

Associated PressMay 20, 2015

Florida’s top law enforcement agency is reporting an overall drop in crime in 2014, though there was a slight increase in the number of rapes and murders. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement report released Thursday showed that all crime dropped by 3.6 percent, mostly because of a 6.9 percent drop in robberies and a […]

Tag: crime

Watchdog: Civil juvenile diversion saves taxpayers money

In Orlando, unprecedented unity after nightclub shooting

Autopsies: A third of Pulse nightclub victims shot in head

Jax HD 13 Dems talk crime, pension tax, marijuana, LGBT rights, and biased media

Shooting of Dallas officers spurs acts of kindness to police

Florida crime rate drops despite increase in rapes, murder

5 things to look for in Bob Buckhorn’s State of Tampa address

Dr. Marc Yacht: It’s time that politicians listen

Janelle Irwin: Not even kids cop a break from credit thieves

Florida crime down in 2014, though murders, rapes on rise