TALLAHASSEE REPORTS
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Weather: Today, mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Tonight, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 38. Thursday, sunny, with a high near 71. Thursday night, mostly clear, with a low around 45. NWS
US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.3%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq +0.5%) ahead of today’s Federal Reserve interest rate decision (More).
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Local & State News
Many Florida public school districts are struggling with the double whammy of fewer dollars and fewer students. Leon County School Board Member Alva Smith says her district is among them. Details.
ICYMI: Reports filed with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) show that the Leon County School Board has added 47 School Administrator positions over a 6-year period while the number of students declined and the number of teachers were reduced. Details.
A new Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics’ from the State University System’s Board of Governors will go over its goals and review potential pending action from the federal government on Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated online Monday he will sign legislation requiring Florida voters after the 2026 election to prove their citizenship at the ballot box.
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National News
Senate votes to open debate on the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to provide photo ID to cast ballots and proof of citizenship to register for federal elections; debate is expected to last several days (More).
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) defeated Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL-8) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D, IL-2) in yesterday’s competitive Democratic primary to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, who has held the seat since 1997 and is the No. 2 Senate Democrat. Stratton, Illinois’ first Black lieutenant governor and a key ally of Gov. JB Pritzker (D), will face former state Republican Party chair Don Tracy in November.