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<\/a><\/p>\nMitchell then expanded his experience at 90.5 WANM-FM, The Flava Station, where he launched his own radio show and podcast, Mari Plays. The program blended classic and contemporary R&B while highlighting emerging artists, further sharpening his storytelling skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat helped get my foot in the door was researching people, companies, internships and alumni I met,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cI like to be nosy and see their pathway \u2014 where they started and who they became.\u201d<\/p>\n During the 2024\u201325 academic year, Mitchell was selected for the highly competitive NYU Ed Bradley Journalism Fellowship, which provided workshops, mentorship and exposure through the New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. As part of the fellowship, he interned at the Tallahassee Democrat, gaining reporting and research experience.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce I walked into the newsroom, I acted like a journalist, not an intern,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cI wanted to say yes to everything, no matter what story they wanted me to cover.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitchell also attended the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, where he connected with journalists and media professionals whose careers he hopes to emulate. Though his journey included moments of rejection, Mitchell said those experiences fueled his determination rather than defining his path.<\/p>\n Throughout his time in SJGC, Mitchell built strong relationships with faculty who recognized his potential and encouraged his growth, particularly Professor Kenneth Jones, whom Mitchell credits with seeing something in him before he did.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you walk into SJGC as a transfer or freshman, you see people doing great things,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cBut if you connect with them, talk to them and learn their stories, they will pour into you.\u201d<\/p>\n Now post-graduation, Mitchell produces three weekday newscasts at WTXL ABC 27 and oversees digital content production on weekends.<\/p>\n \u201cI advise students to know that you are worthy of where you are right now,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cGod has put you in this position, so don\u2019t give up on the person you want to become.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida\u2019s capital city by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Drew Dixon, Liam Fineout and the staff of Florida Politics.<\/p>\n But first, the \u201cTakeaway 5\u201d \u2014 the Top 5 stories from the week that was:<\/p>\n \u2014 Take 5 \u2014<\/p>\n To the floor<\/a> \u2014 Republican lawmakers have sent a bill that would phase out homestead property taxes over 10 years to the House floor, despite persistent warnings from Democrats and local officials that it would kneecap vital services. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee voted 11-5 for the measure (HJR 203), which would not apply to property taxes for schools, police, firefighters and other first responders. If approved by the Legislature and voters, HJR 203 would amend the Florida Constitution to increase the homestead property tax exemption by $100,000 per year for nine years, starting in 2028, and then make homestead property fully exempt from ad valorem taxes beginning in 2037. The measure would prohibit local governments from reducing total funding for first responders below their highest budget level between Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27, and would adjust that funding floor for inflation.<\/p>\n Up in smoke?<\/a> \u2014 Attorney General James Uthmeier says he\u2019s finding evidence of further petition fraud on behalf of a citizens\u2019 initiative to legalize recreational pot. But what is presented as new evidence actually comes from Smart & Safe Florida, which is legally required to submit all petitions collected on its behalf without culling out those that may not be legally sufficient. The Attorney General\u2019s Office says approximately 50 petition circulators submitted more than 21,600 petitions, with more than 14,500 raising \u201csignificant concerns,\u201d including \u201cmismatched signatures\u201d or \u201cindicia of fraud.\u201d Meanwhile, a campaign spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida says the group is complying with the law and rejects the framing by Uthmeier\u2019s Office. \u201cConsistent with Florida law, each and every time we found any sort of discrepancy from state-certified petition gatherers, we reported our suspicions to the Secretary of State. Even further, we segregate any suspicious petitions before submitting them to county Supervisors of Elections. In short, it appears the Attorney General is taking issue with the fact that we explicitly follow the law.\u201d<\/p>\n AI Bill of Rights<\/a> \u2014 A Senate Committee advanced a bill to create an artificial intelligence bill of rights, aiming to protect consumers and minors. With unanimous bipartisan support, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee backed Sen. Tom Leek\u2019s bill (SB 482). \u201cQuite simply, we get a 60-day Session once a year. If we don\u2019t act and Congress doesn\u2019t act, those protections won\u2019t exist for Florida\u2019s children and vulnerable adults,\u201d Leek, a Port Orange Republican, told lawmakers before the 10-0 vote Wednesday. \u201cSo, I believe we have to act.\u201d Wednesday\u2019s vote was the bill\u2019s first Committee stop to support Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 agenda as the measure heads next to the Senate Appropriations Committee.<\/p>\n Red tape rolls forward<\/a> \u2014 Two bills meant to address the proliferation of large-scale data centers in Florida just cleared their first hurdles in the Legislature\u2019s upper chamber \u2014 with concerns from industry figures and lawmakers about unintended impacts. Tackling the issue is a priority for the bills\u2019 sponsor, Miami Springs Republican Sen. Bryan \u00c1vila, who described his legislation as a compromise between safeguarding Florida\u2019s environment and residents while upholding the state\u2019s open-for-business policy. \u201cThis is a balance between making sure that we are still leading the way on tech, but also laying a foundation and protecting our consumers,\u201d he said. \u201cParticularly, (it\u2019s) making sure that our local governments in rural areas have a voice and a seat at the table with that discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Delete everything\u2019<\/a> \u2014 Christina Pushaw, a key adviser to DeSantis, spent months getting close to a candidate to replace him, but now regrets and repudiates the move, which she reportedly initiated months ago because she liked his spicy approach to conservative politics. Pushaw, who earns nearly $180,000 a year as a senior adviser to DeSantis, claims to have disagreed with James Fishback\u2019s rhetoric as it grew \u201cmore extreme over time.\u201d Still, the specifics of her agreement and disagreement remain open in her posts. Yet the extremism of Fishback\u2019s views, which include repeatedly describing U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds using various racist tropes, wasn\u2019t the deal-breaker. Instead, it was Fishback allegedly trashing Pushaw behind her back.<\/p>\n \u2014 Nursing Programs Payday \u2014<\/p>\n Investing in medicine and health care is rarely a tough sell. People get sick, need prescriptions, get hurt \u2014 and Florida has continued directing money toward nursing education.<\/p>\n This week, DeSantis announced that since 2022, the State has invested $485 million in nursing programs through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) initiatives.<\/p>\n That total includes $20 million in new LINE funding announced this week, with $14.5 million directed to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $6 million distributed to State University System institutions.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I was proud to award more than $20 million in LINE funding, with $14.5 million awarded to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, as well as $6 million to state universities. Florida is investing at scale to expand nursing programs and strengthen the health care workforce. Since launching the LINE and PIPELINE programs in 2022, Florida has invested more than $485 million in nursing education,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n LINE is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant designed to support educational institutions and health care providers by funding student scholarships, recruiting faculty and staff, purchasing equipment and enhancing simulation centers. To date, the program has provided more than $85 million to state colleges, private postsecondary institutions and State University System schools.<\/p>\n \u201cGovernor DeSantis has made nursing education a top priority in Florida, recognizing the critical role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe,\u201d said Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. \u201cThrough strategic investments like the LINE and PIPELINE programs, we are supporting the next generation of nurses by expanding access to high-quality education and ensuring Florida\u2019s health care workforce is prepared to meet growing demand.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its launch, the PIPELINE program has awarded $240 million to state colleges and School Districts and $160 million to State University System institutions.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s continued investment in nursing education demonstrates our state\u2019s unwavering commitment to strengthening the health care workforce and expanding opportunities for students across the State University System,\u201d said SUS Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.<\/p>\n \u2014 Uthmeier targets affirmative action \u2014<\/p>\n Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a legal opinion concluding that Florida laws requiring state institutions to engage in affirmative action hiring practices are unconstitutional.<\/p>\n In the opinion, Uthmeier argued that the State is violating the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and provisions of Florida\u2019s Constitution.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida maintains several laws on its books that promote and require discrimination on its face,\u201d the opinion states.<\/p>\n The 14th Amendment provides that \u201c(N)o state shall\u2026 deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.\u201d Uthmeier also cited Article I, Section 2, of the Florida Constitution, which states: \u201cNo person shall be deprived of any right because of race, religion, national origin or physical disability.\u201d<\/p>\n Uthmeier pointed specifically to a Florida statute he described as \u201cegregious,\u201d which mandates statewide participation in \u201cprograms of affirmative and positive action\u201d and requires every executive agency to \u201cdevelop and implement an affirmative action plan\u201d that includes race-based hiring goals.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause enforcing and obeying these discriminatory laws would violate those bedrock legal guarantees, those laws are unconstitutional,\u201d Uthmeier wrote. \u201cMy office, therefore, will not defend or enforce any of these discriminatory provisions.\u201d<\/p>\n The opinion also applies to race-based preferences in government contracting.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s discriminatory contracting provisions earmark certain opportunities for minority contractors without providing any \u2018strong basis in evidence\u2019 to support this race-based action,\u201d Uthmeier wrote.<\/p>\n The opinion drew criticism from a candidate running against Uthmeier in the Attorney General\u2019s race, which will be decided in November. Miami Democrat Jos\u00e9 Javier Rodr\u00edguez said the timing of the opinion\u2019s release on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was offensive.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is troubling that our Florida Attorney General has chosen, of all days, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to announce an effort to undermine civil rights,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez said. \u201cEqual protection has never meant ignoring discrimination \u2014 it means confronting it. This kind of politicization of the Attorney General\u2019s office is exactly what Floridians are tired of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 No corrals \u2014<\/p>\n Uthmeier has issued a legal opinion concluding that municipal governments cannot require businesses to submit shopping cart collection or retention plans for local approval.<\/p>\n Uthmeier issued the three-page opinion in response to a request from Allan Weinthal, the Town Attorney for Davie, as the Davie Town Council considered adopting a shopping cart retention ordinance. Weinthal asked whether state law preempts municipalities from enacting such requirements and whether local governments can impose monetary penalties on businesses that do not submit a plan.<\/p>\n In the opinion, Uthmeier said local governments lack the authority to establish those ordinances and do not have the legal ability to generally impose fines related to shopping cart retention.<\/p>\n Uthmeier cited Florida law that \u201cexpressly preempts municipal ordinances that allow a municipality to require a business owner to submit a shopping cart retention plan to the municipality (or) deny a shopping cart retention plan (and) impose a monetary penalty for failing to submit and adhere to a shopping cart retention plan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Green for forests \u2014<\/p>\n Florida landowners could soon see new money flowing their way.<\/p>\n This week, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, along with the Florida Forest Service, announced that $6.3 million in grants is available through two cost-share programs: Florida\u2019s Future Forests Program and the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program.<\/p>\n Both programs aim to improve forest health and water quality through tree planting and improved timber stand management practices. Applications for both programs are open through March 27.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets \u2014 protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cThese programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida\u2019s forests and natural resources for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations with a minimum of 10 acres and a maximum of 250 acres. Eligible applicants are encouraged to contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to begin the application process.<\/p>\n The RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program is available to non-industrial private landowners, local governments and registered nonprofit organizations located within designated priority watersheds. Funding may be used for reforestation, prescribed burning, first pulpwood thinning, mechanical underbrush treatment, and chemical underbrush treatment. The acreage requirements are the same: a minimum of 10 acres and a maximum of 250.<\/p>\n \u201cPrivate lands make up the majority of Florida\u2019s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improve water quality, and enhance overall forest health,\u201d said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service.<\/p>\n For more information, visit FDACS.gov\/Restore<\/a> and FDACS.gov\/FutureForests<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 Nassau, you\u2019re next \u2014<\/p>\n Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is once again taking aim at a county budget in the name of efficiency.<\/p>\n Blink twice if you\u2019ve heard this one before: This week, Ingoglia traveled to Fernandina Beach to announce that Nassau County is spending more than $53 million above what budget growth and population increases over the past five years would justify.<\/p>\n Ingoglia called on local officials to provide tax relief to county residents.<\/p>\n \u201cTaxpayers throughout Florida are tired of their locally elected officials wasting their hard-earned money on government bloat,\u201d Ingoglia said. \u201cThe amount of excessive, wasteful spending in Nassau County announced today is yet another example that the growth in government is wasteful in itself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs CFO, I will keep bringing transparency to Floridians and holding local governments accountable for overtaxing their citizens,\u201d he added. \u201cWith each review of local governments, we are proving that real tax relief is not only possible but necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n The Florida Agency of Fiscal Oversight and Ingoglia recommended that Nassau County lower its millage rate by 0.95 mills, a reduction they said would not interfere with essential county services. The change would save homeowners with a taxable value of $400,000 up to $380 per year.<\/p>\n \u201cSmall-business owners like me are reliant on customers having expendable income to spend at our businesses,\u201d said Jeff Freese, owner of Ash Street Cigar Parlor. \u201cRising property taxes have a cascading negative effect on businesses, our employees, and small-business owners. We just want to make a fair living and have a conduit to be heard as voting citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Conviction upheld \u2014<\/p>\n The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has affirmed the conviction and 14-year federal prison sentence of Tallahassee attorney Phillip Timothy Howard, rejecting his appeal of a 2023 guilty plea to racketeering charges.<\/p>\n Howard admitted to using his law firm, Howard & Associates, P.A., as a racketeering enterprise between 2015 and 2018, defrauding clients \u2014 including NFL players, litigation lenders, and a university professor \u2014 of more than $12 million through wire fraud and money laundering.<\/p>\n \u201cThis defendant repeatedly violated the trust placed in him by his clients, enriching himself by defrauding them of millions of dollars, and continued to try to evade accountability for his crimes even after he was found guilty,\u201d said John P. Heekin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cAs this appellate victory makes clear, my office not only zealously advocates for criminal fraud victims at trial, but also ensures our successful prosecutions stick and criminals are held fully accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n The appellate court agreed with prosecutors and upheld the conviction in an unpublished decision without oral argument. The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the SEC and FINRA.<\/p>\n \u2014Instagram of the week\u2014<\/p>\n \u2014 Three-peat territory \u2014<\/p>\n Three-peat or a turkey \u2014 whatever you call it; it\u2019s still a hot streak.<\/p>\n This week, Commissioner of Education Kamoutsas announced that Florida has been ranked No. 1 in education freedom for the third consecutive year by the \u201cALEC Index of State Education Freedom: A 50-State Guide to Parental Empowerment.\u201d<\/p>\n The ALEC Index evaluates learning options across all 50 states, with an emphasis on educational opportunity, including charter schools, homeschooling, virtual education, and open enrollment policies.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s continued recognition as No. 1 in Education Freedom reflects Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 leadership and unwavering commitment to putting students and families first,\u201d Kamoutsas said. \u201cFlorida leads the nation because we provide all students and families with access to high-quality school choice options that meet their individual needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Florida also ranked No. 1 in the ALEC Index for Student-Centered Funding Programs, Charter Schools, and Homeschooling. Other national groups have issued similar rankings. The Heritage Foundation has ranked Florida first for education freedom, while Lightcast has ranked the state No. 1 for talent attraction and workforce development. Florida also topped the \u201cParent Power!\u201d Index by the Center for Education Reform.<\/p>\n Florida was the only state in the 2025\u201326 rankings to receive an A-plus grade from the ALEC Index. State officials credit continued efforts to expand school choice options and give parents greater control over their children\u2019s education.<\/p>\n By the way \u2026 what\u2019s a snappy term for four in a row? We\u2019ve got a year to figure it out.<\/p>\n \u2014 Nine years for a name \u2014<\/p>\n Nearly nine years after Hurricane Irma tore through the Florida Keys, authorities have identified the remains of a man recovered in Monroe County in 2017.<\/p>\n This week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced it assisted in identifying the remains as those of James Donald Schlake, 77, of Key Largo. The remains were recovered following the storm but remained unidentified until now.<\/p>\n The identification was made through genetic genealogy, in partnership with FDLE\u2019s Forensic Services and Othram, a DNA laboratory that specializes in advanced sequencing and genealogical research to help resolve unidentified human remains cases.<\/p>\n \u201cFDLE\u2019s Key West Field Office and Forensic Services turned over every stone to identify Mr. Schlake,\u201d said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. \u201cOur statewide forensic resources and strong partnerships are critical to supporting Florida\u2019s communities and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration helped bring long-awaited answers to Mr. Schlake\u2019s loved ones and to the Florida Keys community.\u201d<\/p>\n During a search-and-rescue operation in Big Pine Key following Hurricane Irma, on Sept. 14, 2017, the body of an unidentified man was found in a debris pile. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was accidental drowning.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople should know that it doesn\u2019t matter how old a case is,\u201d said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram. \u201cIf there is DNA, there is technology today that can bring answers to families. This is powerful technology, and cases like this can absolutely be solved.\u201d<\/p>\n Next of kin have been notified of the identification, bringing long-awaited closure to Schlake\u2019s family.<\/p>\n \u2014 Backlash \u2014<\/p>\n Sen. Shevrin Jones criticized Attorney General Uthmeier\u2019s recent legal opinion on affirmative action, calling it a direct attack on civil rights and Black communities.<\/p>\n In a statement, Jones said the opinion \u201ccarries profound and troubling implications,\u201d arguing that it undermines progress in civil rights, equity, and access across areas such as health care, workforce development, and community protections. He warned the opinion could create confusion for state agencies and weaken frameworks meant to address systemic inequality.<\/p>\n Jones also took aim at the timing of the opinion\u2019s release on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, calling it \u201cinsulting\u201d and \u201cclearly planned and intentional.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a clear continuation of DeSantis\u2019 fear mongering in an attempt to get people to fall in line and create an environment where existing disparities are allowed to deepen without challenge,\u201d Jones said. \u201cThis is a slap in the face of the millions of Black Floridians who call our state home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 500K trees for you and me \u2014<\/p>\n The Florida State Parks Foundation\u2019s Plant a Pine program has passed a major milestone, topping 500,000 longleaf pine trees planted across Florida\u2019s state parks.<\/p>\n The milestone was marked this week at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, where volunteers planted an additional 1,000 longleaf pine seedlings to celebrate the achievement. The program focuses on restoring native longleaf pine ecosystems within Florida\u2019s parks.<\/p>\n The Florida Park Service and Tallahassee\u2019s Bass Pro Shops took part in the event. Since the program launched in 2020, Bass Pro Shops has contributed $200,000 to Plant a Pine.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are amazed that Plant a Pine has restored more than half a million trees in our state parks,\u201d said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. \u201cIt\u2019s a proud day for the Foundation, and we are celebrating the best way we know how \u2014 by planting more trees in a state park.\u201d<\/p>\n The Plant a Pine initiative was created after Hurricane Michael destroyed an estimated 500 million trees across the Florida Panhandle in 2018 and has since become one of the Foundation\u2019s signature conservation efforts.<\/p>\n More than 2,500 grassroots supporters have contributed to the program, whether through direct donations, gifts in someone\u2019s honor, or commemorative plantings. Each donor receives a printed certificate confirming the tree planting.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s event at Wakulla Springs is a great example of what makes Florida\u2019s state parks so special,\u201d said Matt Caldwell, President of the Foundation\u2019s Board. \u201cThat so many people and partners have donated to Plant a Pine over the years is a testament to how much Floridians care about their natural spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Powerful awards \u2014<\/p>\n Being a good neighbor means lending a hand when it matters most.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the idea behind the Florida Municipal Electric Association\u2019s 2025 \u201cRestoring Communities Awards,\u201d which recognize Florida public power utilities for restoring service in their own communities and providing mutual aid to others. This year\u2019s recipients include the City of Tallahassee, Gainesville Regional Utilities, and the City of Starke.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s mutual aid crews work through all kinds of weather \u2014 from the sweltering heat of Summer to the freezing cold of Winter and everything in between,\u201d said FMEA Executive Director Amy Zubaly. \u201cWhen Florida public power is needed, we are there, whether that\u2019s in our home state or anywhere else in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Zubaly also noted that the same spirit of cooperation extends to infrastructure upgrades and reliability projects. \u201cThanks to each of the 2025 award recipients for powering our communities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n One example cited involved Tallahassee assisting the City of Marietta, Georgia, during a Winter storm, deploying crews and resources to prepare for ice accumulation on power lines and trees \u2014 conditions the city doesn\u2019t often face.<\/p>\n Another recognized project saw the City of Starke and Gainesville Regional Utilities work together to replace electrical feeder lines that were positioned too close to another circuit. By coordinating the effort, the utilities completed the work without interrupting service to customers.<\/p>\n \u2014 Harambee hoedown \u2014<\/p>\n Hey, Tallahassee \u2014 mark your calendars.<\/p>\n Florida A&M University will host the ninth annual 2026 Harambee Festival on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Will Packer Amphitheater, welcoming students, alumni, and the broader Tallahassee community for a day centered on culture and unity.<\/p>\n Derived from the Swahili term meaning \u201call pull together,\u201d Harambee celebrates collective responsibility and cultural pride through music, food, art, and community engagement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Harambee Festival plays a vital role in our relationship with the Tallahassee community by strengthening community engagement and showcasing the colleges, schools, and programs the university has to offer,\u201d said Vernon Bryant, the festival\u2019s project manager.<\/p>\n Attendees can expect local vendors offering food, drinks, art, fashion, and culturally inspired goods, along with free interactive workshops for all ages, giveaways throughout the day, and informational booths highlighting FAMU\u2019s academic offerings.<\/p>\n Parking will be available on the west side of Bragg Stadium, with a shuttle running every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m. to transport attendees to and from the event. Limited first-come, first-served parking will also be available at Cascades Park.<\/p>\n Live entertainment, cultural performances, and community-focused activities will take place throughout the day, highlighting African and African American history while reinforcing FAMU\u2019s connection to the Tallahassee community.<\/p>\n \u2014 FSU x LEGO \u2014<\/p>\n Sorry, Dick Van Dyke, but the LEGO box is pretty clear: ages 4\u201399. Rules are rules.<\/p>\n Jokes aside, LEGO remains a classic construction toy built around imagination \u2014 whether that\u2019s free-form city building or following step-by-step instructions to recreate familiar worlds. In an era dominated by screens, LEGO has endured by offering something different: hands-on creativity.<\/p>\n International LEGO Day is Jan. 28, marking the 1958 patent of the LEGO brick. To recognize the occasion, Florida State University\u2019s Dina Vyortkina, Assistant Dean of Innovation and Instructional Technology Enhancement in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, will lead a workshop exploring LEGO\u2019s role in STEM education.<\/p>\n The session will focus on how LEGO supports problem-solving, creative collaboration, and following instructions \u2014 skills that translate well beyond the toy box.<\/p>\n \u201cLEGO bricks are a powerful tool for teaching foundational academic concepts, fostering positive attitudes and building interest in STEM,\u201d Vyortkina said. \u201cAs in any science field, a lot of exploration and inquiry is involved with \u2018what if\u2019 scenarios and sequencing steps.\u201d<\/p>\n Vyortkina is also a faculty affiliate of the FSU Learning Systems Institute and has led grant projects related to teacher education and the development of learning materials in Egypt and Uzbekistan. Anne\u2019s College Technology Sandbox National LEGO Day workshop will run from noon to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n \u201cNot having a screen or always requiring a computer is a huge plus,\u201d Vyortkina added. \u201cMany LEGO kits are relatively open-ended, allowing builders to use their imagination rather than being limited to a single model.\u201d<\/p>\n LEGO prices may have climbed over the years, but the ROI \u2014 curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning \u2014 is hard to beat.<\/p>\n \u2014 TSC dominates \u2014<\/p>\n While Hoosiers were singing \u201cWe Are the Champions\u201d and swaying in the stands Monday night (and FSU and UF fans were quietly thanking Fernando Mendoza), some Tallahassee college students were celebrating for very different reasons.<\/p>\n This week, the Tallahassee State College Speech and Debate team competed in the third annual Sunshine State Virtual Forensics Tournament \u2014 and for the first time took home gold in both the Individual Events Team Sweepstakes and the Overall Team Sweepstakes, along with silver in the Debate Team Sweepstakes.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of us put in countless hours of hard work, and it\u2019s very satisfying to see it pay off,\u201d said Grace Hartman, a sophomore at TSC. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to many more wins throughout the rest of our competition season.\u201d<\/p>\n The final team standings showed TSC leading the field with 122 points, followed by the University of Central Florida with 78, the University of West Florida with 52, the University of Pittsburgh with 29, and Union University with 26.5.<\/p>\n In the Overall Individual Team Sweepstakes category, TSC swept the podium, with Olivia Shull earning gold, Hartman taking silver, and Jack Hopkins finishing with bronze.<\/p>\n Additional points and awards were earned by Natalie Gordon, Samuel King, Lillyana Humphreys, Tamyah Richardson, Solei Sutton, Elsmary Hernandez, and Sophie Germanovsky.<\/p>\n TSC will have the opportunity to defend its titles in February when the Speech and Debate team competes in the two-year and four-year Florida State tournaments.<\/p>\n \u2014 FYC: Win your office Oscar poll \u2014<\/p>\n Oscar nominations are out. So instead of the usual box office chatter or release-date recap, consider this a cheat sheet \u2014 a way to sound like the smartest person in the room when the Oscar talk starts flying.<\/p>\n The Academy, once again, has settled on a mandatory 10 Best Picture nominees. Remember when it was five? Then 10? Then \u201cup to\u201d 10? We\u2019re officially back to a full slate.<\/p>\n The clear headline: the genre-blending juggernaut \u201cSinners\u201d set a new Academy record with 16 nominations, leaving the earlier three-way tie in the dust. Worth noting: a new Casting category debuted this year, but even without it, \u201cSinners\u201d still would have broken the record. The film landed major nods, including Best Director for Ryan Coogler, Lead Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and a long-awaited Supporting Actor nomination for Delroy Lindo.<\/p>\n \u201cSinners\u201d wasn\u2019t the only titan this year. Close behind with 13 nominations was \u201cOne Battle After Another,\u201d which many pundits still consider the Best Picture front-runner. Paul Thomas Anderson picked up nominations for Director and Adapted Screenplay, while the film scored acting noms for Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn, along with Editing and Score. One surprise came in Lead Actress, where Kate Hudson\u2019s late surge for \u201cSong Sung Blue\u201d edged out Chase Infiniti, despite Infiniti sitting just outside the top betting odds heading into nomination morning.<\/p>\n Snubs and surprises were plentiful. Paul Mescal missed Supporting Actor for \u201cHamnet,\u201d and \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d was completely shut out. \u201cAvatar: Fire and Ash\u201d showed up in Costume Design despite missing Sound, while \u201cSuperman\u201d failed to land noms in either Sound or Visual Effects, raising more than a few eyebrows.<\/p>\n Out of left field, \u201cBlue Moon\u201d snagged two noms \u2014 Best Actor for Ethan Hawke and Original Screenplay \u2014 instantly turning Hawke into a potential spoiler in a crowded race. Meanwhile, \u201cMarty Supreme\u201d kept its momentum with nominations for Director, Original Screenplay, Production Design, and Editing, firmly keeping Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet in the Best Actor conversation.<\/p>\n On the streaming front, Netflix\u2019s global hit \u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d landed two nominations \u2014 Animated Feature and Original Song \u2014 and is widely expected to dominate both categories. If you have a kid under 12, this is not news.<\/p>\n International films made a strong showing. \u201cSentimental Value\u201d emerged as a standout with nine noms, including multiple acting nods and major above-the-line recognition, cementing its status as one of the year\u2019s most successful international contenders. Brazil\u2019s \u201cThe Secret Agent\u201d also broke through with a Best Picture nomination, Best Actor for Wagner Moura, and a nod in the new Casting category.<\/p>\n Not everyone made it. \u201cIt Was Just an Accident\u201d earned nominations for Original Screenplay and International Feature but missed Best Picture, while \u201cNo Other Choice\u201d was shut out entirely \u2014 one of the morning\u2019s more painful omissions. Depending on who you ask, the Summer juggernaut \u201cF1\u201d may have squeezed out one of those international hopefuls at the margin. Florida Politics\u2019 resident cinephile, Liam Fineout, thinks \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d was the film that snagged that last spot.<\/p>\n When it comes to studio tallies, Warner Bros. led the pack with 30 nominations, followed by Neon with 18 and Netflix with 16.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to catch up fast \u2014 or just want to win your office Oscar poll \u2014 start with these five: \u201cSinners,\u201d \u201cOne Battle After Another,\u201d \u201cMarty Supreme,\u201d \u201cSentimental Value,\u201d and \u201cFrankenstein.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1024x768_JOELMITCHELLFM2-640x480.jpg\")
<\/a>How hands-on learning, mentorship and faith prepared a FAMU graduate for the newsroom. Image via Justyn Thomas.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/energyalliance728x90.jpg\")
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<\/a>Ron DeSantis announces $485 million investment in Florida nursing education through the LINE and PIPELINE programs.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/uthmeier-2-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>James Uthmeier is taking aim at affirmative action laws.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/airports_ad.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/fighting-inflation-640x427.jpeg\")
<\/a>No corral, no problem.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a15074b88d54-lake-wales-ridge-state-forest-640x274.jpg\")
<\/a>Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Image via Carlton Ward.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ecowater_ad.gif\")
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<\/a>Next stop: Nassau.<\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/heekin-640x360.webp.webp\")
<\/a>John P. Heekin\u2019s office affirmed 14 years means 14 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/policyproject_ad.png\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Kamoutsas-copy-640x361.jpg\")
<\/a>Count \u2019em: one, two, three.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_604400986-640x427.jpg\")
<\/a>Another mystery solved.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/seniors_ad.gif\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JONES-LEGISLATIVE-PREVIEW-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Shevrin Jones has some words for James Uthmeier. Image via Colin Hackley.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/foundation__park_service_and_bass_pro_shops_at_wakulla_springs_tree_planting-640x480.jpg\")
<\/a>Florida State Parks hit a major milestone.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/heart_ad.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/shutterstock_133595555.jpg\")
<\/a>Thank you to the crews who get the lights back on.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/conservativescleanenergy_ad-1.gif\")
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<\/a>Culture. Connection. Celebration. Florida A&M University\u2019s Harambee Festival returns Feb. 28.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fachc_ad.png\")
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<\/a>Assistant Dean Dina Vyortkina is leading the Anne\u2019s College Technology Sandbox National LEGO Day Workshop on Jan. 28 from 12-2 p.m., showing how LEGO bricks are tools for STEM learning, problem-solving and creative collaboration. Image via FSU.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SadowskiSunburnBoxAd_1025-e1760570571357.png\")
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<\/a>At least one Florida team had a reason to celebrate this week.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sunrise_ad.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/90-640x426.webp.webp\")
<\/a>\u2018Sinners\u2019 made Oscars history this week with a record 16 noms.<\/p>\n
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