Florida Commission on Mental Health issued its interim report calling for major changes in the accessibility and delivery of mental health services and changes to legislation affecting the criminal justice system’s response to arrestees with mental illness. Hon. Ron Ficarrotta, Chief Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit serves on the Commission and discusses the recommendations.
LATEST NEWS
Rep. Anna Eskamani talks New College, Florida Democrats and more with ‘The Skinny’ on WMNF Tampa
Florida recreational pot proposal clears initial signature hurdle
There could be a special session of the Florida legislature soon
The Skinny’ is a new Tampa Bay radio show featuring reporters from Florida Phoenix, Axios and Creative Loafing
‘Fairness and diversity’ courses for judges in Florida are nixed by state Supreme Court
Changes made to AP African-American Studies course
MidPoint: Legal issues in the news
Read MoreJudge allows police budget challenge to advance in Florida
Read MoreMidPoint: Are Russian influence agents operating in local politics?
Read MoreListen to the WMNF News morning headlines for Friday, Aug 5
Read MoreListen to the WMNF News afternoon headlines for Thursday, Aug 4, including Gov. DeSantis' suspension of Andrew Warren
Read MoreListen to the WMNF News afternoon and morning headlines for Wednesday, Aug 3
Read MoreListen to the WMNF News morning headlines for Thursday, July 28
Read MoreTampa's police review board votes in support of allowing local residents to weigh in on subpoena power
Read More"Building Trust" on Morning Energy
Read MoreMidPoint: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys
Read MoreSarasota Clergy want to create a new adult citation program
Read More
- Education
- Elections
- Housing
- Immigration
- Law Enforcement
- News and Public Affairs
- State Government
- State Politics
MidPoint’s Legislative Wrap-Up: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
As Florida’s legislative session draws to a close, it is time to take inventory and review what has emerged from the Capitol. From the headline-topping bills to the under-the-radar legislation, MidPoint host Shelley Reback, is joined by Tampa Bay Times’ William March and State Rep. Andrew Learned to review the good, the bad, and the ugly of this year’s session.
Florida Senate has approved sweeping changes in an elections bill, SB 524
Friday night, the Florida Senate approved a major election bill, on a 23-15 vote. This week the bill is expected to be approved by the House.
Police will use “Dedrone” tech to protect St. Petersburg Grand Prix from drones
Police will use drone detection technology as part of security for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida.
Protest calls for release of teen shot by police
The Friday rally outside the Pinellas County state attorney’s office called for the release of Christopher Tonsel, shot by police in October.
Crime was down at 2022 Gasparilla; here is how to recycle your beads
Arrests at Gasparilla Crime was low at last weekend’s Gasparilla compared to previous years. According to the Tampa Police in total there were 5 Gasparilla arrests including 2 felonies for battery on law enforcement. One missing child was reunited with their family and 20 vehicles were towed. FWC reported 5 cases of boating under the influence…. Read more »
Lakeland invests in body cameras for police
The Lakeland Police Department will finally get body cameras. The City Commission supported a $9.3 million package of equipment and software associated with the cameras. On Monday the city approved a 10-year contract with Exxon enterprises of Scottsdale, Arizona. Lakeland city staff reached a deal for a flat rate of $938,000 per year. This includes… Read more »
Florida law enforcement officials praised for arrest diversion programs
Florida law enforcement officials were praised Tuesday for implementing programs that offer civil citations instead of arrests for minor and non-violent offenses. Florida’s Direct Action & Research Training Center, or DART, is trying to push for local change where Tallahassee won’t act. LISTEN: More than 300 people attended the virtual summit with one goal: “Here… Read more »
Tampa Council caves to Castor, police oversight board largely unchanged
Tampa’s City Council Thursday voted to change course on the makeup of its Citizen Review Board. Councilmembers acquiesced a request from Mayor Jane Castor to give her more sway over the police oversight board. LISTEN: The move bypassed citizen calls for an independent board and could have dubious legal standing. Councilmembers changed the ordinance’s language… Read more »
Black Lives Matter march draws hundreds in Tampa, but organizers say HB1’s chilling effect is already taking hold
Hundreds of activists gathered at Tampa’s Cyrus Greene Park Saturday for a Black Lives Matter march protesting continued police killings of Black Americans. But the crowd was a long way off from the nearly 4,000 who came out for previous marches. Organizers say that’s thanks to the chilling effects of Florida’s HB1. LISTEN: The… Read more »
