'The Florida prison system is in crisis': Aging population driving up cost of inmate healthcare

Of Florida's approximately 88,000 inmates, about 23,500 are over 50, classified as elderly. That's 27% of the system. The Southern Poverty Law Center says health care costs are driving the overall cost of caring for prisoners from $51.65 a day in 2014 to $62.16 in 2019. For inmates with medical needs, care is hard to come by.

Lawmakers send election overhaul bill for governor's signature

Florida lawmakers approved a controversial elections bill that adds restrictions to the voting process and Governor Ron DeSantis said he intends to sign it into law.

Florida Republicans send sports transgender bill to governor

Florida Republicans moved to ban transgender girls and women from playing on public school teams intended for student athletes born as girls, sending the proposal to Gov. Ron DeSantis and escalating a national culture war over transgender rights.

Justice Department opens probe into Louisville policing in wake of Breonna Taylor’s death

The Justice Department is opening a sweeping investigation into policing in Louisville, Kentucky after the 2020 death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot to death by police during a raid at her home.

BLM Tampa plans march, rally in response to Florida's new anti-riot law

Days after Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's anti-riot bill into law, which stiffens penalties for those who participate in violent protests and riots, Black Lives Matter: Tampa plans to be out, peacefully marching in the streets. 

Bill that would create commission to study slavery reparations advances in U.S. House

The bill, commonly referred to as H.R. 40, was first introduced by former Michigan Congressman John Conyers back in 1989. It's been introduced into the House every year since then.

Virginia police officer fired after accused of excessive force in traffic stop of Black Army officer

Officials in Virginia say a police officer accused of using excessive force during a traffic stop of a Black Army officer has been fired hours after the state's governor called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Tampa pharmacy working to get vaccines out to Black, minority communities

While the Greyhound Track and Raymond James Stadium are popular sites for the COVID-19 vaccine, they're not easily accessible for everyone. 

Civil rights groups file new lawsuit over Georgia voting law

Civil rights groups say Georgia's new voting law "is driven by blatant racism, represents politics at its very worst, and is clearly illegal,”

Tropicana Field parking lot may be site of forgotten African American cemetery

Archeologists are spending the week at Tropicana Field looking for evidence of a lost African American cemetery that may have been paved over decades ago.

Evanston, Illinois becomes 1st city in US to pay reparations to Black residents

Evanston, Illinois, on Monday became the first U.S. city to make reparations available to its Black residents for past discrimination and the lingering effects of slavery.

USF coach placed on leave during 'independent review' of reported racist comment

University of South Florida Bulls men's basketball assistant coach Tom Herrion has been placed on administrative leave after what the school calls "troubling concerns" regarding an alleged racist comment. 

DeSantis releases plans for civics education in Florida

Relying on federal coronavirus relief funds for schools, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing to spend $106 million to bolster civics education, including offering bonuses to teachers who complete training.

Archeologists find more African American graves on private land in Clearwater

Archeologists in Clearwater can say with certainty they’ve found yet another African American cemetery – this time on private land that is home to FrankCrum company headquarters.  

‘He is proud of me’: MIT’s first Black student president is granddaughter of Winter Haven’s first Black mayor

Just getting into a top-flight school like MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a great accomplishment, but Danielle Geathers, granddaughter of Lemuel Geathers, took that a step further by becoming the first Black woman president of the student body