INSIDER
Maxwell Frost wins Democratic nomination for US House in Florida’s 10th Congressional District
Read full article: Maxwell Frost wins Democratic nomination for US House in Florida’s 10th Congressional DistrictThe candidates are Jack Achenbach, Jeffrey Boone, Randolph Bracy, Corrine Brown, Maxwell Frost, Terence Gray, Alan Grayson, Natalie Jackson, Khalid Muneer and Teresa Tachon.
State Sen. Bracy offers his office to help returning citizens vote
Read full article: State Sen. Bracy offers his office to help returning citizens voteFlorida state Sen. Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) sought to “call out” Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday in a news conference regarding the arrests of 20 individuals on election fraud charges.
WATCH LIVE: Maxwell Frost speaks at election night celebration
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Maxwell Frost speaks at election night celebrationThe candidates are Jack Achenbach, Jeffrey Boone, Randolph Bracy, Corrine Brown, Maxwell Frost, Terence Gray, Alan Grayson, Natalie Jackson, Khalid Muneer and Teresa Tachon.
Florida lawmakers discuss plans to deal with skyrocketing rents in Orange County
Read full article: Florida lawmakers discuss plans to deal with skyrocketing rents in Orange CountyWith rent prices skyrocketing for many residents over the last year, a group of Democratic lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss possible solutions.
Florida state senator hosts Orange County roundtable discussion about rent costs
Read full article: Florida state senator hosts Orange County roundtable discussion about rent costsDemocratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, who is running for U.S. House District 10, will host a roundtable discussion Friday with landlords and renters about skyrocketing rent costs amid Central Florida's housing crisis.
Florida senator to discuss reopening of children’s vaccination site
Read full article: Florida senator to discuss reopening of children’s vaccination siteState Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, is set to hold a news conference Thursday discussing the reopening of a children’s vaccination site in Maitland after it was postponed due to a lack of shots.
Central Florida lawmakers discuss controversial new measures set to go into effect within the week
Read full article: Central Florida lawmakers discuss controversial new measures set to go into effect within the weekSeveral key, controversial laws here in Florida are set to go into effect this Friday, July 1.
No timeline offered for future of Orlando thrill ride connected to teen’s death
Read full article: No timeline offered for future of Orlando thrill ride connected to teen’s deathFlorida officials said there is no timeline for reopening the Orlando drop tower at ICON Park in Orlando after a 14-year-old boy fell to his death from the thrill ride earlier this year.
Florida Legislative Black Caucus pushes back on newly approved redistricting map
Read full article: Florida Legislative Black Caucus pushes back on newly approved redistricting mapThe Florida Legislative Black Caucus is holding a news conference on the congressional map approved by the Florida legislature and now awaiting the governor’s signature.
Once abandoned, Groveland cemetery for African Americans to get new life with grant
Read full article: Once abandoned, Groveland cemetery for African Americans to get new life with grantThe city of Groveland was recently notified that they were approved for a state grant for $499,000 to restore the cemetery.
‘It’s unconstitutional:’ Sen. Bracy calls out redistricting maps proposed by Florida Gov. DeSantis
Read full article: ‘It’s unconstitutional:’ Sen. Bracy calls out redistricting maps proposed by Florida Gov. DeSantisDemocrats are increasing vocal opposition to a congressional redistricting proposal from Gov. Ron DeSantis, which will be discussed during a special legislative session this week.
State senator calls for closure of Orlando thrill ride
Read full article: State senator calls for closure of Orlando thrill rideFlorida Sen. Randolph Bracy sent a letter to the state department in charge of investigating what led to the death of a 14-year-old who fell from a thrill ride at ICON Park on Friday, urging it to permanently close the Orlando Free Fall.
Florida bill fights back against proposed critical race theory ban
Read full article: Florida bill fights back against proposed critical race theory banA piece of legislation designed to push back against an effort to ban critical race theory is one step closer to passing, according to the bill’s sponsor.
Sen. Bracy highlights funding efforts supporting Jewish community after Nazi rallies
Read full article: Sen. Bracy highlights funding efforts supporting Jewish community after Nazi ralliesNearly a week after antisemitic demonstrations took place in Orange County, Florida Sen. Randolph Bracy is highlighting funding efforts to help protect the Jewish community in Central Florida.
‘This is truly a blessing:’ Orlando food giveaway feeds 500 families
Read full article: ‘This is truly a blessing:’ Orlando food giveaway feeds 500 familiesHundreds of families lined up outside of an Orlando church to receive free meals as organizers said the need for food assistance is still great a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Still a need:’ Hundreds attend food drive as unemployment reaches lowest since start of pandemic
Read full article: ‘Still a need:’ Hundreds attend food drive as unemployment reaches lowest since start of pandemicWhile unemployment is the lowest it's been since the beginning of the pandemic, non-profit organizations say the need for food equity remains high for many families in Central Florida.
State senator, Farm Share distribute food for nearly 500 families in Orlando
Read full article: State senator, Farm Share distribute food for nearly 500 families in OrlandoPeople in Orange County were able to get some relief as free food and supplies were given out on Vineland Road next to Holy Land Experience.
Key Florida House committee passes ‘Kaia Rolle Act’ aimed at preventing arrest of young kids
Read full article: Key Florida House committee passes ‘Kaia Rolle Act’ aimed at preventing arrest of young kidsA key committee in the Florida House moved a police training bill forward Thursday which includes a provision preventing the arrest of children 7 and younger.
Democratic Sen. Bracy hints at run for Florida governor
Read full article: Democratic Sen. Bracy hints at run for Florida governorTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Sen. Randolph Bracy released a campaign-style video Tuesday strongly hinting that he’ll consider seeking the Democratic nomination to face Republican Gov. In the video, Bracy discusses problems facing the state because of the coronavirus pandemic, says the state needs to change course and needs a governor who will work with both parties to help Florida through the crisis. We need to leave behind the small fights at the Capitol and figure out how to work together to move Florida in the right direction. But in a phone interview, Bracy said the video posted on his website isn't an announcement that he's getting in the race. Bracy, 43, of Orlando, was elected to the House in 2012, where he served before being elected to the Senate in 2016.
Bethune-Cookman University president resigns
Read full article: Bethune-Cookman University president resignsVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University’s president resigned Tuesday, according to the university’s board of trustees. AdChrite became president of B-CU in July 2019, as the university struggled with financial records. The university was at risk of losing its accreditation in October 2019. Bracy had started an initiative prior to the pandemic, aiming to secure additional funding for Florida’s HBCUs after leaders at Bethune-Cookman University expressed financial struggles. Ad“The Board of Trustees remains aligned and steadfast in its commitment to its fiduciary responsibilities of care, loyalty, and obedience to the institution,” the university’s statement reads.
DEO director set to present analysis of Florida’s aging unemployment system
Read full article: DEO director set to present analysis of Florida’s aging unemployment systemSources told News 6 DEO Director Dane Eagle had expected to make the presentation to the Senate Appropriations Committee to present the anticipated cost of revamping the system. They include retain the already existing system, custom development of a new system, a so called commercial off the shelf system, or another state agency system. One plan presented is spending about $155 million over the next two years to improve and modernize the current system. Stewart predicts the cost of revamping the current system could easily exceed $10 million that would be added to the $119 million the state already invested into the system last year. State Sen. Randolph Bracy plans to be all ears Monday when Florida’s DEO Director presents the findings of a recent audit regarding the state’s aging unemployment system.
Florida senator wants to extend scholarship program to descendants of Ocoee Massacre
Read full article: Florida senator wants to extend scholarship program to descendants of Ocoee MassacreTALLAHASSE, Fla. – A state senator is seeking to expand a scholarship program set up more than 25 years ago because of a massacre in Rosewood to include people whose families were directly affected by the racially motivated 1920 Ocoee Election Day riot in Central Florida. Black residents were killed in the riot, and others fled the community as homes, churches and a fraternal lodge were destroyed. Ad[WATCH: 100 years after Ocoee Massacre city leaders apologize, honor victims]“I’m not under the illusion that people will think this is not enough,” Bracy said. Last year, Bracy led a successful effort to require public-school students to learn about the Ocoee riot, similar to a requirement for teaching about the Holocaust. When he initially proposed the 2020 legislation, Bracy sought $150,000 per Ocoee victim, a funding level modeled, in part, on a 1994 decision by the Legislature to compensate African-American families because of the Rosewood Massacre.
‘I’ll be glad to eat food tonight:’ Hundreds of families receive free meals at Apopka Farm Share food giveaway
Read full article: ‘I’ll be glad to eat food tonight:’ Hundreds of families receive free meals at Apopka Farm Share food giveawayAPOPKA, Fla. – Hundreds of families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic lined up at Apopka High School Saturday morning to receive free meals. “A blessing, a blessing, a blessing. I’ll be glad to eat food tonight and sit at the table with my neighbors and have a good meal,” Garrison said. State Senator Randolph Bracy and Apopka High School’s PTSA teamed up with Farm Share to hold the event. Tre Wade, Apopka High School’s PTSA president, said the community is hurting.
Orlando lawmaker targets mug shots, citing ‘lasting harm’
Read full article: Orlando lawmaker targets mug shots, citing ‘lasting harm’Pointing to “lasting harm” from booking photos posted online, a Senate Democrat has filed a proposal that would prevent the release of the photos taken when people are arrested. Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, filed the proposed public-records exemption (SB 444) on Wednesday. It will be considered during the legislative session, which starts March 2. The bill would allow the release of booking photos in certain circumstances, such as if a person poses an immediate threat to the public. “In the absence of the special circumstances specified in this act, the potential for lasting harm from use or publication of an arrest booking photograph online far outweighs any immediate public benefit of viewing the arrest booking photograph of a person who poses no immediate danger to the public.”
Orange County Sheriff John Mina sits down to talk about Salaythis Melvin shooting
Read full article: Orange County Sheriff John Mina sits down to talk about Salaythis Melvin shootingORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Sheriff John Mina met behind closed doors with state leaders and a local activist on Tuesday to discuss the deputy-involved shooting death of a man at the Florida Mall. Salaythis Melvin, 22, was shot in the back on Aug. 7 as he ran from Agent James Montiel in the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods. People want know what’s happening with the case, and we’re open to letting people know,” Mina told News 6 after the meeting. The meeting with Mina was held in Bracy’s Metrowest office with Rep. Travaris McCurdy, D-Orlando. Mulrain has helped organize many of the demonstrations that have happened around Orange County since Melvin’s shooting.
Family of 6 living on father’s part-time wages as mom waits for unemployment benefits
Read full article: Family of 6 living on father’s part-time wages as mom waits for unemployment benefitsORLANDO, Fla. – Brandi Simmons and her family are holding on to hope and her husband’s part-time wages to cover the mortgage and car payments as the wait for her unemployment benefits goes into week 10. “We’re at risk of homelessness, we can’t pay our mortgage,” Simmons said. “As soon as I would get disconnected (on the phone), I would call right back,” a frustrated Simmons said. I have contacted Ms. Simmons directly, and have escalated her concern to our liaisons with the Department of Economic Opportunity. We are hopeful that DEO will find some resolution to her issue.”If you would like to help Simmons and her family or you have an unemployment benefits issues, send an email to makeendsmeet@wkmg.com.
Bill to prevent arrests of young children in Florida likely dead
Read full article: Bill to prevent arrests of young children in Florida likely deadORLANDO, Fla. – A bill that would have prevented arrests of children under the age of 10 failed to be discussed in a key state Senate committee. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the measure is all but dead after failing to be addressed during the Senate Appropriations Committee final meeting this session. The push for the amendment to the state’s criminal justice bill came after the arrest of 6-year-old Kaia Rolle in Orlando. The main supporter of the bill, state Sen. Randolph Bracy is expected to hold a news conference Wednesday.
Florida lawmakers propose bill to prevent young children from being arrested
Read full article: Florida lawmakers propose bill to prevent young children from being arrestedORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida senator who filed a bill to prohibit children under 12 from being arrested has announced a compromise with lawmakers that is expected to pave the way for the legislation to pass. On Monday, Bracy held a news conference during which he announced that he had come to an agreement with other lawmakers to amend the bill to apply to children 10 and under. “It was heartbreaking to watch this young 6-year-old girl pleading for help and asking for a second chance as she was being arrested. [RELATED: Orlando grandma wants police to implement change after granddaughter’s arrest | Video shows officer who arrested children repeatedly tasing man]“It is shocking that no existing law prevented this unnecessary response to childhood misbehavior. No 6-year-old should be handcuffed and taken away from school in the back of a police car,” Bracy said.