Joe Byrnes

Ocala

Reporter at Central Florida Public Media

Reporter with Central Florida Public Media, the NPR station in Orlando.

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Articles

Restoration underway at historic Okahumpka Rosenwald School

3 days ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Restoration has finally begun on the historic Okahumpka Rosenwald School near Leesburg. The nonprofit that owns the property -- the Okahumpka Community Club -- has been working toward the restoration for several years and announced a groundbreaking for Monday morning. But the contractor started work last week. The old wooden schoolhouse, which was built in 1929, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gov. Ron DeSantis tells GOP House leaders 'shame on you' for Hope Florida investigation

1 week ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted fellow Republicans in the Florida House Monday for investigating $10 million in state settlement funds steered to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit founded by his wife, Casey DeSantisHis remarks came during a press conference in Kissimmee to announce the early completion of "congestion relief lanes" on Interstate 4 in Polk and Osceola counties. The new lanes, one in each direction, will open during the week of April 28.
Orlando Police join forces with ICE, but mayor says they won’t be ‘proactive’

2 weeks ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

Mayor Buddy Dyer on Monday defended the Orlando Police Department's agreement, finalized last month, to provide officers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Those officers are authorized to interrogate and arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. Speaking at a City Council meeting, Dyer said the Florida Police Chiefs Association recommended the agreement.
Orlando police join forces with ICE, but mayor says they won’t be ‘proactive’

2 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Mayor Buddy Dyer on Monday defended the Orlando Police Department's agreement, finalized last month, to provide officers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Those officers are authorized to interrogate and arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. Speaking at a City Council meeting, Dyer said the Florida Police Chiefs Association recommended the agreement.
DeSantis 'concerned' over bills to decouple gambling and live racing at thoroughbred tracks

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Wednesday he has concerns about bills that would decouple gambling from live thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park in Broward County and Tampa Bay Downs, which would erase a requirement for the facilities to hold live races to be able to operate cardrooms and, in the case of Gulfstream, slot machinesSpeaking at a press conference in Ocala, the heart of thoroughbred country in Florida, the governor said he’s waiting to see how those bills unfold.
Busload from Ocala to oppose thoroughbred industry 'decoupling' bill

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Supporters of thoroughbred farms in Ocala will be taking a bus ride to Tallahassee Tuesday to oppose a Senate bill they believe would decimate their industry. Senate Bill 408 is sponsored by Republican Sen. Danny Burgess of Pasco County. It would allow Gulfstream Park in Broward County and Tampa Bay Downs to keep their gambling operations even if they discontinue live thoroughbred racing. That's called decoupling. Proponents have said they're protecting the future of racing at Gulfstream.
State funds will upgrade Eatonville's water and sewer infrastructure

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Two major infrastructure projects for the historic town of Eatonville are getting a big boost, from $34.4 million awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s State Revolving Fund. The funding will support the planning, design and construction of necessary improvements to Eatonville’s drinking water distribution system and wastewater infrastructure.
Thompson’s voting rights initiative is carried forward by Bracy Davis

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Legislation proposed by State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis would allow Floridians to register to vote at any time, including same day registration. Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat, said at a voter rally in Tallahassee that this bill aims to promote democracy and ensure fair elections while continuing the work that former State Sen. Geraldine Thompson dedicated her life to. The bill was originally created and sponsored by Thompson, who died last month. It was then introduced by Bracy Davis.
Central Florida sports entities pitch for TDT funding for events

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Whether it’s on something we buy, sell, or own, we all pay some form of taxes. There’s one type of tax that puts the primary financial burden on tourists visiting Florida rather than the people who live here. Money generated by the Tourist Development Tax, or TDT, comes from a tax on hotel stays and other short-term rentals. In Orange County, it’s 6% of every lodging bill, totaling more than $350 million in revenue last year.
Family of late Florida Sen. Thompson support lawmaker’s bid for her seat

1 month ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Democratic State House Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis announced on Friday her plans to run for the State Senate seat previously held by the late Democratic lawmaker Geraldine Thompson, a longtime fixture in regional politics who died last month at 76, following surgery complications. Before she died, Thompson explicitly said she wanted Davis to replace her once she left office, according to members of Thompson’s family who attended Davis’s campaign launch event in Parramore.