Maxwell Frost wins Democratic nomination for US House in Floridaโs 10th Congressional District
The 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
Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) sought to โcall outโ 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
The 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
With 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
Democratic 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 childrenโs vaccination site
State Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, is set to hold a news conference Thursday discussing the reopening of a childrenโs 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
Several 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 teenโs death
Florida 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
The Florida Legislative Black Caucus is holding a news conference on the congressional map approved by the Florida legislature and now awaiting the governorโs signature.
Once abandoned, Groveland cemetery for African Americans to get new life with grant
The city of Groveland was recently notified that they were approved for a state grant for $499,000 to restore the cemetery.
โItโs unconstitutional:โ Sen. Bracy calls out redistricting maps proposed by Florida Gov. DeSantis
Democrats 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
Florida 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
A piece of legislation designed to push back against an effort to ban critical race theory is one step closer to passing, according to the billโs sponsor.
Sen. Bracy highlights funding efforts supporting Jewish community after Nazi rallies
Nearly 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.
โThis is truly a blessing:โ Orlando food giveaway feeds 500 families
Hundreds 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.
โStill a need:โ Hundreds attend food drive as unemployment reaches lowest since start of pandemic
While 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.
$305K from Floridaโs budget allocated to Ocoee Massacre scholarships
Itโs been more than 100 years since dozens of African Americans were killed by a white mob to keep them from voting on election day in 1920.
State senator, Farm Share distribute food for nearly 500 families in Orlando
People 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 โKaia Rolle Actโ aimed at preventing arrest of young kids
A 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
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ State Sen. Randolph Bracy released a campaign-style video Tuesday strongly hinting that heโll 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
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. โ Bethune-Cookman Universityโs president resigned Tuesday, according to the universityโs 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 Floridaโs HBCUs after leaders at Bethune-Cookman University expressed financial struggles. AdโThe Board of Trustees remains aligned and steadfast in its commitment to its fiduciary responsibilities of care, loyalty, and obedience to the institution,โ the universityโs statement reads.
DEO director set to present analysis of Floridaโs aging unemployment system
Sources 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 Floridaโs DEO Director presents the findings of a recent audit regarding the stateโs aging unemployment system.
Florida senator wants to extend scholarship program to descendants of Ocoee Massacre
TALLAHASSE, Fla. โ 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]โIโm not under the illusion that people will think this is not enough,โ 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.
โIโll be glad to eat food tonight:โ Hundreds of families receive free meals at Apopka Farm Share food giveaway
APOPKA, Fla. โ Hundreds of families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic lined up at Apopka High School Saturday morning to receive free meals. โA blessing, a blessing, a blessing. Iโll be glad to eat food tonight and sit at the table with my neighbors and have a good meal,โ Garrison said. State Senator Randolph Bracy and Apopka High Schoolโs PTSA teamed up with Farm Share to hold the event. Tre Wade, Apopka High Schoolโs PTSA president, said the community is hurting.
Orlando lawmaker targets mug shots, citing โlasting harmโ
Pointing to โlasting harmโ 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. โIn 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.โ
Orange County Sheriff John Mina sits down to talk about Salaythis Melvin shooting
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ 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 Dickโs Sporting Goods. People want know whatโs happening with the case, and weโre open to letting people know,โ Mina told News 6 after the meeting. The meeting with Mina was held in Bracyโs Metrowest office with Rep. Travaris McCurdy, D-Orlando. Mulrain has helped organize many of the demonstrations that have happened around Orange County since Melvinโs shooting.
Family of 6 living on fatherโs part-time wages as mom waits for unemployment benefits
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Brandi Simmons and her family are holding on to hope and her husbandโs part-time wages to cover the mortgage and car payments as the wait for her unemployment benefits goes into week 10. โWeโre at risk of homelessness, we canโt pay our mortgage,โ Simmons said. โAs soon as I would get disconnected (on the phone), I would call right back,โ 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.โIf 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
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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 stateโs 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
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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. โIt 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 granddaughterโs arrest | Video shows officer who arrested children repeatedly tasing man]โIt 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,โ Bracy said.