Gia Cuccaro and 10 others filled lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis

Gia Cuccaro & 10 Others Filled Lawsuit governor & the Department of Economic Opportunity

 

Tallahassee News

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. – Gia Cuccaro and a group of Floridians have filed a lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Economic Opportunity to get federal unemployment boosts restored to the state’s jobless.

Attorneys representing 10 Broward County residents said Monday that cutting those $300 weekly payments at the end of June is a violation of a section of the state code related to unemployment assistance.

They argue that Florida statutes 443.031 and 443.171 need state officials to fully cooperate with U.S. Labor Department programs.

Scott Behren said with Behren Law resolute, “It’s basically directing the state to say, ‘Yeah, you need to, to the extent the feds want to provide benefits to your residents, you need to cooperate with the Fed and provide those benefits.” 

Behren, Gautier Kitchen, and Marie Mattox said their effort, filed Sunday in the 17th Judicial Circuit for Broward County, is modeled after related lawsuits in Maryland and Indiana.

Judges in those states recently ordered the reinstatement of payments.

“I’m not looking to reinvent the wheel here,” Beren said. “If it succeeds in other jurisdictions, and they have similar or substantially similar statutes, I think we should follow the plan for success.”

Behren hoped that the legal process would move quickly to restore the payments before the deadline set on September 6. If not, he said the group is also seeking retrospective reimbursement.

One of the plaintiffs in the “Jia Cuccaro” case said that boost was keeping her afloat as she struggled to find a job and fulfill her life.

“No one is hiring me,” Cuccaro said. “I’m a 52-year-old paralegal, and it’s very difficult to find someone who will hire me. The answers I get are overqualified, overqualified.”

Without that supplemental assistance from the CARES Act, she would have been left with Florida’s maximum unemployment wage of $275 every seven days. This is one of the lowest rates in the country.

Gia Cuccaro said, “You know, on December 31st, the eviction moratorium is up,”. She continued saying, “So, that’s my biggest fear, I don’t have a roof over my head.”

The DEO responded to the legal challenge late Monday afternoon.

“The department has received the suit and will respond accordingly, however, the department opposes the alleged violation of the law,” officials said in a statement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the withdraw earlier this month. The Republican leader said ending the hike would help “desperate” employers to cope with the lack of hiring.

“Employers have said that since we made that change, some said they had more applications in three weeks than in the previous three months,” DeSantis said.

In a recent call with reporters, state economists said it was too early to tell whether the pay cuts were having a major impact on hiring.

More than 20 other states have joined Florida in dropping from the boost program early, all controlled by the GOP.

Stay tuned with us for more updates on Tallahassee News.

Missing child alert issued for a 13-year-old Florida girl.

Missing child alert issued for a 13-year-old Florida girl. 1

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – According to a release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a missing child alert has been released for a 13-year-old Tallahassee girl who was last seen Tuesday.

Nevaeh Kenyon was last seen near the 6000 block of Wessex Court in Tallahassee, according to authorities.

Kenyon appeared 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds. According to the alert, she wears glasses and has pierced ears.

Kenyon was last seen wearing a light pink backpack and wearing white tennis shoes.

Anyone with details about her whereabouts can contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Leon County Sheriff’s Office at 805-606-5800 or dial 911.

Read More: A second person has died as a result of a fatal street race crash in Orange County.

 

 

Votes by Florida house to crack down violent protests

Votes by Florida house to crack down

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA– A supposed anti-riot bill passed by the Florida House on Friday would make expanded punishments and new violations for individuals who take part in fierce fights, however, adversaries say it will have a chilling effect on the ability to speak freely.

The bill passed 76-39 after almost five hours of discussion, with Republicans saying the action is expected to ensure the rule of law, and Democrats saying it was drafted with an end goal to subdue fights by bunches like Black Lives Matter.

“It appears to be that the right to speak freely of discourse was free up until Black and brown individuals began talking,” said Democratic Rep. Plate McCurdy, who said he fought the demise of George Floyd a year ago. “On the off chance that this bill was a law the previous summer … rather than being an individual from the state House, I’d presumably be an individual from someone’s prison.”

Conservatives said the bill wouldn’t influence the right to speak freely of discourse ensured by the U.S. Constitution, but instead ensure individuals and property.

“The First Amendment doesn’t protect violence,” said Republican Rep. String Byrd.

Byrd at that point recorded numerous arrangements in the bill, including expanded punishments for the attack, battery, robbery, and burglary during a mob and new wrongdoings like horde terrorizing and ruining and harming a dedication or notable property.

Conservative Gov. Ron DeSantis initially required the enactment in September after a summer of exhibitions around the nation to fight the demise of Floyd, a Black man who passed on after a white Minneapolis cop set his knee on his neck for almost nine minutes.

The proposition came under two months before the official political decision, when DeSantis’ nearby partner, at that point President Donald Trump, was battling on a rule of peace and law message and cruelly scrutinizing Black Lives Matter fights.

From that point forward, Republicans backing the bill have highlighted the Jan. 6 mob at the U.S. Legislative center by Trump’s allies as another motivation to help it.

Among different arrangements, the bill would require an individual captured during a brutal dissent to be held in prison until a first court appearance. It would likewise make a required least half-year sentence for anybody indicted for battery on a policeman during a mob.

Republican Rep. Jason Fischer said, “There are violent elements in society, it is evil in society, and when they try to destroy things, when they try to turn the discussion into destruction, we need to stand up.”

The bill likewise has language that looks to hold neighborhood governments back from decreasing law requirement spending plans. It would likewise lift common obligation securities for nearby governments that neglect to make a suitable move to ensure property and individuals during a savage dissent.

A comparable Senate bill hasn’t had a panel hearing.

 

Over $36,000 worth methamphetamine seized in Tallahassee

Over $36,000 worth methamphetamine seized
Elijah Jeremiah Pittman

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- According to the Tallahassee Police Department, the suspect, Elijah Jeremiah Pittman who is thought of as a gang member was arrested at his residence for the possession of Alpha- PBP with the intention of selling.

Upon conducting an investigation, Pittman who was known as a validated gang member was reported to be armed and selling synthetic narcotics in the 1300 block of Ocala road.

Upon search warrant, the Tallahassee Police Department along with 12 members of the special investigations department together with the violent crime response team discovered over 30 grams of methamphetamines worth $36,000.

According to the investigators, an additional 24 grams of MDMA was discovered along with a 9 mm handgun that was previously reported as stolen.

The suspect, Pittman was found in his residence during the raid and was taken into custody immediately.

TPD urges the public to be aware and report anything that may seem illegal at 850-574- TIPS

One arrested upon discovering the death of a baby in North Woodward Avenue

One arrested upon discovering the death of a baby

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- The Tallahassee Police Department responded to a call at the 1100 block of North Woodward Avenue for an unresponsive baby.

Upon administering life-saving measures, the officials then took the Infant to a nearby local hospital that pronounced the infant died a short while after.

The investigations relating to the death of the infant lead to issuing a search warrant at the resident. The Investigators found out that the baby was left in the bathtub unattended which lead to the infant’s drowning.

The suspect was arrest immediately for aggravated manslaughter by seriously neglecting an infant to drown while also causing bodily harm.

Defendant’s name is being protected according to Marsy’s law, said the TPD.

The FAMU student was shot during an event

The FAMU student was shot

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- A Student of the Florida A&M University was reported to have been hurt during a shooting. According to the news, the FAMU student was shot near potbelly’s bar Sunday morning.

Reportedly, the shooting had taken place around 2.30 a.m in the 400 Block of College Avenue and the student was faced with a non-life-threatening gunshot in the chest.

The FAMU community stated, “The FAMU community is praying hard for the student’s speedy recovery.”

Further, the reports said that the student was transferred immediately to the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare where he is being treated for his injuries caused by the gunshot.

According to the Tallahassee Police Department, a clearing crowd at a nearby event led to the cause of the fight and the location of the fight was declared to be near Port belly’s bar around 4.30 a.m.

The isolated incident according to the officials suggests that there’s no ongoing threat.

Any witnesses are requested to step forward and call at 850- 891- 4200 or remain anonymous by contacting at 850- 574- TIPS.

The Decatur Deputy shot while assisting the Sheriff in Brinson

Decatur Deputy shot

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- According to Decatur County Sheriff’s office, the suspect who shot at the Decatur Deputy is on the look. According to reports, the deputy was shot on Saturday night in Brison.

The incident happened along GA 310, near U.S 84 according to the chief investigating officer, Elijah McCoy. The time of the incident was reported to be around 8.30 p.m.

McCoy further added that the diseased Decatur Deputy was reported to be assisting the Seminole Sheriff’s office just before the suspect entered a vehicle. While being shot, the Deputy was said to be in his vehicle and was immediately transferred to the hospital but a stable condition was not shown.

Although the agency had arrested one suspect who might be a person of interest in the case, the main suspect identified as Troy Arthur Phillips is still on the loose and considered armed and dangerous, according to the deputies.

Victim of the Sunday morning shooting was FAMU football head coach Willie Simmon’s son

Victim of the Sunday morning shooting

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- According to the reports, the early Sunday morning shooting on Perry street, Florida unfortunately made A&M University head coach Willie Simmon’s son the victim. The latest records show the victim’s recovery from his injuries.

According to the family statement that was released on Saturday afternoon, Simmon’s family said that they have been practicing as vocal advocates against gun violence in the community and it was very unfortunate to have been impacted on a more personal level.

The family further added, “We appreciate your prayers and ask that you give our family time to support our son as he recovers from his injuries.”

According to the news, in order to prevent other families from undergoing a similar situation, Simmon has called out for action. In his statement, he said that it would be wise to act together as a community to ensure no family endures such senseless trauma of gun violence.

Simmon’s full statement reads as follows:

Our family has been vocal advocates against gun violence in our community and unfortunately, the issue has now impacted us on an even more personal level. We appreciate your prayers and ask that you give our family time to support our son as he recovers from his injuries. We as a community must work together to ensure that other families do not have to ensure the senseless trauma of gun violence we now face.