The Tributary
@jaxtrib.org
The Tributary is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom investigating Florida, one issue at a time.
On college campuses across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to expand his army of political loyalists — both college presidents and university trustees, who are poised to dominate for many years to come, no matter who is elected governor in 2026.
jaxtrib.org/2026/01/07/w...
jaxtrib.org/2026/01/07/w...
With army of loyalists, DeSantis built a conservative higher-ed empire
With an ally expected to take over at UWF early this year, and a presidential vacancy at UNF, DeSantis is poised to build on his remarkable transformation of Florida higher education.
jaxtrib.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:25 PM
On college campuses across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to expand his army of political loyalists — both college presidents and university trustees, who are poised to dominate for many years to come, no matter who is elected governor in 2026.
jaxtrib.org/2026/01/07/w...
jaxtrib.org/2026/01/07/w...
NEW: Ronnie Ferrell, 1 of 3 men convicted in the 1991 murder of Gino Mayhew, wrote a letter to the State Attorney saying he was wrongfully convicted.
Melissa Nelson's office began a review into Ferrell's case, which was then abruptly stopped.
We asked why:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/31/s...
Melissa Nelson's office began a review into Ferrell's case, which was then abruptly stopped.
We asked why:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/31/s...
State began, then halted, probe into murder conviction that relied on a known liar's testimony
The aborted review demonstrates the limitations of a unit set up to fanfare, the first of its kind in Florida, to seek justice for the wrongly accused
jaxtrib.org
December 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
NEW: Ronnie Ferrell, 1 of 3 men convicted in the 1991 murder of Gino Mayhew, wrote a letter to the State Attorney saying he was wrongfully convicted.
Melissa Nelson's office began a review into Ferrell's case, which was then abruptly stopped.
We asked why:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/31/s...
Melissa Nelson's office began a review into Ferrell's case, which was then abruptly stopped.
We asked why:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/31/s...
Reposted by The Tributary
New from @jaxtrib.org’s ‘Cold-Blooded’ series | The ‘hanging judge’: Legacy of Jim Crow looms over Jacksonville Death Row case
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
The 'hanging judge': Legacy of Jim Crow looms over Jacksonville Death Row case
An examination by The Tributary shows that Judge Hudson Olliff possessed retrograde views on race that were an open secret in Jacksonville's legal community but less understood by the general public.
jaxtrib.org
December 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org’s ‘Cold-Blooded’ series | The ‘hanging judge’: Legacy of Jim Crow looms over Jacksonville Death Row case
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
Reposted by The Tributary
Those who found themselves in Judge R. Hudson Olliff’s chambers say he would sometimes say things about Black people that raised questions about whether such defendants would find equal justice in his courtroom.
The latest in our ‘Cold-Blooded’ series:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
The latest in our ‘Cold-Blooded’ series:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
The 'hanging judge': Legacy of Jim Crow looms over Jacksonville Death Row case
An examination by The Tributary shows that Judge Hudson Olliff possessed retrograde views on race that were an open secret in Jacksonville's legal community but less understood by the general public.
jaxtrib.org
December 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Those who found themselves in Judge R. Hudson Olliff’s chambers say he would sometimes say things about Black people that raised questions about whether such defendants would find equal justice in his courtroom.
The latest in our ‘Cold-Blooded’ series:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
The latest in our ‘Cold-Blooded’ series:
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/22/t...
It’s unclear how many people work in JSO’s dispatch command center and whether it’s adequately staffed to handle the some 1 million incoming calls each year.
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
Police shooting of 14-year-old boy exposes JSO dispatch failure
The shooting, which the state attorney said was a "perfect storm" of unusual circumstances, revealed a critical flaw in JSO's dispatch system.
jaxtrib.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It’s unclear how many people work in JSO’s dispatch command center and whether it’s adequately staffed to handle the some 1 million incoming calls each year.
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
Reposted by The Tributary
New from @jaxtrib.org | A communication breakdown within the JSO dispatch system led multiple officers on a frenzied search for the wrong car in the wake of a fatal drive-by shooting. An officer shot a 14-year-old boy who had nothing to do with the crime.
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
Police shooting of 14-year-old boy exposes JSO dispatch failure
The shooting, which the state attorney said was a "perfect storm" of unusual circumstances, revealed a critical flaw in JSO's dispatch system.
jaxtrib.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org | A communication breakdown within the JSO dispatch system led multiple officers on a frenzied search for the wrong car in the wake of a fatal drive-by shooting. An officer shot a 14-year-old boy who had nothing to do with the crime.
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
jaxtrib.org/2025/12/05/p...
An investor lawsuit accusing Florida Power & Light’s parent company, NextEra, and several current and former executives of securities fraud can move forward, a panel of federal appeals judges ruled this week in a remarkable resurrection of the case.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
Resurrected lawsuit puts FPL's past controversies back in the spotlight
The federal appeals court decision could re-open the company's old wounds from a series of controversies across Florida.
jaxtrib.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:11 PM
An investor lawsuit accusing Florida Power & Light’s parent company, NextEra, and several current and former executives of securities fraud can move forward, a panel of federal appeals judges ruled this week in a remarkable resurrection of the case.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
Reposted by The Tributary
New | A federal appeals panel overturned a decision from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon (yes, that Aileen Cannon) and resurrected an investor lawsuit accusing FPL of securities fraud, potentially re-opening old wounds from a sprawling series of controversies.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
Resurrected lawsuit puts FPL's past controversies back in the spotlight
The federal appeals court decision could re-open the company's old wounds from a series of controversies across Florida.
jaxtrib.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
New | A federal appeals panel overturned a decision from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon (yes, that Aileen Cannon) and resurrected an investor lawsuit accusing FPL of securities fraud, potentially re-opening old wounds from a sprawling series of controversies.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/28/r...
Unless there is a last-minute snag, Manny Diaz will become the latest Republican politician and ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis installed as president of a Florida university.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
Inside track: Manny Diaz Jr., powerful interim president, emerges as sole finalist at UWF
Secret presidential searches have tightened Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ grip on college presidencies.
jaxtrib.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Unless there is a last-minute snag, Manny Diaz will become the latest Republican politician and ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis installed as president of a Florida university.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
Reposted by The Tributary
New | The story of Manny Diaz Jr.'s remarkable ascendancy at the University of West Florida, where he turned an interim job into one in which he enjoys "presidential privilege" - pricey renovations, country club memberships and unusual protection from board firing.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
Inside track: Manny Diaz Jr., powerful interim president, emerges as sole finalist at UWF
Secret presidential searches have tightened Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ grip on college presidencies.
jaxtrib.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
New | The story of Manny Diaz Jr.'s remarkable ascendancy at the University of West Florida, where he turned an interim job into one in which he enjoys "presidential privilege" - pricey renovations, country club memberships and unusual protection from board firing.
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
jaxtrib.org/2025/11/25/i...
The police report of Michael Norris arrest accused him of not complying and alleged that Norris resisted police by “curling his arms underneath his body.”
The body-cam footage shows he was already being hurled to the ground before any instructions were given.
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/t...
The body-cam footage shows he was already being hurled to the ground before any instructions were given.
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/t...
'They just tackled me to the ground.' Man left severely injured during JSO arrest
After a struggle with several officers, Michael Norris, who was not armed, was hospitalized with multiple facial, elbow and rib fractures, along with a hemorrhage in his right eye, bruising up and dow...
jaxtrib.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The police report of Michael Norris arrest accused him of not complying and alleged that Norris resisted police by “curling his arms underneath his body.”
The body-cam footage shows he was already being hurled to the ground before any instructions were given.
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/t...
The body-cam footage shows he was already being hurled to the ground before any instructions were given.
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/t...
An examination by The Tributary of dozens of previously unpublicized cases of alleged Jacksonville Sheriff's Office brutality revealed striking patterns in the agency’s conduct.
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
‘Force is ugly, but’: JSO seldom punishes cops accused of abuse
Jacksonville Sheriff's officers inconsistently report when they've injured civilians, thanks in part to a vague use-of-force policy.
jaxtrib.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
An examination by The Tributary of dozens of previously unpublicized cases of alleged Jacksonville Sheriff's Office brutality revealed striking patterns in the agency’s conduct.
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Reposted by The Tributary
The latest dispatch from Michael Vasquez, @jaxtrib.org’s new reporter —
“In my language arts methods course, one of the topics is selecting a ‘diversity’ of texts to engage student leaders,” UNF Professor John White said. “That has nothing to do with DEI. That’s the word ‘diverse’ as in a myriad, or plethora.”
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
Florida wipes 'culture,' 'diversity' and other terms from UNF teacher-education courses
State officials cast a wide net in seeking to ban certain terms, ensnaring courses where words like “culture” and “diversity” appear in innocuous contexts.
jaxtrib.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The latest dispatch from Michael Vasquez, @jaxtrib.org’s new reporter —
“In my language arts methods course, one of the topics is selecting a ‘diversity’ of texts to engage student leaders,” UNF Professor John White said. “That has nothing to do with DEI. That’s the word ‘diverse’ as in a myriad, or plethora.”
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
Florida wipes 'culture,' 'diversity' and other terms from UNF teacher-education courses
State officials cast a wide net in seeking to ban certain terms, ensnaring courses where words like “culture” and “diversity” appear in innocuous contexts.
jaxtrib.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“In my language arts methods course, one of the topics is selecting a ‘diversity’ of texts to engage student leaders,” UNF Professor John White said. “That has nothing to do with DEI. That’s the word ‘diverse’ as in a myriad, or plethora.”
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/16/f...
Reposted by The Tributary
New joint reporting from @jaxtrib.org *and* The Florida Times-Union:
Money, aerospace drive turbulence between City Councilman and aviation CEO
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/15/m...
Money, aerospace drive turbulence between City Councilman and aviation CEO
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/15/m...
Money, aerospace drive turbulence between City Councilman and aviation CEO
A Jacksonville City Council member and the CEO of the city's four airports have butted heads for years over the aviation authority's spending and governing powers
jaxtrib.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
New joint reporting from @jaxtrib.org *and* The Florida Times-Union:
Money, aerospace drive turbulence between City Councilman and aviation CEO
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/15/m...
Money, aerospace drive turbulence between City Councilman and aviation CEO
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/15/m...
TONIGHT!
NEXT FRIDAY!
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
October 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
TONIGHT!
Reposted by The Tributary
Exciting news! @jaxtrib.org was chosen as part of @propublica.org's Local Reporting Network. I'll be working on a pretty awesome project with them over the next year.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network Selects Five New Partners for Its 50 State Initiative
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Exciting news! @jaxtrib.org was chosen as part of @propublica.org's Local Reporting Network. I'll be working on a pretty awesome project with them over the next year.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
NEXT FRIDAY!
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
September 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
NEXT FRIDAY!
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
NEW: 11 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue first responders were subpoenaed over the summer related to the April death of Charles Faggart in the Duval County jail, according to records obtained by @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
Federal prosecutors subpoena first responders in controversial Duval jail death
Prosecutors began ordering witnesses to arrive at the federal courthouse downtown to give testimony in June and July.
jaxtrib.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
NEW: 11 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue first responders were subpoenaed over the summer related to the April death of Charles Faggart in the Duval County jail, according to records obtained by @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
NEW: The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office will take the lead investigating the death of a 31-year-old father in the Duval County Jail in April, according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office.
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Feds to take lead in controversial Duval jail death investigation
The scope of the federal investigation into the death of Charles Faggart is unclear, and State Attorney Melissa Nelson did not say what conclusions her office has drawn about the case.
jaxtrib.org
September 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
NEW: The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office will take the lead investigating the death of a 31-year-old father in the Duval County Jail in April, according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office.
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Reposted by The Tributary
Big congrats to @jaxtrib.org ’s irreplaceable @nicholemanna.bsky.social for winning first prize for feature reporting in the national @journalists.org awards for her work on ‘Cold-Blooded,’ a project scrutinizing the decades-old Death Row case against a Jacksonville man.
August 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Big congrats to @jaxtrib.org ’s irreplaceable @nicholemanna.bsky.social for winning first prize for feature reporting in the national @journalists.org awards for her work on ‘Cold-Blooded,’ a project scrutinizing the decades-old Death Row case against a Jacksonville man.
Reposted by The Tributary
New from @jaxtrib.org | All eyes are on the state’s so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but ICE’s detention centers in Florida also have big problems:
Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/27/i...
Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/27/i...
Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells
As Krome Processing Center burst at the seams with new detainees, emergency calls have risen faster than the detainee population.
jaxtrib.org
August 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org | All eyes are on the state’s so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but ICE’s detention centers in Florida also have big problems:
Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/27/i...
Increased medical emergencies at Krome as immigrant detention swells
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/27/i...
. @jaxtrib.org's @nicholemanna.bsky.social is a finalist in feature reporting for her "Cold-Blooded" series. You can read the first story here:
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
August 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
. @jaxtrib.org's @nicholemanna.bsky.social is a finalist in feature reporting for her "Cold-Blooded" series. You can read the first story here:
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
Reposted by The Tributary
New from @jaxtrib.org | Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver’s face, experts say
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver's face, experts say
Experts told The Tributary that Officer Donald Bowers should have reported his hit to the face of William McNeil Jr. after he smashed the car’s window to drag McNeil out of the car.
jaxtrib.org
August 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org | Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver’s face, experts say
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
“The State Attorney’s Office goes through great lengths in their report to sort of justify the officer’s behavior,” one expert told @nicholemanna.bsky.social.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver's face, experts say
Experts told The Tributary that Officer Donald Bowers should have reported his hit to the face of William McNeil Jr. after he smashed the car’s window to drag McNeil out of the car.
jaxtrib.org
August 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
“The State Attorney’s Office goes through great lengths in their report to sort of justify the officer’s behavior,” one expert told @nicholemanna.bsky.social.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...