Good morning, Tallahassee.

The state filed a witness list with nearly 60 names for Donna Adelson’s upcoming murder trial—her children are set to testify along with other prisoners while a motion hearing is scheduled for Friday and the trial begins August 19.

The Florida Supreme Court rejected Michael Bell’s appeal to delay his execution for the 1993 double murders—Bell, 54, is set to be executed next week, marking the eighth execution in Florida this year.

At the Leon County School Board meeting on July 8th, Superintendent Hanna reported that the district faced a $12.5 million budget shortfall because private school voucher funding cuts and a $6.3 million federal freeze reduced available resources, and he aimed to protect classroom funds while considering cuts in administrative offices + other areas. Board members expressed deep concern as they prepared to tackle the challenging deficit and adjust spending to maintain quality education.

North Florida College will offer a new bachelor’s degree program in organizational management this fall to help students get jobs in government, healthcare, and business—the first 20 eligible enrollees may get free tuition for up to 15 credit hours.

Environmental groups filed a lawsuit last month to stop a new immigrant detention center in the Everglades because they say it will harm local wildlife and nature.

The state began running the facility last week— it can house up to 3,000 people, and officials plan to open another center at Camp Blanding.

A group of 100 Florida Christians led by Minister Demetrius Minor delivered a letter to Governor DeSantis asking him to pause the increase in executions—Florida has executed seven inmates with two more planned, and the group says the death penalty is more about power and vengeance than public safety.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that returned $2.1 billion to the state coffers—money originally set aside in 2022 to help insurers with hurricane claims but largely unused—and lawmakers had created the reinsurance programs with $3 billion to back up coverage after storms like Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia. This change allows the state to repurpose funds for other needs.

Today the Tallahassee Police Department honored Officer Ernest Kearns Ponce de Leon who was fatally shot in 1988 while helping on a suspicious call.

The department said the suspects who escaped from the Maryland Department of Corrections were caught & are now in custody.

Tallahassee’s Prostyle Volleyball Academy 17 and under indoor volleyball team finished second at the USA Volleyball 2025 Girls’ Junior National Championship Tournament held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas from June 25 to July 3.

Seeded 16th in the Liberty Division, the team advanced with a 4-1 pool record, beat an Atlanta club 25-22, 23-25, 15-11 in the semi-finals and lost to a Sioux Falls club 25-20, 25-15 in the finals — three players were named to the All-Tournament Team under coach Kaitlin Jahn.

Infinity Con

10:00-11:30 a.m. — Donald L. Tucker Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience Infinity Con live in Tallahassee with exciting activities and guests.

Tally Devs Meetup at Momo's: Show & Tell Tech Tools

6-8 p.m. — Momo's Pizza — BYO$$ — Share your favorite tech tools and hacks in a relaxed setting with fellow enthusiasts.

Angel Ocasio Live at Cash's Juke Joint

7-10 p.m. — The Sound Bar — $12.50 online, $15 at the door — Experience an evening of blues and soul with Cash's Juke Joint in Tallahassee.

Hotboii Summer Finale Concert

10:00-11:30 p.m. — Potbelly’s — Tickets available online — Witness Florida’s own Hotboii electrify the stage in this high-energy concert experience.

Forever Grads 2025 Graduation Party

10 PM – 2 AM — Potbelly's — Free entry for graduates — Celebrate your achievements and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere at the ultimate graduation party.

Back to School: Fuel the Future

10 AM – 1 PM — Florida Blue Center - Tallahassee — Free school supplies — A family-friendly event with fun activities and resources to kickstart an academic year.