Good morning, Tallahassee.

Big Bend bands will perform at 4:30 p.m. on Oct 25 at Gene Cox Stadium as part of the MPA event while Leon High School Marching Redcoats will take the stage (7:50 p.m.) before the FSU Marching Chiefs follow.

Residents in the Big Bend region will get free legal help at a community clinic hosted by the 2nd Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee scheduled for Saturday, Oct.

25 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at R. Frank Nims Middle School at 723 W. Orange Ave. + More than a dozen legal partners will offer consultations on civil legal matters.

FSU held its third Discovery Challenge Tuesday at the Augustus B.

Turnbull III Conference Center where five startup companies pitched new ideas and won a total of $85,000 in funding. Joshua Degraff’s Feel With Me Tech won the top prize and an audience award while Rich Meeker’s Nhu Energy took second—pitches also focused on smart sensors, faster wound healing, food safety, and preventing early births.

Today, Gladys Knight will sing at the Adderley Amphitheater at 7 p.m. — locals will also enjoy family events on Oct.

24 to Oct. 26, including the Symphony Spooktacular at Cascades Park, Greek Food Festival, Homecoming Live with Mariah the Scientist at the Tucker Civic Center and Nutcracker on Tap at Amicus Brewing.

FSU’s White Mouse Productions presents a Rocky Horror shadow cast today at 8 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center Planetarium—tickets cost $25 with pre-show activities starting at 7:15 p.m., and the performance invites lively audience participation in this cult classic event.

The John G. Riley House and Museum was named a Featured Destination on the Great Florida Road Trip as part of America250 — a celebration of our nation's founding — and received $30,000 for a new historical panel for a 2026 exhibit on African American veterans.

The Florida Citrus Commission approved a $23.4 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to help the citrus industry recover from a record low harvest last season.

The plan maintains unchanged box tax rates and awaits the federal forecast—while it also funds marketing efforts that could see a partnership with MLB teams during spring training 2026.

A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research said test scores and student behavior improved in Florida schools during the two years after cell phone bans began in 2023.

Governor DeSantis supported the law and its July enforcement that banned phones for elementary and middle students, which cut suspensions that had spiked initially—especially among Black students.

The Lincoln High Trojan Marching Band earned the highest score out of 17 bands at Battle on the Border on Oct.

18 with their field production called Colosseum—inspired by ancient Rome. They also won Best in Class awards for color guard, percussion, band and drum major and will perform next at the Music Performance Assessment at Gene Cox Stadium on Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

FSU is hosting Homecoming 2025 from today through November 2 with events that include Homecoming Live featuring Maria the Scientist, a parade, alumni awards and a football game against Wake Forest on November 1 that also serves as the Seminole Heritage game—uniting the university community through tradition and achievement.

More than 3,000 ninth graders visited Tallahassee State College on Thursday to explore career options in construction and aircraft mechanics at the World of Work Expo — adult job seekers joined when the expo opened to the public later.

The event continues today with additional activities for students.

Florida State University and the University of Florida will receive a $43 million grant from the National Institutes of Health — the funds will support new research — as federal support is set to boost ongoing biomedical projects.

Tropical Storm Melissa was less than 900 miles from Florida on Oct.

23 and is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 4 storm that may affect the state by mid-next week—residents should stay alert and follow updated forecasts.

Springfield Apartments in Northwest Tallahassee will be torn down and rebuilt to add more than 300 affordable housing units—residents will get moving vouchers and first chance to return to their rebuilt homes.

The housing authority will begin demolition in spring next year pending HUD approval—further relocation details will be shared soon.

FSU baseball started its fall slate with two exhibition games against Mississippi State in Pensacola on Oct.

18—splitting the series with a 4-1 loss and a 5-2 win. Coach Link Jarrett said the team built momentum and the Seminoles will face UAB on Oct. 25 ahead of the Garnet and Gold All-Star Game on Oct. 31.

Mariah The Scientist Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Donald L. Tucker Civic Center — Last-minute concert tickets available — Experience the unique sound of Mariah The Scientist live in Tallahassee.

Costume Fun Run

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Fleet Feet Tallahassee — Free entry — Enjoy a festive evening of running and a costume contest with seasonal food and drinks.

Little Dinner Series: Willie Nelson Celebration

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Dedman College of Hospitality — Cost upon inquiry — Enjoy a themed dinner featuring a cocktail reception and four-course meal inspired by Willie Nelson.

Aaron Watson III: PhoFunk Performance

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. — Fire Betty's — Tickets available — Experience the sonic storytelling of saxophonist Aaron Watson III and his band Pharaohs Of Funk.

Steve Sternberg Piano Performance

1:30-5:30 p.m. — Westminster Oaks — Tickets available — Experience the engaging and heartfelt piano music of local artist Steve Sternberg.

27th Annual Oktoberfest

2-6 p.m. — AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol — $50 General Admission; $100 VIP; $25 DD/Child — Celebrate the season with craft beer tastings, music, and games while supporting local seniors.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Systems Administration Training I

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Next Step Healthcare Training LLC. — $2250 — Gain essential Linux skills through comprehensive lab exercises and expert lectures.

Choral Festival Featuring Andrea Ramsey

6 p.m. — Ruby Diamond Concert Hall — Free admission — Celebrate the treble voice with Levana and talented singers from Leon County Schools.

John Williams Cinematic Celebration

7:30-9 p.m. — Cascades Park — $32-$51 — Experience the magic of John Williams' film scores live with food trucks and costumes under the stars.

Bikers on Parade 2025

7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Tallahassee Harley-Davidson — Donations appreciated — Celebrate and support veterans and first responders during this patriotic bike ride.