News Summary
Tallahassee city commissioners narrowly voted against ending the city’s 287(g) agreement with ICE, despite community opposition. Meanwhile, community leaders express concerns regarding the ongoing merger between Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Florida State University, with Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr. shifting to support the merger under specific conditions. The public awaits a resolution as the merger could significantly impact local health programs. In related news, over 30 individuals were arrested due to gambling schemes, while national economic indicators show a rise in home sales and stock market improvements.
Tallahassee city commissioners voted 3-2 against ending the city’s 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite community concerns surrounding the issue. This decision comes in the wake of a recent judge’s ruling in South Miami that dismissed a challenge related to state law and these agreements. The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE in enforcing immigration laws.
In related news, the controversial merger between Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) and Florida State University (FSU) is under review by the commissioners ahead of a public hearing scheduled for today. The Tallahassee Greek Food Festival, featuring traditional Greek cuisine, begins today at the Greek Orthodox Church located at 1645 Phillips Road, offering free admission for attendees.
Governor Ron DeSantis has recently dismissed seven proposed constitutional amendments from Republican members of the Florida House that were intended for the 2026 ballot and focused on property tax reform. This decision is part of ongoing discussions and evaluations regarding tax policies in the state.
In other national news, over 30 individuals, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in connection with multimillion-dollar gambling schemes. Meanwhile, in economic news, existing US home sales saw a 1.5% month-over-month increase in September, reaching a seven-month high, alongside a median home price rise of 2.1% to $415,200. US stock markets also gained traction, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.6%, the Dow up 0.3%, and the Nasdaq increasing by 0.9% as traders await delayed inflation reports for September.
Returning to the TMH-FSU merger, Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr. of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has shifted his stance from opposition to support regarding the merger. His new position is based on guarantees that Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Tallahassee State College (TSC) will have decision-making seats in the new governance structure that will be created once the merger is finalized.
City officials are currently negotiating a deal to transfer TMH’s assets to FSU. Should the merger proceed, a new hospital would be established and governed by a 17-member board, with TMH holding a voting majority. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has already been established to facilitate the merger process but questions remain about how FAMU and TSC will be represented in the governance of the new entity.
Concerns have also been expressed by the Tallahassee NAACP, which opposes the proposed transfer of TMH to FSU, citing historical injustices and issues regarding control and access for FAMU’s health programs. City commissioners need to balance these concerns while reviewing the merger proposal. Rev. Holmes has emphasized the urgent need for the city commission to approve the merger to prevent potential political complications in the future.
While Rev. Holmes has expressed optimism about the merger’s potential, fears about local control and the future of FAMU’s health programs under FSU’s administration persist within the community. As the public hearing unfolds today, many stakeholders eagerly await a resolution to this contentious issue, with the overall health care future of the region hanging in the balance.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Rev. R.B. Holmes and NAACP’s Stance on TMH-FSU Sale
- Insight News: FSU-TMH Merger Must Include Equitable Seats for FAMU
- Tallahassee.com: FSU-TMH Deal Overview
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Summary
- Google Search: Tallahassee Memorial Hospital FSU Merger
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
