Rebecca McCandless 9/20/23 Rebecca McCandless 9/20/23

Florida’s natural springs are overflowing with social media-driven tourists

Silver Springs State Park is a beautiful spot to escape into Florida’s wilderness. Skip the crowds and the World Famous Glass Bottom Boats to paddle downstream into Wild Florida. A manatee huffs to the right, munching on water lettuce and blooming water hyacinth. On shore, an alligator basks in the sun.

Destany Lewis 8/6/23 Destany Lewis 8/6/23

Caught on Camera: Whale shark surfaces off the coast of North Florida

The rare sighting was shared widely on social media.

Annamarie Simoldoni 7/14/23 Annamarie Simoldoni 7/14/23

Commentary: Florida’s Sea Turtles and Our Changing Tides

A combination of childhood fondness for the ocean and sheer proximity sparked marine biologist Cheryl Zaricki’s passion for sea turtles. Now semi-retired, she leads study-abroad courses in Panama and Costa Rica for students studying marine biology.

Annamarie Simoldoni 6/19/23 Annamarie Simoldoni 6/19/23

Amy Brady Uncovers America’s Icy Obsessions

“It’s a history of innovation, and how quickly humans can make changes if we just become obsessed with something enough.”

Annamarie Simoldoni 12/12/22 Annamarie Simoldoni 12/12/22

A Climate in Crisis: Conversation with Jeff VanderMeer about Florida's resilience

With its miles of stark white beaches and enchanting rural swamplands, Florida is a home, a biodiverse wonderland, a playground for travelers, a retreat for the retired. Often – in the minds of many developers – a nuisance to be built over for profit.

Annamarie Simoldoni 11/3/22 Annamarie Simoldoni 11/3/22

In ongoing battle over books, two moms become word warriors to protect Florida students

Rebecca McCandless 8/2/21 Rebecca McCandless 8/2/21

The last day: Revisiting Leon County Schools students

Sadie Beshara, a student at Kate Sullivan Elementary School, attended her whole first grade via computer screen.

Aurelie Jean-Baptiste 7/26/21 Aurelie Jean-Baptiste 7/26/21

The future of one after school program looks uncertain because of COVID-19

After-school programs such as Nims’ STEM OUT are trying to find new life after the pandemic.

Ellis Leibeskind-Blaufarb 6/19/21 Ellis Leibeskind-Blaufarb 6/19/21

Maya’s Book Nook: 5-year-old and her mom run a website dedicated to diverse books for kids

Changing the way we approach children’s books, Florida State University professor Lakeisha Johnson and her five-year-old daughter Maya developed their own website to promote books by Black, Hispanic and an array of diverse authors.

Faith Matson 3/17/21 Faith Matson 3/17/21

Leon Schools students say it's time to end 'period poverty' with free pads, tampons

“Menstruation matters and it shouldn’t be taboo," a Rickards High School student said.

Ariyon Dailey 3/7/21 Ariyon Dailey 3/7/21

Black History Month retrospective: Leon Schools students weigh in, share curriculum hopes for future

"To me, Black History Month is a month to celebrate," one student said.

Ellis Leibeskind-Blaufarb 2/8/21 Ellis Leibeskind-Blaufarb 2/8/21

'The kids deserve my best': How one teacher inspires art at Nims Middle School during a pandemic

For R. Frank Nims Middle School chorus teacher Andrew Thompson, this year has been challenging in more ways than one.

Ariyon Dailey 2/6/21 Ariyon Dailey 2/6/21

Nims Middle School unveils pre-law magnet program for Leon County middle schoolers

R. Frank Nims Middle School now has a program for students who aspire to become lawyers, judges, legal writers, forensic scientists and more.

Rachel Biangel 9/10/20 Rachel Biangel 9/10/20

'I could see the hope': Leon County Schools ranks 3rd in Florida for number of Black principals

An educator's gift is the ability to inspire. For the 16 Black men and women who serve as principals in Leon County public schools, that influence becomes an even greater charge.

Maria Hiers 7/5/20 Maria Hiers 7/5/20

Local high school students create after-school STEM program at Nims Middle School

For Nims Middle School students, STEM Out is diversifying the future.

Rachel Biangel 6/24/20 Rachel Biangel 6/24/20

International Rescue Committee volunteer continues despite coronavirus pandemic

When teenage Ugandan brothers Eric Bizimana and Emmanuel Shimiriyimana saw an alligator swimming in the water at the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens, the siblings could not believe that the land was open to the public.

Rachel Biangel 6/24/20 Rachel Biangel 6/24/20

Refugee rescue group works with families amid pandemic, explains protests

Though the Tallahassee chapter of the International Rescue Committee has had to halt in-person operations during the coronavirus pandemic, the organization’s work with local refugee families continues.