Raw Story reporter Jordan Green wrote about the four Pensacola white teenagers who last summer were collectively charged with 18 felonies involving attacks on two synagogues, a mosque, Masonic Lodge and the Chabad Jewish Center. He found a connection between the boys and the 2119 Blood and Soil Crew, a nationwide network of teenage Nazis.
- I interviewed Green on WCOA’s “Real News with Rick Outzen” – podcast.
American Magic Lease
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves released the lease agreement for American Magic, which the council approved on Thursday. He will host a signing ceremony on Monday, Feb. 26, with Skipper Terry Hutchinson.
Kindergarten Readiness Improves
The Florida Department of Education released the Kindergarten Readiness scores for this past fall. Escambia County increased by 4.5%, with 49.5% of the incoming kindergarten students ready for school, up from 45.1% in the fall of 2022.
Debunking DeSantis on Book Bans
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to debunk what he called the “false narrative that the state of Florida bans books,” but he also asked state lawmakers to help curb the number of books being removed from school libraries and classrooms.
- I interviewed PEN America Florida director Katie Blankenship, who debunked DeSantis’ debunking. Listen to the podcast.
Malcolm Yonge Sage Continues
The fight to preserve the Malcolm Yonge Gym continued. Here are my posts – from oldest to most current: