Author

Trimmel Gomes

With more than 11 years as a radio and television newsman, Trimmel Gomes has traveled the world searching and covering stories while working for major news outlets like NPR, PBS and ABC. He is a regular contributor for the ABC affiliate in Florida's capital city appearing across various programming to break down the latest in politics from Florida, Georgia and Washington.

Local

Conservationists Warn of Power Grab in Florida’s Energy Policy

Trimmel Gomes Feb 26, 2021

A FPL Florida Power and Light solar tree at Young Circle Arts Park in Hollywood Florida. August 8, 2020. Editorial credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - While Florida's electrical grid is more…

Health

Officials Call on DeSantis to Apologize Over Vaccine Threats

Trimmel Gomes Feb 19, 2021

Reporters raised concerns by some Manatee County officials that the new vaccine pop-up site in an upscale development was not in an area of most need. File photo: Juno Beach, Florida, June 30, 2020 Editorial credit: YES Market Media /…

Health

Reproductive-Rights Advocates Oppose 20-Week Abortion Ban

Trimmel Gomes Feb 7, 2021

Hadleigh Tweedall of Tennessee lost her daughter at 18 and a half weeks due to fetal anomalies. A similar law forced her to go out of state to get an abortion after her doctors warned her of the risks of carrying to term. File photo,…

Local

Florida Adds Statewide Protections for LGBTQ Individuals

Trimmel Gomes Feb 5, 2021

Supporters of Joe Biden and LGBTQ rights celebrated his victory over Donald Trump in the presidential election with thousands of other people out in the streets. Washington, D.C., November 7, 2020. Editorial credit: Allison C Bailey /…

Education

Workers: Florida “Union Busting” Bill Hurts Those on Front Lines

Trimmel Gomes Jan 29, 2021

During the 2020 session, the Florida House passed a bill requiring public-sector workers to tell their employer proactively that they want to stay in a union, but it didn't advance in the Senate. Photo credit ShutterStock.com,…

Health

Black Floridians Getting COVID Vaccinations at Lower Rates

Trimmel Gomes Jan 22, 2021

Black Americans are receiving COVID vaccinations at dramatically lower rates than whites, according to Kaiser Health News. And Florida's vaccine-tracking website shows 58,540 Black people have received at least one dose, compared to almost…

Business

Group Works to Research Internship Pay and Inequities

Trimmel Gomes Jan 15, 2021

Lumina Foundation created its Racial Justice and Equity Fund in 2017 following the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, to advance social justice initiatives, primarily focused on race relations on college campuses. Photo credit…

Business

Conservationists Decry Trump’s Rollback of Migratory-Bird Protections

Trimmel Gomes Jan 8, 2021

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act includes protection of birds such as the endangered Florida scrub jay. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Conservation groups are expressing outrage over the Trump administration's…

Health

Experts Urge Prioritizing Florida Prisons for COVID-19 Vaccination

Trimmel Gomes Dec 30, 2020

Dade County Men's Correctional Facility, Florida. File photo, credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Health advocacy groups say Florida's recommendations on COVID vaccine priority should include people in prison as well as…

Crime

Fired Florida Data Manager Files Lawsuit Over Raid on Home

Trimmel Gomes Dec 22, 2020

A police officer wields a gun and calls for Rebekah Jones' husband to come downstairs. Photo credit: Rebekah Jones/Twitter. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Former state data analyst Rebekah Jones is fighting back against the administration of Gov.…

Health

Pandemic Intensifies Food, Housing Struggles for Florida Families

Trimmel Gomes Dec 14, 2020

A new report shows a higher percentage of Florida families are struggling during the COVID crisis than families nationally. Photo credit: Javi Indy / Shutterstock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- New data reveals what many policy…

Education

Study: Latinos in Florida Face Growing ‘Completion Gap’ to Earning Degree

Trimmel Gomes Dec 8, 2020

A report from Unidos U.S. and the University of North Carolina finds an aversion to debt is the main reason for the completion gap between Latinos and students of other ethnic groups. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. …

Business

Group Urges Creation of Florida Legislative Committee on Climate Change

Trimmel Gomes Dec 3, 2020

Sea-level rise has been the main focus of Florida policymakers when it comes to climate change, but environmental groups are calling for a deeper analysis of wide-ranging impacts. File photo, Tampa, Florida, September 20, 2019,…

Local

Despite Confusion, Thousands of Former Florida Felons Voted Successfully

Trimmel Gomes Nov 25, 2020

Some local elections officials, including in Broward County, said they had to rely on an "honor system" that anyone restored to vote was eligible. Despite the confusion, Neil Volz - deputy director of the Florida Rights Restoration…

Environment

Living Shorelines: Natural Defense to Storms

Trimmel Gomes Nov 23, 2020

Hurricane Sally was expected to strike Alabama and Mississippi. Instead, it made a slow crawl over land in Florida's Panhandle with 105-mile-per-hour winds, ripping roofs, snapping trees, and leaving thousands without power. Photo credit…

Health

Unbiased Help to Navigate Obamacare Open Enrollment

Trimmel Gomes Nov 13, 2020

Navigator Natalie M. and consumer Omar Luna at Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center review Luna's health-insurance options. Photo credit: Epilepsy Florida. MIAMI, FL - Open enrollment for Obamacare is in full swing in Florida, even as…

Business

Florida Invests in Short-Term Workforce Programs

Trimmel Gomes Nov 6, 2020

Florida colleges and technical schools can access grants from CARES Act funds ranging from about $100,000 to $2 million to boost technical certification programs. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - The state of…

Environment

Florida Health Care Workers Urge Action on Climate Change

Trimmel Gomes Oct 29, 2020

Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida's first statewide resilience officer to address climate change but soon after, that person left for a job in the Trump administration. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL --…

Environment

New Protections for Deep-Sea Coral Hotspots in Gulf

Trimmel Gomes Oct 21, 2020

An octocoral (Metallogorgia sp.) and a commensal brittle star (Ophiocreas sp.) photographed at about 6,000 feet deep during a 2017 NOAA research cruise along the northern West Florida Escarpment in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo: noaa.gov. …

Environment

Pressure Mounts for Climate Question During Presidential Debates

Trimmel Gomes Sep 27, 2020

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study examined every storm from 1980 to 2018 and found that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, along with changes in other human pollution, has changed how often they form…

Health

New Tools for End-of-Life Decisions for People Battling Dementia

Trimmel Gomes Sep 20, 2020

Statistics show Florida has the fourth-highest rate of Alzheimer's disease in the country. Doctors are trained to save lives at all costs, but a 2018 poll about dementia found 80% of Americans think it's wrong to force someone to live for…

Environment

A Goal to Rebuild the Economy with Clean Energy

Trimmel Gomes Sep 13, 2020

The Trump administration announcement to expand a ban on oil drilling off Florida's coast was met with praise and surprise by oil-drilling opponents, considering the administration's previous efforts to expand drilling. Photo credit…

Business

Florida Labor Day Celebrations Transformed into Day of Service

Trimmel Gomes Sep 3, 2020

Union groups are holding caravans and "day of action" events across the state to bring attention to the needs of working families. Photo credit: Space Coast AFL-CIO. TALLAHASSEE, FL - This Labor Day, Florida labor groups are holding…

Economy

Hunger Persists for Florida Families Under Stalled Stimulus Package

Trimmel Gomes Aug 16, 2020

Census data show about half of Florida's households include someone who lost income through the pandemic. here are urgent calls for legislators to act quickly to ensure all Florida families can meet their basic needs during and after the…

Business

Bipartisan Bill Could Mean $25 Billion Stimulus to Postal Service

Trimmel Gomes Aug 10, 2020

The Postal Service is requesting $10 billion to cover operating losses as well as regulatory changes. United States Postal Service collection and delivery van on a residential complex in Summerfield Florida USA. Editorial credit: Peter…

Crime

Florida’s Prison System Under Siege by Coronavirus

Trimmel Gomes Aug 7, 2020

Prisoners at Dade County Correctional Facility, Florida. Date unknown. Photo credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - The novel coronavirus death toll in Florida's prison system reached 60 yesterday, as a…

Local

Jacksonville Locals Praise Trump’s Convention Cancellation

Trimmel Gomes Jul 26, 2020

With the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville canceled, a dramatically scaled-down number of GOP delegates will attend a meeting in Charlotte, N.C., to nominate Donald Trump. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. JACKSONVILLE,…

Health

Protester at DeSantis Briefing: ‘We Need to Hold These Folks Accountable’

Trimmel Gomes Jul 20, 2020

During a news briefing, DeSantis asked the public to wear face masks and practice social distancing. But he stopped short of a statewide mandate as he continues to downplay impact of the virus. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. …

Environment

House Moves Forward on Plan to Bring Coastal Restoration Jobs to Florida

Trimmel Gomes Jul 12, 2020

Coastal-restoration jobs could help Florida communities hit hard by losses in the fishing and tourism industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Conservation groups are looking at the…

Education

Teachers Union: Unfunded Mandate to Reopen is Unsafe

Trimmel Gomes Jul 10, 2020

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced K-12 schools will continue with distance learning for the rest of the school year due to COVID-19. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran…

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