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.

Business

Report: Power Companies Block Rooftop Solar Growth in FL, US

Trimmel Gomes Jul 30, 2021

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) decided not to act to change the state's net-metering rule at its Sept. 17, 2020, workshop on Customer-Owned Renewable Generation. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - A…

Health

Beyond Olympics, USA Wheelchair Football Inspires Adaptive Athletes

Trimmel Gomes Jul 23, 2021

Founded just before the pandemic, the USA Wheelchair Football League is the first football league of its kind, for adults living with disabilities. Photo credit: Move United TAMPA, FL - Move United's USA Wheelchair Football…

Education

A Call to Build Black Women’s Futures by Canceling $50K in Student Debt

Trimmel Gomes Jul 16, 2021

According to the U.S. Census, on average, Black women were paid 63% of what non-Hispanic white men were paid in 2019. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - With Black women carrying more student loan debt than any…

Crime

Advocates See DeSantis Veto of Juvenile Records Bill as Missed Opportunity

Trimmel Gomes Jul 9, 2021

According to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, more than 45,000 juveniles were arrested in the state from 2019 to 2020. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Republicans and Democrats alike are stunned by…

Economy

Report: Apalachicola, Other Estuarine Reserves Help Power Local Economies

Trimmel Gomes Jun 28, 2021

On Florida's northwestern Gulf coast, the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve supports 65 jobs and generates $46.4 million, including $15.1 million in labor income. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. APALACHICOLA, FL…

Health

Report Suggests Florida Gains in Child Well-Being Could be Temporary

Trimmel Gomes Jun 21, 2021

Nearly one in four adults living in households with children said they felt "down, depressed or hopeless," according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - An…

Business

Petition Urges Florida Governor to Keep “Vital” Unemployment Benefits

Trimmel Gomes Jun 14, 2021

A growing number of Republican-led states have withdrawn from the federal program, claiming it will be an incentive to get people back to work. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Laid-off workers are appealing to Gov. Ron DeSantis to reverse plans to…

Environment

Researchers Study Links Between Prey Fish, Predators and Algal Blooms

Trimmel Gomes Jun 10, 2021

Dakota Lewis, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and a 2020 fellow in the Forage Fish Research Program, has studied algal blooms and fish kills in the Indian River Lagoon, which stretches along 40% of Florida's…

Environment

As Toxic Algae, Other Issues Bloom, FL Environmental Secretary Resigns

Trimmel Gomes Jun 4, 2021

Florida's Blue-Green Algae Task Force outlined in 2019, "Increased delivery of nutrients to Florida's water bodies is widely recognized as the primary driver of algal proliferation and subsequent degradation of aquatic…

Health

Report Highlights Challenges to Health of Older Americans

Trimmel Gomes May 25, 2021

The data showed seniors in Florida saw a 28% increase in frequent physical distress in the three years before the pandemic. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Even before the pandemic, seniors were experiencing…

Business

Lawsuit Launched Over Piney Point Wastewater Leak

Trimmel Gomes May 21, 2021

The FDEP, HRK Holdings, and the Manatee County Port Authority have all been named in the Notice of Intent to Sue, after April's leak of a phosphogypsum stack, releasing about 215 million gallons of wastewater into Tampa Bay and prompting…

Business

Laid-Off Florida Workers Left to Make Do as Businesses Get Relief

Trimmel Gomes May 10, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis says his executive order waiving the work-search requirement for those getting unemployment benefits will likely end May 29. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Laid-off workers who had to fight…

Local

Florida Sees Growing Need for Foster Families, Training

Trimmel Gomes May 7, 2021

In Florida, prospective foster parents work with local community organizations to complete the licensing process to become a foster parent. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - May is National Foster Care Month,…

Local

Florida Republicans Ban Transgender Athletes, Send Bill to Governor

Trimmel Gomes Apr 29, 2021

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that would block transgender children from playing on sports teams that don't align with their gender at birth. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Last-minute maneuvering…

Education

Misinformation About COVID-19 Shot Spreads Inside Florida Prisons

Trimmel Gomes Apr 23, 2021

Florida's Department of Corrections Secretary issued a recent statement, with a personal appeal to staff and anyone incarcerated to get the shot. But families and advocacy groups say good information is hard to come by from the inside, so…

Local

Civil-Rights Leaders Denounce Passage of Florida’s “Anti-Riot” Bill

Trimmel Gomes Apr 16, 2021

Protesters in Coral Springs, Florida. June 02, 2020 Photo credit YES Market Media via ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Despite emotional testimony from Democrats and civil-rights groups, Florida's Republican lawmakers…

Environment

Tampa Bay Braces for Red Tide Outbreak After Toxic Wastewater Leak

Trimmel Gomes Apr 9, 2021

The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection is partnering with Tampa Bay area governments and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to monitor water quality at locations affected by the Piney Point breach. File photo: Kristi Blokhin,…

Local

Despite Smooth Elections, Florida Bill Adds Restrictions to Vote-By-Mail

Trimmel Gomes Apr 2, 2021

Current Florida law prohibits offering voters assistance within 100 feet of polling locations. HB 7041 would expand that zone to 150 feet and prohibits giving "any item" to voters. Photo credit: Florida Capitol, Trimmel Gomes. …

Local

Opponents Call FL Bill Targeting Transgender Athletes Dangerous, Discriminatory

Trimmel Gomes Mar 25, 2021

The bills moving through Florida's Legislature appear to be on fast-track, with talk from insiders that the Senate version by Sen. Kelli Stargel - R-Lakeland - might skip one of its three committee stops. Photo credit: DCStockPhotography /…

Finance

Florida Misses Out on Medicaid Funding in COVID-19 Relief Package

Trimmel Gomes Mar 14, 2021

Florida continues to resist calls and significant financial incentives to expand Medicaid eligibility for nearly all poor adults and children in the state. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- The pressure is on…

Environment

Southern Communities Rally for Inclusion in Green New Deal

Trimmel Gomes Mar 12, 2021

One of the goals of the Green New Deal is to meet "100% of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources." Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Leaders of Southern…

Local

‘Anti-Riot’ Bill May Be Dead on Arrival in Florida Senate, Advances in House

Trimmel Gomes Mar 5, 2021

Triggered by the mostly peaceful protests after the police killing of George Floyd, sponsor Rep. Danny Burgess - R-Zephyrhills - said House Bill 1 would protect against agitators who destroy properties during public disorder. Editorial…

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…

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