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

Dems, Advocates Urge More Public Input in Florida Redistricting

Trimmel Gomes Jan 12, 2022

Few members of the public made it to the Florida House of Representatives' State Legislative Redistricting Committee meeting, held ostensibly to solicit public testimony. Photo: Trimmel Gomes TALLAHASSEE, FL - On the Florida…

Health

Abortion Among Big Issues to Watch in Florida 2022 Legislature

Trimmel Gomes Jan 7, 2022

Abortion is expected to be one of the most controversial issues lawmakers will tackle when they start the annual 60-day Florida legislative session on Tues., Jan. 11. Photo credit: Trimmel Gomes. TALLAHASSEE, FL - As the U.S. Supreme…

Business

Backlash for Florida Rule Change on Receiving Mail in Prison

Trimmel Gomes Dec 28, 2021

The new rule, finalized November 29, is being phased in beginning with four state-run facilities -- the Calhoun, Lawtey, Polk and Martin Correctional Institutes - starting January 18. File photo: Sherry Saye, Shutter Stock, licensed. …

Environment

A Christmas Eve Memorial for Florida Manatees

Trimmel Gomes Dec 24, 2021

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating high numbers of manatee deaths along Florida's Atlantic coast. Photo credit ShutterStock.com, licensed. PORT ST. JOHN, FL -…

Business

Rural Florida Cites Need for Better, Cheaper Broadband

Trimmel Gomes Dec 14, 2021

According to the White House, more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that provides minimally acceptable speeds. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - The bipartisan …

Business

More Student-Loan Forgiveness Urged as Repayments Set to Resume

Trimmel Gomes Dec 13, 2021

The Biden administration's approach to student-loan relief so far has been on improving or expanding a handful of programs that already were on the books, even as advocates press for the campaign promise of canceling $10,000 in student…

Business

Florida Health Groups Urge Senate Passage of Build Back Better

Trimmel Gomes Dec 5, 2021

Florida KidCare is the umbrella brand for the four government-sponsored health insurance programs - Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids and the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. …

Environment

Settlement Funds from Oil Spill to Help Restore Florida Oyster Reefs

Trimmel Gomes Nov 21, 2021

Experts estimate the Gulf of Mexico lost between 4 billion and 8 billion oysters due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and loss of reproduction in ensuing years. Places like Suwannee Sound in Florida and other Gulf states are tapping…

Health

Overcoming Politics In New Phase With Childhood COVID Vaccinations

Trimmel Gomes Nov 9, 2021

The Florida House and Senate on Monday rolled out proposals for a special legislative session next week that will focus on opposing COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates File photo: ShutterStock.com, TALLAHASSEE, FL - Health officials…

Business

FL Unions: Pulling Out of OSHA Would Risk Health, Safety of Millions

Trimmel Gomes Nov 1, 2021

Unions representing Florida workers are concerned about calls by Republican leaders to pull Florida out of federal employer safety programs. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Gov. Ron DeSantis' newest battle with…

Health

Senator Calls Florida Surgeon General Unfit for Job

Trimmel Gomes Oct 25, 2021

Florida's Senate president, Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is calling on visitors to the chamber to be respectful, saying while there are no mask mandates, senators and staff can request social distancing and masking within their own…

Local

Will Florida Lawmakers Hold Public Hearings on Redistricting?

Trimmel Gomes Oct 17, 2021

Republicans in charge of Florida's redistricting process say conversations still are ongoing on how to include public participation in the redistricting process despite proposals from Democrats and advocates. File photo: ShutterStock.com,…

Education

Florida Teachers, Volunteers Go Door-to-Door to Get Missing Students Back to Class

Trimmel Gomes Oct 11, 2021

Some 500 volunteers made phone calls and canvassed neighborhoods in Broward County to find truant students. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. TAMARAC, FL -- Teachers and volunteers in Broward County embarked on a unique canvassing…

Business

National Business Women’s Week Highlights Need for Credit Equity

Trimmel Gomes Oct 5, 2021

The third full week in October ushers in National Business Women's Week each year. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. JACKSONVILLE, FL - After discovering the healing powers of eating natural healthy foods, one Jacksonville woman…

Economy

Florida OK’d for More than $1B in P-EBT Funding for Children

Trimmel Gomes Oct 1, 2021

Through P-EBT, eligible schoolchildren receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. File photo: Jeff Bukowski, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- After weeks of pressuring…

Local

Advocates: Florida’s Redistricting Process Needs More “Sunshine”

Trimmel Gomes Sep 19, 2021

Every 10 years, Florida legislators redraw political divisions or boundaries for state legislative and congressional districts. TALLAHASSEE, FL -- After census delays, Florida lawmakers kick off the complex, once-a-decade process of…

Local

Bill to Ban Critical Race Theory Sparks Call for African American History

Trimmel Gomes Sep 16, 2021

Republican lawmakers across the country have proposed legislation to limit or forbid the teaching of such concepts as racial equity and white privilege. Photo credit: Kelly Lacy/Pexels. TALLAHASSEE, FL - State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm…

Local

“Help a Brother Out” – Florida Groups Rally to Resettle Afghan Refugees

Trimmel Gomes Sep 2, 2021

The State Department named Jacksonville among the top 19 "welcoming cities" for refugees, but organizations in other parts of the state also are gearing up to help with resettlement. File photo: PradeepGaurs, Shutterstock.com, licensed. …

Environment

Piney Point Pollution Could Overflow with Storms, Hurricanes

Trimmel Gomes Aug 17, 2021

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking an emergency court hearing to transfer control of the troubled former phosphate processing plant at Piney Point from its owners to avoid another environmental disaster. …

Education

GoFundMe, Federal Aid Offered to School Officials in Masking Disputes

Trimmel Gomes Aug 11, 2021

This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to dock the salaries of district superintendents and county school board members who mandate mask wearing in schools. File photo: ShutterStock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - As the DeSantis…

Business

FL Dems: DeSantis Should Focus on COVID, Not Ben & Jerry’s

Trimmel Gomes Aug 4, 2021

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop on 940 Elm Street at Stark Street in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire on Aug. 29, 2019. File photo: Wangkun Jia, Shutterstock.com, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Gov. Ron DeSantis is promising to block…

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…

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