FDC Announces Hiring Bonuses At 15 Correctional Institutions

(Tallahassee, FL) -- The state is trying to entice more people to join the Department of Corrections. The FDC announced yesterday it's offering a 5-thousand dollar hiring bonus at 15 correctional institutions across the state -- the Santa Rosa Correction Institution in Milton is not included. The Milton facility does have a $1-thousand dollar hiring bonus. The starting pay for correctional officers is 22 dollars an hour. You can find out more at FDC.MyFlorida.com.

House Lawmakers Approve Bill To Lower Age For Buying Long Guns

(Tallahassee, FL) -- A bill to change Florida's gun laws is moving forward in Tallahassee. A House committee voted yesterday to lower the minimum age for buying a long gun from 21 to 18. This would reverse a law passed after a deadly school shooting in Broward County seven years ago. The measure will go before the full house when the next session begins.

Mayor Says Food Not Bombs Must Obtain Permit After Advocate’s Arrest at MLK Plaza

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves is addressing last week’s arrest of Food Not Bombs organizer and homeless advocate Michael Kimberl, saying the long-running feeding events at MLK Jr. Plaza will now require a formal city permit.

Kimberl was detained Friday night after police found the group in the park after hours. According to Pensacola Police, the responding officer initially intended only to issue a warning and advise the group that they needed a permit to continue operating at the plaza. Police say the situation escalated when Kimberl refused to identify himself, leading to his arrest.

Reeves said the feedings had operated for 14 years under an informal “handshake agreement,” but he now wants clear rules in place for both the city and the organization. He added that he could not comment on whether the charges against Kimberl would be dropped, saying that decision rests with police and the State Attorney’s Office.

The mayor also said he reviewed the body-camera footage and believes the officer acted professionally, while noting he does not believe Kimberl intended any harm.

To ensure the weekly feedings can continue, Pensacola Police have offered the use of their parking lot until the group secures the required permit to return to the plaza.