WAFC Local News – May 06, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Senator Aaron Graw got legislation that tightens voter identification rules and adds citizenship checks. You’ll have to verify citizenship like passports, birth certificates, or naturalization paperwork to register to vote. The proposal would match voter rolls with driver’s license records and require additional documents for residents without REAL ID compliant ID. Governor Ron DeSantis promised to sign the bill. Raw says that even old student college IDs are legal for verification right now. That is not enough for us to have faith in and believe that that is an accurate representation of who that person is and that it matches the person who registered to vote. Representative Ashley Gantt says that they don’t want us to vote. Today we heard other bills that still invoke and evoke those same repressive thoughts and emotions from Jim Craw. Graw represents Glades County in the state senate. A shooting in Harlem on April 26 resulting in charges 25-year-old Derek Bryant is charged with criminal conspiracy and with firing a missile or a bullet into a vehicle. Henry County fine has found four spent nine millimeter shell casings at the crime scene. There had been some kind of argument and disturbance and Brian is alleged to have fired at a Dodge Challenger which quickly left the area. There were no report of injuries. Henry County commissioners honored Janice Risner for 23 years of service and approved allowing the use of recreational vehicles for six months after hurricanes damaged homes that are unlivable. They can apply for two more six-month permits. The former director of operations for the city of Clewiston entered a no contest play to having an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Jorge Soto was sentenced to four years probation for count of child abuse. The court ordered Soto to undergo a psychological substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment. The original accusation of inappropriate communications with a minor. Clewiston City commissioners tweaked the loan application for 8.775 million for water distribution improvements. The special state revolving fund will not require the loan to be repaid. Vice Mayor Hillary Hyslop and other members expect another tight budget year with the possibility of property tax reform and or elimination. And how we can work better with the county that’s something to consider you know are there services that we offer that you know that the county might be interested in taking off our hands. The Belgrade City Commission learned the American Red Cross wants to improve their presence in Belgrade. They’re seeking volunteers and creating a community action team. City officials were skeptical. Robert Rees doesn’t want local input to be shut out. It was all it’s top down instead of bottom up. They did not want to hear from our local teams or local communities. Tracy Mitchell with the Red Cross requested more local volunteers and that action team. So that together we can ensure Belgrade excuse me isn’t waiting for the help. You will have the help right here in your backyard. Rees says the city gave the Red Cross some land for offices and they went off and sold the property out from under them. Joaquin Almazan would like to rebuild the bridge with the Red Cross. We’re stormed away or a fire away from you know helping our residents out here so we do need to have that conversation and start building something back up and build that trust. I’m Charles Murphy WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).