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.

Environment

How Salt Marshes Are Preserving Life Along Florida Coast

Trimmel Gomes Jun 23, 2023

The South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative has released a new plan to preserve 1 million acres of salt marshes from North Carolina to east-central Florida, an area nearly the size of the Grand Canyon. Photo credit ShutterStock.com,…

Education

Report: Child Care Costs Push Florida Parents to Breaking Point

Trimmel Gomes Jun 14, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, FL - New data ranks Florida 31st in the country for overall child well-being, however, it showed parents are tapped out on child care costs. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 Kids Count Data Book shows Florida made…

Environment

Florida Research Highlights Importance of Fish Communities, Environment

Trimmel Gomes Jun 8, 2023

Since 2016, the Forage Fish Research program, a public-private partnership between the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, leading academics, and Florida Forage Fish Coalition, has provided these fellowships to grad students at Florida…

Local

Florida Faces Lawsuits Over Sweeping New Elections Law

Trimmel Gomes May 30, 2023

Groups like the League of Women Voters and other plaintiffs are suing claiming the law is unconstitutional and violates the First and 14th amendments. File photo: Westock Productions, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - The…

Business

Highs, Lows for Florida Seniors in Health Rankings Report

Trimmel Gomes May 26, 2023

Brevard County Heath Department works to protect, promote and improve health of life for all who live, work and play in Brevard County. File photo: Thomas Kelley, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - May is Older Americans Month,…

Business

Some New College of Florida Students Feel ‘Trapped’ in ‘Hostile Takeover’

Trimmel Gomes May 19, 2023

Following what's described as a "hostile takeover" by right-wing conservatives, at the progressive New College of Florida, students and prospective graduates are protesting daily. File photo: Kostiantyn Voitenko, Shutter Stock, licensed. …

Legal

New Campaign for Florida Voters to Decide on Abortion Protections

Trimmel Gomes May 11, 2023

A woman holds a "Aborton is Health Care." sign at the ‘Bans Off Our Bodies’ protests defending abortion rights in Tampa, Florida - May 14, 2022. File photo: Fitzcrittle, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Arguing politicians…

Education

Florida Lawmakers Add $2 Million to Budget for Oral Health, Education

Trimmel Gomes May 5, 2023

According to State of Florida Oral Health data, about 25.1% of third-grade children had untreated decay and 40.5% had dental sealants during 2016-2017. File photo: Africa Studio, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida…

Environment

Bipartisan Bill Could Help Save 600+ FL Wildlife Species

Trimmel Gomes Apr 17, 2023

In Florida, the gopher tortoise, Florida panther and nesting shorebirds would be among the species to benefit. File photo: Jo Crebbin, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Conservation groups in Florida and around the country…

Environment

Grassroots Effort Protects Gulf of Mexico’s Largest Seagrass Bed

Trimmel Gomes Apr 11, 2023

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has approved a plan to protect the 700 square miles of coastal habitat along Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. Image credit: Florida Department of Environmental ProtectionOffice of…

Business

Lawmakers Consider Plan to Expand Mobile Dental Units

Trimmel Gomes Apr 3, 2023

The bills would allow all of what's known as "Health Access Settings" or state programs or institutions, and accredited dental hygiene programs to be able to be able to contract with mobile dental units. File photo: Africa Studio, Shutter…

Education

Parents Fight FL Education Policies with #NotFoolingUs Rally

Trimmel Gomes Mar 31, 2023

The #NotFoolingUs rally is to kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday outside the Stephen P. Clark Government Center in Miami. File photo: LStockStudio, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL – Some students, parents and educators plan to…

Politics

Survivors Call for Monument in Honor of Fallen Heroes

Trimmel Gomes Mar 30, 2023

Congress is moving forward with plans to build the monument to honor the 3,600 Americans who have earned the nation's highest award for valor in combat. File photo: Robert Sarnowski, Shutter Stock, licensed. WASHINGTON D.C. - Robert…

Business

Report: Chain ‘Dollar Stores’ Harmful Communities

Trimmel Gomes Mar 22, 2023

The report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance claimed Dollar General and Dollar Tree -- which owns Family Dollar -- choose disenfranchised areas, and Black and Latino neighborhoods in or near urban centers, to set up shop. File…

Business

Could Legislation Targeting Public-Sector Unions Threaten Academic Freedom?

Trimmel Gomes Mar 13, 2023

The Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees Bill would change how union dues and fees are collected for some public employees in Florida. File photo: Burlingham, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE FL - Union leaders and…

‘Scary Times,’ As Florida Republicans Propose 6-Week Abortion Ban

Trimmel Gomes Mar 8, 2023

The legislation offers exemptions for victims of rape and incest, if they can provide official proof of the crime. File photo: Fizkes, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - On the opening day of Florida's legislative session,…

Local

Floridians Want Lawmakers to End Culture Wars, Focus On ‘People’s Budget’

Trimmel Gomes Mar 6, 2023

Crowd participates in rally to protest state lawmakers. Tallahassee, Florida, - February 21, 2018. File photo: BKMHPHOTOVIDEO, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida's legislative session - which begins Tuesday - has already…

Education

Turning K-12 ‘Cafeterias into Classrooms’ to Address Food Waste

Trimmel Gomes Feb 27, 2023

Wasted food represents roughly 10% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, nearly four times larger than global airline industry emissions, according to the World Wildlife Fund. File photo: Africa Studio, Shutter Stock, licensed. ORANGE…

Local

Florida Looks to Expand Concealed-Carry Rights, Regardless of Concerns

Trimmel Gomes Feb 24, 2023

Florida legislators are advancing bills to remove some concealed-carry requirements, despite opposition from Democrats, gun-safety advocates, some law-enforcement officers and university students who say they're concerned it would lead to…

Business

‘Untreated Crisis’ as Concern Mounts Over Florida’s Poor Oral Health

Trimmel Gomes Dec 29, 2022

In 2019, Florida hospitals billed more than $630 million for preventable emergency-room visits and hospital admissions stemming from preventable oral health issues, according to Floridians for Dental Health. File photo: Inside Creative…

Health

Florida Child Uninsured Rate Stabilizes; Advocates Raise Future Concerns

Trimmel Gomes Dec 12, 2022

Florida's rate of uninsured children is among the highest in the nation, coming in at 42nd out of 50 states and Washington, D.C. File photo: Robert Kneschke, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - While the Sunshine State ranks…

Economy

Florida Groups Add Momentum to Extending Child Tax Credit

Trimmel Gomes Dec 9, 2022

The expanded tax credit was part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan, and designed to ease the blow from the pandemic's economic woes. It provided families who qualified, tax credits worth up to $300 per child, per month. File photo:…

Health

Florida Nonprofit Helps Offset High Cost of Insulin

Trimmel Gomes Nov 25, 2022

About 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes every year, and the American Diabetes Association found one in four rations insulin treatments. File photo: Goffkein.pro, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - November is …

Health

Survey Shows More Families Consider “Building” Through Adoption

Trimmel Gomes Nov 9, 2022

A survey commissioned this year by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption focused on Americans' attitudes toward adoption, and found 37% of adults have at least considered adopting children, a 17% increase from five years ago. File photo:…

Business

Florida’s Open Enrollment for ACA Insurance Begins November 1st

Trimmel Gomes Oct 27, 2022

One change Floridians will notice this year is how Congress expanded the subsidies for health insurance premiums, so people who purchase plans through the federal exchange will pay no more than 8.5% of their household income through 2025.…

Environment

Uncertainty Hovers on Clean Water Act’s 50th Anniversary

Trimmel Gomes Oct 21, 2022

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, encouraging people to protect their traditions and consider the role that clean water plays in Americans' lives. File photo: Roberto La Rosa, Shutter…

Economy

Social Security Benefits Expected to Increase, But Challenges Remain

Trimmel Gomes Oct 5, 2022

More than 65 million people, or more than one in every six U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits in January, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. File photo: Lisa Carter, Shutter Stock, licensed. …

Business

Remembering Those with Disabilities Before, During And After the Hurricane

Trimmel Gomes Sep 29, 2022

The State of Florida encourages the public, especially citizens with disabilities and other special needs, to plan ahead for an emergency situation and know what to do in the event of an emergency. File photo: Antonio Hugo, Shutter Stock,…

Environment

Environmental Groups Fight to Stop Mine Near Okefenokee

Trimmel Gomes Sep 19, 2022

Front entrance into the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Northeast Florida. File photo: Neflo Photo, Shutter Stock, licensed. JACKSONVILLE, FL - Environmental groups are calling on Georgia's Environmental Protection Division to reject permits…

Health

Experts Urge Checkups for Florida Kids, Including Mental Health

Trimmel Gomes Sep 12, 2022

Health experts say making sure children are current with all their check-ups is important to their health and academic success. File photo: SeventyFour, Shutter Stock, licensed. TALLAHASSEE, FL - Experts are reminding parents to…

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