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FAMU Names New Director of Marching and Pep Bands

Dr. Sylvester Young New FAMU Director of Marching and Pep Bands

Dr. Sylvester Young
New FAMU Director of Marching and Pep Bands

FAMU Press Office

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) has named Sylvester Young its new director of marching and pep bands. Young, a FAMU graduate and former member of the Marching “100,” spent nearly 25 years at Ohio University, most recently as band director. FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson made the announcement Tuesday after an extensive nationwide search process.

“Dr. Young is a talented and experienced administrator, musician and scholar who I believe will provide strong discipline, leadership and vision for the Marching “100,” Robinson said. “Dr. Young has had a stellar career as director of bands at several universities and I am looking forward to Young continuing the great traditions of the Marching “100″ when we deem it ready to return to the field.” Read the rest of this entry

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FAMU Journalists Receive a ‘Student Emmy’

Photo caption: Amber Mackie (left) and Lacrai Mitchell (right) pose on the red carpet outside the 2013 College Television Awards Gala. [Photo credit: Xavier Higgs]

Photo caption: Amber Mackie (left) and Lacrai Mitchell (right) pose on the red carpet outside the 2013 College Television Awards Gala. [Photo credit: Xavier Higgs]

 

FAMU Press Office

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The winners of a 2013 College Television Award are…Amber Mackie and Lacrai Mitchell!

The two Florida A&M University (FAMU) broadcast journalism students have returned home from Hollywood, Calif. with a gold statue commonly referred to as a Student Emmy. Both were honored at a gala for their work as co-producers on the “2012 FAMU Homecoming Special: Ignite the Strike.” The 30-minute show, which recaps homecoming events during the university’s 125 anniversary, won second place in the magazine category. Read the rest of this entry

Gaines Street project ends, some business owners still upset

by Mhisha Compere, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – The reconstruction of Gaines Street came to an end today and city officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the major roadway. Plenty of Tallahassee residents attended the ceremony- happy that they could now drive through Gaines Street. But some storeowners along the road are still upset.

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Lawmakers face bill that will crack down on cyber bullying

by Paige Moore, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Senate is set to consider a bill to crack down on cyber bullying among high school students. Rude comments, inappropriate pictures and threats are issues that high school students are dealing with daily. It’s called cyber bullying. In the coming days the Florida Senate will consider a cyber bullying measure.

Godby High School assistant principal Marcus Scott says students that are currently caught cyber bullying at school face consequences.

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Florida’s identity theft laws may change

by Kristen Swilley, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida is the number one state for identity theft, but lawmakers are looking to change that. A new bill would make it easier for criminals to be prosecuted for stealing your identity.

Picture this: someone you’ve never met gets their hands on your information and goes on a spending spree. It sounds like something from the movie, “Identity Thief.”

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Local organization marches in honor of Sexual Assault Prevention Month

by Ashli Doss, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – April is Sexual Assault Prevention month and here in Tallahassee, survivors of sexual abuse marched from Governor’s Square Mall to the Capitol with Laurel’s Kids, an organization founded by Lauren Book who is also a sexual assault survivor. Book started this organization to help promote awareness and educate others about what they can do to prevent sexual assault. After being a victim for 5 years from the age of 11 to age 16, Book decided to create an event titled Walk in My Shoes. The event was a 1500 mile walk across the state of Florida starting in Key West. Once Book and several advocates arrived to the Capitol, she spoke about the importance of sending the message that it’s okay to tell no matter what age no matter your circumstance. This is Book’s fourth year hosting the event and she plans to do it again next year.

“It makes me tougher. It just strengthens my resolve to do the things that we do every single day to help protect the children of Florida,” said Book.

Book believes that 95 percent of abuse is preventable through education and awareness.

Lawmakers review bill that requires animal shelters to report euthanasia records

by Mhisha Compere, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – For the most part, pet owners love and care for their animals like they would family members. But many animals aren’t so lucky. Local shelters take in homeless and abandoned animals and care for them until they’re adopted. But most don’t get adopted…and many are killed.

The Leon County animal service center takes in over 9,000 homeless animals each year. Nearly half of them are euthanized.

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Organized Terror: News 20 at Five Multimedia Presentation

By Jason Brown

Associate Producer, News 20 at Five

News 20 at Five

In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Boston, News 20 at Five Associate Producer Jason Brown takes a look at known major terrorist groups and offers a brief history of each.

City of Tallahassee relaunches ‘Change for Change’ program

by Kristen Swilley, News 20 at Five Rep.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Anicia Supportra has been homeless for five years. She lives in the woods and relies on resources from a nearby shelter to survive. The City’s homeless initiative “Change for Change” seeks to help remedy Tallahassee’s problem by allowing residents to make monthly contributions on their utility bill. Supportra said it just puts a Band Aid on a larger issue.

“They should consider the program, which is good, but also have people who live on the streets. There are still people like us that’s good.”

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Audit finds misuse of FAMU’s activity and service fees

by Kristen Swilley, News 20 at Five

Tallahassee, Fla. – Every spring, FAMU’s student senate is charged with the task of allocating about 3.5 million dollars. That money comes from activity and service fees, which are paid with tuition. The funds are supposed to go to clubs, organizations, and other things that benefit the student body. But some students like Amir Shabazz said the money is being mishandled.

“There’s a lot money being taken out of students pockets and not really being appropriately dispersed,” Shabazz said. “I really think it’s the students’ fault as far as not monitoring where the money’s going or not being conscious or asking that question, ‘OK, what can we do with the money?’”

An anonymous letter addressed to the university president prompted an investigation into allegations of misconduct. In response, the Office of Audit and Compliance released a report listing 14 allegations. Six of which were found to be at least partially substantiated.

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