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Romy Ellenbogen - Tallahassee Correspondent
Romy Ellenbogen

Tallahassee Correspondent

As a lifelong Floridian, I know how much this state offers beyond the stereotypes and I’m grateful I get to tell some of its story. I cover our state government, with a focus on criminal justice and health. I’m interested in who gets a voice and who doesn’t, keeping elected leaders accountable and making sure people don’t get lost in the politicking. Tell me what you’re curious about — I bet you’re not the only one wondering. I also welcome conversation about homemade kombucha, yoga and Love Island.

  1. Woman arrested after a dead voter’s information was used for Florida petition drive
    May 31• Crime
    The Las Vegas Sands casino company was behind a Florida petition drive to expand gaming in the state.
  2. 5 bills that could reshape criminal justice in Florida
    May 29• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Five bills are poised to reshape Florida’s criminal justice system in the coming years.
  3. DeSantis signs bill allowing him to run for president without resigning
    May 24• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the audience during a news conference at Cambridge Christian School, 6101 North Habana Avenue, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Tampa.
  5. Florida House and Senate leaders endorse DeSantis for president
    May 16• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner, right, and President of the Florida Senate Kathleen Passidomo endorse and encourage Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to run for president, after attending a bill signing ceremony with DeSantis at the Coastal Community Church at Lighthouse Point, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Lighthouse Point, Fla.
  6. Here’s how expanded abortion access could land on Florida’s 2024 ballot
    May 8• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Abortion-rights protesters gathered at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in Tampa Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
  7. Florida lawmakers tout ‘consequential’ session as they set up wins for DeSantis
    May 5• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Speaker of the House Paul Renner answers a question posed by a member of the media during a news conference at the close of the 2023 legislative session Friday, May 5, 2023.
  8. DeSantis’ ‘big government’ extends to record state budget
    May 5• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    The traditional hanky drop that signifies the end of the legislative session took place in a packed rotunda on Friday.
  9. Florida medical organization will not have to answer House subpoena immediately
    May 2• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    A pride flag billows in the wind as students join a protest at Gaither High in Tampa against what critics call the Don’t Say Gay bill on Feb. 14, 2022.
  10. Florida bill protecting ‘conscience’ allows doctors to deny treatment
    May 1• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Under the proposed legislation, for an insurance company and entities like hospitals to claim a “conscience” objection, they must have governing documents, mission statements or other records delineating their ethical, moral or religious guidelines.
  11. DeSantis signs bills tackling fentanyl, cash bail and child rape
    May 1• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    “We really believe that part of a just society is to have appropriate punishment, and so, if you commit a crime that is really, really heinous, you should have the ultimate punishment,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday of a bill that allow for the death penalty to be applied when someone sexually batters a child younger than 12 years old.
  12. 6 things to know about the case that will decide the future of abortion in Florida
    April 30• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    The Florida Supreme Court will craft the future of abortion in Florida.
  13. Florida House authorizes subpoenas for organizations endorsing gender-affirming care
    April 24• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Attendees of the City of Miami Beach's Pride Parade wave their rainbow flags in celebration of LGBTQ+ pride on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
  14. DeSantis signs bill giving Florida lowest death penalty threshold in US
    April 20• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on as guests speak a podium at the State Attorney's Office 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
  15. Three bills affecting the LGBTQ+ community pass the Florida House
    April 19• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    People celebrate during the St. Pete Pride Parade last year.
  16. Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 6-week abortion ban late Thursday night
    April 14• Health
    In this file photo, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a press conference at Christopher Columbus High School March 27 in Miami.
  17. DeSantis’ push to lower Florida’s death penalty threshold passes House
    April 13• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    The Florida Legislature has passed a priority bill of Gov. Ron DeSantis to require the vote of only eight jurors out of 12 in order to implement capital punishment.
  18. 7 things to know about Florida’s 6-week abortion ban bill
    April 13• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    An exam room is seen inside Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights, Ill., on March 10. Many women will travel this year away from their homes in nearby states where abortion access has been restricted.
  19. 6-week abortion ban passes Florida House, heads to DeSantis
    April 13• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Jazmyn Williams of St. Petersburg raises a fist and marches during an abortion-rights protest on July 2, 2022, in Tampa. "I'm a woman," Williams said. "I was born with rights that will never be taken away."
  20. How would proposed Florida law affect drag shows at St. Pete Pride?
    April 13• St. Petersburg
    Tina Reneé, 50, of Orlando walks in the Trans Pride Parade in St. Petersburg on Saturday, June, 25, 2022.
  21. Restrictions on Florida drag shows, pride parades in question under bill
    April 11• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    A drag queen known as “Momma Ashley Rose” waves to attendees of the Tampa Pride Parade on March 26, 2022, in Tampa.
  22. Florida GOP lawmaker calls transgender speakers ‘demons and imps,’ apologizes
    April 10• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    State Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, seen in this 2021 photo, apologized after publicly calling transgender people "demons."
  23. Gov. Ron DeSantis escalates Disney clash with threat of new taxes, tolls
    April 7• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the State Attorney's Office 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
  24. What’s passed during Florida’s legislative session — and what’s ahead
    April 7• The Buzz on Florida Politics
    An aerial photo of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, with the Historic Capitol in the foreground.