More than 100 emails obtained exclusively by Tallahassee-based reporter Kate Payne revealed how local officials in southwest Florida were blindsided by the DeSantis administration’s plans to rapidly construct an immigration detention center — nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” — on county-owned land in the Florida Everglades.
While local officials were still chasing down what they described as a “rumor,” Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration had already begun sending vendors through the gates and coordinating construction of the center. The facility was erected within days, with the state relying on an executive order to seize land and bypass local laws and regulations.
Once a model of open government, Florida under DeSantis has increasingly stonewalled reporters. But Payne, drawing on her deep understanding of Florida’s public records laws, was able to pry loose a revealing trove of emails between county officials, state agency leaders, and residents — offering a rare and candid window into confusion and frustration over the project.
Screenshots of the colorful, unfiltered email conversations were embedded in Payne’s story. Her close work with Top Stories editor Chris Sundheim and News Design Director Darrell Allen helped turn a records-driven scoop into a visually dynamic and compelling read that gave audiences direct access to the material.
The judges praised Payne for shining a light on Florida’s growing culture of secrecy — and for reminding readers how local records can expose the real-time consequences of top-down decisions.
For navigating Florida’s public record laws to uncover state-local friction over a secretive executive order, Kate Payne wins this week’s Best of the Week – Second Winner.
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