Takeaways from Tallahassee — Welcome to the New Wakulla Springs

Terra firma — Artemis II’s astronauts are back on Earth after a textbook splashdown Friday evening. According to the AP, Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen entered the atmosphere at Mach 33, or 33 times the speed of sound—a speed not seen since NASA’s Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s. Their Orion capsule, named Integrity, landed on autopilot. Artemis II, which started its journey in Florida last week, marks NASA’s first return to lunar flights in over 50 years.

— Hot for cold cases —

Attorney General James Uthmeier says Florida is establishing a Cold Case Task Force to help finally close many unsolved cases.

Unsolved criminal investigations known as “cold cases” can be among the most frustrating for law enforcement agencies and torturous for victims’ families. The Task Force is designed to reopen some of Florida’s 21,000 unsolved murders, 900 cases involving unidentified human remains and more than 2,500 missing persons cases classified as cold since 1965.

Uthmeier said the Task Force will revisit past investigations that may have suffered from a lack of modern resources.

“Today, technology has advanced,” Uthmeier said at a news conference in Miami. “Many of these thousands of cases have evidence that contains DNA.”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials will be at the forefront of reopening the cold cases. FDLE Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio said the agency is eager to bring resolution to some of these cases.

“Investigating cold cases means using every resource available,” Vecchio said.

Othram, a forensic technology firm, will apply newer scientific methods to the cases in question. Othram Senior Director of Commercial Operations, Danny Hall, reiterated that many cold cases remain unresolved, mainly because evidence was not fully analyzed due to technical limitations.

“Many of these cases were never unsolvable,” Hall said. Investigators can now generate leads even without a suspect. This program creates a coordinated statewide approach.”

— Gotcha —

When it rains, it pours. And unfortunately for this defendant, it’s April.

In a very busy week, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia on Thursday announced that Carlos Antonio Maradiaga Garcia, who had been residing illegally in Florida, is charged with committing insurance fraud totaling nearly $300,000.

The arrest was made by the Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division in Jacksonville.

“I have made it abundantly clear that those who are committing fraud in the state of Florida will face the fullest extent of the law, especially those who are in this country illegally. To anyone else out there who is actively trying to commit fraud, know this: my office is working to bring you to justice. Do us all a favor and turn yourselves in,” stated CFO Ingoglia.

Maradiaga owned a construction business in Florida and, over time, paid about $2 million in payroll. However, he allegedly kept a workers’ compensation policy based on a self-reported payroll of just $25,000, resulting in a massive underpayment of $299,458.

Maradiaga is charged with workers’ compensation premium fraud and a scheme to defraud.

It was also revealed during the investigation that Maradiaga had been residing illegally in the United States and had an order for removal from ICE.

If convicted on all charges, Maradiaga could face up to 30 years behind bars. The CFO covered all this and more in a new video posted to Facebook.

Since taking office, Ingoglia and Department of Financial Services law enforcement officers have arrested 80 people residing illegally in Florida.

— Dinero de Fuego —

Giddy up to the horse capital of the world, because we’ve got some money to award.

This week in Ocala, CFO Ingoglia awarded more than $500,000 to three separate fire departments: Ocala, High Springs and Newberry.

The money will go toward equipment, training and resources that ultimately protect and support Florida’s firefighters and overall public safety.

“We must be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to firefighter health and safety. Nowadays, our firefighters are answering 911 phone calls more than ever before. By making sure firefighters have the essential protective gear and equipment to respond to emergencies, we are reducing exposure to harmful and dangerous chemicals that have a significant impact on a firefighter’s health,” stated CFO Ingoglia.

Funding was allocated through both the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant and the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The grant provides funding for equipment and supply upgrades, as well as public education on how to mitigate exposure to hazardous chemicals.

“Our local heroes are responding to calls every day with tremendous bravery. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for the recognition of the work that we do and the unwavering dedication to our firefighters,” said Ocala Fire Chief Clint Welborn.

The City of Ocala received $6,372.75, and the City of High Springs was awarded $4,793.44 through the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant. Another $500,000 was set aside in the 2025-26 budget for the Newberry Regional First Responder Training Facility.

“Through this funding, we are able to save lives and property faster by strengthening our emergency response capabilities. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for standing alongside Florida’s firefighters and ensuring we have the necessary tools to do our job safely,” added Newberry Fire Chief Jason Lyman.

— Instagram of the week —

— Home buster busted—

“I ain’t afraid of no fraud.”

Got fraud? Well, you’re gonna call Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia, who this week announced the arrest of Cornelius Sentell Osborne, accused of acting as an unlicensed contractor and pocketing $174,000 from the victim of a house fire while doing so.

“This case is a direct result of my office’s relentless work to root out fraud in our state and hold bad actors accountable. We are cracking down on this kind of criminal activity, especially when it targets those in vulnerable situations,” said the CFO.

“If you think you can get away with this sort of behavior, think again. My office is working tirelessly to bring these fraudsters to justice.”

After an investigation by the Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division, Osborne was arrested in Plantation on March 19 by DFS-CID officers. At the time of his arrest, he was already on probation for willfully fleeing a law enforcement officer in Brevard County.

The investigation found that Osborne was posing as a general contractor and had agreed to perform restoration work on a fire-damaged home in Hollywood. After receiving $174,000 from the victim, Osborne allegedly abandoned the project and left the home uninhabitable.

The CFO also released a video on social media about Osborne’s arrest.

Osborne faces up to 30 years in prison after being charged with one count of grand theft and one count of acting as an unlicensed contractor.

As always, make sure you’re working with a licensed professional before making any major investment in your home.

— State Fire Marshal in the house —

Bring it on down to Wrappinville. Actually, Bradenton.

It’s been a very photo-op-heavy week for the Chief Financial Officer, who on Thursday was in West Central Florida to award more than $1.4 million to support five fire departments with resources needed to protect both firefighters and the communities they serve.

“As State Fire Marshal, it is a privilege to support Florida’s firefighters who continually run towards danger to protect their communities. It is imperative that firefighters have all the tools and equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and the tools to protect themselves after a fire from the cancer-causing chemicals they may have come in contact with,” said CFO Ingoglia.

“This funding is a step forward in ongoing efforts to protect firefighters and the communities they serve.”

Ingoglia made the funds available through a series of grants, including the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant and the Firefighter Assistance Grant, both of which aim to strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve firefighter safety, as well as funds appropriated in the 2025-26 budget.

“Firefighters work every day to serve and protect their communities. Thank you, CFO Ingoglia, for bringing awareness to firefighter health and safety and for your continued support of the firefighter community,” stated Jason Berzowski, Florida Professional Firefighters District Vice President.

East Manatee Fire Rescue District ($12,248.25) and the Town of Longboat Key ($7,976.29) received awards through the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant, while the Parrish Fire District ($20,672.20) received funding through the Firefighter Assistance Grant.

Another $1 million went to the DeSoto County Fire Training Tower, while $400,000 was allocated for Hardee County brush fire trucks through the 2025-26 budget.

“By establishing a new fire training tower, we can better prepare our firefighters to put out fires quicker, limit property damage, and save lives,” DeSoto County Fire Chief Chad Jergensen added.

— Peak fire season —

Smokey Bear might have some friendly competition.

This week in Tallahassee, during Florida Wildfire Awareness Week, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, along with members of the Florida Forest Service, urged all Florida residents to take proper precautions now for what is projected to be an eventful and active peak of wildfire season.

April through June encompasses wildfire season, and the National Interagency Fire Center is predicting “above normal significant wildfire potential” across Florida this year. So, as Jeremy Irons once sang in the classic Disney tune, “Be prepared!”

“Florida is experiencing widespread drought conditions like we have not seen in years, and forecasts show the next few months could be extremely active for wildfires. We need all Floridians to do their part now by following local burn restrictions, staying alert to weather conditions when burning, and preparing their homes and yards to be wildfire-ready. Remember, every fire prevented is one less fire we must respond to, and that will help ensure the safety of our firefighters and our communities,” Simpson said.

Since the start of 2026, 1,500 wildfires have burned more than 54,000 acres in Florida, and several sections of the state have been placed under Red Flag Warnings by the National Weather Service.

The Florida Forest Service is asking Floridians to visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com to learn how to protect their lives, homes and communities properly.

“Thanks to year-round training, investment in heavy equipment and aviation resources, and aggressive wildfire mitigation efforts across our state, the Florida Forest Service and our local and federal partners are as prepared for an active peak wildfire season as possible. I’m asking everyone to pay attention to the weather, especially wind, relative humidity, and days since rain, when considering burning,” added Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service.

“Peak wildfire season is here, and we need to be wildfire-ready.”

To help reduce the chances of catastrophic wildfire, residents can use prescribed burns, safely burn yard waste and report any suspicious arson activity they see.

— Trying your luck: The strokes—

April showers bring more flowers, but they also bring new games for some spring scratch-off fun.

The Florida Lottery this week announced three new scratch-off games for Floridians and visitors alike to try: “Silver & Gold Crossword,” “Precious Metals Gold Multiplier,” and “$2,000,000 Fortune!”

The price of the new tickets ranges from $5 to $10. The tickets feature a variety of play styles and prizes and are now available for purchase at Lottery retailers across the state.

Scratch-off games remain a key part of the Lottery’s portfolio, accounting for 74% of ticket sales in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The Lottery said that since its creation, Florida’s scratch-off lineup has awarded more than $70.8 billion in prizes, created 2,475 millionaires and contributed more than $20.98 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.

“Silver & Gold Crossword” carries a top prize of $500,000 and features $48 million in total cash prizes, with more than 3.5 million winning tickets available. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.89.

“Precious Metals Gold Multiplier” offers a top prize of $1 million and includes more than $55 million in total cash prizes, with roughly 4 million winning tickets in circulation. Overall odds are 1 in 3.9.

And the biggest of the bunch, “$2,000,000 Fortune!” offers a top prize of $2 million. More than $118 million in total cash prizes will be awarded, with overall odds of 1 in 3.44.

Good luck and enjoy the last bit of Florida weather that isn’t totally unbearable with a good old scratch-off.

— Rattler with planes —

The sky is the limit, and in this case, it may not be just an expression.

This week, Florida A&M University announced that student Nevaeh Green has been named a scholar in the seventh cohort of the Boeing/Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar Program, an $8 million partnership launched in 2022 to support HBCUs and career-immersion opportunities. The initiative expanded on a previous $6 million investment Boeing made in 2018.

The program is a highly competitive honor that provides students with hands-on experience, specialized mentorship, professional development and networking opportunities and scholarship funding.

“It felt unreal and, honestly, quite ironic considering the conversation I had with myself only two hours prior. It pulled me out of my slump and was a strong reminder of my appreciated excellence despite quiet moments where I somehow forget myself,” said Green.

Green will work as part of a group to create a digital twin of an aircraft wing structure that can ultimately be used to virtually test materials and support realistic digital training for up-and-coming pilots.

“Our ambition is to push beyond existing boundaries, attracting the best and brightest students and faculty to our fold,” said Suvranu De, Dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, on the state of the program.

“The industry has been taking notice of our graduates and our burgeoning partnerships… Our graduates are not just leaders in engineering, but they also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our society.”

— FSU just means more —

It’s been a while since FSU went to Notre Dame and came back with a win.

This week, at the Shark Tank-style ACC InVenture Prize hosted by the University of Notre Dame, Hugo Davies, an FSU undergraduate pursuing his bachelor’s degree, earned the top People’s Choice Award after receiving the most votes of any ACC competitor for an attention-grabbing pitch for his artificial intelligence startup, KeyRise.

The AI platform is designed to give investors the power to find, analyze and execute high-quality real estate deals with institutional-level intelligence.

“Real estate is a very bureaucratic, handshake-style business. There’s a real opportunity here to leverage the developments in AI and bring that into the hands of investors so that they can have that same power that institutions have always had,” said Davies.

The ACC InVenture Prize is a one-of-a-kind innovation competition in which teams of undergraduates representing each ACC university pitch their inventions or businesses before an audience, a panel of judges and a national television audience.

Teams compete for $30,000 in prizes, and Davies himself took home $5,000 for his pitch.

Davies said he was inspired to enter the competition after learning about the event through the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.

“Hugo’s recognition with the People’s Choice Award highlights his exceptional talent. We are incredibly proud of how he represented Florida State University and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship on such a competitive stage,” said Dean Susan Fiorito of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.

Alright, Kevin O’Leary, maybe it’s time to put down the sports-card chains and help fund this talented FSU student.

— Big leagues calling—

Florida State University’s College of Law was recently ranked the 14th-best public law school in the nation and tied for No. 1 in Florida by U.S. News & World Report — and news like this shows exactly why.

This semester, FSU law students didn’t just study Supreme Court cases. They were cited during oral arguments before the nation’s highest court.

In the “Supreme Court Litigation” course, taught by Michael Morley, Sheila McDevitt and Maureen Vinson, students were asked to engage directly in amicus advocacy while learning Supreme Court procedure and developing high-level legal writing skills.

During the class, students worked alongside Professor Morley to file an amicus brief in “Watson v. RNC,” a case examining whether ballots received after Election Day in federal elections remain valid under federal law.

On March 23, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh referenced Morley’s brief during oral arguments, underscoring FSU Law’s growing reputation as a national leader in legal education and scholarship.

“Providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the kind of hands-on, high-impact learning that defines the Florida State University College of Law,” said Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor.

“Through experiences like the Supreme Court Litigation course and the work of our Election Law Center, our students are not only studying the law — they are helping shape it while developing the practical skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.”

After months of intensive research, the moment came as a bit of a shock for faculty and students alike, but it also became a unifying experience.

“We are so busy working on other briefs and other things. That wasn’t necessarily something we were checking for. But once Professor Vinson alerted us, we were definitely very excited to see that. Just hearing Professor Morley’s name cited by a current Supreme Court Justice was almost like a jump scare,” added third-year law student Spencer Moreno.

— But wait … there’s more—

Start spreading the news, because it’s great to be a Florida State Seminole. Sorry, is that expression taken?

This week, Florida State University is celebrating the success of its graduate programs after U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 edition of Best Graduate Schools.

In this year’s rankings, 16 FSU graduate programs and specialties placed in the Top 25 among all public universities, with six ranked No. 1 in Florida.

“These rankings show the strength of Florida State across the board. From health care to law to the arts and public policy, our programs are delivering real results for students and communities. That kind of depth comes from sustained investment in faculty, research and student success,” said FSU President Richard McCullough.

Highlights include FSU’s College of Law, which is tied for No. 1 in Florida after jumping four spots to No. 34 overall and No. 14 among public law schools; the College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, which ranked No. 1 in Florida; and the College of Communication and Information’s speech-language pathology program, also ranked No. 1 in the state.

Programs in law, education, business, nursing and engineering are ranked annually by U.S. News using data on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other quality indicators. Other programs are ranked based on quality assessments from academic experts at peer institutions.

“These results speak to both the quality and range of our graduate education. Students can pursue top programs in areas as different as engineering, education, nursing and the arts, and they’re gaining the skills and experience to move directly into impactful careers,” said Provost Jim Clark.

“Achieving a graduate degree opens up advanced leadership and high-paying positions across Florida, the nation and the globe.”

— Tallahassee History Festival —

Calling all history nerds — if you’re reading this newsletter, there’s a good chance this event is for you.

This Saturday, potentially as you’re reading this, Tallahassee State College is hosting the fifth annual Tallahassee History Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the TSC intramural fields.

The event is free, family-friendly and transforms local and national history into a full-blown hands-on adventure, complete with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and immersive activities for all ages.

Attendees can expect everything from archaeological discoveries to cultural traditions, all guided by organizations including the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, the Tallahassee African American Genealogical Society, the Apalachicola History Society and many more.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary celebration, the festival offers a chance to connect the Tallahassee community and its history to the broader American experience, showcasing how voices here in the 850 have helped shape the nation’s past and present.

“As we celebrate 250 years of America, we’re giving the community a chance to see how Tallahassee’s stories fit into the larger American journey. It’s educational, engaging, and something the community doesn’t want to miss,” said Festival Director Philip Hazard.

The festival isn’t just about exhibits. It also spotlights historians, cultural leaders and community members who work to preserve the region’s heritage, while giving guests a chance to connect, learn and maybe catch the history bug themselves.

What are you waiting for? Finish your coffee and head over before the event becomes part of tomorrow’s history.

— Cool runnings —

Who said running isn’t fun? That is, besides most of us here at Florida Politics.

This week, the county presented a $10,000 check to Leon Schools at Montford Middle School, investing the proceeds from the “Fun Run” tied to the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, which took place in Tallahassee a few months ago.

The event drew more than 15,000 people, including 11,000 from outside the county, and generated more than $6 million in total economic impact.

“Today is about turning a world-class event into real, lasting impact for our students. By reinvesting a portion of the World Athletics Fun Run proceeds into our schools, we are strengthening athletic programs and creating more opportunities for young people across Leon County to thrive,” said County Commission Chair Christian Caban.

The funds will support Leon County’s cross-country and track-and-field teams, aiming to level the playing field for all student-athletes.

During the check presentation, county officials were joined by the District champion Montford Middle School boys’ and girls’ cross-country squads.

“Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park was built on a long-term vision of transforming a former landfill into a world-class venue that puts our county on the global stage for cross country. Directing these proceeds to student-athletes is how we make sure the benefits of that investment reach every corner of our community, not just on race day but for years to come,” stated Leon County Administrator Vincent Long.

All of this is part of a broader strategic partnership with World Athletics aimed at introducing, growing and sustaining the sport of cross country for the next generation of athletes in Leon County and across Florida.

“For our students, this support shows them that their community believes in them. This investment will have a direct impact on our ability to grow the sport and support young runners at every level,” added Brad Busboom, coach of the Montford Middle School boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams.

Who knows? The next Noah Lyles could be right here in Leon County. Hopefully, they won’t get into as many arguments with NFL stars as he did.

— House of pain —

A new real estate analysis pegs Florida among the worst housing markets in the U.S., and several Sunshine State cities are struggling too.

The Construction Coverage real estate publication released its 2026 edition of the hottest real estate markets in the country, and its findings were decidedly chilly for Florida.

The analysis ranks markets using indicators such as the number of days homes spend on the market, price growth and bidding activity to compile a composite score. Florida earned a score of 7.8, the second-worst in the country behind only Texas, which posted a 7.3.

That compares with Connecticut at the top of the list with a score of 93.9, followed by New Jersey and Rhode Island.

The South fared poorly overall, with the region accounting for eight of the bottom 15 states. Virginia was the only Southern state to crack the top 15, coming in at No. 12.

Construction Coverage analysts concluded that several forces are working against the housing market in Southern states.

“The rapid home price increases in these regions, combined with rising mortgage rates and return-to-office mandates, have made these once-popular migration destinations less attractive to buyers,” the report said.

Home sales are down 8.3% nationwide compared to a year ago, and price growth has slowed to just 1.1% in some markets.

Individual Florida cities also posted grim results. Jacksonville, with a score of 16, ranked as the worst housing market among large U.S. cities. Tampa came in third worst at 17.4, while Miami landed seventh from the bottom.

— Ladies and gentlemen … We got him —

Yeah, this one might be a little hard to explain to the judge.

“Your honor, it’s not what it looks like, I swear!”

This week, the Tallahassee Police Department announced the arrest of Chandale Mills, 42, following a months-long narcotics investigation that led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs, multiple firearms and nearly $30,000 in cash.

At the start of February, TPD launched a special investigation into suspected narcotics activity at a residence on Folsom Road.

Investigators said Mills made frequent out-of-state trips to resupply narcotics and operated out of multiple locations.

After what officers believed was a recent trip back to Tallahassee with a fresh supply, detectives executed a warrant the same day, and Mills was taken into custody without incident.

“The amount of narcotics removed from our streets in this case is significant and represents a direct impact on the safety of our community. Every time we disrupt an operation like this, we’re doing more than making an arrest; we are preventing violence, reducing addiction, and protecting families,” said TPD Chief Lawrence Revell.

“This is how we make our community safer, and it’s work we will continue every single day.”

In total, TPD seized approximately 14 kilograms of cocaine, 177 pounds of marijuana, 11 pounds of suspected MDMA, 66 grams of fentanyl, 150 grams of synthetic cathinones, 8 ounces of methamphetamine, six firearms, more than $30,000 in cash, and packaging materials consistent with drug distribution.

TPD asks anyone who believes someone may be involved in suspicious activity to contact the department at 850-891-4200 or anonymously through Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.

— Beast, Me & a lot of good TV —

Off to the movies we go after a small break.

As expected, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” had a huge debut at the box office, opening with $132 million in the U.S. and $231 million worldwide—even though it started on a Wednesday, so one day didn’t count toward its official opening. Take that, critics and your 43% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Project Hail Mary” continues to be a massive hit for Amazon MGM, seeing an additional $32 million added to the total, and the new A24 dark comedy-romance film “The Drama” overperformed industry trades, seeing a respectable $14 million domestically for the Zendaya/Robert Pattinson-led movie.

It’s somewhat of a weak release docket this week due to a certain Italian plumber, with only two films rolling the dice.

“Beast” is a new underdog sports film about a retired MMA legend who commits to one last fight to save his brother’s life. The film is directed by Tyler Atkins, but interestingly enough, stars and is co-written by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator,” “L.A. Confidential”).

As of now, the film doesn’t have enough data on Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, or Letterboxd for a score. Take that as you will — it’s usually not a good sign. Feel free to look it up; we’re curious too.

The other big release is a film that looks like it is right out of a GTA fake movie trailer, or just a massive money-laundering scheme: “You, Me & Tuscany.”

The new rom-com is produced by the team behind the cult classic “Girls Trip” and stars Emmy nominee Regé-Jean Page (“Bridgerton,” “Black Bag”) and the new, now not so new, Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey.

The film, directed by Kat Coiro, follows a woman who crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner’s fiancée, and finds herself on a screwball adventure that turns into an unexpected romance.

The film has a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.3 on IMDb, and a 3.1 on Letterboxd.

While it may be somewhat of an uneventful movie weekend, TV has a lot to offer.

The Emmy-winning superhero satire Amazon show “The Boys” wraps up its fifth and final season, with two new episodes having dropped on Wednesday.

Speaking of wrapping things up, the Emmy Award-winning Outstanding Comedy Series HBO masterpiece “Hacks” is waving its fans goodbye with its fifth season, where co-stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are vying for their fifth and second Emmy wins for their iconic roles, respectively.

King of TV and Emmy winner Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” “The Town”) is back with his Emmy-nominated Apple TV series “Your Friends and Neighbors” Season 2, which added the talents of Emmy nominee James Marsden (“Jury Duty,” “Enchanted”).

Back in the day, when it won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, it made headlines because it was the first “streamer” show to do so.

And now Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” has a new spinoff series, “The Testaments.”

The sequel stars BAFTA nominee Chase Infiniti from the recent Best Picture winner “One Battle After Another” and has an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

And in this spinoff world we live in, of course, the early 2000s comedies aren’t safe either.

“Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” brings back most of the original cast from the Emmy-winning sitcom, including Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, Emmy nominee Jane Kaczmarek (“Pleasantville,” “Uncommon Valor”), and, of course, Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston (“Trumbo,” “Breaking Bad”).

Happy watching, because there is a lot of it to do.

— Capitol Directions —

RON DESANTIS — Up arrow — From the bleachers to the fairways, if this is the DeSantis Era’s sunset, at least the seats are good.

RICK SCOTT — Up arrow — The old lion does not concern himself with box scores. Jobs, boy. Jobs.

JAY COLLINS — Down arrow — Whenever the Lt. Gov. breaks wind, his nearest staffer beats the dog.

‘EXTERNAL SPECULATION’ — Down arrow — ek-ˈstər-nᵊl spɛkjəˈleɪʃən. 1) The only thing we have left at this point. Syn.: resigned wishcasting. Ant.: finished budget.

JASON SHOAF, ALLISON TANT — Up arrow — While Tallahassee debates abstractions, these two went straight to the waterline.

DEP’T OF HEALTH — Down arrow — Hatchet’s win streak against bitter rival Scalpel ticked up another notch this week.

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE — Up arrow — Beyond RACE, beyond PASS, lies the mythic realm of quiet competence.

OPENAI — Down arrow — If they crack open the black box and delete ‘underscores’ from ChatGPT’s vocabulary, we’ll upgrade this to a crossways.

BARRY UNIVERSITY — Down arrow — They send rejection letters?

OTHRAM — Up arrow — Order a pallet of Silhouette 8568s. We’re about to have some legends to induct.

LAUREN BOOK — Up arrow — As long as she’s out there walking, we’re gonna keep cheering her on.

SHANNON SHEPP — Up arrow — The only thing rising faster than lemon output is optimism.

ANNETTE TADDEO — Crossways arrow — Time for our biennial refresher on the growth mindset.

LEON CO. COMMISSION — Down arrow — There are good bets and bad bets … then there’s putting $17M behind double-zero on a Euro table.

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VITALITY — Down arrow — You misspelled vestigiality.

DOWNTOWN EATERIES — Up arrow — On the bright side, a field trip to Hayward House or Goodies might teach members how to capture covers.

FSU LAW — Up arrow — Someone boost the P-card limit, FSU admin needs a framed copy of U.S. News in every office.

ALICIA DEVINE — Up arrow — Six championship runs in eight years, but without the ensuing three decades of GOAT debates.

SPENCER KARLINSKY — Up arrow — Take the victory lap. You earned it.