Politics
Takeaways from Tallahassee — Canopy community
If you need a break from election autopsies, look no further: the county is offering residents a way to add a new family member and make the area a little greener, starting now.
This week, Leon County Government is inviting you to get your green thumb on and apply for a free tree through the county’s “Adopt-A-Tree Program.” The program is open to Leon County residents whose property is outside Tallahassee city limits. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2027, at LeonCountyFL.gov/AdoptATree on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make sure when you apply that you select the “delivery only” option if you ultimately want to plant the tree on your own time and schedule. If you think you’ll need help with planting and the entire process (maybe you just aren’t as spry as you used to be), select the “delivery and plant” method, which will have a Leon County staffer place and plant the tree.
You can have your tree planted between your home and a publicly maintained road, or a privately maintained road with public access. All participants also agree to water their tree at least three times a week for a year.
Deliveries and planting will start in February 2027. Leon County residents can pick from three native species: eastern redbud, a small ornamental tree that averages 20 feet tall and is known for its vibrant pink Spring blooms; sweetbay magnolia, a medium-sized evergreen that can reach upwards of 35 feet tall and is known for its creamy-white, lemon-scented blossoms in May and June; or the classic live oak, a large, long-lived shade tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall with a canopy spanning 120 feet and is often seen draped in Spanish moss.
Since 2007, the Adopt-A-Tree Program has helped provide 6,800-plus trees in nearly 250 neighborhoods throughout the 850 area, helping residents enhance the beauty and value of their properties and communities.
When tourists, elected officials, or students come to Tallahassee for classes, sightseeing, football games, politics, or personal business, one of the first things that strikes many is the beauty of the trees that canopy across town.
Centerville, Miccosukee, Meridian, Old Bainbridge, Old St. Augustine — these roads offer jaw-dropping beauty and a natural, nostalgic feel Hollywood can only wish to replicate.
When you take part in the Adopt-A-Tree program, you help Leon County preserve that unique feel and ethereal quality of nature, which in turn supports the community’s health, quality of life, and, of course, economic strength.
Most importantly, planting native trees helps protect the local ecosystem by providing more habitat and food for native insects, birds, and other wildlife you might see at the Tallahassee Museum or on an early morning run.
If you have questions, contact Dean Richards of Leon County Public Works at 850-606-1400 or RichardsD@LeonCountyFL.gov.
What are you waiting for? You’ve got a new tree buddy joining the family, a symbol of your love, bond, and strength with your family and community forever.
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Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida’s capital city, by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Drew Dixon, Liam Fineout, and the staff of Florida Politics.
But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:
— Take 5 —
Clean sweep, close shave — Florida Republicans didn’t escape Election Night unscathed, but they kept every statewide office on the ballot. Byron Donalds narrowly defeated David Jolly and will become Florida’s first Black Governor. Ashley Moody held Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, while James Uthmeier, Blaise Ingoglia and Wilton Simpson completed the sweep in the three Cabinet races. The margins were considerably tighter than Florida Republicans have grown accustomed to, with the five winners clustered around 50% or 51%. But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Home-field advantage — The polls said Amendment 3 was likely to fall short. Florida voters had other ideas. The property-tax amendment won about 62% support, clearing the 60% threshold for passage. It will increase the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes to $250,000 beginning in 2028. Gov. Ron DeSantis backed the proposal in the campaign’s closing weeks, even while acknowledging he wasn’t giving it the full-court press. His chosen successor narrowly survived—and, if you ask DeSantis, Amendment 3 being on the ballot is why.
Supermajority, no more — Florida Democrats didn’t win control of the Legislature. They did win something they haven’t possessed in years: leverage. House Democrats gained 15 seats and will enter the next term with at least 49 members, their largest caucus in three decades. That gives incoming Democratic Leader Christine Hunschofsky the votes Republicans will need for actions requiring two-thirds support, including rule waivers, veto overrides, and certain tax, fee, and public-records measures. Republicans also lack a supermajority in the incoming Senate, which stands at 25 Republicans, 13 Democrats, one NPA member, and one vacancy, though the vacancy is in a deep-red District. And Democrats didn’t merely pick off a backbencher. John Lowndes demolished Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur by nearly 12 points in SD 10.
Dummymander nets nothing — Florida Republicans redrew the congressional map expecting it to produce as many as four additional GOP seats. Instead, Democrats appear poised to preserve the same eight seats they held before the mid-decade redraw. Kathy Castor and Jared Moskowitz survived districts designed to imperil them. Pia Dandiya kept an open battleground seat blue, while Darren Soto leads in CD 9. If the current leaders hold, Florida’s delegation remains exactly where it started: 20 Republicans and eight Democrats. Republicans argue the map forced Democrats to spend money defending home turf. Fair enough. But the scoreboard remains stubbornly unimpressed. Call it the 100-IQ play: perfectly average, phenomenally expensive and good for zero net seats.
Committee intelligence — House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison’s proposed House structure adds full Committees devoted to Advanced Technology and Digital Security, Policy and Strategy, and Public Integrity. It also restores some familiar Tallahassee branding: Budget becomes Appropriations again, while Ways and Means reverts to Finance and Tax. One Daniel Perez creation, the Security and Threat Assessment Committee, disappears. Altogether, the House will have 11 full Committees, up from nine, and 22 Subcommittees, down from 23. Artificial intelligence is also getting its own Committee before it takes everyone else’s Committee assignments.
— Up, up, and away —
With Tuesday’s election, you were understandably focused on the big-picture things.
So it makes sense if you missed DeSantis in Tampa last week showing off “flying cars” as they officially took to the skies for the first time in a series of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) flight demonstrations led by the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT).
The demonstration flights were part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a milestone in Florida’s efforts to transform how people and goods are transported.
“This morning, history was made in Tampa Bay with Florida’s first Advanced Air Mobility electric aircraft demonstration flights. From the first commercial airline flight over Tampa Bay in 1914, to today’s AAM demonstrations along that same historic route, Florida has long been a launchpad for new ideas that shape the future of transportation. I’m proud that Florida is a place where groundbreaking transportation technologies can be developed and deployed,” DeSantis said.
“Thanks to strategic investments, education partnerships, and policies that promote innovation, we’re ensuring that Florida continues to lead the way in aviation and aerospace.”
These flights in Florida’s “Future of Flight Series” also serve as a fact-finding mission for the FAA as it develops the regulations and operating procedures necessary to safely deploy flying cars for commercial use.
“More than 100 years ago, Florida helped launch the commercial aviation industry, and now Florida is paving the way for the future of flying cars. The work we are doing today will revolutionize the way people and goods move around the state, and this flight series will serve as an important step forward in our efforts to take highways to the sky,” added Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue.
The demonstrations also paid homage to Tony Jannus’ historic 1914 flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa, which, fun fact, was the world’s first commercial airline flight.
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Abram C. Pheil won the auction to be Jannus’ passenger.
“Florida is leading the way in embracing electric air taxis and the opportunities they will create for residents and visitors alike,” stated Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt.
“It’s exciting to see the state turn that ambition into action, and we’re proud to work with FDOT as we plan to fly our aircraft across the state, from Tampa Bay and Orlando to the Space Coast. These flights will give communities a firsthand look at how quiet, electric vertical flight can transform everyday travel, beginning on the route where commercial aviation was born.”
— Triumph for Triumph —
A longtime Panhandle community and business leader is joining the Board that oversees recovery funding from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Attorney General Uthmeier announced Oct. 30 that he is appointing Sandy Sims to the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. The nonprofit was established to direct funding to address the spill’s economic damage. Board members administer the distribution of those funds.
Sims has deep roots in Northwest Florida. She is the former Director of External Relations for Gulf Power Co., where she also worked on economic, community and operations development projects and served as General Manager for the Panama City area.
She has chaired the Niceville Chamber of Commerce, the WSRE public television Board and the Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees. She was also a founding Board member of Impact 100 of Northwest Florida.
A graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and the University of West Florida, Sims has built a 40-year career in the region.
Triumph Gulf Coast oversees about 75% of the state’s economic damage settlement funds from the spill and distributes them to the eight Panhandle counties most affected: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla.
The Triumph Gulf Coast panel has seven members. Several high-level Florida officials appoint the members, with the Attorney General, Governor, and Chief Financial Officer each selecting one. The Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and President of the Florida Senate appoint two members each.
— Triple play —
Florida grows houses with remarkable enthusiasm.
But three working farms covering more than 3,200 acres won’t be joining the crop.
Agriculture Commissioner Simpson announced that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services purchased rural land-protection easements on properties in Hardee, Okeechobee, and Levy counties for a combined $10 million.
Unlike an outright state purchase, the easements prevent future development while allowing the privately owned land to remain in agricultural production.
The deal protects the 522-acre D.T. Davis Ranch cattle operation in Hardee County for $2.95 million and the 180-acre Micco Bluff Ranch in Okeechobee County for nearly $2.2 million. Micco Bluff sits beside the Kissimmee River in the Greater Everglades ecosystem.
The biggest piece is The Flatwoods, a 2,572-acre timber and cattle operation in Levy County. The state paid $4.9 million for two easements covering the property, which sits about 8 miles north of Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park.
All three properties are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and enrolled in the state’s agricultural Best Management Practices program.
FDACS says its Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has now preserved more than 257,000 acres of working agricultural land since its creation in 2001, including more than 191,000 acres during Simpson’s tenure.
— Bank it —
On Monday, Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky announced that the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) secured over $46 million in excess profits to return to policyholders.
So if you’re a policyholder of Infinity Auto Insurance Company, step right up: Your profit refund is coming within 60 days. The profits cover the accident years of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“Insurers must act in the best interest of Florida consumers, and I commend Infinity Auto for reviewing their finances and providing data promptly to the Office of Insurance Regulation. We are aware of other auto insurance companies approaching the statutory threshold for excess profits and anticipate more announcements of refunds for Floridians in the near future,” Yaworsky said.
Infinity Auto will attempt to locate any policyholders whose refund checks were returned. If no contact is made, Infinity will report and process the funds as unclaimed or abandoned property in accordance with Chapter 717, Florida Statutes.
“When insurers are able to return money to their customers, it helps drive down costs for families. These refunds make a big difference for Floridians working hard every day to put food on the table while maintaining proper auto insurance coverage,” stated CFO Ingoglia.
“Refunds like this are further proof that our insurance market continues to strengthen, the reforms are working, and I look forward to making more announcements like this in the near future.”
According to the law, insurers must return any excess profits if underwriting gains for the three most recent calendar-accident years combined exceed the anticipated underwriting profit plus 5% of earned premiums for those years. OIR reminds all other auto insurers of this obligation.
— Instagram of the week —
— Little less gloomy —
As 2026 nears its end, Florida consumers are feeling a bit better about the economy’s future after months of gloom, even as they grow more pessimistic about their current finances.
Florida consumer sentiment rose to 69.1 in October, up from a revised 68.4 in September, according to a University of Florida survey. It was the second straight monthly increase, following a six-month slide that saw declines every month from March through August.
“Floridians’ expectations about future economic conditions improved again in October, particularly their views about the national economy over the next five years. However, this improvement contrasts with their increasingly pessimistic assessments of current conditions,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
“In fact, views of personal financial situations compared with a year ago declined for the seventh consecutive month, making this the component with the largest decline since the beginning of the year.”
Sandoval said elevated inflation is raising affordability concerns for many Floridians. Views of personal finances compared with a year ago slipped from 62 in September to 61.8 in October. But expectations about personal finances a year from now rose from 83.1 to 83.3.
Expectations about U.S. economic conditions a year from now also improved, rising from 66.9 to 68. Views of the U.S. economy over the next five years showed the biggest gain, jumping from 71.1 to 73.8.
“Recent economic developments continue to present a mixed picture. The U.S. economy grew 3.4% in the third quarter, supported by consumer spending and business investment. However, inflation remains elevated,” Sandoval said.
— Stuff the Charger —
On Monday, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) announced the return of the annual “Stuff the Charger” event to help Floridians most in need this holiday season.
FHP and local organizations will provide essential food and educate communities about fighting hunger.
“The ‘Stuff the Charger’ food drive is another way we can stand with our communities and support families who need a little extra help this season, especially following Hurricane Isaias. We encourage Floridians to join us in making a meaningful impact.”
Through Nov. 30, FHP is collecting nonperishable food items to support families across the state. Residents can drop off donations at any troop headquarters, including the main FHP General HQ in Tallahassee.
“Instilled in every Trooper is the call to serve. The Florida Highway Patrol is proud to partner once again with local organizations to serve Florida residents in a different way this holiday season by helping collect food donations for families in need. Help make a difference in your community and help us ‘Stuff the Charger,’” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze.
The following items are highly recommended and go a long way: canned foods (including canned meats, canned sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, green beans, canned fruits, etc.), dried goods (stuffing, boxed potatoes, rice, cornbread mix, grits and oatmeal), and other items like nuts, evaporated milk, and broth.
If you have other food items that don’t fall under those categories, contact your local FHP station or an FHP Public Affairs Officer in the area.
— NAHM —
Their history is Florida history.
This week, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invited all students to participate in the 2026 Native American Heritage Month student art and essay contests. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Florida’s Native American Heritage.”
The United States recognizes and celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November.
“Native American history is an important part of Florida’s story. Understanding the history and traditions of the Native American tribes that helped shape our state gives students a greater appreciation for Florida’s heritage. I encourage all students to take part in this year’s contests and learn more about this important part of our state’s history,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Henry Mack.
Students in public, charter, private, home, and virtual schools are invited to celebrate this month and enter the contests. Students in grades K-3 can enter the art contest, while students in grades 4-12 can enter the essay contest.
And on top of all this fun, students, parents, teachers, and principals can nominate full-time educators of all grade levels for the Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.
“Volunteer Florida is proud to celebrate these outstanding students and educators whose creativity, dedication, and accomplishments reflect the tremendous contributions of Florida’s Native American community,” added Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo.
“These students are carrying forward a rich legacy of culture and achievement, while our educators inspire the next generation of Floridians every day. It is an honor to recognize this year’s winners and the impact they are making across our state.”
Mail all forms and nominations to Volunteer Florida or submit them online at www.floridanativeamericanheritage.com.
They must receive all entries by 5 p.m. Eastern on Friday, Nov. 13. Good luck, and maybe you’ll even learn something you didn’t know!
— Scratch responsibly —
Lottery tickets make a great stocking stuffer or fun last-minute Christmas gift, but be careful who you give them to.
As November comes into full swing, so does the holiday spirit (sorry, Thanksgiving, no one really vibes with you like that).
This week, the Florida Lottery and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) are rolling out their annual “Gift Responsibly” campaign to raise awareness about the risks of youth gambling and encourage responsible gift-giving.
Friendly reminder: Although Lottery tickets make a fun Christmas morning gift, they are meant for adults only — not children.
“Lottery games are designed to be entertainment for adults, and it’s important that we keep them that way. As we celebrate the holiday season and spend time with the people who matter most, we encourage Floridians to be mindful of the gifts they give and help us reinforce the message that Lottery tickets are not for children. Responsible play starts with all of us,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon.
The 2026 Gift Responsibly Campaign is part of the Florida Lottery’s ongoing commitment to educate the public about responsible play. Throughout November and December, the Lottery will share educational messages on its social media platforms encouraging Floridians to make responsible choices and help prevent underage gambling.
“Protecting Florida’s children from the potential harms of underage gambling is a responsibility we all share,” added Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer.
“The holidays are an opportunity to remind families that gambling products are intended for adults. By making responsible choices and keeping these products out of children’s hands, we can help promote awareness and support healthier habits for the next generation.”
— To the rescue —
When roads turn into rivers, it helps to have a state agency with airboats in its garage.
After a stalled weather front dumped record rainfall on Florida’s east coast, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent dozens of officers and a small armada to help residents stranded in Brevard and St. Lucie counties.
Parts of Brevard received nearly 23 inches of rain, leaving residents unable to safely leave their homes or navigate flooded roads. FWC deployed 63 officers — in addition to local teams already working there — along with nine side-by-sides, seven airboats and two shallow-water vessels. By Tuesday, Nov. 3, officers had conducted more than 56 rescues and answered more than 38 calls for service.
Another 30 officers were deployed to St. Lucie County with reconnaissance drones, swamp buggies, airboats and shallow-water vessels. According to the agency, officers evacuated more than 190 residents and handled more than 200 calls for service.
FWC said its officers would remain in the affected communities, helping local law enforcement and emergency managers contend with what the agency called a historic weather event.
Stay dry out there!
— Savvy citrus —
Florida citrus growers are applauding a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plan to buy millions of dollars’ worth of citrus as part of a larger federal food purchase.
The USDA has announced it intends to buy up to $472.5 million in American-grown and American-raised agricultural products. The Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will distribute the purchases to food banks and other nutrition assistance programs. It also aims to stabilize agricultural markets and support producers nationwide.
Of that total, $20 million is set aside for citrus: $10 million for grapefruit and $10 million for oranges. The USDA did not say where the fruit will come from, and growers in other citrus-producing states, such as California and Texas, may also supply it.
Florida Citrus Mutual, the trade association representing the state’s citrus growers, praised the move. CEO Matt Joyner said it will help Florida growers.
“As families fill their baskets with Halloween treats, Florida’s citrus growers and Americans in need will get a treat of their own. The USDA’s purchase of fresh citrus will put wholesome, nutritious food on the tables of families in need through food banks, schools and other food assistance programs,” Joyner said.
“In turn, the USDA is supporting hard-working multigenerational Florida citrus growers with the purchase of their fruit. We applaud Secretary Rollins, the USDA-AMS and the (Donald) Trump administration for their continued commitment to Florida’s citrus industry and its consumers.”
The purchases fall under Section 32 of a 1935 federal farm law, which lets the USDA buy surplus commodities to support farmers when markets are tight.
— Called it —
At least two Tallahassee political pros can say they saw it coming.
Republican operative Ted Veerman has mathematically clinched LobbyScape’s General 2026 prediction game, besting veteran campaign consultant Mark Zubaly in the unofficial contest to determine who knows Florida politics best — or at least who guesses most accurately.
The free, nonpartisan game asked players to predict winners and vote percentages across Florida’s ballot. Participants locked in their picks before the results rolled in, leaving them nowhere to hide when voters didn’t follow the script.
Veerman has correctly called 123 of 137 scored races, with an average error of 4.8 percentage points. That performance has earned him 3,293 points and a 252-point lead over Zubaly.
Zubaly has hardly embarrassed himself. He correctly predicted 118 races, posted a 6.4-point average error and collected 3,041 points.
Coming in third with 2,839 points is “Andres M.” Could that be Jones Walker government relations pro Andrés Malavé? We’re not saying it is — but we are absolutely raising an eyebrow in his direction.
LobbyScape still has seven races left to score and won’t display its “Champion of the Cycle” banner until its internal call desk finishes coloring in the map. But the site’s own scoring rules have settled the matter.
Even if Zubaly nails the winner and percentage in all seven remaining races while Veerman scores nothing, Zubaly can add no more than 245 points under the current results. That would leave him seven points short.
We all know Ted wins. Let’s hope Zubaly doesn’t put us through the pain of a manual recount.
— Safety pitch —
The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet is looking for workplace leaders with something worth sharing — and the receipts to back it up.
The organization opened its call for presentations for the seventh annual Florida Chamber Safety and Health Summit, set for May 11-12, 2027, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando. Formerly the Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability, the summit will feature 30- to 45-minute breakout sessions focused on safety, health and sustainability.
Organizers want real-world case studies, innovative initiatives and practical tools, with formats ranging from solo presentations and fireside chats to panels and workshops. Potential topics include heat-stress prevention, workforce mental health and resilience, environmental stewardship, using AI and data to improve outcomes, and case studies demonstrating ROI.
Corporate leaders, HR professionals, researchers, nonprofits, veterans, first-responder organizations and other experts may submit proposals by Nov. 30.
— Happy 40th! —
Three cheers to four decades.
This week, four Florida State University College of Law students continued the tradition of arguing before the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, as the college celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Moot Court Final Four Competition.
At 3:30 p.m., second-year law students Nathaniel Birdsong, Warren Robison, Serena Saul and Madison Smith presented oral arguments before the justices of Florida’s highest court. A reception followed.
“For 40 years, Final Four has given our students an extraordinary opportunity to put their preparation into practice. We are grateful to the Justices for investing their time in our students and to the faculty, alumni and coaches who help them reach this moment,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, the Dean of the FSU College of Law.
The finalists qualified through the College of Law’s Spring intramural moot court competition, which also selects new Moot Court Team members.
Participants submitted written briefs and completed three rounds of oral argument. The four highest-scoring oral advocates in the final round advanced to the Final Four the following Fall.
“A strong oral advocate must do more than know a prepared argument. Students must listen carefully, recognize the concern behind a judge’s question and respond with clarity and candor. Final Four challenges them to bring those skills together in a setting they will remember throughout their careers,” said Nat Stern, professor emeritus and former faculty adviser and coach to the Moot Court Team.
— Noms needed —
Reflect on women you know who work in business, and let them have their moment in the spotlight.
This week, Tallahassee State College invited the 850 community to nominate trailblazing entrepreneurs and business leaders who improve the region for its 2027 Women’s History Month honors.
The 2027 theme is “Financial Literacy, Liberation, and Leadership: Women in Business,” highlighting women who have shown exceptional business leadership, expanded economic opportunities, lifted others through financial education, or broken down barriers to financial independence.
For the Women’s History Month honors, the committee seeks women whose achievements and contributions reflect at least one of three qualities: Financial Literacy, Financial Liberation, or Business Leadership.
Literacy recognizes women who have empowered others through financial education — such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit management, financial planning or building financial independence.
The Liberation category recognizes women who remove economic barriers that have kept others from achieving their financial goals and expand access to resources.
And leadership is all about, you guessed it, leadership in the entrepreneurial world.
Nominations are open through Nov. 20 and can be submitted at tallystate.com/WHM2027.
The committee will select and recognize the honorees at a Women’s History Month ceremony on March 10, 2027.
— To 100 more —
Leon County Government celebrates the 100th anniversary of the historic Old Fort Braden School (now the Fort Braden Community Center) this Saturday — perhaps as you’re reading this — with a community gathering honoring the site’s history and its continued role in bringing residents together.
Built in 1926, the schoolhouse served Fort Braden students until 1993 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The centennial celebration, themed “From Learning to Living: Celebrating 100 Years of Fort Braden’s School and Community Center”, will welcome hundreds of residents for a history-filled, family-friendly event with free food, music, games and plenty of fun activities.
During the event, county officials, staff, and members of the Fort Braden community will share personal stories reflecting on the building’s 100-year history and its significance to the surrounding area.
Attendees will be the first to see the new Fort Braden History Wall inside the community center, featuring a detailed timeline of major events and historical photographs.
If you have historical photos that help tell Fort Braden’s story, we may consider them for the digital display in the new History Wall installation at the community center. Submit your photos here.
Lastly, bring small, meaningful items that reflect the Fort Braden community and life in 2026 for a time capsule that won’t open until 2051.
Letters, photographs, children’s artwork, postcards and small commemorative objects are all welcome.
— Jobs, jobs, jobs —
Tally and jobs — a great combo.
According to a new job market tracker from the job platform JobLeads, Tallahassee has the highest share of consulting job postings of any major U.S. city.
From April through June (the latest quarter in the index), consulting roles made up 3.7% of Tallahassee’s 26,443 new job postings, or about 990 ads. That is the highest share among 67 U.S. cities, well ahead of Chicago (2.7%), Atlanta (2.2%) and Boston (2.1%) and above the median share of 1.4%.
“No other city we track has as large a share of consulting job postings as Tallahassee. As the state capital, it draws organizations that work with government, and that shows up clearly in what employers are hiring for,” said Ricardo Meneses Flores, Content & Insights Data Analyst at JobLeads.
From April through June, these were the U.S. cities with the highest share of consulting job postings:
— Tallahassee, Fla.: 3.7%
— Carson City, Nev.: 2.9%
— Chicago, Ill.: 2.7%
— Jefferson City, Mo.: 2.5%
— Olympia, Wash.: 2.5%
— Charleston, W.Va.: 2.4%
— Atlanta, Ga.: 2.2%
— Des Moines, Iowa: 2.2%
— Boston, Mass.: 2.1%
— Minneapolis, Minn.: 2.1%
Tallahassee also led in Florida, with more consulting job postings than Jacksonville and Orlando, both around 740. Overall, new job postings in Tallahassee were nearly flat from the first quarter (−0.4%). Jacksonville’s rose 1.0%, and Orlando’s fell 7.1%.
The JobLeads Job Index tracks new job postings in 98 cities each quarter and draws on data from more than 400,000 company career pages and job sources.
— Lizards, cats, horses, and gods —
After the international, domestic, and Academy Award darling “Godzilla Minus One” (which won this long-running icon its first Oscar), we now get “Godzilla Minus Zero,” and the whole team is back. Set two years after the first film’s catastrophe, it follows survivors coping with their ordeal against the atomic-beam-blasting monster. Rated R (a first for the franchise), it’s written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki and filmed for IMAX. Word on the street is this film totally rules. The film currently has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, an 8.1 on IMDb and a 4.2 out of 5 on Letterboxd.
An equally destructive menace to society, “The Cat in the Hat” is the long-delayed animated adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss children’s book, starring Emmy winner Bill Hader in the titular role and Emmy winner Quinta Brunson. Not to be confused with the nightmare fuel of the early-2000s Mike Myers version — now an ironically dark internet comedy — this new film offers a more classic telling of the story. The earlier version was shot by three-time Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki (crazy but true).
Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja co-direct the new film, and the reception is pretty middling. A 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.5 on IMDb and a 3.2 on Letterboxd are perfectly fine for a film that was in limbo.
Epic in every sense of the word, the new Indian movie “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” adapts the Hindu smriti epic poem and tells the story of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. It is one of the largest ancient epics, so with “The Odyssey” doing well, let’s see how this bad boy plays out. Brought to life by the Oscar-winning team behind the recent “Dune” films, this 2-hour-and-45-minute movie, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, could bring all kinds of moviegoers together.
Some aren’t happy with the film’s use of AI to match the lead actor’s lips to dubbed dialogue. The human story of mortality and the universe’s love and destiny is meeting solid reviews, with a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes (90% with audiences), an 8.6 on IMDb, and a 3.7 on Letterboxd. Critics praise the VFX, scope, action sequences and cinematography, but others bring up the AI in the room, the length and the fact that it’s only Part 1 … Maybe don’t have a large soda, and see the Hindi version with subtitles.
And lastly, for those looking to build their prestige and Oscar watchlist, there’s “Wild Horse Nine” — the new dark comedy from brilliant screenwriter and Director Martin McDonagh, an Oscar winner. The mind behind “In Bruges,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” McDonagh this time tells the story of two CIA agents, played by Oscar nominee John Malkovich and Oscar winner Sam Rockwell, who face a trust-testing mission from Santiago to Easter Island in Chile in 1973.
The spy comedy is praised for its sharp writing, hilarious timing, and excellent performances from its two leads—with Malkovich in early talks as the front-runner for Best Actor, considered overdue because he’s never won. The film has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, an 8.1 on IMDb and a 4.1 on Letterboxd. You know whether McDonagh’s films are for you, but they certainly are for us, and we can’t wait to see this beautiful-looking film that might win him his first writing Oscar.
— Capitol Directions —
Ron DeSantis — Down arrow — By the time you finish this sentence, he’ll be on another podcast shit-talking another Republican.
Byron Donalds — Up arrow — Forget about all the noise, all the Fishbacks, all the doubters. The headline says Governor-elect.
Erika Donalds — Up arrow — When the Mansion keys change hands Jan. 5, whisper one message to Casey from us: “Eight is enough.”
Ryan Smith — Up arrow — Florida is now the GOP’s last anchor. Smith will insist he merely steadied the boat.
Chris Hudson — Up arrow — Castaway Cay to Plaza Level: better access, dramatically worse soft serve.
Alex Miranda — Up arrow — Jolly practically qualified for a Miami-Dade homestead exemption. Miranda still charged him the nonresident rate.
Jeff Woodburn — Up arrow — The proverbial smartest guy in the room is about to get a lot better rooms.
Cap City — Up arrow — Scott Ross and Nick Iarossi didn’t get a seat at the big-boy table. They completed a leveraged buyout.
Susie Wiles, James Blair — Up arrow — The Beltway can throw tomatoes. In Florida, Wiles and Blair out-DeSantised DeSantis from 1600 Pennsylvania.
Ed Miyagishima — Up arrow — Gene Kranz with a lanyard: every Cabinet campaign landed, and nobody ran out of oxygen.
David Jolly — Down arrow — The postmortem is Tarkovsky’s Mirror, minus the ambiguity.
Bullhorns — Down arrow — Are the batteries dead or is Moody’s watch party just that loud?
James Uthmeier — Up arrow — Cabinet Moneyball: less money, stronger headwinds, most raw votes.
Marc Reichelderfer — Up arrow — Clear another plinth on Vaes Dothrak’s Godsway. The Marchitect has fresh statuary.
Evan Power, Bill Helmich — Up arrow — Jim Cramer upgraded them from “Sell” to “Don’t Buy.” At 420 E. Jefferson, that’s practically NVDA.
Fla. Dems — Down arrow — Lucy has held the football so long she may have acquired it by adverse possession.
Jim Rimes, Rick Porter and Ivey Rooney — Up arrow — They kept Blaise between the buoys through a shadow Primary and Mar-a-Lago’s cold shoulder. No small feat of navigation.
Tracie Davis — Up arrow — FRSCC woke up Wednesday looking like Chuck Wepner. Davis threw the punch.
Christine Hunschofsky — Up arrow — For one giddy hour, “Leader-elect” looked like a typo. Warhol only promised 15 minutes.
Cassidy Whitaker — Up arrow — House Democrats gained 15 seats. Save the 16th chair for Whitaker.
90 for 90 — Up arrow — Fergie Reid and Margie Stein finally unlocked Been Everywhere: complete all marked destinations on the map.
David Johnson — Down arrow — Even Coppola made Jack. This cycle was Johnson’s.
HD 51 — Down arrow — We don’t quibble with voters. Sending Holley back to the ranch was still a bum steer.
HD 10 — Down arrow — Actually, we’re quibbling twice. White nationalism should not come with a House parking space.
Daphne Campbell — Up arrow — Sergio Leone’s long-lost fourth entry: Una borsetta piena di dollari.
Florida Realtors — Up arrow — They listed Amendment 3 at 60% and closed at 62%. No contingencies.
Data Targeting — $$$ — Pat Bainter can subsidize Alachua County’s Amendment 3 losses from his mail haul. Consider it the local match.
Fla. League of Cities — Down arrow — Home rule, meet homeowner rule.
Rene Flowers — Down arrow — A brutal doubleheader for the FAC President. Even Ernie Banks would have taken the rainout.
Ben Albritton — Down arrow — Who?
Jim Boyd — Up arrow — No reach picks, no vanity selections, no obvious busts. Just a solid draft board.
Tim Baker — Up arrow — Home from deployment, he landed Joe Strada in Congress and Jessica back in the House. John Glenn had an easier re-entry.
Chris Dorworth — Down arrow — “Talk to me, Goose!”
Kristellys Estanga — Up arrow — She left the title card, not the production. The Matlow Cinematic Universe is beginning its City Hall arc.
Orange Co. Democrats — Up arrow — Shaq-and-Penny night at the O-Rena. They ran the scoreboard until the supermajority broke.
Alexander Pantinakis — Up arrow — Hardcore. Frugalist. Minimalist. No save. Knife only. He still cleared Duval with an S+.
Kathy San Pedro — Up arrow — Two Lieutenant Governors, no losses. KSP’s VIP wristband was less perk than credential.
Michelle Schorsch — Up arrow — She made Charlie Crist cool again. The second law of thermodynamics is under review.
Tallahassee — Up arrow — DeSantis, Dailey and Norvell are all leaving. Turntle did not die in vain.
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