Springtime is here in the 850. That statement may conjure up a few things in your head — frigid mornings followed by blistering afternoons, pollen all over your car, a fictional musical written for a dictator in “The Producers,” professional baseball to watch in the evenings, allergies acting up, lobbyists and lawmakers from all over Florida can’t wait to go home.

But here’s the good part: Springtime Tallahassee is back!

As the year-round locals know, the Springtime Tallahassee event is the official sign of the season changing. Starting yesterday and continuing through today, Spring will greet Tallahassee residents with delicious local food from vendors, music worth dancing to, and plenty of tents and booths overflowing with fun for the whole family.

The festivities began Friday evening with “The Music Festival” at Kleman Plaza. At 5:30 p.m., guests went through the beer garden enjoying local wine and beer, with a “kick out the jams” performance from Joe Nicholas after Kameron Marlow and Jason Byrd opened. On Friday evening, individuals leaving the Capitol and downtown area were in for an auditory surprise when heading to their vehicles. But the Spring specialties speed on. And, possibly as you’re reading this, Springtime 10K/5K/1-mile race participants are readying for competition — the races begin and end in the FDOT parking lot starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration is closed the day of.

If running isn’t your ideal way to spend a Saturday, here’s something that’s probably more your speed: from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Springtime Parade will be marching through town, traveling south on Monroe and past the Florida Capitol ending at Madison Street. Fun fact: The Springtime Parade is one of the biggest productions of its kind in the South, averaging 70,000 attendees a year and featuring 100 or so colorful and carefully decorated floats.

If you’re a late riser, fret not. Jubilee in the Park will be chugging along until 5 p.m. All visitors are welcome to explore the variety of arts and crafts and different foods in the Downtown Chain of Parks. You never know if your favorite piece of art is waiting to be found downtown. At the very least, you’ll be able to brag to all your friends about what a steal it was.

With forecasts showing overcast weather, a high of 84 and a low of 60, it seems like the perfect day to run into an old friend, jam out to some tunes, drink some delicious local beer, examine beautiful art, and take in the Spring weather. Be sure to tell Punxsutawney Phil to suck it because Spring is here — and it’s terrific. Don’t miss out on one of the events that makes Tallahassee such a unique southern gem in our lovably crazy state.

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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, Andrew Powell and the staff of Florida Politics.

But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:

—Take 5 —

Historic cut — House Speaker Daniel Perez wants Florida to become the only state in the nation to permanently reduce its sales tax, proposing on Wednesday a 0.75% cut to bring the state sales tax from its current 6% to 5.25%. “This will not be a temporary measure, a stunt or a tax holiday. This will be a permanent, recurring tax reduction,” Perez said during remarks to the House Chamber. According to Perez, the decrease is expected to save Floridians $5 billion per year. Perez said it would be the most significant tax cut in state history. “We have forgotten a fundamental truth – this money isn’t ours. Tax dollars don’t belong to the government; they belong to the people,” Perez said.

Starting point — Both chambers released their budget proposals Friday, with the Senate plan coming in at $117.36 billion and the House at $112.9 billion. Both budgets are well below the adjusted total of $118.6 billion for the current year. “This budget reflects a return to a more normal budget spending pattern, aligned with our revenues over the long term,” said Senate Budget Chief Ed Hooper. Among the highlights in the Senate plan is a 4% raise for all state employees, with a minimum of at least $1,500, while state firefighters and veteran state law enforcement officers could get up to 15% pay increases. Notably, the House budget will include implementing language prohibiting any state money from being used for DEI activities — the provision will apply to all entities that receive state funds.

Refund? — Gov. Ron DeSantis touted sending more than $878 million in federal funds allocated to Florida back to Washington this week. The remittance comes as DeSantis praises the “DOGE” team purportedly rooting out wasteful federal spending. Of the money DeSantis sent back, $557.7 million was for refugee resettlement. It’s foggy whether “returned” is an accurate description, however, as a representative for House Speaker Perez said, “no funds were actually returned, but rather the Governor indicated to the federal government that he doesn’t intend to request federal funds that were available to be drawn down related to the Department of Transportation and refugees.”

Press pause — After hearing impassioned arguments over its potential negative impacts, Ormond Beach Republican Sen. Tom Leek has postponed a floor vote on his bill to enhance penalties for people found guilty of killing a police officer. Leek and Jacksonville Republican Rep. Jessica Baker have argued for weeks that their companion bills (SB 234, HB 175) afford cops no additional room to misuse their authority. But contention that the legislation’s removal of a requirement that officers act in “good faith” when arresting or detaining people has persisted, with detractors contending it will embolden bad actors and suppress historically marginalized communities. That contention came to a head Wednesday before a planned vote on SB 234, with several Black lawmakers pushing back against the bill. Leek heard them and temporarily pulled the measure from consideration. “My love for you all tells me today that the best thing for us to do is to keep talking, to continue the discussion …,” Leek said.

Is this the year? — Lawmakers this week took significant steps toward passing bills that have been kicked around in the Legislature for years. The full Senate gave the OK to repeal Florida’s “clean hands” rule, which bars exonerees with more than one nonviolent felony from being eligible for recompense without legislative action; the House companion likewise cleared its final committee and awaits a floor vote. The full House, meanwhile, approved a measure that would repeal Florida’s so-called “free kill” law, which bars adult children over 25 and their parents from pursuing medical malpractice claims. The Senate companion of the “free kill” repeal bill awaits a floor vote.

— Big Splash DeSantis —

Water and Florida go hand in hand. Whether because of our beautiful beaches and springs or because the air is so humid it’s essentially H2O, it’s a perfect combo, like Miami and cocaine … or peanut butter and jelly.

Most Floridians would agree (not even all dentists can agree on a toothpaste, so we understand the lack of unanimity) that protecting our water is essential. To that end, DeSantis announced this week that more than $389 million in grants would be awarded to improve water quality and quantity across Florida.

“Florida’s waterways are a vital part of our environment, economy and way of life and protecting these resources continues to be a top priority. These investments will help safeguard water quality statewide and accelerate restoration efforts in key ecosystems like the Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, and Biscayne Bay,” said DeSantis.

The funding includes $189 million in water quality and improvement grants and upward of $55 million in alternative water supply grants. After much consideration, 31 high-priority projects were selected to receive the funding based on the most impactful and cost-effective solutions needed to reduce nutrient pollution and enhance water quality.

“Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature have made these investments a priority to provide needed resources for local leaders to take on infrastructure projects that will improve the environment for future generations,” Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said.

— When You Wish Upon a Farm —

The televised award season is over, and what a great way Tallahassean’s got to send it off with four-time Academy Award winner Sean Baker giving a speech at Ruby Diamond a few weeks ago. While the Tonys and then the Emmys will be happening in a blink of an eye, it’s important to award and recognize the local heroes and individuals who serve their community.

This week Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the 2025 winner of the “Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, an annual recognition since 1994 spotlighting an environmentally innovative grower committed to preserving and protecting Florida while still producing agricultural goods, and this year’s winner is “Wish Farms.”

“Wish Farms exemplifies the innovation and stewardship that make Florida agriculture a national leader. Their commitment to sustainable farming practices, conservation, and environmental responsibility ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy the high-quality produce our state is known for. It is an honor to recognize them as the 2025 winner of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Wish Farms is a fourth-generation company owned by Plant City since 1922. Wish Farms grows and sells strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and pineberries across America. What makes Wish Farms unique, and a fine recipient of this award, is their rooftop solar array, which has over 2100 panels and takes over 80,000 square feet. It produces 1.6 gigawatts yearly, enough to power 117 Florida homes and over 0.39 more gigawatts needed by Doc Brown in Back to the Future. So, if in the area, why not check out this year’s winner of the “Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award” and get yourself some delicious Florida-grown fruit, in an environmentally aware way.

— Back the Blue —

Attorney General James Uthmeier presented Kirsten Bridegan with a “Back the Blue” Award on Thursday for her efforts to support law enforcement and communities across Florida through the Bridegan Foundation.

Kirsten Bridegan founded the Bridegan Foundation and Bexley Boxes, which provide essential child care items such as blankets, diapers, and snacks to law enforcement offices, after she experienced tragedy in 2022 when her daughter Bexley witnessed the murder of her father, Jared Bridegan.

Bexley spent hours at a police station following the event and while law enforcement did their best to comfort Bexley they had limited supplies on hand. Bexley Boxes have now been distributed to several Florida agencies and 11 other states.

Uthmeier said in a press release that Bridegan had turned tragedy into something that positively impacts others.

“By turning tragedy into a source of compassion, Kirsten Bridegan is making a lasting impact on law enforcement and our communities,” Uthmeier said. “I’m honored to present a Back the Blue Award to Kirsten for her efforts to help others with the Bexley Boxes program — where essential child care items are provided to Florida law enforcement officers to help them comfort children who find themselves in traumatic situations.”

The Back the Blue Award recognizes law enforcement officers who go above and beyond the call of duty and those without a badge who show extraordinary support for those who wear badges.

— 23andBroke —

Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide want to know what their genetic and family history looks like. So, many pay for a service that promises to tell them everything they’d ever want to know with a DNA swab.

But there’s an issue with that business model. It’s a one-time thing and isn’t ideal in the business world. On March 23 (a fitting day of the month to spill the beans), the DNA company 23andMe announced its bankruptcy filing.

Rightfully, many 23andMe customers soon wondered what would happen to the company’s DNA and family information — would it possibly go to whatever company buys the husk of the erstwhile genealogy giant?

Attorney General Uthmeier is stepping in with some advice.

“Consumer privacy is paramount, especially when it concerns an individual’s DNA. Floridians are right to be concerned about where their information is held. We are offering tips to Floridians who wish to proactively protect their data by requesting the destruction of their test sample and deleting their accounts amid 23andMe’s bankruptcy,” he said.

Per the Attorney General, anyone concerned about their data should log in to their 23andMe account, go to the profile settings page, scroll to the “23andMe Data” section at the end, click view next to this option, download their data if desired, and then scroll to down and hit the “delete” option, then click confirm. That’s it! Straightforward.

Don’t dillydally — the longer you wait, the more likely it is that some tech company will have the building blocks of your existence in a middle-of-nowhere data center.

— Medicaid Mishandeling —

How our tax dollars should be spent is a debate as old as time, but everyone can agree that taxpayer money shouldn’t be wasted or worse, stolen.

Of course, what “wasted” or “stolen” means in this context is also debatable, as current events have made clear. Still, an announcement from the Attorney General’s office this week alleges what would undoubtedly fall into the “stolen” category.

Uthmeier’s Medicaid Fraud Control Until, with the help and assistance of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the arrest of Juantavis Lavonte Hudson, owner of Amirah Healthcare, a Medicaid-funded home and community services provider, for services never rendered resulting in a loss of more than $50,000 was announced.

“This defendant fraudulently billed Florida taxpayer-funded Medicaid tens of thousands of dollars. Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, he will face up to 30 years in prison,” Uthmeier said.

In March 2024, the parents of a Medicaid recipient were concerned about Hudson’s billing practices and reported it. An investigation from the Medicaid fraud control unit revealed that Hudson had billed for services not rendered to three different Medicaid recipients, causing Medicaid a total loss of $53,201.34. Hudson now faces one count of Medicaid provider fraud over $50,000, a first-degree felony.

— High-aleah —

The war on drugs rages on, and yet again, the latest bust is for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s simultaneously more deadly than any other widely available illicit drug but which doesn’t even have the decency to inspire halfway decent music.

While we wouldn’t blame you if you found those videos of people fainting in its mere presence unbelievable, there’s no questioning fentanyl’s lethality — seriously, one pill really could kill, and the sooner its sources are rooted out, the better.

This week in Hialeah, Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) found and arrested two alleged dealers. Kyle Alexander Lopez and Jerrick Taylor, both 23, have been charged with multiple felonies related to the sale and possession of fentanyl, other illicit drugs and illegal firearms.

“One fentanyl-related death is one too many. This case is a prime example of how FDLE and the SAFE task force agents do their due diligence to leave no stone unturned. Expanding investigations to target suppliers of fentanyl and all lethal drugs is a key component in eradicating the poison from our communities,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.

Task force agents and the Hialeah Police Department conducted a search warrant on Lopez and Taylor’s homes, where they seized more than half a pound of fentanyl, multiple pounds of weed, two firearms (one of them stolen), $5,000 in cash, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. We’re sure “it’s not what it looks like” was uttered several times as that warrant was executed.

The State Attorney’s office, 11th Judicial Circuit, is prosecuting the case, and both Taylor and Lopez are currently at the TGK Detention Center.

— Instagram of the week —

— Florida on Top —

CareerSource Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and Florida Commerce, hosted the first-ever Workforce Day at the Capitol on Thursday. This event brought together leaders in the workforce and education sectors to celebrate Florida’s success in workforce education and bold vision for workforce development.

Leaders from across the state joined CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston to highlight Florida’s progress in becoming a national leader in workforce education. DeSantis set the goal in 2019 to make Florida the country’s No. 1 by 2030.

“The demand for skilled talent has never been greater,” Johnston said. “As Florida’s economy continues to grow, evolve, and diversify, our workforce system must not only keep pace but lead the way. We are committed to ensuring every Floridian has the opportunity to succeed and every business has the talent and resources needed to drive our state’s continued prosperity.”

Thanks to targeted investments and strong partnerships, the Sunshine State now ranks #1 in the nation for talent development and higher education.

Throughout Workforce Day, state college and university presidents and agency leaders met to explore new strategies to expand career pathways, connect students to high-demand jobs, and strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline. State leaders have achieved a 60% increase in registered apprenticeships since 2019 and a substantial rise in career and technical education program enrollments.

Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., thanked DeSantis’ leadership for bringing Florida to the top of the nation.

“Our workforce education programs allow students to earn skills more quickly than a traditional 4-year degree and access high-demand, high-wage jobs,” Diaz said. “A strong talent pipeline is essential to supporting our economy and continuing to attract new businesses to the state.”

— Keeping watch —

On Tuesday, the Student Academic Success Committee unanimously advanced a measure allowing public and charter schools to install video cameras in classrooms.

Homestead Democratic Rep. Kevin Chambliss presented the bill (HB 257) to protect exceptional students and ESE educators by allowing a parent to request that a school district or charter school install video cameras in the student’s classroom.

The measure would provide indisputable video and audio evidence, which a parent can view within seven days if any incidents occur in their child’s classroom.

“Far too often have exceptional students returned home from school, only for their parents to find seemingly unexplainable marks, bruises and other injuries to their person,” Chambliss said. “When an incident resulting in injury occurs to these students, specifically to those who are non-verbal, parents may never truly feel certain about the cause of the injury. HB 257 removes that uncertainty. With this bill, parents and educators can feel secure in knowing that these cameras will provide indisputable video and audio evidence of any and all incidents that occur while in the classroom.”

Port Orange Republican Rep. Chase Tramont added, “HB 257 is a crucial step toward providing peace of mind for families by ensuring greater transparency and accountability in our schools.

“By allowing video cameras in certain classrooms, we can help protect our most vulnerable children while also supporting our dedicated educators. I am honored to be working with Rep. Chambliss to move these important reforms forward.”

— Forward-thinking Solutions —

The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee advanced a bill Tuesday that seeks to introduce reforms to strengthen transportation systems, boost support to expectant mothers, and streamline the development of critical projects.

Sarasota Republican Rep. Fiona McFarland championed the legislation (HB 567) to enhance Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

“HB 567 offers forward-thinking solutions to modernize Florida’s transportation infrastructure,” McFarland said. “By balancing the needs of residents and responsible use of taxpayer dollars, we’re making our state safer, more efficient, and better prepared for future growth.”

The bill tasks the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with planning higher speed limits, high-volume travel and upgrades to traffic lights to adapt to congestion, weather, and traffic flow. It would also direct the Department of Revenue to allocate a portion of the electricity tax revenue to the State Transportation Trust Fund to offset the use of EVs.

Counties must provide FDOT with transportation project data for a statewide report. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would also issue one-year special parking placards to expectant mothers who apply.

The composition of the Center for Urban Transportation Research advisory board would also be reviewed to include representatives from a broader range of transportation sectors. New requirements would be established for installing, removing, and relocating utilities, mandating that underground utilities be electronically detectable and that utility owners submit as-built plans within specified time frames.

Furthermore, it would create a pilot program at the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority to assess the long-term feasibility of alternative airport permitting procedures.

The bill now heads to the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.

— Put Me In Coach —

Statistics show that encouraging youth to participate in sports is not only good for their health and a great way to release energy, but it is also a character-building trait—it can teach kids the importance of teamwork, the value of discipline and dedication, the virtue of respect, how to be a good winner, and how not to be a sore loser.

Parents or volunteers often help instill these principles in youth and city leagues for any sport. For safety reasons, these coaches must undergo a Level 2 background screening, which isn’t completed overnight.

During this Session, Rep. Dana Trabulsy is pitching a solution.

A bill she is sponsoring (HB 431) would extend the deadline for coaches to undergo their Level 2 background screening from Jan. 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. This allows the state to clear its backlog and ensure everyone gets their background check results back in time.

“We need to protect our kids, but we also need to be fair to the parents and volunteers who step up to coach. Extending this deadline ensures we keep strong background checks in place without forcing volunteers to pay more than $100 each year. This gives the state time to strengthen the system and saves coaches money in the long run,” Trabulsy said.

HB 431 has cleared its final committee and is headed to the House floor for a full vote. Florida’s “Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse” was created in 2012 to screen medical professionals. Still, the system has been swamped since adding youth athletic coaches to the pool over a year ago. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would go into effect July 1, 2025.

— Crossing the Stage —

The Able Trust held its 30th annual Crossing the Stage Celebration, where they recognized two important supporters of The Able Trust youth programs and heard from inspiring speakers.

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie was awarded Legislator of the Year, recognizing his support of High School High Tech (HSHT). HSHT connects high school students with disabilities from Miami to Pensacola to career exploration activities, postsecondary education options, and skill development.

The Able Trust said in a press release that it appreciated DiCeglie’s leadership in ensuring that its Able Trust youth programs can continue to grow and reach more students across Florida.

The Able Trust further named John R. Pettingill ‘Philanthropist of the Year’, a posthumous award for his many years of support of The Able Trust’s youth programs.

“This year, we are excited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of HSHT and the impact this program is having on students with disabilities, helping them recognize their employment potential,” The Able Trust wrote in a press release.

Through a public-private partnership with the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, The Able Trust has worked with students with disabilities for over 30 years, helping them successfully transition out of high school. The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program provides Florida high school students with various disabilities with opportunities to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to in-demand careers.

—Every Person Counts —

Sometimes, it can be awkward (or scary) when a stranger knocks on your door. So, even if it is your local high school band raising money for a trip, the Girl Scouts trying to ensure you break your diet, or the volunteers who help perform the Census, sometimes we want to avoid the interaction entirely.

But, in a few years, there will be a knock on the door that you should answer because a lot is riding on it.

Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog, is trying to build momentum now so that when 2030 comes around, Floridians understand that the final Census will significantly impact how the 2030s unfold for Florida. Census Day (chalk this up to “Session brain,” but it seems like there’s a day for everything now) is this April 1, and no, that’s not a joke.

According to a statement made by Florida TaxWatch, “Florida has a history of Census undercounts, which cost the state billions in federal funding. An accurate, complete count in 2030 is vital to securing Florida’s fair share of federal dollars and representation. Florida TaxWatch is preparing now, sharing ways businesses and individuals can take action today to support a complete 2030 count.”

In 2020, Florida’s Census count was missing upward of 750,000 residents, around a 3.48% undercount. According to Florida TaxWatch’s number crunching, it cost the state between $11 billion and $21 billion in federal funding. The solution? Make sure we all do our part and take the time to fill out our Census, and if you don’t want that awkward interaction at the door, fill out the paperwork and send it in at your earliest convenience.

— Red Dog wins —

It was pretty dog-eat-dog at a Tallahassee night spot recently.

A popular tradition growing in Florida’s capital, bringing political animals together to help improve the lives of pets, was successful again this year.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Red Dog Blue Dog event, in which Florida lawmakers serve as bartenders to raise donations in Tallahassee for local animal rescues.

After a final tally, the event raised nearly $50,000. That money will go to three animal refuge centers: the Animal Shelter Foundation, the Leon County Humane Society and Last Hope Rescue.

The event was held at Township on South Woodward Avenue in Tallahassee. Billed as one of the “must-attend events” in the capital each year, the fundraiser ensures elected lawmakers really work for the people that night. To spice things up, there is even a competition between the two political parties.

This year’s event saw Republicans come out on top regarding fundraising. But the Red Dog victory was narrow. They topped the Blue Dogs by only $2,170, organizers said, out of $48,655 raised.

— Rattler’s Journalism Bootcamp —

It seems like journalism is attacked every day. But the truth is, the trade is more important than ever in moments like this. Likewise, preparing the next generation of truth tellers for what they may encounter after graduation is essential.

This past weekend, the Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) hosted its inaugural “Accelerating Career Excellence (ACE) Broadcast Bootcamp.” The event, sponsored by Dow Jones News Fund, took place over three days from March 20 to 22 and saw some of the nation’s top news and media experts swing through Tallahassee to help guide and train the new generation of multimedia storytellers and journalists.

“We are thrilled to offer students this experiential learning opportunity to elevate their skills and gain real-world expertise. Our professional mentors and alumni will provide invaluable coaching and job readiness support to prepare students for successful careers in media,” said FAMU SJGC Dean Mira Lowe. Upward of 20 students received one-on-one mentoring and technical training alongside identifying real-life reporting challenges. All students who finished the program received a special certificate showing their involvement and proving their ability.

Some notable attendees included Ken Lemon, the current President of the National Association of Black Journalists; Kim Godwin (FAMU class ’84), the former President and ABC News and Chair; Lentheus Chaney of WTXL; and Steve Osunsami, senior national correspondent of ABC News.

“The Dow Jones News Fund is proud to partner with the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication to sponsor this inaugural boot camp, which aligns closely with our mission to prepare the next generation of journalists. The News Fund is committed to building a robust news media staffed by well-trained journalists who reflect America’s diversity and are dedicated to a free press,” said Shirley Carswell, Executive Director of the Dow Jones News Fund.

—Big seas ahoy! —

It’s best not to go on that proverbial three-hour tour in open waters this weekend. We know what will happen then.

The Gulf Coast could pose some challenges this weekend for anyone wanting to enter the water south of Tallahassee.

The National Weather Service marine forecast calls for Southeast winds Saturday and Sunday. However, those winds could become rather stiff as a high-pressure system settles over the Southeast region of the U.S.

For Florida and the waters in and around Apalachee Bay just south of Florida’s capital, look for winds cranking up as high as 20 mph. And the wind direction will be coming out of the south Saturday and directly onshore for that stretch of the Gulf Coast. That will likely mean sloppy surface conditions for Saturday, with a forecast wave height of 6 to 8 feet in an east to southeast swell.

Winds should back off on Sunday with 10 to 15 mph winds, but seas will still be pretty steep at 4 to 6 feet. Those seas could drop to more manageable conditions for surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking on Sunday. The conditions will be twitchy and, given that the high-pressure system will pass through the area, you might want to catch up to the immediate conditions. You can go to the NOAA buoy 42036, which provides hourly updates on sea surface conditions about 112 miles northwest of Tampa.

— Capitol Directions —

RON DESANTIS — Down arrow — He knows it and we know it: The memorial dedication speech would have sounded a lot better coming from the other DeSantis.

JIMMY PATRONIS — Up arrow — The state CFO version of ‘Succession’ is entertaining us all.

ANDREW TATE — Down arrow — DeSantis played the Uno reverse card.

PEDRO ALLENDE — Down arrow — You better start talking, because Vicki Lopez isn’t joking.

JOSEPH LADAPO — Down arrow — All of that and he didn’t even get the job. As Trump would say, ‘Sad!’

ADAM KISSEL — Crossways arrow — Well, that could’ve gone better.

END OF 4TH WEEK — Crossways arrow — The first step is admittance: Your bill isn’t going to pass this Session.

DANNY PEREZ — Up arrow — The 0.75% cut 100% surprised us.

JAY COLLINS — Crossways arrow — No bull on the USF Bulls vacancy spot.

JAY COLLINS, PART 2 — Down arrow — Kids are going to have a hard time passing their cursive tests on the back half of a wraparound.

NICK DICEGLIE — Up arrow — ‘Legislator of the Year’ has a nice ring to it.

RANDY FINE — Down arrow — He ended his career in the state Legislature doing what he does best: Burning bridges and wasting time.

SHEV JONES — Up arrow — The voice of the Black Caucus is effective.

TOM LEEK — Up arrow — He had enough votes, but he’d rather have more.

TRACI KOSTER — Up arrow — This story needs a happy ending, and it’s one Senate vote away from getting one.

FJA — Up arrow — From ‘Free Kill’ to ‘Free Money.’

TORT REFORM — Down arrow — We’ll always have 2023, and they can never take that away from us … They can’t take it away, right?

SCOTT DICK — Up arrow — Anyone who can make the entire room laugh and get a round of applause for testimony on hemp regulations deserves an up arrow.

CHRIS DOOLIN — Up arrow — After years of fighting for Florida’s ‘smalls,’ Rural Renaissance may be his biggest win yet.

CITRUS FARMERS — Up arrow — ‘Orange’ ya glad for the Rural Renaissance?

CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS — Down arrow — Ugh … Can we not?

CURSIVE — Crossways arrow — It’s about as useful as learning to balance a checkbook. Oh … we’re trying to do that, too.

CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER — Down arrow — Invoking violence is probably not the best way to lobby SFWMD.

OPPAGA GEESE — Down arrow — Who needs security when you have violent waterfowl?

RED DOG, BLUE DOG — Up arrow — $50,000 raised for pets! Who says drinking never did anybody any good?

MARK O’BRYANT — Crossways arrow — Even if the Noles start winning, there’s going to be a lot of awkward silences in the FSU President’s box this football season.

ALEX LODISE & ERIC LUALLEN — Up arrow — Lodise hit a walk-off grand slam to complete the cycle and win against Florida, and Luallen captured that moment of sheer joy.

FSU CIRCUS — Up arrow — Raise the roof! The tent is coming back!

CHRISTIAN & MILLIE MINOR — up arrow — Cheers to the happy couple!

STEVE UHLFELDER — Up arrow — Wherever he is, he’s finally feeling some nachas from the Memorial’s dedication.

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I recently gave a cyber security presentation about staying safe online. Given all the tools we have to protect ourselves, it’s still difficult to explain why hackers remain a problem.

Here’s how I see it:

We’ve shared a lot: For over 20 years, we’ve been putting our personal stuff on the internet.

Hackers are sneaky: At the same time, hackers have turned our phones and emails into ways to trick us. They use texts and emails to send harmful programs (malware), scams, and other online crimes.

It might sound scary, but that’s the reality we live in now.

How hackers trick us

Many people don’t understand how hackers trick us. They usually don’t write computer code themselves. Instead, they’re like digital con artists. They get people to click on links or give away their private information.

You should already know not to share things like your birthday or where you were born on social media. Also, don’t put organization charts (who works where) on your website. Hackers can use that information to make fake emails that look real.

This trick is called “social engineering.” Hackers find your information on places like LinkedIn and use it to attack your company or family.

These attacks can be simple, like pretending to be your boss and texting you to buy a $100 gift card. Or they can be more serious, like asking you to wire $100,000 by email, pretending it’s for a genuine land deal.

A big problem: When DNA gets hacked

What happens when things get really bad?

Imagine a company that has the DNA of 15 million people. If hackers break into their system, the company could shut down. That’s bad news for customers of a company called 23andMe.

A lot of people thought it was a cool gift idea: you send in some spit, pay a fee, and they tell you about your family history and possible health problems.

But now, things have changed.

The company is filing for bankruptcy this week. It was worth $6 billion a few years ago, but now it’s worth much less. Just a year ago, its value was about $13 per share, but this week, it dropped to less than a dollar ($0.64).

The problems started with a break-in last year that affected up to 7 million customers.

The company also struggled to make money because it charged only a one-time fee and offered nothing extra to keep customers coming back.

Why it happened and what’s really scary

The break-in seems to have occurred because people used the same password for 23andMe and other websites. If a hacker gets your password for one site, they can access your other accounts. Hackers count on people being lazy with their passwords—using the same ones everywhere and not changing them after a break-in.

After the break-in, hackers said they would sell sensitive information on the dark web, including family history and health information. This is dangerous because, for example, terrorist groups could use it to target people based on their ancestry.

Sharing your passwords is a big deal.

But here’s what’s really scary: 23andMe not only lost customer data but also controls their customers’ DNA. If you read the fine print, they have deals with medical companies to share that DNA for research. One big partner is GlaxoSmithKline.

It used to be bad if a company sold your phone number, and then they started selling your internet browsing history. Now, a company is selling your genetic information. What will they use it for? It sounds like a movie plot – complete identity theft, not just credit card numbers, but your DNA. It might seem crazy, but we’ll see what happens.

What you can do

If you’re a 23andMe customer, you should delete your account and ask them to destroy your DNA sample if the law allows it.

To stay safe online:

Don’t post your birthday or hometown online.

Don’t click on emails from people you don’t know.

Don’t answer texts from strangers.

Use different, strong passwords for every website.

Even the military warned soldiers not to use these DNA services because the information could be misused.

So, if someone asks you to spit in a tube to learn about your family history, just say no.

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