Politics

Randy Fine says Ron DeSantis, team ‘begged’ him to apply for FAU opening

Published

1 week ago

April 3, 2025

The Governor dropped a bomb Wednesday. The new Congressman responds in kind.

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine is pushing back against claims by Gov. Ron DeSantis surrounding a failed push to install Fine as the President of Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

DeSantis said he was trying to get Fine out of Tallahassee and into the FAU job because legislators wanted Fine gone.

But Fine says that the Governor and his staff lobbied him to consider the move to academia.

“Ronald and his team begged me to apply for about six weeks before I agreed to do it. I suspect it was Ronald who was desperate to get me out of Tally,” Fine tells Florida Politics.

DeSantis said Wednesday that Fine “repels” people and that drove him to consider handing him a presidency of a major university in the state.

“They wanted to get him out of the Legislature, so they asked me to put him up for Florida Atlantic President, and I did. And the whole board would’ve rather resigned than make him President,” he said in Ocala Wednesday.

The Governor’s Office said that statement would serve as their response to Fine’s allegation.

There was a time when messaging was more unified.

In 2023, Fine told the Palm Beach Post that the Governor’s Office had encouraged him to apply for the FAU President job. DeSantis told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Fine would be a “good candidate.” Ultimately, Fine didn’t make the list of finalists.

The gig could have been lucrative for Fine. New President Adam Hasner will make at least $1 million a year.

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Politics

Donald Trump is ‘fully fit’ to serve as commander in chief, his doctor says after recent physical

Published

25 minutes ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

Donald Trump’s cholesterol levels have gone down and he’s lost weight.

Donald Trump’s doctor says the oldest man to be elected president is “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief as the White House released the results of Trump’s physical exam from Friday.

Trump is 78, and his physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, cited what he said is Trump’s “active lifestyle” and said it “continues to contribute significantly” to the Republican president’s well-being. Trump turns 79 on June 14.

In a report released Sunday, the doctor said in a summary that Trump is “fully fit to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

The results showed Trump has dropped 20 pounds since his last physical as president in 2020. He weighed 244 pounds back then and is now down to 224 pounds.

Barbabella said Trump’s days include participating in multiple meetings, public appearances, media availabilities and “frequent victories in golf events.” Trump is an avid golfer and said he recently won tournaments played at clubs he owns in Florida.

Trump’s cholesterol levels have improved over time, helped by the medications rosuvastatin and ezetimibe.

At his physical in January 2018, his total cholesterol was 223. In early 2019, the reading came in at 196 and it stood at 167 in 2020. Today it is 140. Ideally, total cholesterol should be less than 200.

His blood pressure was 128 over 74. That is considered elevated, and people in that situation are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.

Trump has a resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute, in line with previous tests. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 beats to 100 beats per minute, and generally, a lower rate implies better cardiovascular fitness.

Trump also takes aspirin, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.

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Florida Trucking Association trying to hook more professionals into industry for work outside of driving

Published

56 minutes ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

‘Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ program aims to get more workers into Florida trucking industry beyond just drivers.

Trucking isn’t all about driving and the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) is launching a new campaign to get more people into the industry.

The “Jobs Beyond the Wheel” campaign is gearing up as the FTA wants to expand access to a comprehensive workforce in the trucking world in Florida that involves many positions that aren’t all driving big rigs. The FTA acknowledges there is a “critical shortage of skilled workers” and is seeking to draw more professionals into trucking jobs.

“Every truck on Florida’s roadways represents a team of skilled professionals making it all possible,” said Alix Miller, President and CEO of Florida Trucking Association. “The trucking industry offers exciting, high-earning careers, many of which we want to highlight. The campaign includes first-hand accounts from employees about the skills and paths they’ve developed. We want to showcase the dynamic opportunities for Floridians to discover how their talents fit in this essential industry where innovation meets opportunity.”

FTA officials point out that all aspects of the trucking industry supports just about every aspect of commerce in Florida. The new program that involves a new interactive website that demonstrates the multiple layers of the trucking industry and promotes different career opportunities in the field.

The website is more than just a promotional tool. It also includes career information, training resources, job listings and connections to companies employing trucking-related employees throughout the state. Many of those employees are hiring many positions that are well outside of driving.

Some of the jobs include diesel technicians who maintain and repair trucks. Manufacturing specialist positions are also needed for making parts for repairs. Brokers and customer operations professionals are also needed to manage customer relations and scheduling duties. Human resources, transportation attorneys, safety professionals and public relations and communications experts are also desired to help promote the industry.

“’Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ showcases different roles and people driving the trucking industry — for those looking for a job today, to college students looking at opportunities after graduation,” said Elizabeth Emmanuel, Vice President of Public Affairs at FTA and creative director of the project. “Whatever stage of life, or level of education, we want people to think of the transportation sector as a compelling career choice.”

The campaign is also funded in part by FloridaCommerce, the state business development agency.

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Jimmy Patronis gets named to key transportation committee in Congress upon arriving in D.C.

Published

2 hours ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

Newly-elected member of Congress Jimmy Patronis is wasting little time getting into the mix of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

The former Florida Chief Executive Officer won the special election April 1 for Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the Panhandle on April 1. He was appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to a Congressional committee. In his first full week in Congress, Patronis was assigned to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He’ll also serve on several other supplemental panels including the Subcommittee on Aviation, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

“With over 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, our roadways, waterways, and infrastructure are essential to our nation’s economy and national security. During major storms, Florida roadways become critical tools for hurricane evacuation during states of emergency,” said Patronis, a Panama City Beach Republican. “Also, maintaining our roads, bridges, ports, and waterways are vital to ensuring a steady flow of commerce.”

Patronis added he’ll be vigilant in Congress and is committed to fair distribution of funds throughout Florida and all states.

“I am also laser focused on ensuring dollars intended for infrastructure go to the right place, and work to eliminate any red tape that slows project delivery times. I look forward to working alongside my fellow colleagues on this committee to ensure our nation’s infrastructure is second to none in the new golden age of America,” Patronis said.

Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, is chair of the committee Patronis was assigned to and offered a welcome to the new lawmaker.

“I’m excited for Congressman Patronis to roll up his sleeves and help the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with our full agenda this Congress. We will be working with the Trump Administration to ensure the safety of our aviation system, funding improvements to our ports and waterways infrastructure, and providing the U.S. Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their many critical missions, including stopping the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country across our maritime borders,” Graves said.

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