Politics
Last Call for 7.23.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Republican Primary for Governor may be worth a watch beyond the schadenfreude appeal … more on that when Sunburn hits your inbox tomorrow.
Whether the First Lady can go toe-to-toe against Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has been an open question for months, and one that took a sharp turn toward “probably not” amid investigations into Hope Florida, one of Casey DeSantis’ signature initiatives.
Yet today offered a glimpse at another lane.
At a news conference in Jacksonville, the First Lady joined Gov. Ron DeSantis to highlight nearly $130 million allocated in the state budget for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, a namesake initiative built around her battle with breast cancer. The announcement was hosted at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and marked a renewed focus on a program that is simultaneously broadly popular, carries the DeSantis brand name, and, most importantly, has not been subject to a House committee probe.
“We’re at war with cancer, and we need to win,” Casey DeSantis said. “And we’re going to win in the state of Florida. I believe that, because you have good people, good institutions, the backing of the taxpayer and people who really want to make a difference.”
The Governor noted the state has invested more than $800 million in cancer research and treatment since 2019. The $130 million appropriation this year will support Florida’s four National Cancer Institute-designated hospitals, as well as those seeking designation, through a more unified strategy.
“We don’t want to just support isolated projects,” Ron DeSantis said. “We want to build an integrated statewide approach that drives long-term progress.”
While the event was nominally tied to the budget, it also allowed Casey DeSantis to be front and center on an issue where she can speak with moral clarity — without the policy entanglements that have plagued Hope Florida or the awkward alignment math that comes from her husband’s fractured relationship with Trump.
Framed against the still-unofficial Primary field, it’s a timely reminder that her political persona remains a work in progress — and one that resonates most when she’s not acting like a candidate at all.
Evening Reads
—”Donald Trump’s Jeffrey Epstein denials are ever so slightly unconvincing” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic
—”Heading home, Democrats seek to exploit GOP divisions on Epstein files” via Marianna Sotomayor and Kadia Goba of The Washington Post
—”No one knows whether Trump’s $50B for rural health will be enough” via Anna Claire Vollers of the Florida Phoenix
—”What Trump and Pam Bondi are doing in New Jersey is a bigger deal than you think” via Mark Joseph Stern of SLATE
—“Rand Paul stalls Mike Waltz nomination for U.N. ambassador” via Hans Nichols and Stef W. Kight of Axios
—“Here are the piles of used bedding and children’s play sets left near DOGE’s old offices” via Zoë Schiffer of WIRED
—”Some Democrats may finally be ready to play dirty over redistricting” via Christian Paz of Vox
—”Georgia has gone from luxury to necessity for Democrats” via Eli McKown-Dawson of the Silver Bulletin
—”Why people are buying $8,000 lifelike baby dolls” via Rory Satran of The Wall Street Journal
—”My 5 *essential* rules for being a good youth sports parent” via Chris Cillizza of So What
Quote of the Day
“I’m like, yeah, that kind of checks out to me without even knowing any of the facts.”
— Gov. Ron DeSantis, offering a window into how seriously he takes allegations against law enforcement.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Ron DeSantis gets a Second Hand News for buying into the debunking narrative without reviewing the case.
Attorney General James Uthmeier’s latest bust earns him a classic G&T, but woe be unto those who would order it with the fraudulent Handover Gin.
A new survey shows Floridians are on board with an amendment to expand Medicaid … we’ll let you know next year whether the pollster gets a Fortune Teller or a Dubious.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
MLS stars face the best from Mexico tonight
The best players in Major League Soccer face off against the best of the Mexican pro Liga MX in the All-Star game tonight in Austin, Texas. (9 p.m. ET, Apple TV).
Among the biggest names representing MLS are Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba. Messi has scored 18 goals and added nine assists in 18 matches this season and could repeat as MLS MVP if he keeps up the pace. Messi has scored a pair of goals in six of his last seven league fixtures for Inter Miami.
Also representing MLS is Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, who was one of the stars for the US Men’s National Team in the recent Gold Cup.
Among the stars representing Liga MX is James Rodriguez, the Colombian star and former Real Madrid player who joined Club Leon this year. Seven other players in the game helped Mexico win the Gold Cup earlier this month.
This is the fourth time that the best from MLS and Liga MX have played in the All-Star game, with MLS stars winning two of the previous three. However, Liga MX won 4-1 last year.
Teams from the two leagues will meet again starting next week when the Leagues Cup competition begins.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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