Politics
Takeaways from Tallahassee — 🎶Call me Deacon Blues 🎶
Summer is basically over (even if the thermometer says otherwise). Late August means school is back in full swing, mornings are finally bearable, and grocery stores are prepping Oktoberfest displays.
Oh, and college football is back.
Technically, it started with the “Week Zero” showcase in Ireland between Kansas State and Iowa State — we’d make a joke about that not being “real football,” but it was this year’s edition of the same Aer Lingus College Football Classic that Florida State played in last year against Georgia Tech. On the other hand, we wouldn’t describe 2024 Noles as “real football either.”
Still, the first real college football weekend belongs to Tallahassee. The Florida State Seminoles host the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
FSU is desperate to rebound from last season’s 2-10 collapse, which came just one year after a perfect 13-0 run that ended with an infamous College Football Playoff snub in its final year before expanding to 12 teams. Then, of course, the Noles forgot how to play football.
This season, instead of journeyman DJ Uiagalelei (now with the Chargers’ practice squad), fifth-year coach Mike Norvell is handing the offense to former Boston College signal-caller Tommy Castellanos — a dynamic scrambler with both highlight plays and head-shaking mistakes on his résumé. It’s a new start, the same way Jordan Travis found one after transferring from Louisville.
“We had very high expectations when he joined the program of what he would bring,” Norvell said. “It’s easy to see the athleticism, the skill, the games that he’s played, the impact that he can make. But what I’ve been just very proud of him for, just the investment. The investment in others, the investment in the program. He brings a great spirit into this building.”
Quarterback isn’t the only issue: their defense was among the worst in the nation last season. Like, objectively.
Alabama, meanwhile, is also looking to bounce back after a 9-4 season that ended with a ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan. First-year coach Kalen DeBoer, fresh off leading Washington to the national title game in 2023, has Crimson Tide fans expecting better.
Saturday is a sellout at the newly renovated Doak. It’s only the sixth meeting between the two programs: FSU won a neutral-site game in Jacksonville in 2007; Alabama won the last, 24-7, in Atlanta in 2017.
If you can’t get through the turnstiles, Tallahassee has options. Township opens at 9 a.m. with free Celsius for the first 100 fans. At 10 a.m., Madison Social hosts the “Pro Osos Takeover” with Hollywood’s Bert Kreischer and fellow comic Tom Segura.
Prefer a downtown vibe? Amicus opens early at 11 a.m. with the game on a massive projector and Southern Hills Craft BBQ on hand. Oyster City will pour Legacy Lager all day, with live music into the night.
Proof is in on the action, too, with watch parties for both FSU-Bama and LSU-Clemson. Our prediction for the latter game is that the Tigers will get a win in Death Valley. Moving on, the deal of the day is BOGO Proof Premium Lagers — because one beer is good, but two are better. Just be sure to raise one of them to Lee Corso, the FSU alum and college football icon, who is suiting up for his final appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay.
However you watch, the important thing is that college football is back. As for FSU, Vegas pegs the Seminoles at 7.5 wins. Our hearts want to take the over, but our brains are giving the under some thought.
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 —
Open the books — Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia accused Orange County employees of hiding emails and records as he announced on Tuesday that he has issued investigative subpoenas to pry them loose during the government’s DOGE audit. “I called up the Governor, I said, I think Orange County has something to hide,” Ingoglia said in a news conference on Wednesday in Orlando as he questioned whether the county had released emails about six grants for what he said were DEI initiatives. However, in a swift response, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings denied that the county was covering anything up and stated that the government had fully complied with the state’s orders.
‘Empty Alcatraz’ — A top Florida official says the controversial state-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades will likely be empty in a matter of days, even as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the federal government fight a judge’s order to shutter the facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by late October. That’s according to an email exchange shared with The Associated Press. In a message sent to South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman on Aug. 22 regarding the provision of chaplaincy services at the facility, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie stated, “We are probably going to be down to zero individuals within a few days.”
Rainbow shmainbow — Without calling out Orlando officials by name, DeSantis says some local governments are acting like they are above state law by allowing rainbow-colored crosswalks. “It’s like they think that they should just be a law unto themselves,” DeSantis said at a news conference. The state removed a crosswalk honoring the 49 murder victims at the Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando last week. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) paved over the colors at night without providing city officials with any warning, sparking outrage and national headlines. Since then, some people have been recoloring the rainbows with chalk, while the state has utilized its resources by posting state troopers to guard the site and continuing to pave it black.
Rubbernecking — The saga of the fatal truck crash in Florida continues. After reporting emerged that state troopers let the man go, Gov. DeSantis says officers on the scene during Harjinder Singh’s alleged illegal U-turn that led to triple homicide charges this weekend didn’t know he did anything worthy of arrest, even though the motorists who allegedly collided with him died on impact. The incident has been weaponized against Democrats in Florida and elsewhere, with Republicans saying Democrats’ “radical agenda” is to blame for the illegal U-turn.
‘Meet and greet’ — Former House Speaker Paul Renner is likely on the verge of jumping into the race for Florida Governor. Renner stoked renewed speculation about a 2026 run with an invite to a “meet and greet” on Sept. 17 at the Santa Maria Mansion. The flyer advises that he “discusses next year’s Florida Governor’s race” at the event while outlining his “vision for Florida’s future.” Florida Politics contacted Renner on Thursday to inquire about the flyer and the impending announcement. He said that while he was “happy to connect,” he is “slammed today.” In other words, he’s not denying anything.
— Bridge Bash —
Tampa Bay is firing the cannons in celebration — and not because of a Mayfield-to-Evans touchdown. The big news is the completion of one massive infrastructure project and the groundbreaking of another in the “Title Town” of the South.
On Aug. 26, Gov. DeSantis announced the finish line for the Howard Frankland Bridge replacement and the launch of the I-275 Express Expansion. Together, the two projects represent a $1.3 billion investment aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving mobility and, most importantly, strengthening hurricane evacuation routes.
“Today, I was proud to announce significant progress on two critical infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay area: the new Howard Frankland Bridge and the I-275 Moving Florida Forward project in Pinellas County,” DeSantis said. “Our Moving Florida Forward Initiative is delivering major improvements years ahead of schedule, reducing delays for families and businesses, and making long-term investments that will support Florida’s growth for generations to come.”
The ultimate goal of the two projects is to increase traffic flow in the Tampa Bay Area and, most importantly, enhance hurricane evacuation routes. The two projects cost a combined $1.3 billion.
“Moving Florida Forward initiative is transforming Tampa Bay’s transportation system and connecting communities. I’m proud of the work of our FDOT team, who is making quick work of the demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge and beginning construction of the much-needed expansion of I-275 in Pinellas County,” said Jared Perdue, the Florida Department of Transportation Secretary.
The Howard Frankland project was the largest ever completed in FDOT District 7, boosting capacity by 50% while modernizing and storm-proofing the span. The I-275 expansion will add express lanes feeding into the new bridge, which officials say could cut traffic delays by as much as 85%.
That’s all welcome news for drivers who have been long stuck in construction purgatory. But here’s a thought: instead of endless asphalt, maybe it’s time to invest in more public transit? Anywho, Tampa, hope the years of orange cones were worth it.
— Double-barrel busts —
Attorney General James Uthmeier turned some of his attention away from political posturing and toward criminal prosecution this week.
The AG announced he is lodging criminal charges against a half-dozen suspected online child predators while also accusing a nurse of elderly abuse in a second case.
Uthmeier himself announced the arrest of six people as part of a project called “Operation Summer Hurricane,” which partnered with multiple law enforcement agencies to target online child predators in North Florida.
“Thanks to the many law enforcement partners involved in Operation Summer Hurricane, six predators, including one illegal alien, who targeted Florida children were caught and will face prosecution,” Uthmeier said. “Florida families should know that we will use every tool available to put these offenders behind bars and make our state the safest place in the nation to raise a family.”
The arrests occurred mainly in Franklin County and involved multiple charges. Charges include promoting the performance of a sexual act by a child, solicitation of a minor, harmful communication with a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, attempted human trafficking of a minor, obscene communication to a minor, and multiple other felonies.
Meanwhile, Uthmeier announced the arrest of a First Coast nurse on charges of abuse of a disabled adult. Uthmeier said Logan Morrison is accused of the crime in Nassau County.
Morrison is a former employee of Dayspring Senior Living in Hilliard and is charged with intentionally grabbing and shoving to the ground one of the center’s residents.
“This act of violence against a vulnerable Floridian will not be tolerated,” Uthmeier said. “My office has zero tolerance for elder abuse. Rest assured, my office will throw the book at this offender and continue to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
— Uthmeier ups the ante —
Uthmeier this week also asked the federal government to reconsider allowing some states to issue commercial driver’s licenses in the wake of a deadly accident that authorities say involved a truck driven by a migrant.
Uthmeier is sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration asking the agencies to weigh revoking CDL programs and stripping federal funding from California and Washington as a result of a deadly Florida crash on Aug. 12.
Harjinder Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after authorities say he made an illegal U-turn while driving a semi-tractor-trailer on the Florida Turnpike before colliding with a minivan.
Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles officials say Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 through Mexico and obtained a CDL in California and Washington.
“People are fleeing ‘sanctuary states,’ where policymakers cater to criminals and illegal immigrants at the expense of law-abiding American citizens. But the crash that occurred last week in St. Lucie County shows that no one in America is safe from sanctuary states,” Uthmeier said in the opening of his letter.
— Fizzled furlough —
A Tallahassee man pleaded guilty in federal court last week after he escaped custody and attempted to elude authorities for months, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General.
Derek Somerset, 46, escaped from the custody of the Attorney General and an authorized representative after he was furloughed from a federal prison in October 2024, where he was serving a 48-month sentence for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Somerset was required to report to a residential re-entry facility in Tallahassee to complete his sentence. After failing to report, Somerset was found two months later in a motel parking lot, overdosing on fentanyl.
Somerset faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, as well as three years of supervision after his release.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, John P. Heekin, announced the plea and commended the efforts of local law enforcement in Somerset’s apprehension.
“I commend the efforts of our local law enforcement partners, working with the U.S. Marshal’s office, to get this violent felon off our streets and back in federal custody,” Heekin said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Welch is prosecuting the case, which resulted from a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.
— Orange you mad it’s DOGE —
Yin and yang. Peanut butter and jelly. Rock ‘n’ roll. Bread and butter. Some combinations are just classic and never get old. And newly appointed CFO Ingoglia wants to add a fresh duo: him and DOGE.
This week in Orlando, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Ingoglia announced that the CFO’s office will issue subpoenas to Orange County employees who may have information about active efforts to obstruct the state’s ongoing local government DOGE audits.
“Orange County taxpayers deserve better. I applaud CFO Ingoglia for issuing subpoenas to Orange County employees involved in grant decisions, fiscal operations, and divisional management. Altering public records and trying to cover up reckless spending decisions is unacceptable, and we will continue working to uncover the truth,” DeSantis said.
Orange County is in the crosshairs because its annual general fund expenditures grew from just over $1 billion in FY 2019–20 to more than $1.6 billion in FY 2024–25 — an increase of $559 million, or 54%. Instead of pointing to inflation over the past five years or the county’s 10% population growth, the administration is zeroing in on “woke” reasons, like disparity studies conducted to push for equal outcomes.
“Taxpayers have a right to know how their hard-earned dollars are spent,” Ingoglia said. “Today, we have issued subpoenas to ensure that Orange County is accountable to the taxpayers and is transparent with the ways that they use public funds. I will not stand idly by while Floridians are forced to pay higher property taxes to fund wasteful and bloated government budgets. I promised to hold local governments accountable on overspending and I am proud to work with Governor DeSantis to keep that promise.”
In the weeks since his appointment, Ingoglia’s watchdog crusade and its alignment with the broader DeSantis agenda have the pair looking like Florida’s next “dynamic duo.”
— Best-in-class —
The State University System of Florida is touting its strong showing in Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings.
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said the rankings highlight why Florida’s universities are considered among the nation’s best.
“The Washington Monthly rankings point to key strategies that make our institutions national leaders in higher education: low-cost, high-value degrees, a focus on clear career pathways or continued education, and merit-based aid that supports high-achieving students in reaching their higher education goals,” Rodrigues said.
He added that under Gov. Ron DeSantis, state universities have “prioritized education over indoctrination” and raised standards statewide.
The rankings weigh affordability, student outcomes and impact on the economy. Florida schools landed in several top categories:
— Best-in-Class Colleges: University of Central Florida and Florida Atlantic University, both in the top 25.
— Southeast Best Bang for the Buck: Florida International University ranked No. 1, UCF No. 2, and New College of Florida No. 3; eight other Florida schools also made the list.
— Best Colleges for Research: University of Florida placed in the top 30, joined by FIU, Florida State University, UCF and University of South Florida.
— Liberal Arts Colleges: New College ranked in the Top 10.
— Master’s Universities: University of West Florida ranked in the Top 75.
—Instagram of the week —
— We bring the broadband boom —
Government and economic development junkies, mark your calendars.
From Sept. 10–12, the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld will host the Florida Broadband Summit 2025, presented by FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida.
The summit will bring together government, business, education, and economic development leaders to discuss how Florida can bridge digital divides while improving education, training, and the job market.
Sessions will cover high-speed internet deployment, the BEAD program, the Broadband Opportunity Program, emerging technologies, disaster resilience and more.
“FloridaCommerce’s Office of Broadband has awarded more than $708 million in funding to grant programs, extending Florida’s broadband infrastructure to rural communities — continuing to create opportunities for Florida’s job seekers and job creators,” said Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly.
Since 2020, FloridaCommerce has prioritized broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas throughout the state. To date, 85% of broadband infrastructure grants have gone to small cities and rural communities.
“Broadband access unlocks tremendous potential for Floridians, expanding opportunities for job seekers to build skills, connect with employers and participate in today’s digital economy,” said Adrienne Johnston, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida.
More information on the summit is available on the Office of Broadband’s website.
— Lineworker limelight —
As we enter the height of hurricane season, Floridians are facing familiar risks: property damage, flooding and the sudden loss of essentials such as air conditioning, internet and refrigeration.
But have you thought about the people who suit up and ride out to get your lights back on once the winds die down?
Tuesday was Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day, and the Florida Public Service Commission didn’t let the opportunity to praise some of the most vital — and often overlooked — workers in the Sunshine State.
“As Florida continues to strengthen its energy grid and storm readiness, we must remember that lineworkers are the front-line heroes keeping power safe and reliable. We are grateful every day for the men and women who risk their lives to ensure Floridians have the essential service of electricity,” said PSC Chair Mike La Rosa.
The House established Lineworker Appreciation Day in 2012 to honor the men and women with the gumption to let a 380 kV power line into their personal bubble.
Hurricane season may be their busiest time, but they don’t hibernate in the offseason — even on sunny days, a single gust of wind on one of Tallahassee’s iconic canopy roads can leave an entire neighborhood in the dark.
Nationwide, more than 5.5 million miles of distribution lines connect homes and businesses to the grid, and lineworkers maintain them in all kinds of weather. So, next time you’re stuck behind a bucket truck, have a little patience — and a little gratitude — because they’re the ones who will save you from cold showers and a week of forced family game nights.
— Resilient Florida —
Environmental leaders are applauding the appointment of Edward “Eddy” C. Bouza II as Florida’s next Chief Resilience Officer.
Bouza will lead efforts to maximize the state’s mitigation investments against the impacts of hurricanes and flooding by coordinating mitigation strategies across multiple agencies.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert has been a driving force behind advancing the Sunshine State’s resilience strategy to help prepare communities in the event of a natural disaster.
“Through the Resilient Florida Program, he has positioned Florida as a national leader in resilience, and his appointment as chief resilience officer will further strengthen efforts to protect our environment, economy and communities,” Lambert said.
The Resilient Florida Program offers a statewide approach to strengthening the state’s community infrastructure against the impacts of hurricanes, flooding, severe weather, and coastal management solutions, including shoreline hardening, vegetative barriers, and wetland restoration.
Florida’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Mark Rains, said Bouza’s expertise has been central to efforts like Florida’s Comprehensive Statewide Flood Vulnerability and Sea Level Rise Assessment.
“I look forward to continuing this important work with him to build a more resilient Florida,” Rains said.
Dr. Tom Frazer, Dean of the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida and former Chief Science Officer, said Bouza brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position.
“The Florida Flood Hub has had a productive relationship with Eddy, and we look forward to further collaboration that increases Florida’s resilience and protects its people and their assets,” Frazer said.
— Presidential recognition —
With chatter swirling over the Kennedy Center Honors — KISS, really? — some politicians are reflecting on their own recognitions.
That includes Rep. Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds, a Democrat from West Palm Beach.
This week, Edmonds highlighted his 2024 “President’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” given for more than 4,000 hours of service. The award, issued by AmeriCorps and the White House and signed by President Joe Biden, is the nation’s highest civilian honor for volunteer service.
“I didn’t get into public service to earn titles; I did it to change lives. This award is not about me. It’s a reminder that service is our highest calling, and that when you lead with love, listen deeply, and stay rooted in purpose, you can help build a future bigger than yourself,” Edmonds said.
The Biden White House praised Edmonds for his “purpose-driven leadership.” The ice-cream-loving, aviator-wearing former President even took a break from waxing the Trans Am to put pen to paper: “The country is counting on you,” he wrote in a letter to Edmonds.
Edmonds recently posted photos of the letter and certificate on social media. He said the honor refueled his drive to tackle complex issues, such as affordable housing, access to education, public safety, and economic equity.
Looking back at 2024, Edmonds said he’s finding motivation to move forward in today’s turbulent climate. And who can blame him? It was a simpler time.
… Wait, it’s only been eight months?
— Zoo & conservation —
Boca Raton Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman secured $950,000 in state funding for the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society to improve safety, expand conservation infrastructure, and strengthen animal habitats.
The improvements are designed to protect visitors, staff and the more than 500 animals that call the zoo home. Planned upgrades include a mass notification system, new access controls, security cameras, fencing and lighting. Fiber optic networks will also be installed to enhance monitoring and communication.
“The Palm Beach Zoo is a pillar of our community — protecting wildlife, educating families, and welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year,” Gossett-Seidman said. “These enhancements will ensure the Zoo remains a safe, sustainable, and inspiring place for generations to come.”
The funding will also support the mitigation of stormwater runoff and the restoration of Baker Lake and its surrounding wetlands.
“Palm Beach Zoo is honored to work alongside Rep. Gossett-Seidman, whose love for nature, the environment, and this Zoo shines through in everything she does,” said Margo McKnight, President & CEO of Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. “Her leadership in helping the Zoo secure this appropriation for water quality demonstrates a true commitment to protecting both wildlife and the community we share. Thanks to her vision, future generations will enjoy cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and the incredible biodiversity that makes Palm Beach County so unique.”
— Rattler road show —
The Rattlers are getting the band together and hitting the road for their 2025 student recruitment tour, “Destination FAMU.”
The initiative will bring Rattler spirit to cities across Florida and the South, offering future FAMU students (fingers crossed) a look at the university’s affordable academic programs and culturally vibrant campus.
“We are excited to bring a taste of the FAMU experience to cities where we’ve historically recruited many of our best and brightest students,” said William Hudson Jr., vice president of Student Affairs. “We want South Florida’s top students to join us on the Highest of Seven Hills in Tallahassee. In the meantime, Destination FAMU will bring the innovation and excellence of the Hill to our future Rattlers.”
Stops on the 2025 tour include:
— Jacksonville: Florida State College at Jacksonville, Sept. 25
— Tallahassee: Fall Preview at FAMU campus, Sept. 27
— Atlanta: TBA, Oct. 2
— Tampa: TBA, Nov. 20
— Orlando: TBA, Nov. 21
Hudson said the university is also reallocating resources to expand student financial support in response to changes in federal aid and rising tuition costs. He added that Academic Affairs and Student Affairs are revising recruitment strategies for the 2025–26 academic year while preparing to relaunch the FAMU Connection in 2026–27.
Keep tabs on FAMU’s events calendar for tour schedule updates.
— Quasquicentennial Pepper —
Florida State University will host a celebration marking the 125th anniversary of U.S. Sen. Claude Pepper’s birth. The event, scheduled for 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, will be held at the Broad Auditorium in the Claude Pepper Center on FSU’s main campus.
Born in Dudleyville, Alabama, Pepper attended the University of Alabama before earning a law degree from Harvard after serving in World War I. He began practicing law in Perry in 1925 and soon entered public service, winning a seat in the state House.
In 1936, he won a Special Election to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1950. He later represented Florida in the U.S. House from 1963 until he died in 1989, serving Florida’s 3rd, 11th, 14th and 18th Congressional Districts.
Pepper was one of the South’s most prominent New Deal Democrats, championing causes such as the minimum wage, eight-hour workdays, abolition of the poll tax, strong labor unions, and a robust social safety net.
FSU’s celebration will feature a keynote from University of Central Florida lecturer James Clark, who will examine Pepper’s political career and its lasting influence on FSU. The event also marks the public debut of “The Legacy of Claude Denson Pepper,” a WFSU-produced documentary directed by Andy Opel and Ian Edward Weir of the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts.
A continental breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by a buffet luncheon at noon. Seating is limited; prospective attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Sept. 1.
— FSU bling —
It was a big week for the most obnoxious and annoying people you know.
In case you are living under a rock, this week, future NFL Hall of Famer, three-time Super Bowl champion, and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce popped the question to pop-music legend, 14-time Grammy winner, Taylor Swift.
They’ve been together now for a few years (to the annoyance of many NFL fans, as she gets as much camera time as her future husband when she’s in the stands). Many of Swift’s diehard fans knew the proposal was coming — part due to sleuthing and part due to “vibes.” This time, it was no Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Harry Styles or Matt Healy (we could go on, but you get the point).
The only reason we bring up “E!” level news is because a Florida State University alumna’s work is currently one of the most talked-about things on this planet.
That’s right, the rock itself.
Kindred Lubeck, a jeweler and social media influencer, designed the engagement ring, which is being blasted all over the internet and publications as you read this. And the consensus? People love it. Have you seen the size of it?
Lubeck graduated with a bachelor’s degree from FSU in 2018. And in 2019, she joined her father’s jewelry business in Jacksonville. When COVID-19 shut everything down in 2020, Lubeck was able to hone her craft, leading to her current position.
The FSU Alumni Association touted Lubeck’s accomplishment across social media: “From garnet and gold to diamond and gold, this FSU alumna helped make the whole place shimmer. Swifties everywhere are swooning, but are we even surprised? Of course, a Nole was Fearless enough to play such an important role in Tay’s Enchanted day!”
In 2024, Lubeck moved to NYC to continue following her jewelry and social media dreams. She opened her own shop, Artifex Fine Jewelry, in 2024 and currently boasts (pun very much intended) over 260,000 followers on TikTok and 250,000 followers on Instagram, with some videos on her accounts garnering up to 10 million views.
FSU fans needed this because it’s the only ring we’re likely to be talking about anytime soon (oh, take us back to 2023 …).
— Hello, fresh —
Calling all Tallahassee locals who enjoy fresh, delicious produce — the real “Make America Healthy Again” type of food, not raw milk.
This week, the Southside Farmers’ Market reopened on Thursday, Aug. 28. The theme this time around was “Farmers Market Appreciation Market Day,” reminding farmers of the value they add to the Tallahassee/Leon County community. Organizers emphasized that, regardless of the size of their business, vendors have a place here to sell directly, providing locals with access to fresh, healthy produce at great prices.
Launched in 2018, the market is held on select Thursdays at the Walker-Ford Community Center, 2301 T-Pain Lane, weather permitting. Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only draw — local organizations sometimes hand out free grocery totes, and businesses sell apparel and goods. The Tallahassee Police Department often stops by to give away snow cones to kids.
If you missed this one, don’t worry. The City of Tallahassee has announced more dates through the end of 2025. The scheduled market days are:
— Sept. 4
— Sept. 18
— Oct. 9
— Oct. 23
— Nov. 6
— Nov. 20
— Dec. 4
— Dec. 11
For a sense of the atmosphere, check out this video from the city showcasing the Southside Farmers Market.
Happy cooking with the fresh produce you pick up — and don’t miss the next Thursday date if you can’t make it this time.
— Caught Stealing Roses —
Movies. You know them. You love them. And it’s time for our weekly box office “coming soon to you” segment.
If a tree falls in the woods when no one is there, does it make a sound? What about a movie that didn’t report its box office — did it still make money? Netflix attempted to answer that riddle with “Kpop Demon Hunters,” which premiered in theaters for a two-day run but barred chains from reporting box office receipts. On paper, “Weapons” took the weekend crown, though most projections had the Netflix import earning more. Either way, “Weapons” is still the Summer’s breakout, with “Freakier Friday” and “Fantastic Four: First Steps” jockeying behind it. Enough about tallies — time to look at what’s new.
“The Roses” is a dark comedy with a full-on “Brit-off.” Oscar winner Olivia Colman joins two-time nominee Benedict Cumberbatch in a retelling of Danny DeVito’s 1989 cult hit “The War of the Roses.” The 2025 update is penned by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, Poor Things, The Great) and directed by comedy veteran Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, and HBO’s Tallahassee staple Recount). Reviews are solid for a comedy remake: 64% on Rotten Tomatoes (77% audience), 6.9 on IMDb, and 3.5 on Letterboxd. SNL icons Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg also show up, so there’s extra incentive if you like your dark comedy with a wink.
Darren Aronofsky is also back with something different: a screwball gangster comedy set in 1990s New York. The Oscar-nominated director behind “Requiem for a Dream,” “Black Swan,” and “The Whale” casts Austin Butler, Regina King and Zoë Kravitz in a period piece that mixes grit with absurdity. Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with ratings of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes (audience score: 85%), 7.3 on IMDb, and 3.7 on Letterboxd.
If comedies aren’t your thing, Steven Spielberg’s three-time Oscar-winning classic “Jaws” returns to theaters nationwide for its 50th anniversary — still the movie that made a generation afraid to go near the ocean.
And for those who’d rather stay in after a long Saturday of college football, Netflix is premiering “The Thursday Murder Club,” a comedy mystery based on the international bestseller. Directed by Christopher Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, the first two Harry Potter films), the cast is loaded with heavyweights: Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan. Critics are on board, giving it a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.8 on IMDb, and a 3.1 on Letterboxd.
— Bummer —
Whew-y! In case you didn’t notice, and there hasn’t been much surf along the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida, the East Coast is just coming out of one of the most extended spells of solid surf in a very long time.
The swell kicked up by Hurricane Erin is finally settling down. Why are we discussing East Florida surf? Well, frankly, we know that many Panhandle surfers made the road trip across our state to get there, as it’s the closest place to find surf and will continue to be this weekend.
The National Weather Service marine forecast for the area from the Big Bend to the Alabama state line is more of the same, unfortunately, for Saturday and Sunday. Winds out from the east to southeast and under 10 knots. Seas in the open Gulf will be less than three feet. So, it’s Groundhog Day for our stretch of saltwater. However, it’s guaranteed that many surfers returning to the area after the journey for the Erin swell will be watching videos of their sessions and checking out pictures, if they have them.
The highest swell height on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoy 42036, moored about 112 miles northwest of Tampa, recorded this week was a whopping one foot even. The usual swell heights ranged between a foot and 0.3 feet. Yeah, we’re not catching any waves.
It’s alright though, the general weather forecast for the weekend along the Panhandle calls for consistent showers and even some thunderstorms. So best to hang close to home. It will change; that’s a promise. However, we must remain calm and patient. It’s coming, waveriders, that’s a promise.
— Capitol Directions —
Rainbows — Rainbow — Abbey Road gave us The Beatles. Florida’s version looks more like a Dead Kennedys bootleg — gray paint over joy.
Ron DeSantis — Down arrow — It’s like “No Child Left Behind” but for candidates voters resoundingly rejected.
Jay Collins — Down arrow — If #CosplayJay insists on playing U.S. Marshal, he could at least tear off the Party City tag.
Byron Donalds — Up arrow — He was already at the high roller’s table; now he has some house money to play with.
Paul Renner — Crossways arrow — We’re not sure what his lane is yet, but it’s definitely not HOV.
Blaise Ingoglia — Up arrow — The DOGE team is seizing hard drives like they’re rare Pokémon cards.
BlackRock — Down arrow — Six months ago, it was “fiduciary first.” Now it’s “go maximize shareholder return somewhere else.”
Bock the Blup — Down arrow — 👆⛳️⛳️👎 ☀️✋👎👎✌️☠️👍👈
Charlie Crist — Up arrow — At long last, a little sunshine in our morning scroll. Welcome back!
Tracie Davis, Mack Bernard, David Silvers — Up arrow — The last thing Dems needed was a battleground of their own making.
Shev Jones — Up arrow — The Governor has asphalt. Survivors have memory. Guess which one lasts longer.
Juan Porras — Up arrow — A three-letter heel enters the cage, and for once, Florida’s united: HOAs are not walking out.
Fiona McFarland — Up arrow — Senate’s loss, Sarasota’s gain.
Adam Botana — Up arrow — He’s already got a Partner gig waiting for him at Bassmaster, Rober & Ross, once the ban is up.
Mori Hosseini — Up arrow — Gators may be yearning for a different Top 5 ranking, but the board Chair has his eyes on the real prize.
Will Weatherford, Mike Griffin — Down arrow — Guys … the motto is “Veritas et Sapientia,” not “Non Veni hic ut Luderem Scholam”
SWFWMD — Down arrow — Pro tip: If taxpayer voices say keep it, it doesn’t matter what taxpayer dollars say.
Mike Anway — Up arrow — PhRMA’s losing an all-timer, but like the Johnson-Erickson handoff, nobody here’s a loser.
Alix Miller — Up arrow — “Breaker, breaker — Queen of Trucking here. We’re out of the double nickel, so hammer down on that FMCSA confirmation. Over.”
Courtney Cox — Up arrow — Long overdue — Moore finally put a partner pin on one of its quiet heavyweights.
Tampa Bay drivers — Up arrow — Rainbow crosswalks erased, billion-dollar bridge delivered. Straus and Kreisman are putting this in the fourth edition.
University of West Florida — Down arrow — We’d land UWF the same candidate for half the price of a search firm and none of the 15-member committee drama … just sayin.
Pulitzer Prize Board — Down arrow — Trump’s lawsuit lingers, Florida’s Supreme Court won’t touch it. Shame there’s no Pulitzer for satire.
Janice Yvette Shackelford — Down arrow — Never seen someone dig their own grave without a shovel.
Doak Campbell — Up arrow — Garnet end zones return … fingers crossed they aren’t crimson by the end of the night.
Gadsden Co. folks — Up arrow — Funnel cakes and Ferris wheels incoming.
Senior residents at Westminster Oaks — Fist — Look, they were marching in the ’60s. You think they really won’t lie down in the street in their 80s?
Tally Hooters — Down arrow — The building may be gone, but the legacy lives on: Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined.
Kindred Lubeck — Ring — At least Noles have a ring to celebrate this year.
Mickey Clayton — Halo — A Rattler to the end, his legend will echo long past the buzzer.
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Politics
Woman says James Fishback dated her while she was underage, then harassed her after breakup
As investment executive James Fishback ramps up his campaign for Governor, a review of court filings from this year shows a former employee accused him of starting a relationship with her when she was 17 and later harassing her — allegations he disputes.
In an amended petition for a protection order request filed in January, a woman named Keinah Fort is claiming Fishback “initiated a romantic relationship with (her)” in Spring 2022, while she was 17 and he was 27, and “explicitly directed” her to keep their relationship secret.
She said in the amended April filing that she joined the nonprofit Fishback founded, Incubate Debate, which runs in-person tournaments for middle and high school students, in 2021, when she was 16. Shortly thereafter, she said he “systematically cultivated a relationship with her” by increasing “opportunities for personal interaction.”
The petition described his approach as “an isolation tactic commonly employed in grooming scenarios.”
Fishback, who grew up in Broward County and now lives in Madison County, is the CEO of Azoria, a startup asset management firm he registered with the state in 2023. He is a frequent political commentator and activist but has never held public office.
He told Florida Politics by phone that Fort’s account of when they began dating and the events that preceded and followed their eventual breakup — including her accusations of stalking and cyberbullying — in the since-denied petition are “absolutely false.”
“There was no evidence entered into the record to support that allegation, and I was fully exonerated of any wrongdoing in this case,” he said.
Fort’s allegations remain uncorroborated beyond the statements she submitted in her filings.
Of note, the case centered on whether Fishback behaved in a manner that justified issuing a protective order against him, not whether he had an improper relationship with a minor.
Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18, though a 16- or 17-year-old may legally consent to sexual activity with an adult no older than 23. Fort’s petition did not detail the level of her and Fishback’s alleged intimacy while she was underage, and she did not respond to multiple interview requests.
In Spring 2023, after she turned 18, Fishback and Fort moved in together. Her LinkedIn page shows she worked at the time as a Program Director for Incubate Debate, though she’d later rise to Executive Director and “Lead” roles. The petition said Fort still depended financially on Fishback, since Incubate Debate would “sporadically and randomly” pay her.
Their domestic life was hardly tranquil, according to Fort, who said Fishback lost his temper, threw objects across the room and screamed at her “on multiple occasions” and once grabbed Fort by the arm, “leaving visible marks.”
After that last incident, Fort said Fishback “laughed without remorse and attempted to justify his behavior by stating (she) exaggerated her injuries.” Fort said Fishback also turned his aggression inward “at times,” threatening to hurt himself while pulling on his hair and slapping himself in the face. He blamed her “each time” for such actions, the petition said.
The couple were nevertheless engaged by March 2024, though not for long. They split up that September, but reconciled briefly in December, after which Fort said she “definitively terminated the relationship.” Fishback claims he was the one who called things off.
After that, she said Fishback’s “controlling behaviors escalated into stalking and cyberbullying.” He “repeatedly (contacted) her through emails, voice memos, text messages,” and communications with her family, the petition said. When she turned down his offer to drop off a gift at her Tallahassee home in early January, explaining that her family was over, Fishback allegedly asked, “Are you afraid I’ll hurt you?” and inquired whether her father had a gun before screaming, “I hate you,” at her three times.
Fishback maintains he never threatened Fort — and, notably, none of his many written communications that Fort filed with the court included any threat of physical harm — but he admitted in texts submitted as evidence and affirmed by a sworn digital forensics expert that he was “tough on (her) and (his) words were not OK.”
Evidence Fort submitted also includes hundreds of unanswered texts that Fishback allegedly sent her over several days. It also consists of a text Fort’s father sent chastising Fishback for a “petty and vindictive” X post about the breakup.
According to a filing by Fort, the since-deleted X post read, “I broke off my engagement to an incredible woman for one simple reason: She couldn’t be proud of anything I worked on – big or small.”
He allegedly told Fort’s mother that he would take the post down if Fort contacted him.
Fort returned to work at Incubate Debate a few days later, where she said Fishback continued to make unwanted contact.
By then, the Koch family-funded Bill of Rights Institute had acquired the nonprofit and Fort had assumed many of Fishback’s prior responsibilities there while Fishback stayed on as a contractor. Fishback said control of Incubate Debate has since reverted to him after the acquisition was “dissolved.”
Fort reported him to the company’s Human Resources Department. She said Fishback then “acquired knowledge of the specific information (she) disclosed during the meeting” before immediately and repeatedly calling her.
Fishback then resigned from his contract work, but Fort said he continued contacting her despite several emailed requests — several of which were included in court filings — that he refrain from doing so.
Fort filed a petition for an injunction for protection against stalking and cyberstalking on Jan. 27, just under two weeks after Fishback threatened to take legal action against her if she filed “an untrue restraining order” or made “defamatory public statements” about him in an email he also sent to several Incubate Debate employees.
Judge Joshua Hawkes of the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Tallahassee denied Fort’s petition on June 20. He wrote that Fishback is “perhaps a little obsessive-compulsive, but he did not initiate contact with the petitioner directly and indirectly with no legitimate purpose.”
Hawkes described Fishback as having an “odd nature” that was “apparent during the hearing.”
“The Respondent is greatly concerned first with the business implications of the parties’ breakup, then with the potential HR complaint, and finally with the injunction itself. The Respondent would litigate his version of events with anyone and everyone and as often as possible. He litigated his entire case in response to just about every question during the hearing,” Hawkes wrote. “He is trying to defend himself and protect his business.”
Hawkes said he found neither Fishback nor Fort’s account of who ended the relationship and why credible. He also said Fort failed to sufficiently prove that Fishback’s post-relationship contacts, a not-insignificant portion of which were work-related, were cause for “substantial emotional distress to a reasonable person.”
Hawkes quoted the 2020 case Quinones-Dones v. Mascola, in which Judge Jay Cohen ruled, “Uncivil behavior or annoyance is not sufficient to obtain an injunction.”
In a written statement to Florida Politics after the phone interview, Fishback reiterated his assertion that Fort had made false accusations against him as part of a wider trend that is “sadly all too common today.”
The court in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit reviewed these egregious accusations, conducted two lengthy hearings, and fully exonerated me,” he wrote. “I have never been arrested or charged with any crime, unlike my opponent (Republican U.S. Rep.) Byron Donalds.”
While the case was ongoing, Fishback posted online about Fort. In a March 6 X post, he wrote, “Yesterday would have been my three-month wedding anniversary. I called off my engagement when I realized I couldn’t say, with certainty, that I’d want her raising my children if something happened to me. That moment hit hard.”
The moment in question: Fort telling him she didn’t think it was wrong for a friend to let her 12-year-old son skip church. “If you don’t see eye to eye on how to raise your children, don’t walk down the aisle,” he wrote. “It’s not fair to anyone: you, her, or your future sons and daughters.”
On March 18, he wrote, “BREAKING NEWS: A District Judge has ordered me to get back together with my ex-fiancé.”
On March 25, he posted photos and a transcript of a praiseful handwritten letter he said Fort wrote to him after their breakup. Comments with the most likes included, “Did she want that to be shared with the internet? Seems kinda personal,” and “Hey James, I really think you should delete this. Some things are best left private.”
Fishback included a snippet of the letter in a June 10 court filing where he claimed Fort had made “numerous attempts to rekindle their relationship” between September and December 2024. He said that before they met, Fort had “long suffered from mental health issues, including engaging in self-harm (cutting) and diagnosed anxiety, which required her to be medicated.”
In October 2024, Fishback said he found Fort in his Washington, D.C., condominium with her left wrist slashed. He also said Fort left him a “fawning voicemail” for his birthday on Jan. 1, which, with four other voicemails he provided to the court, proved Fort “wanted to rekindle their relationship as recently as December 2024.”
Fishback proffered an alternative motive for Fort’s legal action: greed and competitiveness. He said that since the Bill of Rights Institute and Incubate Debate parted ways, with Fort remaining at the Bill of Rights Institute, Fort’s new employer launched its own debate organization in direct competition with Fishback’s nonprofit.
That, he argued, provided Fort “a secondary motive to pursue” the injunction.
Fishback also said Fort published false statements about the success of Incubate Debate while the organization was under her leadership at the Bill of Rights Institute, which led to it receiving an unprecedented “cash donation (that) the donor specifically referencing the false figures.”
He said the Bill of Rights Institute updated its website “at some point” between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 to fix the figures he said Fort misrepresented so that they “comport with reality.”
Less than a week later, and days after Fort filed her petition, Fishback’s filing said, the Bill of Rights Institute “stripped control of Incubate Debate” from her and returned its control to him.
He said the “last direct contact” he had with Fort was an attempt to return a missed phone call from her on Jan. 21. A screenshot of phone call records Fort submitted to the court shows Fishback called three times.
He said he’s had “zero direct contact” with her since” then.
“Respondent testified he does not wish to speak with or see (Fort) ever again,” the filing said, “but he does wish her well, as far away from him as possible.”
Florida Politics contacted Fort and one of her lawyers in the case, Mozianio “Trey” Reliford III, of the Polsinelli law firm, which represents the Bill of Rights Institute. Neither responded to multiple interview requests.
Another of Fort’s lawyers, Nardo Dorsin, has since left Polsinelli and was unavailable for comment by press time.
Fishback launched his campaign for Governor on Nov. 4, pitching himself as an affordability-focused alternative to corporately compromised mainstream GOP candidates. His platform includes ending H-1B visas, which provide legal status to immigrants working in special industries, eliminating property taxes and continuing the “anti-woke” agenda of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Other Republicans actively competing for the job include Donalds, whom President Donald Trump is backing, and former House Speaker Paul Renner.
Two high-profile Democrats, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and ex-Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, are also running.
DeSantis hasn’t yet weighed in on the contest, which Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has hinted at entering.
Florida Politics first flagged Fort’s protection order petition last month in a report that detailed Fishback’s various controversies.
Among them: Fishback’s calls for YouTube to re-platform White nationalist Nick Fuentes and notorious conspiracist Alex Jones and multiple lawsuits brought by Fishback’s former employer, Greenlight Capital, which accuses him of lying about his role with company — he claimed to have been “head of macro,” overseeing $100 million in gains, while Greenlight says he was a low-level research analyst — and attempting to defraud the company into donating to Incubate Debate.
Fishback has also used loaded language to describe Donald, who is Black, as a “DEI Republican” and a “slave” to donors, corporate interests and “tech bros that want to turn our state into, in his own words, a financial capital.”
‘NOT ONE’: Immigration shutdown
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services paused all green card and asylum applications from 19 countries. That list of “high-risk countries” includes Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.
Florida is home to the highest concentration of foreign nationals in the country, with many claiming it as their nation of origin.
An agency memo cites an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to justify effectively shutting down legal immigration from those countries. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the move in a charged social media post.
“I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies,” she posted on X. “Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat and the unyielding love of freedom — not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS. WE DON’T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.”
In Florida, the move drew sharp, partisan reactions.
Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart and Carlos Giménez, both South Florida Republicans representing heavy immigrant constituencies, issued a joint statement defending the controversial move and asserting it was forced by lax immigration enforcement under former Democratic President Joe Biden. They argued that Trump inherited a “broken immigration system” and that Trump had little choice but to strengthen vetting.
“The chaos that unfolded at our southern border allowed over 300 known terrorists to enter the country, enabled hostile foreign operatives — including Cuban regime pilot Luis Raul Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez, recently indicted on a charge of immigration fraud — and led to the preventable murders of Americans in their own communities,” the Miami-Dade Republicans said.
“The tragic deaths of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley and Texas 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, the foiled Election Day 2024 terrorist plot by Afghan national Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, and the murder of a U.S. National Guard soldier in our nation’s capital by another Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, are not isolated incidents — they are direct consequences of Biden’s incompetence and failed leadership. Criminals applied for and exploited U.S. immigration privileges under an administration that simply stopped enforcing the rule of law.”
Notably, Giménez immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba as a child. Díaz-Balart is the son of Cuban immigrants.
But Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick slammed the decision and posted on social media that it would hurt the U.S. economically. The Miramar Democrat is the daughter of Haitian immigrants, making her the only Haitian American serving in Congress.
“A blanket ban on 19 countries is not security — it’s self-sabotage,” she wrote. “We’re blocking students, nurses, engineers and future innovators. Canada and Europe are happy to take the talent we’re pushing away.”
And Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Miami-Dade Democrat, suggested the harsh rhetoric and policies would not play well in immigrant-rich South Florida. “Immigrants strengthen our nation. In South Florida, we know this firsthand,” she posted. “We should support our immigrant communities, NOT antagonize them!”
But the Republicans in South Florida suggested the pause was only a first step toward comprehensive reform. “We remain fully committed to permanently fixing our immigration system once and for all,” Díaz-Balart and Giménez’s statement reads. “We also hope this process is thorough and done quickly so that individuals with legitimate asylum claims have the opportunity to have their cases adjudicated expeditiously, something that did not happen under the Biden administration.”
Tracking FEMA claims
One thing both parties in Congress agree on is the need for efficient disaster response. Sen. Ashley Moody this week announced a bipartisan effort to increase transparency in aid.
The Plant City Republican introduced the Transparency in Recovery Assistance and Claims Knowledge (TRACK) Act with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, that would make a status tracker on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website accessible to individuals with claims.
“While this hurricane season we all in Florida got lucky, our state is no stranger to destructive weather. As I travel around the state, one thing I continue to hear is that folks want more transparency and insight to the aid process when they are recovering from catastrophes,” Moody said.
“While FEMA is making great strides under President Trump’s leadership, the TRACK Act will bring more sunshine and transparency. After disaster strikes, the most important thing is to get help to those who need it as soon as possible, and this bill will help us do just that.”
Added Alsobrooks, “After a disaster, no community should ever feel left behind — this bill ensures every American will know just how much support they are receiving from the federal government.”
The legislation also drew endorsements from several local officials in Florida.
“Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of Hillsborough County government,” said Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise. “Our departments strive daily to uphold these values. Every level of government should seek to uphold these same standards.”
Democratic leaders in the state were among those praising the bill.
“As the Orange County Commissioner for District 2 since 2018, hurricanes and other emergencies routinely upend lives and overwhelm local systems; our residents deserve clear and immediate insight into how federal assistance is progressing,” said Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore.
“A FEMA transparency dashboard would let families, local officials and emergency managers see real-time data so we can target help where it’s needed most. Ultimately, this level of visibility strengthens trust, speeds recovery and our communities.”
Crypto stability
Many of Florida’s political class traveled to Washington for a wide-ranging Rescuing the American Dream summit headlined by Sen. Rick Scott. The event touched on a range of topics, including health care and foreign policy.
Scott also spotlighted the contrast between cryptocurrency regulation under Trump and the previous status quo under Biden. Scott suggested the prior administration was using “lawfare” to go after companies pushing digital currencies.
The Naples Republican condemned that, but said he was more focused on developing technology for new currencies.
“I do believe there’s a value with blockchain, and the value of blockchain can dramatically reduce the cost of things for us,” he said. “What can government do to help drive down the cost? Typically, the way — the only way — government does that is, they throw money. This is not something you throw money at.”
He was generally supportive of the GENIUS Act and the STABLE Act, signed by Trump this year, though he still wanted to see stablecoins able to earn interest, something that didn’t make it into statute.
Scott’s summit featured Faryar Shirzad, chief policy officer for Coinbase, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican. Lummis said she has seen both the private and public sectors restrict access to individuals’ finances too often, sometimes for overtly political reasons, and that blockchain could protect consumers.
“It’s very difficult for the government to surveil,” she said.
East Pass illumination
Lights on the markers for East Pass in Destin haven’t operated properly since 2021, and Rep. Jimmy Patronis said it’s time for the Coast Guard to fix them.
The Fort Walton Republican sent a letter to acting Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday, urging attention to the matter. He noted that the recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes more than $4 billion provided for shore facilities. The Congressman said the poor upkeep poses both a safety risk for voters and a compromise to national security.
“These deficiencies pose serious safety and economic risks to Destin’s gateway to the GOA (Gulf of America, which sees extensive vessel traffic,” Patronis said.
“Destin’s Harbor, along East Pass, saw daily entry and exits of more than 1,500 vessels on weekdays and more than 2,000 vessels on weekends. For perspective, the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere, the Port of Los Angeles, handled only 1,807 vessel arrivals during calendar year 2024, and the Port of Mobile handled only 312 vessels in calendar year 2022. Beyond the more than 29,000 saltwater fishing licenses issued to addresses in Okaloosa County, countywide tourism generates $3.3 billion in direct visitor spending and supports 51,000 jobs.”
The risks aren’t just hypothetical. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reports that the boating accident rate in Okaloosa County is 530% higher than in Miami-Dade County, which is much more populous.
“Unfortunately, the number of accidents near East Pass increased by 100% from 2021 to 2024, and approximately 70% of reported accidents in Okaloosa County occurred near East Pass,” he said.
Patronis suggested that the right course of action is to replace both markers.
Finding consensus
A summit on health care hosted by Rep. Aaron Bean may be the first of many in his “Path to Consensus” series in Washington.
The Fernandina Beach Republican said his first event focused explicitly on health care, but it wasn’t just about finding a plan that could pass with a GOP majority.
“What will it look like if we were to build a health care plan that we can afford, the American people can afford, but as a country that we can afford? What does it look like?” he asked. “What components does it have? How do we make it more affordable?”
But he made sure to invite representatives from America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group that includes Florida Blue, to defend some form of tax credits, as well as the reform-focused Paragon Health Institute, which wants more free-market solutions.
Bean said he doesn’t want insurance subsidies extended forever in their current form but didn’t rule out tax credits entirely.
“The more money we’ve put in there, they’re driving inflation,” he said of the existing credits. “So, we need reform.”
San Juan health care
Whatever happens with the federal health care program, Rep. Darren Soto wants to address an inequity that has left one group of American citizens without benefits. The Kissimmee Democrat filed the Puerto Rico Affordable Care Act, a bill co-sponsored by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández, to establish an Affordable Care Act exchange in the U.S. territory.
“For far too long, Puerto Ricans have been treated as second-class citizens — despite being part of the United States. I’m proud to partner with Resident Commissioner Hernández on this initiative to allow those on the island to receive equal treatment when it comes to health care access,” Soto said. “Our hope is that this bill will open the door to key reforms and lead to a system in which Puerto Ricans have access to tiered plans, tax premiums, and cost-sharing reductions.”
Hernández, a Caguas Democrat, said Puerto Ricans deserve the same access to health care as any citizen.
“Too many families in Puerto Rico navigate a system without the cost-saving tools available elsewhere,” he said. “Establishing an ACA exchange gives the island the federal support to expand coverage, lower costs, and strengthen our health care network. This bill brings Puerto Rico into the proven framework that serves millions of Americans.”
Veteran education
A pair of Florida lawmakers is working across the aisle to ensure veterans have the resources to transition from military service into higher education.
Reps. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, and Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, introduced the Veteran Education Empowerment Act, which would reauthorize the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program through at least 2033. That program has awarded $50 million to more than 100 schools to help educate veterans, including eight Florida institutions.
“I have personally visited many schools that offer Student Veteran Centers and spoken with the veterans who utilize them,” Bilirakis said. “The veterans confirm that the enhanced services and specialized resources provided through the centers are invaluable as they seek to successfully reintegrate into civilian society. I hope my colleagues will join us in expediting passage of this important initiative.”
The program also provides support to veteran students who may face added challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder or may already have started families.
“As the mother of a U.S. Marine War Veteran, I know how demanding the transition from military to civilian life can be,” Frankel said. “Our veterans are patriots who have served our country-they deserve every tool to succeed in their next chapter. Student Veteran Success Centers provide the academic support, mentorship, and community that help them thrive.”
Hiring warriors
Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Steube turned his attention to ensuring veterans have work lined up when their education and tours of duty are through.
The Sarasota Republican filed the Hire Student Veterans Act, which would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers who hire eligible student veterans.
“America owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our military for their service,” Steube said. “No veteran should ever be left to languish on the unemployment line. I am grateful to join with Congresswoman (Susie) Lee and Sens. (Jerry) Moran and (Jacky) Rosen on this bill that will expand opportunity and financial security for our student veterans. It is only right that we provide our heroes with every possible option to earn a reliable income while attending school.”
He introduced the legislation with Rep. Lee, a Nevada Democrat. His Office noted that 12% of student veterans end up unable to find work. The bill seeks to remedy that by including part-time work and paid internships for the tax credits for education covered by the GI Bill.
Fighting child cancer
The House just unanimously passed an initiative to fund pediatric cancer research, championed in part by Florida lawmakers. The Mikaela Naylon ‘Give Kids A Chance’ Act cleared the chamber through unanimous consent and now heads to the Senate.
Both Bilirakis and Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, were among the bill’s introducing sponsors.
“By passing the bipartisan Give Kids a Chance Act, the House has taken a meaningful step forward in improving health outcomes for kids fighting cancer and rare diseases,” Castor said.
“This bipartisan legislation eliminates unnecessary red tape, prioritizes lifesaving pediatric therapies and re-energizes pediatric drug research at no additional cost to taxpayers. As co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I’m pleased to see the House come together to remove barriers to care. Working together is how we strengthen families, expand opportunity and build a healthier, more hopeful future for our young neighbors in Florida and across the country.”
The bill is named for Mikaela Naylon, a child advocate who died from osteosarcoma at age 16 and donated her body to science.
“By strengthening incentives for pediatric drug development, restoring essential programs such as the FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, and ensuring that lifesaving therapies reach the children who need them most, we are making meaningful progress,” Bilirakis said. “I am proud to have contributed to this important work and will continue fighting for children and families across our nation.”
Safer internet
Another bipartisan bill championed by Florida lawmakers could make online spaces safer in the future.
Reps. Laurel Lee and Soto filed the Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act, which would direct the Federal Trade Commission to launch a nationwide public awareness and education campaign to equip families, educators and stakeholders with the latest best practices for protecting minors online.
“Families deserve to know that their children are protected in an increasingly complex digital environment. My legislation will help ensure parents, teachers, and community leaders have the tools they need to navigate online risks and promote safe, healthy internet use for the next generation,” said Lee, a Thonotosassa Republican. “The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and our approach to online safety must evolve with it.”
The bill also requires the Commission on the efforts to protect minors online to submit annual reports to Congress.
“As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to review common sense reforms that will help make the internet safer for everyone,” Soto said.
Standing with firefighters
Giménez started his career in public service as a firefighter. Now, he wants Congress to recognize the sacrifices made by those decked out in bunker gear, including the compromise of their own personal health.
“Our firefighters are courageous public servants who put their lives on the line every single day,” he said.
“Our first responders go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the communities they serve, and this legislation will ensure that their families receive the benefits they rightfully deserve. The Senate has already acted unanimously, and we have strong bipartisan support in the House. Now we must finish the job. By including this provision in the final NDAA, Congress will honor the sacrifice of our fallen firefighters, protect their families, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to those who stand watch over our communities.”
The Miami-Dade Republican co-led a letter with Rep. Nick LaLota, a New York Republican, asking leadership in the House and Senate to include the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. That would qualify career-long carcinogenic exposures for the Public Safety Officer Benefits program, which now only covers health instances stemming from specific emergencies.
“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our nation’s fallen heroes when we know job-related exposures are causing many to die from cancer at rates far higher than the general public,” the letter reads.
On this day
Dec. 5, 1933 — “Prohibition ends” via History.com — The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states’ approval. The movement to prohibit alcohol began in the early 19th century. Prohibition, failing to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. After the repeal, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws. Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966.
Dec. 5, 2019 — “Nancy Pelosi announces articles of impeachment against Trump” via NBC News — The House Speaker announced she was asking the House Judiciary Committee and Chairs of other Committees to proceed with drafting articles of impeachment, saying “the President leaves us no choice but to act.” “Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders and our heart full of love for America, today, I am asking our Chairmen to proceed with articles of impeachment,” Pelosi said in a brief televised statement from the Capitol, speaking directly to the American people. The facts of Trump’s alleged wrongdoing involving Ukraine, she said, “are uncontested.”
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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.
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