Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

The fight over Florida’s black bear population is back in the spotlight, and back on the steps of the Capitol.

More than 160,000 people applied for just 172 permits in what would be Florida’s first bear hunt in nearly a decade, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The limited December hunt has reignited fierce debate over whether killing bears is necessary wildlife management or needless cruelty.

Environmental groups led by Sierra Club Florida, Bear Defenders, and Speak Up for Wildlife plan to rally Nov. 17 outside the Capitol to urge Gov. Ron DeSantis and FWC to cancel the hunt before it begins. Organizers said to expect advocates, signs, banners, speakers, and organized bus arrivals from across the state on Monday.

Listed speakers include Susannah Randolph of Sierra Club Florida, Katrina Shadix of Bear Warriors United, Adam Sugalski of Bear Defenders, James Scott of Speak Up for Wildlife, and others.

The state estimates about 4,000 black bears remain in Florida. The last hunt, in 2015, ended abruptly after hunters killed more than 300 bears, including several females with cubs, in just two days. 

FWC officials say this year’s plan includes tighter rules and a smaller hunting window, but conservationists aren’t convinced. During the permit lottery earlier this year, conservationists flocked to apply for permits they had no intention of using — a protest tactic aimed at reducing the number of bears killed.

Evening Reads

—“‘Not an easy call’: The Democrats who struggled with their shutdown vote” via Paul Kane of The Washington Post

—”The Supreme Court just might save Donald Trump from himself” via Eric Levitz of Vox

—”Inside the sandwich guy’s jury deliberations” via Ashley Parker of The Atlantic

—”Streaming prices are soaring—and consumers are still paying” via Melissa Korn, Elizaveta Galkina and Stephanie Stamm of The Wall Street Journal

—“Trump’s plan for Syria: Boots on the ground” via Mac William Bishop of Rolling Stone

—”42 million people are enrolled in SNAP. Who are they?” via David W. Chen of The New York Times

—”The 10 best Governors races in 2026” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”‘We couldn’t take it anymore’: Fear of immigration arrests near schools in Florida reducing enrollment, officials say” via Bea Anhuci of Fresh Take Florida

—”State wants Molina Healthcare of Florida for new Medicaid managed-care contract” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix

—”Top business leaders drive effort to jettison Broward’s name and become ‘Lauderdale County’” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Quote of the Day

“Students should feel safe in schools. We live in a world where they don’t.”

— Broward County School Board Chair Debbi Hixon, on falling K-12 enrollment.

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.

CFO Blaise Ingoglia gets a Fire Engine for distributing nearly $200K in state grants to help prevent and treat cancer for first responders.

Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud will be recognized later this month with a 2025 Rising Star Award from the Future Caucus. A Rising Star from the 1800 Caucus will make her flight to D.C. more enjoyable.

Pass a Pause to St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, who is delaying the historic Gas Plant district redevelopment timeline into 2026.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Magic tries to cool off streaking Knicks

The Orlando Magic visit Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks tonight (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Orlando has staggered through an uneven start to the season and has lost six of the first 11 games of the campaign. The Magic are coming off a home win over the Portland Trailblazers on Monday. Desmond Bane hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Orlando has not won more than two consecutive games this season.

After opening the season with a victory over the Miami Heat, the Magic dropped four straight. Since the losing streak, Orlando has won four of six games.  

Orlando’s offense has been led by forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who each average at least 22 points per game, but Bane, the former Memphis Grizzlies guard, can do more. He averages nearly 15 points per game after averaging 19 per contest last season in Memphis.

The Knicks (7-3) have won five straight games and are second in the Eastern Conference, and have not lost in November. New York handled Memphis last night, 133-120, behind 32 points and 10 assists from Jalen Brunson. 

In his first season as the head coach of the Knicks, Mike Brown has the team contending for the top spot in the conference.

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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.