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Gov. DeSantis names Ashley Moody to succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody as Florida’s next U.S. Senator.

She will succeed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of State. Rubio first won election in 2010 and appears on a smooth path to confirmation as soon as next week. Moody enters the national stage as a known quantity to Florida voters who twice elected her to statewide office.

Moody promised to support a conservative shift in Congress.

“I pledge to you as United States Senator supporting the REINS Act, supporting any effort to rein back in our out-of-control federal agencies, make sure politics have pushed out of it, make sure we bring down spending. I am all for that, and I got the backs of the American people, DOGE and President Trump.”

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act passed in the House last year but not the Senate. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, reintroduced the measure again this Congress, while U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, sponsored a Senate version. The legislation would require congressional approval for major federal agency rules and rules with an impact of $100 million or more before taking effect.

At an Orlando press conference announcing the Senate pick, DeSantis said he vetted contenders for months to replace Rubio when the seat opens, and had promised to name a replacement that can hit the ground running when Trump’s second term begins Monday.

The Governor said he thought long about the decision and trusted Moody’s record of getting things done in the state.

“This is a once in a decade, maybe even once in a generation, opportunity,” DeSantis said. “This current Congress is ultimately going to determine whether we do usher in that revival of the American experiment, or is it just going to be status quo, passing the buck and nothing ever changes.”

Other contenders he said were considered included U.S. Reps. Cammack and Cory Mills, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and state Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican.

But DeSantis said Moody’s record of accomplishment ultimately put her over the top. He specifically cited a number of successful court efforts defending Florida legislation signed by DeSantis.

“We have won those lawsuits as a result,” he said.

Florida policies defended by Moody’s Office in court include efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from state universities and barring gender-reassignment medical care for minors.

DeSantis also praised Moody for challenging a number of President Joe Biden’s actions at the federal level.

“We beat the Biden administration that had continued to keep our cruise lines closed, and we liberated the cruise industry because of her lawsuit,” DeSantis said. “We also beat Biden on the employer vaccine mRNA mandate, which was going to have people lose their jobs if they didn’t take this shot that many people didn’t want. So her efforts were really critical in achieving those successes.”

Moody said she has been excited to work alongside DeSantis, who won election as Governor the same year she was elected as Attorney General, in 2006.  She plans to bring the same agenda to Washington, she said.

“If we scale back, make sure we return this to a limited government, we will prosper,” she said. “Look at what Florida has done.”

She said support from her family made her political successes possible.

“I will bring the influence of many things in my life, my experiences, certainly. But I am driven by my faith in God, first and foremost,” Moody said.

“I am driven by the fact that I am a mother and I still have a kid in school. And whether it was protecting children from social media, from the dangers of fentanyl, the poison of being pushed into our nation as a result of a wide-open border, whether it’s protecting our soldiers — the oldest boy in our family is a soldier. So whether it is supporting them while they are abroad or after they come home, I have their backs.”

Moody will take office after Rubio vacates the seat, which must await his confirmation as Secretary of State. That could happen as soon as Monday, the same day as Trump’s inauguration to a second term. DeSantis, who plans to attend the inauguration, said he hopes to see Moody sworn into the Senate on the same day.

Moody’s move to Washington also means her Cabinet post will be open as well. But DeSantis left no room for speculation on that seat, and told press he will appoint his Chief of Staff, James Uthmeier, as Florida’s next Attorney General.


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Disney World’s government settles ride evacuation injury lawsuit for $50K

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Walt Disney World’s government has settled a lawsuit after a boy was injured during a ride evacuation in 2021 at the Magic Kingdom, records show.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District agreed to pay the boy’s grandfather, Richard McNamara, $50,000 and did not admit any liability for the incident, according to the terms of settlement. Both sides agreed to pay their own legal expenses.

CFTOD, formerly known as Reedy Creek Improvement District, released the settlement this week following a Florida Politics records request made late last year.

The boy, originally from Alabama, had gone through a lot in his 12 years before he came to Orlando on vacation in March 2021.

His teenager brother shot and killed their father before shooting the boy, paralyzing him from the waist down, according to media reports.

An organization that helps children in need provided the boy with a trip to Disney World.

It was on that vacation when the boy rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a popular roller coaster based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” when the coaster broke down.

“When the first responders attempted to lift (the boy) to remove him from the ride, they over-extended his leg, snapping his right femur at the knee,” the lawsuit said.

The family sued in 2022 for a claim of more than $100,000.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed last year after the two sides reached a settlement.

McNamara’s attorney, the boy’s attorney and CFTOD either declined to comment or did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

At the time, Disney did not disclose the boy’s injury on the state theme park injury report released every quarter by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Theme parks face little regulation when it comes to disclosing juries to the public. Theme parks are only required to disclose injuries if people are hurt on a ride and require at least 24-hours of hospitalization.


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Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

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Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”


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Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

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It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.


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