Politics

Jimmy Patronis fumes at Democrats after Blue Angels cancel rest of season

Published

3 months ago

October 31, 2025

The Blue Angels have canceled the rest of the season as it becomes clear a federal shutdown will linger into November.

That forces a shake-up of the schedule for the Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda and the cancellation of a homecoming show expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Panhandle in November.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis said voters should blame Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for grounding coming airshows.

A news release from Naval Air Station Pensacola announced the end of the airshows, including a show marking the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.

“Due to the current funding situation and the lead time required to secure and execute the necessary contracts for performers and support services, cancellation of the 2025 Homecoming Airshow is unavoidable,” NAS Pensacola commanding officer Capt. Chandra Newman said in a media statement.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the impact it will have on the community.”

Patronis, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, blamed “far-left radicals” and leadership in the Senate.

“This cancellation is a direct result of Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats’ selfish decision to keep the government shut down. Their political games aren’t just stalling Washington; they’re hurting real people here at home,” Patronis said.

“The Blue Angels represent excellence, service, and unity, but Democrats in the Senate have chosen division and dysfunction. I want to commend Captain Chandra Newman for her professionalism and steady leadership in navigating this difficult situation. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, a milestone that should be celebrated with pride, not spoiled by far-left, partisan hackery. The Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is a proud Pensacola tradition that brings together hundreds of thousands of families, veterans, and businesses to celebrate our nation’s military and the incredible men and women of the U.S. Navy.”

The Blue Angels previously had delayed shows in hopes appropriations would be restored. While military operations deemed essential have remained open during the shutdown, civilian-dependent work not critical to national security has gone unfunded.

The Blue Angels were expected to fly in Punta Gorda this weekend to headline the Florida International Air Show. That was to be the first Blue Angels show in Southwest Florida since 2012. Additionally, the government shutdown means exhibitions by the F-16 Viper Demo Team and Heritage Flight Team will not take place.

“While that’s out of our hands, we’ve added some incredible new performers who are guaranteed to keep the skies just as thrilling!” reads a social media statement from organizers.

The Blue Angels were next supposed to participate in the Navy branch anniversary show in Philadelphia.

Then, the squad was set to return home for a homecoming show in Pensacola. That show has been canceled altogether.

Patronis said it was unfortunate the ongoing budget talks in Washington have economic consequences in his district. He maintained that the House has passed a budget, and a Democratic minority in the Senate is the chief barrier to reopening the government.

“While far-left lunatics refuse to fund the government, it’s our servicemembers, military families, and local economies who are being punished,” he said. “It’s time for Democrats to stop holding America hostage and reopen the government so that Congress can do our jobs and American families can put food on their tables.”

Schumer, for his part, has said the Democratic caucus cannot accept a budget that allows subsidies in the Affordable Care Act to expire at the end of the year.

“Because of the Republicans: In Louisiana, the average sixty-year-old couple making $85,000 a year could see their premiums increase by $25,700. In South Dakota, it will be an annual average increase of $26,000,” Schumer posted on X. “In Florida, it’s an annual increase of $27,000.”

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Politics

SeaWorld, Universal announce musical acts ahead of annual food festivals

Published

5 minutes ago

January 19, 2026

May Greene

Universal and SeaWorld have announced the details on one of the best theme park deals of the year: concerts that are included in regular park admission during their annual food festivals.

Both theme parks are bringing in major artists as part of Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval and SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival.

Disney World also welcomes well-known artists and nostalgic favorites to play for theme park guests. But the Mouse has not officially released the 2026 schedule for the Garden Rocks concerts at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The festival runs March 4 to June 1.

Universal’s Mardi Gras concerts kick off Feb. 7 through March 28 on select nights. This year’s lineup features Grammy-winning DJ and producer Zedd, Bebe Rexha, and The All-American Rejects, who are returning for the second year in a row as the concert series’ finale.

The nightly concerts take place following Universal’s Mardi Gras parade featuring elaborate floats and plenty of bead throwing.

At SeaWorld, the music includes KISS rocker Gene Simmons, the Beach Boys, Flo Rida, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Fray and Boyz II Men during the concert series running on select nights from Jan. 31 to May 17.

“This is the biggest and most diverse concert lineup we’ve ever presented as part of Seven Seas Food Festival,” said SeaWorld Orlando Park President Jon Peterson in a statement. “With chart-topping artists, throwback favorites, and every concert included with park admission, we’re delivering one of the best entertainment values in Central Florida.”

The majority of the dates have been announced, although SeaWorld said a few additional acts will be announced later in the year.

Orlando has deep ties to boy band history, which you’ll find at the theme parks’ festival concerts.

You won’t see Justin Timberlake anytime soon playing behind a backdrop of roller coasters. But Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC performs Feb 22 at the Pop 2000 Tour night at SeaWorld. Meanwhile, Kirkpatrick’s former bandmate Joey Fatone teams up with the Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean at Universal Orlando Feb. 21.

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Politics

Tampa Bay Lightning arena agreement worth up to $358.5M heads to Hillsborough County Commission

Published

37 minutes ago

January 19, 2026

May Greene

The revised agreement is intended to secure the Lightning’s long-term presence in downtown Tampa.

Hillsborough County Commissioners are scheduled to consider a $250 million agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning to expand the county’s financial commitment to renovations at the Benchmark International Arena (formerly known as the Amalie Arena) and extend the team’s lease from June 2037 to June 2043.

The proposed agreement would raise the county’s maximum renovation contribution from $108.5 million to $358.5 million, while requiring the Lightning and Tampa Bay Arena LLC to spend an additional $75 million of their own funds on arena improvements. Under the terms of the deal, the team would be required to pay for renovation work upfront before becoming eligible for county reimbursement.

The revised agreement is intended to secure the Lightning’s long-term presence in downtown Tampa and address ongoing capital needs at the more than 30-year-old county-owned arena.

According to documents for Wednesday’s Hillsborough County meeting, the county’s share of the renovation costs would be financed exclusively through revenue bonds backed by the fifth-cent tourist development tax. To date, the county has paid approximately $91 million under the original arena renovation agreement first approved in 2006.

The agreement also requires Tampa Bay Arena and the Lightning to seek additional financial support from the city of Tampa and the state, though no commitments from either government are included in the agenda item.

The staff report indicates that continued investment is necessary to keep the arena competitive with newer venues and to preserve its role as a major economic driver in the Water Street and Channelside districts.

“Such public benefits include the Arena’s role as a catalyst for small and emerging businesses located in the District, a stimulus for development in the larger area around the Arena, and the host of many esteemed cultural events held in the Suncoast region of the State of Florida,” staff wrote in the report.

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Politics

Patricia Rumph joins crowded race to be first-ever District 7 Orange County Commissioner

Published

2 hours ago

January 19, 2026

May Greene

Patricia Rumph, a retired state corrections department employee, is running for Orange County Commission’s District 7 in August.

“I am running for County Commission because service is not something I talk about, it is something I have lived every day of my life,” Rumph said.

Rumph’s campaign priorities are public safety, investing in strong infrastructure, affordability, and environmental stewardship, she said in a statement to announce her candidacy.

Rumph is joining a crowded field for a two-year term representing District 7 in the nonpartisan race. The other candidates are Selina Carter, Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner, Stacey Gordon-Ali, Framily Support Network co-founder Aaron Lewis, Sonya Shakespeare, and former Orlando City Commissioner Vicki Vargo.

A County Commissioner’s current annual salary is $130,262.

District 7, which covers Maitland, Eatonville, Pine Hills, Orlovista and Fairview Shores in the northern part of Orange County, is one of the two new County Commission seats added after last year’s redistricting.

“As District 7 is formed, this is a moment to build something new and to do it the right way,” Rumph said. “Our residents deserve a commissioner who is present, accountable, and deeply invested in the people who call this district home.”

Rumph’s 30-year career in the Florida Department of Corrections included jobs as Correctional Probation Senior Officer, Human Resources Specialist, and Fiscal Assistant. She retired in 2017.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.

“In 2020, Rumph was appointed Orange County’s Inaugural Community Ambassador, a role created to build trust between law enforcement and residents and to lead initiatives focused on reducing gun violence and violent crime,” she said in a press release.

“Prior to that appointment, she served for three years as President of the Pine Hills Community Council and has held leadership roles on numerous county boards and advisory committees.”

She was also named the League of Women Voters of Orange County Grassroots Champion of the Year, noted a press release highlighting her public service.

“From Pine Hills to neighborhoods across District 7, I have worked side by side with residents to make our communities safer, stronger, and more connected,” Rumph said in a statement. “This new district deserves leadership that knows our neighborhoods, listens to our families, and fights for opportunity in every zip code. I am ready to bring proven, community-rooted leadership to the County Commission.”

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