Politics

Jorge Masvidal backs Emilio González for Miami Mayor

Published

5 months ago

July 23, 2025

The man with the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history wants to see former City Manager Emilio González punch his ticket to the Miami mayoralty.

Miami-born mixed martial artist Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal, who in 2019 recorded a five-second knockout and became the UFC’s inaugural “BFM” champion, is endorsing González.

He said González’s military service and successful fight this month to keep Miami’s election on the books for November 2025 make him “the ultimate fighter for our city.”

“I know a thing or two about fighting, and this guy’s a fighter, Emilio González,” Masvidal said. “He’s ready to fix what’s broken. He’ll put working families first. He’ll clean up City Hall and restore pride to the city of Miami.”

This is not the first time Masvidal has laced up gloves for a Florida Republican. He supported President Donald Trump in 2020 and 2024. In 2022, he endorsed and stumped for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ re-election campaign. And this past December, Masvidal backed former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino’s unsuccessful bid to replace Matt Gaetz in Congress.

Masvidal believes that in his legal battle with the city, González — a fellow Cuban American, retired U.S. Army colonel and former Miami City Manager who has held prominent federal- and county-level jobs — proved he is the best candidate for Mayor.

In June, Miami Commissioners voted 3-2 to delay the city’s November election by a year and move the contests from odd- to even-numbered years. The change would have aligned Miami races with federal contests, a switch proponents said would boost voter turnout while saving the city money.

But González and other detractors, including many of the 21 people running for elected offices, argued the move illegally circumvented voter approval and left candidates in the lurch while giving sitting officials an extra, unearned year in office.

Attorney General James Uthmeier warned, with support from DeSantis, that he might take legal action against the city. He called the Commission’s decision unconstitutional and in violation of the Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter, which requires changes to city charters in the county — including any permanent shift of election dates — to be approved by voters.

Some candidates threatened to sue. González did, filing a complaint late last month seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. On Monday, a Miami-Dade Judge sided with González, ruling that voters must OK the change. She agreed with Uthmeier’s reading of the law, which conflicted with an interpretation City Attorney George Wysong proffered in the city’s defense.

Masvidal, a career prizefighter, said in a statement that the prize González won in court this week benefits everyone who lives in the “Magic City.”

“He stood up. I always knew he was the right guy for the job,” he said. “But now, seeing him go toe-to-toe with City Hall to protect our vote? I respect that even more.”

González said in a statement that he is proud to have Masvidal in his corner.

“Jorge knows what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself,” he said. “He’s a Miami warrior, and I’m honored to have his trust. This race isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting our democracy and delivering results for the people of Miami.”

González is one of 11 candidates running to succeed term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez.

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Politics

Florida lawmakers condemn tragic shooting at Jewish event in Australia

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

May Greene

The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.

The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.

“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.

“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”

The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.

Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.

New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.

“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.

The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.

One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.

At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.

“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.

The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.

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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.

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Politics

Florida behavioral services offer plenty of help and tips for dealing with holiday stress

Published

5 hours ago

December 14, 2025

May Greene

Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.

While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.

There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.

“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”

The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:

— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.

— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.

— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.

— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.

— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.

— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.

A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.

Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.

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Politics

Ron DeSantis appoints new members to 2 Florida county commissions

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

May Greene

Patricia ‘Trish’ Petrosky is being added to the Lee County Commission while Charles ‘Wade’ Ellenburg joins the Holmes County Commission.

Two Florida county commissions are getting new members.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two new county commissioners this month. One is taking a seat on the Lee County Board of Commissioners. The other will assume a seat on the Holmes County Commission.

DeSantis appointed Patricia “Trish” Petrosky to the Lee County Commission, home to Fort Myers. Petrosky is replacing Mike Greenwell.

Greenwell served on the District 5 seat of the County Commission since July 2022. That’s when DeSantis appointed Greenwell to that panel. Greenwell would rise to Chairman of the Lee County Commission in 2024 and he was reelected to that post that year. But he passed away Oct. 9 after a battle with cancer and there were memorial services in Lee County. DeSantis also ordered American and Florida flags to fly at half staff on Oct. 21.

Greenwell was with the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball organization for about a dozen years. That franchise has Spring Training operations in Fort Myers and Greenwell returned to Lee Countyt to raise a family and entered local business.

Petrosky is the Executive Assistant at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers. She also was a former realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and was a member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors Association.

Meanwhile in Holmes County, DeSantis has appointed Charles “Wade” Ellenburg to that County Commission.

Ellenburg fills the District 2 seat on the Holmes County board after Brandon Newsom was suspended from the panel this year following felony charges. Newsom was involved allegations of violating bail bond laws in the Northwest Florida county that boarders the Georgia state line, according to a report in the Holmes County News.

Ellenburg is a farmer in Holmes County and is a member of the Florida Farm Bureau Holmes County Board of Directors. He also serves on the Fruit and Vegetables State Advisory Board for that bureau. Ellenburg was also elected to the Holmes County Value Adjustment Board this year.

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