Last Call for 10.7.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

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

First Shot

The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus is marking the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, which the caucus called “the second largest execution of Jews in modern-day society.”

In a statement released Monday, the caucus reflected on centuries of Jewish persecution — from enslavement in ancient Egypt and exile by the Babylonians and Romans, to European pogroms and the Holocaust — while reaffirming Israel’s enduring role as “the world’s only Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East that upholds freedom of religion, speech, and political representation.”

“After World War II and the genocide of six million Jews, global recognition grew for the need for a Jewish state — a secure homeland, a refuge for Jews worldwide, where we could live freely and self-govern,” the caucus said. “In 1948, we were given a barren piece of land in the desert and Israel was established as our refuge and as the fulfillment of the Jewish people’s ancient connection to the land of Israel.”

The caucus reaffirmed its solidarity with Israel and the global Jewish community, declaring, “We stand together to bear witness to these recent and past atrocities. We stand strong and proud, and we will continue to persevere and win this battle. We will not stand down until the terrorists, such as Hamas, are eliminated and our hostages returned home.”

The statement closed with the enduring declaration, Am Yisrael Chai — “The people of Israel live.”

Evening Reads

—”ICE closes detention oversight group in shutdown despite surge in detainees” via Douglas MacMillan of The Washington Post

—“What I learned by watching every Pam Bondi speech” via Ankush Khardori of POLITICO

—”What’s behind the dispute over extending health care subsidies” via Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times

—”The landmark U.S. office buildings that are on life support” via Peter Grant of The Wall Street Journal

—”Chaos, confusion, and conspiracies: Inside a Facebook group for RFK Jr.’s autism ‘cure’” via David Gilbert of WIRED

—”Are You a ‘heritage American’?” via Ali Breland of The Atlantic

—”The 41 most absurd lines from Donald Trump’s Monday news conference” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Armed investigators visit man who sent postcard critical of Blaise Ingoglia” via Jeffrey Schweers of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—”State can’t say how many children have been dropped from Florida KidCare” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix

—”JMI releases 2026 Florida policy priorities, including property tax reform” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

“I can fund all that. … it’s like budget dust for us.”

— Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying the state can cover the cost of eliminating property taxes in fiscally constrained counties.

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.

DeSantis gets a Big Spender for saying he’s willing to cover the cost for reluctant rural voters who may not want to support eliminating property taxes on homesteaded properties.

LaVon Bracy Davis is enjoying a classic Senator after being officially sworn in to office.

Send Florida Poly a round of Elite Bourbons for having five professors named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Panthers begin title defense

The Florida Panthers drop the puck on the 2025-2026 season as two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions as they host the Chicago Blackhawks in the season’s first game (5 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Panthers made a few offseason additions, instead opting to retain the core of last season’s team. Forward Sam Reinhart signed a new eight-year deal. Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekbland, and Niko Mikkola signed eight-year contracts, while left winger Brad Marchand signed a six-year extension. 

One key loss was defenseman Brandon Montour, who signed a seven-year contract with the Seattle Kraken.

 Despite winning the last two championships, the Panthers are not the odds-on favorites to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup next spring. The Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche all have better odds, according to ESPN Bet.

The last NHL team to win more than three consecutive titles was the New York Islanders, who won four straight championships from 1980 to 1983.

The other Florida team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, opens its season on Thursday when it hosts the Ottawa Senators.

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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.