Last Call for 11.11.25 – 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

Veterans Day tributes rolled in from across Florida’s delegation, honoring the men and women who’ve worn the uniform.

Sen. Ashley Moody shared a video message thanking veterans for their “blood, sweat and sacrifice” and joined a Sarasota pinning ceremony recognizing Vietnam-era servicemembers. Moody noted that more than 1.5 million veterans call Florida home and said she’s working to keep it “the most military-friendly state in the nation.”

Since arriving in Washington, Moody has backed a slate of veteran-focused measures — from the Military Spouse Hiring Act and the Major Richard Star Act to her Drone Espionage Act, cracking down on surveillance near military installations. As Florida’s Attorney General, she created the Military and Veterans Assistance Program, which recovered more than $3.7 million for service members and their families. 

To watch Moody’s Veterans Day video, please click the image below:

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack joined Mississippi U.S Rep. Michael Guest to introduce a bipartisan resolution honoring the nation’s veterans and their families.

“Every veteran has worn the uniform with pride, standing guard over our freedoms and defending the values that make America the greatest nation on earth,” Cammack said.

“As the wife of a first responder and someone who grew up in a military family, I’m deeply honored to cosponsor this resolution and say thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering love of country. Here in North Central Florida, thousands of veterans continue to serve their communities as business owners, first responders, and leaders. This resolution is a reminder that freedom endures because of their courage.”

And U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Dean of the Florida delegation, attended the City of Doral’s Veterans Day ceremony “to pay tribute to their service and sacrifice on Veterans Day.”

“In my role as vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I have delivered for our service members and veterans — from securing a 3.8% pay raise and protecting U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami-Dade, to advancing 139 new housing units for our troops right here in Doral, and supporting legislation that expands care and benefits for veterans and their families,” he said.

“I’m especially grateful to Mayor Christi Fraga and the City of Doral for their leadership and unwavering support for our veterans.”

Evening Reads

—“Donald Trump Lauds ‘very big’ shutdown victory for GOP in Veterans Day speech” via Zolan Kanno-Youngs of The New York Times

—“The monks in the casino” via Derek Thompson of Substack

—”From service to impact: Veterans driving change at Deloitte” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics

—“American ideals, his family’s story and ‘fast planes’ led this Polk native to the Navy” via Thomas R. Oldt of The Ledger

—“Curlew Hills Veterans Day ceremony remembers those who served” via Douglas R. Clifford of the Tampa Bay Times

—“Warning — charities ‘for veterans’ don’t always deserve your support” via Rick Berman for Florida Politics

—”Tallahassee celebrates Veterans Day” via the Florida Phoenix

—“Alachua County residents brave cold for annual Veterans Day Celebration” via Alan Youngblood of the Gainesville Sun

—”From helicopters to handlebars: Navy veteran finds adrenaline rush, camaraderie” via Mark Woods of The Florida Times-Union

—“USF expands cybersecurity program, adds free access for military veterans and first responders” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

 “It’s easy to try to tear down things; it’s much harder to build. We are building a political juggernaut.”

— Florida GOP Chair Evan Power.

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.

USF’s GRC program gets a keg of TCP/IPA for offering an additional 400 military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals free access to the program.

With just two months of runway until a Special Election, the HD 51 bench needs a Ready. Set. Go.

A pair of St. Petersburg nonprofits that help veterans are celebrating new grants with a round of Payday shots.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Gators host Seminoles in men’s hoops

Florida hosts Florida State in men’s basketball tonight as the two programs meet for the 77th time (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

The Gators (1-1) are ranked 10th in this week’s Associated Press poll after losing the season opener to Arizona. Florida bounced back to trounce North Florida 104-64 in the first of three straight games against teams from the Sunshine State. After facing the Seminoles, Florida will play Miami on Sunday in Jacksonville.

Forward Thomas Haugh leads the Gators in scoring at 19.5 per game, while center Micah Handlogten averages 14 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for the defending national champions.

Florida State (2-0) has piled up big wins over smaller programs to open the season. The Seminoles opened the season with a 108-76 victory over Alcorn State and followed it up with a 101-64 win over Alabama State.

Six Seminoles average in double figures, including Lajae Jones, who leads the way with 19 points per game. FSU is expected to start five seniors in the game, while Florida has only one projected senior starter, guard Xaivian Lee.

Florida has won the last four games between the two programs, including winning in Tallahassee last year, 87-74.

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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.