Last Call for 4.14.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

—First Shot—

Florida Democrats are moving quickly to capitalize on the growing uncertainty surrounding Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed April 20 Special Session on congressional redistricting.

Shortly after reports of a delay broke, the party hammered Republicans over what they describe as governing chaos and misplaced priorities. The bashing will most certainly continue during a press call set for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky are slated to appear on the Zoom event. Party leaders say they will argue that whether DeSantis presses ahead next week or quietly taps the brakes, the underlying objective remains the same: redrawing congressional lines to shore up Republican power ahead of the 2026 Midterms.

The timing and the undeniably awkward turn for an effort the Governor launched with considerable certainty just weeks ago give Democrats an easy opening.

The Legislature adjourned the Regular Session without passing a budget, negotiations between the House and Senate remain stalled, and no draft congressional maps have been publicly released despite the looming April 20 start date.

As for the timeline, Punchbowl News reported midday that DeSantis is “seriously considering delaying” the redistricting Session as he watches a Virginia map fight unfold, tossing cold water on a process DeSantis has thus far framed as an urgent priority.

Those looking to watch the drama unfold can tune into the Zoom here.

—Evening Reads—

—“What happened when Trump told a city to forget DEI or lose federal money” via Hannah Knowles of The Washington Post

—”$133 vs. $99. What is the real price for a barrel of oil?” via Jinjoo Lee of The Wall Street Journal

—”A divided America processes a war that Trump has scarcely explained” via Jack Healy, Pooja Salhotra, Jazmine Ulloa, Anna Griffin, Emily Cataneo and Ruth Igielnik of The New York Times

—”Mike Johnson says it’s time to expel Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, but he’s unsure on Cory Mills” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”I (still) don’t vote. Here’s why” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”’Engagement’ is a dumb metric” via Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin

—”Florida drops KidCare lawsuit, but expansion hasn’t happened” via Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Broward schools kick off plan to replace cities’ police with their own officers” via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—”App Store Accountability Act risks creating the registry gun owners have always opposed” via Don Brown for Florida Politics

—”I found it: The best free restaurant bread in America” via Caity Weaver of The Atlantic

—Quote of the Day—

“Ron, the embarrassment is visible from space.”

— FDP Chair Nikki Fried, on the rumored Special Session delay.

—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.

Pour a Face Plant for the effort to recall Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, which may have violated state law by omitting disclaimer language in a TV ad laden with AI slop.

Florida cyberfraud victims are getting a Cashback courtesy of James Uthmeier, who announced the bust of the “largest single cyberfraud operation not just in the state of Florida, but among all the states.”

The only Tranq on the market may be of the pineapple-flavored variety if U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s bill cracking down on xylazine gains traction.

—Breakthrough Insights—

—Tune In—

Heat seek playoff spot

The Miami Heat try to keep their season alive as they play the Hornets in Charlotte as part of the NBA’s play-in tournament (7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video).

Miami finished the regular season in 10th place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings, a game behind the Hornets, who earned the ninth seed. The winner of tonight’s game will advance to face the loser of tomorrow’s Orlando Magic-Philadelphia 76ers matchup. The winner of that game earns a spot in the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East.

Last season, the Heat earned the eighth seed via the play-in format before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight games in the first round. During the playoffs following the 2022-23 season, the Heat advanced to the Finals as the eighth seed by beating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games, the New York Knicks in six, and the Boston Celtics in seven games. The Heat then lost in the NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets in five games.

This year marks seven consecutive seasons for the Heat in the postseason. Only the Celtics and Nuggets have longer active streaks.

The first round of the best-of-seven NBA playoffs is scheduled to begin Saturday, although the Heat and Magic would not begin until Sunday, if they advance through the play-in games.