Last Call for 6.22.26 – 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 Ron DeSantis administration has begun dismantling the Everglades immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Contractors were instructed on Monday to begin a full demobilization of the controversial facility after its remaining detainees were transferred out last week. Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie also told vendors to begin winding down the site, with “significant progress” expected by Wednesday.

The development prompted renewed criticism from Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, who argued the closure validates concerns Democrats raised throughout the facility’s operation.

“Alligator Alcatraz has been a moral, environmental, and economic failure, just as we predicted it would be,” Berman said in a statement. “I’m happy to hear reports of its impending closure, but the damage to Florida has already been done.”

Berman accused the administration of wasting nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds while alleging that detainees were mistreated and that due process was denied. She also pointed to environmental concerns surrounding the Everglades site and called the detention center a “damaging political stunt.”

Attorney General James Uthmeier, who championed the project, said Monday the site had accomplished its purpose now that “the federal government is resourced and standing up its own mission using its own authorities, (the site) is no longer necessary.”

He added that the long-term goal is for the property to return to protected Everglades land rather than continue operating as a commercial airport, while a spokesperson for his office said the plan is for “nothing to be there ever again.”

— Evening Reads —

—“How Donald Trump’s fragile agreement with Iran is shaping the Midterms” via Tim Balk and Bayliss Wagner of The New York Times

—”As Reflecting Pool paint peels and Trump blames vandals, authorities make arrests” via Mariana Alfaro, Noah White, Liam Bowman and Grey Battle

—”The Democratic Party has never been weaker. This may be a good thing.” via Matt Bai of Rolling Stone

—”Microsoft’s Satya Nadella: We can’t let AI giants eat the economy” via Bradley Olson and Tina Li of The Wall Street Journal

—”Some electricians think building data centers is for sellouts” via Caroline Haskins of WIRED

—”Why we don’t actually want a world without mosquitoes” via Jonquilyn Hill of Vox

—”‘All sideshows:’ Bullhorn, prosthetic leg and upset in Florida GOP Governor’s race” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel

—“What comes after ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? Uthmeier hopes for a protected environmental area” via Liv Caputo of the Florida Phoenix

—”Cottage cheese is in, chips are out — and Ozempic is just one reason” via Lauren Kaori Gurley and Federica Cocco

—”How remote work has helped a generation of working parents” via Claire Cain Miller of The New York Times

— Quote of the Day —

“Just because something’s on a shelf in a store doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

— Attorney General James Uthmeier, adding more 7-OH products to a list of banned substances.

— 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.

Now that gas prices are finally falling, use that extra cash to order yourself a Good News.

Send a No. 4 to St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, whose re-election campaign fundraising trailed three of his challengers.

Gubernatorial candidate James Fishback is ordering a Muted for the federal Judge demanding he disclose financial information.