Politics
Last Call for 7.1.25 – 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 opening of a migrant detention center in the Everglades attracted sometimes divided factions of Florida’s Republican leadership.
That starts with President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who hung close with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a tour of the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility. The two Florida politicians previously competed for the Republican nomination for President. But on Tuesday, they stressed a personal and political connection with one another.
Additionally, Trump also praised Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier at the event. Uthmeier, appointed to his Cabinet post this year by DeSantis, approached the Department of Homeland Security with the idea of converting the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport into a migrant detention center.
“You do a very good job. I hear good things,” Trump told Uthmeier at a roundtable at the facility. “I hear good things about you from Ron, too. No, you really do. He’s even a good-looking guy. That guy’s got a future, huh? Good job, James, I hear you. You’re really, really fantastic.”
Uthmeier managed DeSantis’ presidential campaign. But he heaped praise on Trump as well, suggesting that the President’s desire to reopen the federal Alcatraz prison in California inspired the “Alligator Alcatraz” project.
The event was attended by many political leaders in Florida who supported Trump over DeSantis during the Presidential Primary last year. That included U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican who endorsed Trump over DeSantis and is now running to succeed DeSantis as Governor.
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—“Independence Day” via Jennifer Bash of Reasonable Arguments
—”They didn’t have to do this” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic
—”Senate Republicans pass Donald Trump’s bill to strip health care from millions” via Nikki McCann Ramirez and Ryan Bort of Rolling Stone
—”The Republican tax bill, explained in 500 words” via Andrew Prokop of Vox
—”With Alligator Alcatraz, Florida cements top spot in federal deportation mission” via Katelyn Ferral of the Tampa Bay Times
—”Trump tours ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as officials provide more details about new facility” via Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Skyler Swisher of The Orlando Sentinel
—”Trump administration freezes $300M in Florida education funds” via Jeffrey S. Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times
—”July 13, 2024: How Trump’s near miss coincided with Joe Biden’s last stand” via Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf of The Washington Post
—“The worst housing market in America is now Florida’s Cape Coral” via Deborah Acosta of The Wall Street Journal
—“New laws seek to protect student athletes, restrict corporal punishment” via Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix
Quote of the Day
“Let me ask myself permission. Permission granted.”
— President Donald Trump, on putting Florida in charge of building the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir.
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.
Mix up a round of Old Frienemies for DeSantis, Trump, Byron Donalds and Wilton Simpson, who came together for a tour of the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility.
Send some 2X4s and Shovel Shooters down to the Everglades, because Florida is about to take charge of the construction site.
Florida consumers have been sipping on a Confidence Builder, according to the most recent survey from the UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Marlins try to stay hot vs. Twins
The Marlins try for an eighth straight victory as they continue a home series against the Minnesota Twins this evening (6:40 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Net Sun).
The Marlins began the winning streak with a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on June 22. Then, the Marlins swept three from the Giants in San Francisco, followed by three in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. The streak, the longest current winning streak in Major League Baseball, has pushed Miami to within half a game of third-place Atlanta in the National League East.
Despite their recent success, the Marlins remain eight games behind the final wild card spot in the National League.
The franchise record for the longest regular-season winning streak is nine games, achieved five times, most recently in 2008. The Marlins have also posted two eight-game winning streaks.
The Marlins are scheduled to send Edward Cabrera to the mound. Cabrera started a win against San Francisco but did not figure in the decision. His last win came on May 31 against the Giants when he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing six hits and no runs in a 1-0 Marlins’ victory.
The Twins have lost seven of the last 10 games to fall to four games back in the American League wild card race. Minnesota is scheduled to send Joe Ryan to the mound tonight. Ryan is tied for fifth in the American League with eight wins this season and has a 2.86 earned run average.
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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.
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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.
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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