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

First Shot

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston moderated a discussion Tuesday that fit squarely into the Florida Chamber’s vision for talent development and tech-driven economic growth.

The panel, part of the 2025 Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit, brought together USF President Rhea Law and Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson — two institutions positioning themselves as essential engines in the state’s innovation economy.

Stephenson said Florida Poly’s all-STEM mission, top regional ranking by U.S. News & World Report, and graduates’ No. 1 in-state salaries all reflect its founding purpose as an economic driver.

From a student-designed inhaler that improves medication delivery by 50% to NASA-approved technology built for the International Space Station, he framed Florida Poly’s agility and industry partnerships — with Publix, Lockheed Martin, Disney, and others — as a direct response to market needs.

Even its solar racing team, he noted, models a culture of applied engineering excellence that feeds Florida’s competitive edge.

Law detailed USF’s new College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, launching its first class in two weeks.

With “porous edges” extending into every USF discipline, the program aims to prepare graduates across fields to navigate and secure AI-driven systems. More than 200 faculty, bolstered by 14 new hires, will help meet a global shortage of 4 million cybersecurity workers.

She also teased the inaugural Cyber Bay 2025 conference in Tampa, slated for October, which will showcase public-private collaboration on tech workforce growth.

Both presidents reinforced a theme echoed throughout the Chamber event: Florida’s economic momentum depends on adaptable, industry-aligned institutions producing talent at the speed of business. Advisory councils, CEO engagement, and embedded AI tools were all cited as strategies to keep programs — and the state’s workforce — ahead of the curve.

Evening Reads

—”When Donald Trump meets Vladimir Putin, anything could happen” via Michael Crowley of The New York Times

—“Putin could be laying a trap” via Jonathan Lemire of The Atlantic

—“How D.C. crime became a symbol — and a target — for MAGA and beyond” via Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Karen Tumulty, Drew Harwell, Clara Ence Morse and Jonathan Edwards of The Washington Post

—”With billions at risk, Nvidia CEO buys his way out of the trade battle” via Lingling Wei, Raffaele Huang and Amrith Ramkumar of The Wall Street Journal

—”Jay Collins, ‘the Chuck Norris of Florida politics,’ sworn in as Lieutenant Governor” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”From sun and sand to code and capital: Top 10 economy hinges on embrace of tech” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics

—“‘Miracle in the Sunshine’: Next-level economy needs next-level talent, capital retention” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics

—“Lawyers distanced clients from Hope Florida Medicaid deal, records show” via Alexandra Glorioso, Lawrence Mower and Justin Garcia of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times

—“FWC Commissioners appear poised to affirm the first bear hunt in Florida in a decade” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—”Live Local gap: New watchdog report says updated law still overlooks Florida’s ‘missing middle’” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

“When you’ve lived a life of service … you don’t flinch when that next mission comes up. You just say, ‘Yes sir, let’s go.’”

— New Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, following his swearing-in ceremony.

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.

After a day full of high-level tech- and economy-focused talks, those attending the Florida Chamber’s Technology & Innovation Solution Summit could use a Binary Sunset while they, as Ian Holm would put it, “collate.”

Jay Collins officially replaced “Sen.” with “Lt. Gov.,” but if he has his eyes set on the next rung up, he might be due for an Impossible Mission. Or maybe not … time will tell.

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell earned a Sea Legs for donning a life preserver and getting a first-hand look at the work harbor pilots do on the daily.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Marlins look to bounce back in Cleveland

The Miami Marlins open a three-game series in Cleveland against the Guardians (6:40 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Net Florida).

Miami lost four of five in Atlanta, including being swept in a doubleheader on Saturday. Still, the Marlins are hanging around in the wild card race. With 44 games left in the regular season, they are six games out of the final wild card spot in the National League and are one of eight teams within seven games of the three available wild card spots.

Right-hander Janson Junk is scheduled to start for the Marlins tonight. In his last outing, Junk allowed three runs in five innings as he picked up his sixth win of the season, a 6-4 decision against the Astros. He did not pitch in the series in Atlanta.

 Cleveland is also in wild-card contention. The Guardians enter play tonight having won eight of the last 10 games and sit a game out of the American League wild card race and six and a half games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.

After the series in Cleveland, the Marlins are scheduled to face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park for three games before returning home for nine straight games in South Florida starting Aug. 18.

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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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