Sen. Keith Truenow said he plans to file legislation to overhaul irrigation practices in Florida.

“As a farmer who has worked this land my entire life, I know water isn’t just a resource, it’s our lifeline,” the Tavares Republican said in a statement Friday. “We can’t keep building the Florida of tomorrow with the wasteful practices of yesterday. This legislation brings developers, irrigation professionals, and water experts to the table to craft solutions that work for everyone and will last for generations.”

Truenow, who chairs the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, explained the reason for his bill: Fix what he described as failings in the system.

“Florida’s current irrigation system lacks uniformity, professional oversight, and efficiency standards, allowing unqualified installers to waste millions of gallons annually while patchwork local rules confuse homeowners and undermine conservation,” his office said.

Part of the proposed bill will require only licensed irrigation contractors to install, alter, or repair systems, according to the press release from his office.

“This ends the widespread threat of ‘handyman’ work that leaks water, damages landscapes, and erodes public trust, while elevating professional standards and ensuring accountability,” his office said.

The bill would require uniform rules for watering across the state, which Truenow said will be necessary for environmental reasons and to be more efficient.

“Smarter system designs must be upgraded to require zoned irrigation, smart controllers, pressure regulation, micro-irrigation in plant beds, and separate turf zones. These measures eliminate overspray and runoff, which currently drain the Floridan Aquifer and inflate utility bills, delivering proven water savings for every home and business,” his office said. “By requiring site-appropriate plants, preservation of existing vegetation, pervious surfaces, and low-volume designs, the bill curbs fertilizer runoff, erosion, and excessive watering that threaten Florida’s ecosystems and long-term drought preparedness.”

As of  Friday afternoon, the bill hadn’t been assigned a number yet.

Daniel Liftman, who worked for decades as a staffer to late Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, died Tuesday in West Palm Beach after a long illness, the office of state Rep. Jervone “Tae” Edmonds said.

He was 73.

Liftman spent 32 years serving the people of South Florida while working under Hastings, who passed away in April 2021.

At the time, Hastings was the longest-serving member of Florida’s congressional delegation. And for Hastings’ entire tenure in Washington, Liftman was there.

Born in Massachusetts on Dec. 5, 1951, Daniel Arthur Liftman was the only son of Samuel and Doris Liftman. He went on to earn an associate degree in theater arts from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1971 and a bachelor’s in communications from Georgia Southern University in 1973.

Documents from the latter institution listed him as a member of the College Union Board, alongside other students.

Liftman began working for Hastings before the Congressman won office and continued doing so after. On his LinkedIn page, Liftman said of his regular responsibilities, “I do casework, write letters, do constituent outreach and represent the congressman at events large and small.”

He described himself as a political consultant, public speaking trainer and writer. As specialties, he listed, “Clever slogans, signs and advertising strategies.”

Described as “a very honorable man who quietly devoted his life to community and government service” in an online obituary, Liftman was eloquent and incisive when he chose to speak out.

In 2012, he was prominently quoted in coverage of the flap over Evelyn Garcia, a Florida Democrat who resigned her Democratic National Committee position over harshly critical emails about Israel.

A decade later, after Alcee’s death, Liftman penned a op-ed for the Palm Beach Post, lambasting a letter the outlet published from a reader who described liberal views as mostly informed by “hate (of) anything the Republicans do.”

“Who wouldn’t appreciate” Gov. Ron DeSantis’ disdain for mask mandates during the pandemic, Donald Trump’s “encouragement of the mob that staged an insurrection” and the Republican-led Congress’ refusal “to support legislation that would remove restrictive laws that make it more difficult for minorities, the poor and disabled people to vote?” he wrote, sarcastically.

Liftman’s public Facebook page, which has some 3,700 followers, features the William Shakespeare line, “This above all else; to thine own self be true,” on its header.

Several friends and followers published posts expressing concern about Liftman’s well-being around mid-June after being unable to contact him.

On Nov. 13, two days after Liftman died, Palm Tran Senior Manager of Legislative and Government Affairs Deborah Posey-Blocker published a post confirming Liftman had died.

“It is with a heavy heart that, on behalf of his family, we are devastated to share the passing of our dear friend, Dan Liftman,” she wrote, adding that while Liftman is to be buried in his home state of Massachusetts, a celebration of his life will be held locally in December. “We will share those details as soon as they are available. Rest in Peace, Dan — you will be missed more than words can express.

Delray Beach education consultant Jeannett Manzanero wrote of how she’d gotten to know Liftman at several Palm Beach County Democratic fundraisers.

“He was always willing to represent the congressman’s office to any even we invited him at the college to raise awareness of the plight of immigrant students and their families,” she wrote. “Always great company Mr. Liftman. A truly fair man of justice. Rest in peace, friend to all!”

Liftman is survived by several first cousins and their spouses. He will be laid to rest with family in the Tifereth Israel Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, in a private, family burial.

With three Saturdays left in the regular season, college football teams in the state of Florida have plenty to play for. Here’s a list of the stakes for this weekend:

USF at Navy (noon ET, ESPN2)

If USF can win out, the Bulls could be in line for a spot in the College Football Playoff as the top-ranked team outside of the Power 4 conferences. After facing Navy, USF travels to Alabama-Birmingham next Saturday before finishing up the regular season at home against Rice on November 29.

After that, it’s the American Athletic Conference football championship game on December 5, which could be played in Tampa if USF has the highest conference winning percentage at the end of the season.

Currently, USF is one of five teams with one conference loss. Navy is one of the five as well, so Saturday’s game will play a substantial role in who plays for and hosts the conference title game.

UCF at #8 Texas Tech (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX)

While UCF is not in the playoff mix, the Knights’ opponents on Saturday are very much in the mix. Texas Tech is ranked No. 8 this week and is on pace to represent the Big 12 in the playoffs.

The Knights have won only one conference game this season and have only one victory since starting the season with three straight wins. UCF will also face a playoff contender in its final regular-season game when it travels to BYU.

 NC State at #18 Miami (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

The Hurricanes must win to stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Hurricanes handled Syracuse 38-10 last week, leaving three games remaining on the regular season schedule.

Miami (7-2) must win out to have a chance to play for the national title. With five teams in the conference with one loss, it is unlikely that Miami will play in the conference championship game, so the team’s best bet is to earn an at-large berth into the field of 12.

FAU at Tulane (4 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

FAU finds itself as the homecoming opponent at Tulane. The Green Wave has lost only once in conference play and has a chance to make the American Athletic Conference championship game.

The Owls (4-5, 3-3 in AAC) can become bowl eligible with two more wins. After facing Tulane, FAU is scheduled to host Connecticut and East Carolina to finish the regular season.

Liberty at FIU (5 p.m., ESPN+)

The Panthers (4-5, 2-3 in CUSA) can also become bowl eligible with two more wins. Jacksonville State and Sam Houston remain on the schedule after Saturday’s matchup with Liberty.

Florida at #6 Ole Miss (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Where to begin with the Gators? A season that saw head coach Billy Napier shown the door and starting quarterback DJ Lagway benched last week rolls into Oxford, Miss. To face one of the top teams in the country on Saturday.

Lagway will be back under center to start the game. Despite recent praise, don’t be surprised if interim coach Billy Gonzales has him on a short leash. Freshman Trammell Jones replaced Lagway at halftime of last week’s loss to Kentucky after Lagway was intercepted three times. Jones didn’t have a great second half, but the precedent has been set.

To become bowl-eligible, Florida would have to win out, including beating ranked teams Ole Miss and Tennessee and then the annual rivalry game with Florida State.

Virginia Tech at Florida State (7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

Speaking of the Seminoles, despite losing five of the last six games, FSU can still earn a spot in a bowl game. Florida State (4-5, 1-5 ACC) travels to Blacksburg, Virginia. This weekend, they face the Hokies, who have lost three of the last four games.

Bowl eligibility aside, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell may be coaching for his job. A loss this weekend means the Noles cannot have a winning record, which might be the final straw for Norvell’s tenure.