Good Tuesday morning.

A top-of-the-‘Burn birthday shoutout to our friend and mom extraordinaire Alia Faraj-Johnson, who was earlier this year featured in INFLUENCE Magazine as one of Florida politics’ “Great Communicators.”

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The Future of Florida Forum rolls on today with a look at the innovations, industries and partnerships that will define the next decade of growth in the Sunshine State.

A host of sessions will examine how Florida can sustain its economic momentum while tackling challenges in manufacturing, workforce development, technology and community prosperity.

The morning will open with a focus on lawsuit reform, during which Attorney General James Uthmeier and other speakers will outline progress toward creating a more competitive business climate.

From there, discussions will turn to Florida’s expanding manufacturing sector, including the “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” showcase and the role of innovation, AI and emerging mobility technology in attracting new investment to the state.

Later panels will further explore the road to 2030 through regional economic alignment, philanthropy and community partnerships designed to break generational poverty and support long-term prosperity.

The afternoon will also feature a panel previewing the forces that will shape the 2026 Elections, followed by a “call to action” from Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson that ties together where Florida stands and the steps that remain for its economy to rise into the Top 10 by the start of the next decade.

See the full agenda here.

—”Mark Wilson: Workforce inclusion is the bridge between No. 16 and No. 10 economy” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics

—”Byron Donalds thinks federal shutdown end is in sight as he blames Chuck Schumer” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—“It ain’t pretty, but Florida needs to focus on wastewater infrastructure, Donalds says” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”Florida 2030 at halftime: The momentum is real, but so are the challenges” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics

—”Florida Chamber Foundation, Sheriffs launch partnership to build safer, more prosperous communities” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics

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A new poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows Republican candidates with early double-digit advantages in Florida’s major statewide races, underscoring the GOP’s continuing dominance ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections.

In hypothetical matchups for Governor, First Lady Casey DeSantis and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds each lead Democratic challengers David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings by roughly the same margin. DeSantis polls at 47% to Jolly’s 34% and 47% to Demings’ 36%. Donalds scores 45% against both Democrats, topping Jolly by 11 points and Demings by 12.

“We’re still a year away from the Midterm Election, and there are quite a few undecided voters,” said UNF political science professor and PORL director Michael Binder. “At this point, it looks like both Republicans are more than 10 points ahead of whoever emerges on the Democratic side.”

The survey also finds Republicans in control down-ballot.

In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Ashley Moody leads Democrat Jennifer Jenkins 49% to 38%. In the Attorney General contest, Republican incumbent Uthmeier holds a 45% to 36% edge over Democrat José Javier Rodríguez. Binder attributed the GOP advantage to Florida’s rightward shift and incumbency: “Uthmeier and Moody have the added benefit of incumbency. Moody likely enjoys a bit of extra name recognition, too.”

On issues, Floridians cite housing costs (14%), property insurance (12%), and property taxes (11%) as their top concerns, followed closely by the economy and jobs (11%) and political polarization (10%).

“It seems like one thing Florida voters can all agree on is that the rent — or mortgage — is too damn high,” Binder said.

The poll also reflects deep skepticism toward media outlets. Forty-three percent of respondents said CNN media figures “mostly lie,” compared to 39% for Fox News. Medical researchers ranked as the most trusted group, with 47% calling them “mostly truthful.”

Other findings show overwhelming public support (83%) for releasing all files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case and broad approval (63%) for medical aid-in-dying legislation.

Nearly two-thirds oppose removing childhood vaccination mandates.

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Hannah Crow is joining the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) as vice president of Strategic Development and Membership. With extensive experience in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building across the public and private sectors, Crow will play a key role in advancing FTA’s mission statewide.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hannah Crow to the Florida Trucking Association,” said FTA President and CEO Alix Miller. “Hannah’s proven track record in community engagement and operations management will be invaluable as we continue to grow our membership and strengthen relationships with industry leaders across Florida.”

Crow said she was “honored to join an organization with such a rich history and vital mission,” adding, “The trucking industry is the backbone of Florida’s economy, and I look forward to working with FTA members to expand the association’s reach and impact.”

Before joining FTA, Crow served as director of operations for the FloridaCommerce Division of Workforce Services, overseeing daily operations for more than 1,000 employees and managing multimillion-dollar budgets.

“We are proud of Hannah’s growth, development and professionalism,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “It has been a privilege to witness her dedication firsthand.”

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@MrBillDaniels: We performed ‘1776’ in the beautiful East Room when Nixon was in the White House. He was very gracious, even though none of us had voted for him. The current President has ripped a piece of history from our lives and we mustn’t take this lightly.

Tweet, tweet:

—@JimmyPatronis: As Hurricane Melissa approaches, huge thanks to @NASPCOLA for taking in evacuees from Guantanamo Bay, ensuring our military families are protected, and answering the call for our heroes

—@AGJamesUthmeier: Sharia law seeks to destroy and supplant the pillars of our republican form of government and is incompatible with the Western tradition. The use of taxpayer-funded school vouchers to promote Sharia law likely contravenes Florida law and undermines our national security.

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

—@JayTrumbull: Congratulations to my friend and former colleague, Senator @DougBroxson, on his appointment to the Board of Governors for the State University System. Doug is an outstanding choice — his leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to serving Florida make him the right person for this important responsibility.

Tweet, tweet:

—@JoePompliano: The most underdiscussed part of Brian Kelly’s firing is that LSU’s Athletic Director (Scott Woodward) also hired Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M. Those two hirings represent the two largest buyouts in college football history — $77 million for Fisher and $54 million for Kelly. Crazy.

— DAYS UNTIL —

Miami Beach City Commission Elections — 7; Ted Cruz to keynote Miami-Dade GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner — 14; ‘Landman’ season two premieres on Paramount+ — 19; ’Wicked: For Good’ premieres — 24; ’Stranger Things’ final season premieres — 29; Bears vs. Eagles on Black Friday — 31; Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 36; Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 36; Special General Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 42; ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ premieres — 45; ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era’ six-episode docuseries premieres on Disney+ — 45; Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 50; ’Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 52; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 58; Legislative Session begins — 77; Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In — 77; The James Madison Institute’ 2026 Red, White & Bluegrass event — 78; ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres on HBO — 82; ‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 94; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 100; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 101; last day of the Regular Session — 136; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup/Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 148; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 149; Tampa Bay Rays will play their first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 160; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 169; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 169; First Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (Federal) — 174; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 178; F1 Miami begins — 185; ’Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 206; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 217; Second Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (State) — 223; State Qualifying Period ends — 227; FIFA World Cup begins — 226; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 249; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 254; 96th annual MLB All-Star Game — 259; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 261; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 265; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 282; Primary Election 2026: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 284; Primary Election Day 2026 — 294; Yankees host the Mets to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — 318; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 322; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 326; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 331; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 338; General Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote — 342; Early Voting General Election Mandatory period begins — 361; 2026 General Election — 371; ’Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 416; Another untitled ’Star Wars’ movie premieres — 416; Tampa Mayoral Election — 490; Jacksonville First Election — 511; Jacksonville General Election — 567; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 585; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 647; ’The Batman 2’ premieres — 703; ’Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 780; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 990; U.S. Presidential Election — 1106; ’Avatar 4’ premieres — 1506; ’Avatar 5’ premieres — 2237.

— TOP STORY —

“Wilton Simpson plows ahead with 2026 Farm Bill” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Agriculture Commissioner Simpson is rolling out the 2026 Florida Farm Bill, calling it a “wide-ranging proposal to protect freedom, family and Florida’s farmers.”

The legislation, filed by Sen. Keith Truenow of Tavares (SB 290) and backed in the House by Rep. Danny Alvarez of Riverview, builds on last year’s Farm Bill while expanding into new areas of consumer and public safety.

“With the leadership of Sen. Keith Truenow and Rep. Danny Alvarez, this bill defends the people who feed our state and our nation while also protecting the public from dangerous and disruptive technologies, organized fraud, and government overreach,” Simpson said.

Among its major provisions, the proposal would preempt local bans on gasoline-powered farm and lawn equipment — a move Simpson says protects the right of farmers and homeowners to use the tools of their choice. It would also criminalize the possession or use of signal-jamming devices that can block 911 calls and disrupt law enforcement communication.

Other sections target cheating on the commercial driver’s license English exam after a deadly Florida crash this Summer, ban door-to-door solicitation at homes with “No Solicitation” signs, and penalize contractors who fail to pay subcontractors or suppliers under state contracts.

To address workforce shortages, the bill establishes a loan-repayment program for veterinarians treating food animals, offering up to $25,000 annually to those who commit to working in Florida.

“When you focus on Florida, freedom, and our farmers, you’re on the right path,” Alvarez said.

— LEGISLATIVE —

“Alex Rizo reignites fight to provide compensation to injured deputy” via Andrew Powell of Florida Politics — A lawmaker has refiled a bill to compensate a former Broward County Sheriff’s deputy after he suffered catastrophic injuries in the line of duty. Rep. Rizo filed the measure (HB 6511) to provide $5 million to compensate former Deputy Maury Hernandez. The bill details that Hernandez suffered injuries and damages after the Department of Corrections (DOC) failed to enforce probation laws. On Aug. 6, 2007, 28-year-old Hernandez observed David Maldonado failing to stop at three traffic signals. Upon asking for identification, Maldonado dropped his motorcycle and fled on foot. After an on-foot pursuit, Maldonado fired two rounds at Hernandez from a.45 caliber handgun, striking Hernandez in the head and critically wounding him. Hollywood police later apprehended Maldonado in a nearby condo complex where he had attempted to carry out a carjacking. Maldonado is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

“Parental rights bill limits Florida minors’ access to birth control, STD treatment” via James Call of USA Today Network — A St. Augustine lawmaker seeks to significantly expand parental rights in the upcoming Legislative Session with a proposal to prohibit minors from receiving treatment for sexually transmissible diseases without parental consent. Rep. Kim Kendall’s bill (HB 173) removes an exception in the state’s Parental Bill of Rights Act that allows those under 18 to receive maternal health and non-surgical contraceptive services without their parents’ knowledge if, in a physician’s opinion, the minor would otherwise suffer “probable health hazards.” Under the banner of medical privacy rights, Kendall said “children as young as 12 can restrict parents from accessing their medical records and, in some cases, receive treatment without parental consent. This bill ensures that parents remain fully involved in their child’s medical decisions.”

“Jervonte Edmonds targets digital scammers in new legislation” via Andrew Powell of Florida Politics — Rep. Edmonds thinks Florida can better protect residents against online scams and digital fraud. Edmonds, a West Palm Beach Democrat, has filed legislation (HB 195) that would create a Task Force on Payment Scams within the Florida Department of Financial Services to help develop plans and provide guidance on how teams can collaborate to combat fraud. Duties would include evaluating scam tactics such as malicious advertisements, scam texts, pop-ups, websites and spoofed calls. The task force would study prevention efforts already implemented in other states, on a federal level, and internationally. They would review current scam methods on payment platforms and develop education strategies to help consumers better identify and report scams.

— STATEWIDE —

“Ron DeSantis predicts what would happen if Zohran Mamdani wins NYC election: ‘Great’ for GOP, ‘bad for New York City’” via Alex Nitzberg of Fox News — DeSantis opined that an election victory for Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Mamdani would benefit Republicans politically, while being bad for the city. He commented when retweeting a post on X by Elon Musk, who asserted that Mamdani “is the future of the Democratic Party.” The conservative Sunshine State Governor asserted that if Mamdani wins, he “will be the most prominent Democrat in America the day he takes office.” Voters nationwide will then have the opportunity to witness Mamdani’s “leftist agenda in action and know that his path is the Democrat path nationally,” DeSantis wrote, characterizing that prospect as “good for Republicans,” but “bad for New York City.”

—“DeSantis slams ‘sickness’ in 9/11 comments from Ilhan Omar, Mamdani” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

“DeSantis announces $50,000 Charlie Kirk scholarship prize for Florida high school debate champion” via Michelle Vecerina of Florida’s Voice — DeSantis announced that the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative State Championship will award a $50,000 scholarship and name its top prize in honor of Kirk, to underscore the importance of civic education and discourse. The competition’s highest honor, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate, will now be named the Charlie Kirk Prize. The FCDI State Championship will be held on April 5, 2026, at the New College of Florida in Sarasota. “We have worked hard to make Florida the national model for civics education,” DeSantis said, adding that Kirk “embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate.”

“Doug Broxson named to State University System Board of Governors” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Former Sen. Broxson is joining the State University System’s Board of Governors. DeSantis named Broxson, who served for six years in the House and eight years in the Senate through 2024, as the influential panel’s newest member. He replaces Patricia Frost, a Board member since 2010, whose most recent term ended on Jan. 6, 2024. In an uncommon statement accompanying an appointment, DeSantis said he is “proud” to appoint Broxson. “As a leader in education reform, Sen. Doug Broxson has stood by my side as we acted to support parental rights, eliminate DEI, reform tenure, and invest in teacher salaries,” DeSantis said.

—“State ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO

“Appeals court asked to allow arbitration of Citizens claims disputes to resume” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — In an unusual move, the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings on Monday asked an appeals court to allow it to resume deciding Citizens Property Insurance Corp. claims disputes after a Hillsborough County circuit judge halted the process. Lawyers for the Division of Administrative Hearings filed an emergency petition at the 2nd District Court of Appeal, arguing that Circuit Judge Melissa M. Polo overstepped her authority when she issued a temporary injunction. Polo ruled Aug. 1 that the process, which involves arbitrating disputes at the Division of Administrative Hearings, is likely unconstitutional. Monday’s petition said Polo’s ruling has “indefinitely” put on hold all pending Citizens arbitration cases. It said 390 Citizens policyholders are awaiting resolution of disputes.

“Florida moms of disabled children denied medical care pin hope on old lawsuit” via Christopher O’Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times — The Tampa Bay Times reported in June that Sunshine Health has denied at-home nursing for more than 100 medically fragile children this year. The company has continued to cut in-home nursing schedules and, in some cases, also refused to pay for prescribed medication. Appeals against those decisions reviewed by Florida Agency for Health Care Administration officers have mostly failed. Now, families are pinning their hopes on a 13-year-old federal lawsuit that ordered Florida to provide skilled in-home nursing to medically complex children, so the burden of care doesn’t fall solely on parents. In a rare legal move, eight mothers of disabled children who were denied care have filed sworn declarations in the case, outlining how the denial of medical services is putting their children’s health at risk.

—”Florida is getting ready for flying cars that could resemble ‘The Fifth Element’” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

“Judge dismisses most claims against Tate brothers in Florida lawsuit” via Isabella Kwai and Adeel Hassan of The New York Times — A circuit court judge in Florida dismissed six of the seven claims that were part of a woman’s lawsuit against Andrew and Tristan Tate, including claims that the brothers harassed her and intended to coerce her into sex work. Judge G. Joseph Curley in Palm Beach County wrote in an order Thursday that the unidentified woman’s counterclaims against the brothers lacked sufficient evidence, legal grounding and specificity. He gave the woman and her lawyers 20 days to file a new complaint. The judge allowed a defamation claim against the brothers to stand. Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 37, are right-wing influencers who have built a vast online following promoting an antagonistic brand of masculinity. They have offered self-help courses to their followers, promising to help them gain confidence and wealth.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“Donald Trump administration says offshore drilling ‘on the table’; Florida reportedly exempted in leaked docs” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The Interior Department has confirmed all options are on the table when it comes to offshore oil drilling. The Houston Chronicle reported on documents showing the Interior Department has proposals in the works to sell offshore oil drilling leases along the Atlantic coast. The documents preserve a drilling ban off Florida, but open up most of the Atlantic coast, including in Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. It would also open much of the Gulf beyond the shoreline immediately off Florida to drilling. While the administration declined to address specifics of the draft documents reported by the Texas newspaper, spokespeople issued a statement confirming that further exploration has not been ruled out.

“Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to allow it to fire head of U.S. Copyright Office” via Mark Sherman of The Associated Press — The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to allow it to fire the director of the U.S. Copyright Office. The administration’s newest emergency appeal to the high court was filed a month and a half after a federal appeals court in Washington held that the official, Shira Perlmutter, could not be unilaterally fired. Nearly four weeks ago, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit refused to reconsider that ruling. The case is the latest to challenge Trump’s authority to install his own people at the head of federal agencies. The Supreme Court has essentially allowed Trump to fire officials, even as court challenges proceed.

“Trump’s nightmare scenario: A World Series between teams from Canada, California” via Tom D’Angelo of The Palm Beach Post — Don’t discount Trump’s scorched-earth social media post escalating the trade war with Canada over an advertisement he deemed fake being dropped the day before the start of the World Series in … Toronto. The President, and Palm Beach resident, is not happy when he cannot bask in one of the United States’ teams celebrating their success. And our National Pastime’s biggest moment, broadcast around the world from a country that has become a Trump antagonist, is enough for a social media rant. The Toronto Blue Jays are in the World Series, and three games from becoming champions after splitting their first two games in Canada. And even worse, the opponent is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will host the next three games.

“Mike Haridopolos said NASA’s Artemis II mission hasn’t been delayed by federal shutdown — yet” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Haridopolos said a federal shutdown hasn’t impacted the timeline for major NASA missions to date. But he worries the longer workers go without pay, the more the U.S. could be slowed down in the modern space race. Haridopolos told Florida Politics he feels confident efforts like the current moon mission remain on track. “The good news is that Artemis II is still on track and people are still working on these programs,” Haridopolos said. “Unfortunately, I think some of the other issues that might come up along the line could be delayed.” NASA, like many federal agencies, Haridopolos added, has seen many workers decline to come into work without a paycheck. Oct. 24 marked the first day workers missed out on an entire pay period.

— ELECTIONS —

—“Voters in Miami, Homestead and Surfside will consider four ballot questions each in November” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

“Neil Combee joins herd of notable Florida politicians endorsing Hilary Holley for HD 51” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Polk County conservative champion Combee is joining a host of notable Florida politicians endorsing Holley for Florida House District 51. Holley formally entered the HD 51 race earlier this month and has already secured numerous endorsements to replace outgoing Rep. Josie Tomkow. They include endorsements from Tomkow herself, Commissioner Simpson and fellow Polk County Republicans Rep. Jon Albert and Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson. Combee, a former Florida Representative and Polk County Commissioner, said Holley is a “passionate advocate” for the farming and ranching community who represents “Florida First” values.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Stephen Ross, Moishe Mana pursue tech-driven neighborhood transformations in South Florida” via Brian Bandell of the South Florida Business Journal — Two very different South Florida businessmen have a similar idea: attract technology startup companies to transform a neighborhood, setting the stage for development. The latest episode of the “Business Breakdown with Brian Bandell” podcast dives into the plans by Mana in downtown Miami and Ross in West Palm Beach, highlighting the stark contrast between Mana’s eccentric approach and Ross’s more traditional strategy. While Mana is the largest landowner in downtown Miami, his focus is more about renovating older buildings for technology tenants and enhancing the streetscape before he starts ground-up construction.

“Surfside fires town manager, starts cold-calling replacements from dais” via Alex DeLuca of the Miami New Times — By the time the Surfside Commission voted to fire town manager Mark Blumstein at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the Town Commission meeting, which began at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, had already descended into chaos. Commissioners have accused Blumstein, who was hired in December, of “intimidating” employees, being “unprofessional” in his duties, and “going against Commission directives” during his nearly nine-month reign, among other alleged problems with his job performance. While finding an interim town manager can take weeks — between posting the job, collecting résumés, and interviewing candidates — Surfside’s Commission decided to skip all that. Mayor Charles Burkett repeatedly criticized the Commissioners for, in his words, “going right down a list of senior employees and trying to figure out if any one of them would plug the hole.”

“Martin County takes another step to conserve 9,328 acres with sales-tax revenue” via Keith Burbank of Treasure Coast Newspapers — Conservation of more than 9,300 acres here is moving ahead, coming on the heels of the preservation of Bar-B Ranch and land in Pal Mar. ‘When I think of the ‘Martin County difference,’ the word ‘conservation’ is what it’s all about,” County Commissioner Blake Capps told Commission colleagues Oct. 21.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Osceola nonprofits ask for state help after SNAP benefits stop on Saturday” via Natalia Jaramillo of the Orlando Sentinel — Osceola County nonprofits asked the state to intervene Monday as they anticipate struggling with an increase in demand when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits come to a stop this weekend. About 24,000 households in Osceola County currently receive SNAP benefits. If families “trying to put food on their table” lose that benefit, they will likely turn to food pantries, said Rev. Mary Downey, CEO of the group Hope Partnership. “We anticipate that our local food pantries, including us, will be in crisis,” she said. Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the SNAP program, said its nearly 42 million beneficiaries won’t receive help buying food beginning Saturday, Nov. 1, forcing many to turn to food banks.

“Florida historian Jim Clark, UCF lecturer and journalist, has died” via DeWayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel — Clark, a UCF senior lecturer, author, historian, political commentator and longtime Orlando Sentinel journalist, has died after a heart attack at his home in Orlando. He was 78. Clark was a native of Washington, D.C., and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He moved to Orlando and began working at the Orlando Sentinel in 1976, where he held several positions over 22 years, including deputy managing editor. Later, he became publisher and editor of Orlando Magazine. He had worked on the faculty of the University of Central Florida’s history department since 1986, teaching an American history course as recently as Thursday. “He always was doing three things at once,” said Jane Healy, Clark’s former wife and former managing editor of the Sentinel. “He’d be on his computer, he’d be watching a football game, he’d be writing a book, plus getting ready for class the next day.”

— LOCAL: TB —

“Brian Caper, a leader on St. Pete’s canceled Rays stadium deal, resigns amid verified sexual harassment allegations” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — St. Petersburg Managing Director of Economic and Workforce Development Caper, one of the city leaders behind work to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District and on the canceled deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, has resigned his position after findings that he subjected a subordinate in his department to “sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior.” Caper’s resignation, dated Oct. 22 and effective immediately, did not reference the sexual harassment findings. Instead, Caper wrote that it is “the right time” for him to “pursue new career opportunities outside the public sector” in his home state of Illinois.

“FDOT offers closer look at $500 million I-4 expansion in Hillsborough” via Breanne Williams of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — To shave nearly a decade off constructing a key widening project along Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County, the Florida Department of Transportation had to return to the drawing board to reexamine the need for immediate congestion relief. Will Watts, assistant secretary and chief operating officer for FDOT, told the Tampa Bay Business Journal they were able to repurpose several smaller projects along the corridor to expedite the widening project. For example, they had a series of projects connecting interchanges that were reprioritized. Instead of investing in those smaller plans, they focused on adding express lanes to the roadway at DeSantis’ behest, who has encouraged the agency to rethink how it phases its designs. The former projects are not scrapped; they are delayed as funding is directed toward more impactful solutions.

“Tampa to host College Football Playoff national title game in 2029” via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times — You’ve got a few years to prepare, but get ready for Tampa to host the College Football Playoff national title game in 2029 at Raymond James Stadium. A formal announcement will be made on Wednesday during a news conference at the stadium. The event is not open to the public. Political leaders like Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, and sports figures such as Derrick Brooks, Bucs COO Brian Ford and Rob Higgins, USF’s new CEO of athletics, will participate in the event, described in a media advisory only as a “major event announcement.”

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Amid litany of complaints, Court Clerk says her office faces directive from Chief Judge” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat — Leon County Clerk of Court Gwen Marshall told lawmakers her office faces a “possible” administrative order that would require it to process all criminal filings within eight hours — a potential move that follows numerous complaints about the office’s functioning. Knight’s comments came on Oct. 27 during a meeting of the county’s legislative delegation at the Capitol. She said her office faces another funding shortfall and that while the state approved increases in fines and fees in 2008 that helped clerk’s offices, there have been “no substantial” increases since.

“UWF names Daniel Lucas as new vice president for Finance and Administration” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Lucas is moving up in the University of West Florida’s ranks. The public, Pensacola-based school’s administration selected Lucas, a longtime administrator, to serve as its next vice president of Finance and Administration. Lucas’ appointment is effective Nov. 1, pending approval by the university’s Board of Trustees. He succeeds Betsy Bowers, who is retiring after years of service, and will continue in his other current role as CEO of the UWF Foundation. “Dan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and financial expertise throughout his tenure at UWF,” interim UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement. “His deep knowledge of the University’s operations and his commitment to transparency and accountability make him the ideal person to guide the Division of Finance and Administration into its next chapter.”

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“‘You betrayed us’: Manatee County residents beg for repeal of Florida planning restriction law” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — State lawmakers representing Manatee County heard harsh criticism on Monday regarding a law that critics maintain blocks local governments from regulating development now and for years to come. Senate Bill 180 received nearly unanimous approval from the state Legislature this Spring and was signed into law by DeSantis this Summer. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, was intended to help people rebuild properties damaged by major storms. But its language was substantially altered by several provisions, leading to two lawsuits being filed in state court to block it. Among those provisions is Section 18, which freezes cities and counties from adopting land-use regulations deemed “more restrictive or burdensome” than those in place before recent or future hurricanes.

“Sarasota County to dredge Phillippi Creek after Hurricane Debby flooding” via Christian Casale of Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Sarasota County will devote a hair under $14.5 million to dredge the more problematic portions of Phillippi Creek, the first stage of a massive effort to address the flooding concerns exposed by Hurricane Debby in 2024. County Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine told Commissioners at a meeting that the fifty-foot-wide dredge will address critical areas from Tuttle Avenue to Beneva Road. “The county’s review identified 11 distinct sections within Phillippi Creek exhibiting significant sediment buildup, referred to as “high spots areas,’” he wrote. Those areas were chosen based on their flood risk and impact on water quality.

— TOP OPINION —

“The NBA indictments are not what they seem” via Sally Jenkins of The Atlantic — The FBI’s high-profile announcement of a supposed “NBA betting and money laundering conspiracy” landed with a thud once the indictments came out. For all the noise about a “mob-run rigged poker scheme,” only three of the 30 people charged had any connection to the league — and most of the evidence had nothing to do with basketball.

Still, the headlines stuck, and that was likely the point.

Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, became the face of the story despite not being accused of fixing games or gambling on basketball. His alleged crime was acting as a “celebrity front” for a crooked Las Vegas poker game years ago, before he even worked for the league. Billups’s lawyers call the case absurd and politically inflated.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s inclusion is a little closer to home for the NBA.

He’s accused of faking a foot injury in 2023 to sway bets, even though the league cleared him after confirming the injury with an MRI. The third NBA figure, former player and coach Damon Jones, allegedly tipped off gamblers about player injuries — including one to LeBron James, his former teammate.

The rest of the defendants are small-time hustlers, mob associates, and poker cheats — a long way from the FBI’s talk of “mind-boggling fraud.” The real scandal may be how thin the NBA’s piece of this story actually is.

Yet gambling remains the league’s shadow problem. Since sports betting went mainstream, players and coaches are only one loose text away from a federal case.

The NBA is now paying the price for cozying up to betting apps. It’s not the only league that’s done so, but it may be the one that gets burned first.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“Florida needs guardrails for AI in classrooms” via the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial boards — Artificial intelligence has found its way into Miami-Dade classrooms. In the third-largest School District in the country, 100,000 students are now using Google’s Gemini chatbot in the classroom. Miami-Dade County Public Schools teachers are experimenting with AI tools to grade essays and bring their lesson plans to life. That’s both exciting and troubling. Left unchecked, AI risks opening the door to a decline in students’ critical thinking skills — giving too much power to technology rather than teachers. We understand the temptation of asking ChatGPT when a student has a question that requires a lot of research. At a news conference this Summer, DeSantis wondered out loud about the ramifications. “Are students going to have artificial intelligence write their term papers? Do we even need to think?” His concerns are well-founded.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Florida gas prices slightly higher than last week” via Florida Politics — The price of gas in Florida remains in flux, but it’s still relatively low. Last week, the state average price for gas fell 4 cents per gallon, then shot up 9 cents before falling 3 cents. By Sunday, the state average was $2.92 per gallon — 2 cents more than last week and 7 cents pricier than the previous month, but 24 cents cheaper than a year ago. On Monday morning, the price fell another cent to $2.91 per gallon. “Price cycling remains a common occurrence at Florida’s gas pumps,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in a statement.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Celebrating today are David Childs, Jim Daughton of Metz Husband Daughton, Jonathan Foerster, the greatest adjunct instructor in FSU history, Bill Pfeiffer, and Tiffany Vause.

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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.