Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 11.13.25

Good Thursday morning.

Empath Health has tapped Jenna Paladino to serve as vice president of Government Affairs, succeeding longtime government relations leader Scott Kistler, who is retiring after 28 years with the organization.

Paladino, a veteran health policy strategist and lobbyist, brings more than 20 years of experience in legislative advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Her background includes work in hospice, home health, pharmacy and value-based care. Before joining Empath, she led her own consulting firm, Paladino Advocates, where she advanced legislation expanding telehealth reimbursement and preserving hospice regulations.

“Jenna’s deep experience in health care policy and her ability to build strong, results-driven relationships make her a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” said Jonathan Fleece, president and CEO of Empath Health. “Her expertise will be instrumental as we continue to advocate for patients, caregivers, and providers throughout Florida and beyond.”

Paladino previously directed public affairs and legislative strategy at Chapters Health System and held roles with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Florida House, and the University of South Florida.

“I am honored to join Empath Health, an organization whose mission and values reflect my own commitment to improving access to high-quality health care,” said Paladino.

Based in Clearwater, Empath Health operates one of the largest nonprofit health networks in Florida, offering hospice, home health, palliative care and elder care services through programs such as Suncoast Hospice, Tidewell Hospice, and Hospice of Marion County. The organization serves more than 80,000 people annually and one in five hospice patients statewide.

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“Want more Florida Politics in your Google News feed? There’s a new tool for that.” — Google News has launched a new “preferred sources” feature, allowing users to customize their “Top Stories” feed to display content from their favorite publications prominently.

For followers of Florida’s political landscape, this tool is a game-changer, ensuring they receive timely, in-depth reporting on the Governor’s Office, the Legislature and high-stakes campaigns.

By selecting Florida Politics as a preferred source, readers can prioritize its indispensable coverage, ensuring they see the latest headlines on key issues, such as property insurance and the state budget, first. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to enable the feature. Don’t forget about other ways to connect, such as through our breaking news text messages, following @Fla_Pol on X, and signing up for newsletters like Last Call, Takeaways from Tallahassee and The Delegation.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@AGJamesUthmeier: This morning, we announced the indictment and intent to seek the death penalty against Nathan Douglas Holmberg for capital sexual battery against a toddler. If you harm a child, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek the maximum penalty under the law.

—@NLVWarren: Monday, (Gov. Ron) DeSantis’s Dept of State set candidate qualifying for this Special for 11/19-20. That means the resign-to-run deadline was 11/9 – a day *before* DOS announced… Republican Auburndale Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert was going to run against the GOP establishment’s preferred candidate (Hilary Holley) in the Regular Election next year. Does DOS’s deadline make her unable to run in the Special without immediately resigning as Mayor?

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— DAYS UNTIL —

‘Landman’ season two premieres on Paramount+ — 3; ‘Wicked: For Good’ premieres — 8; ‘Stranger Things’ final season premieres — 13; Bears vs. Eagles on Black Friday — 15; Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 20; Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 20; Special General Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 26; ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ premieres — 29; ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era’ six-episode docuseries premieres on Disney+ — 29; DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 34; ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 36; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 42; Special Election for HD 87; HD 52, HD 51 Special Primaries and two Boca Raton referenda — 61; 2026 Legislative Session begins — 61; Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In — 61; The James Madison Institute’s 2026 Red, White & Bluegrass event — 62; ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres on HBO — 66; ‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 78; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 84; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 85; Boca Raton Mayoral and City Council Elections — 117; last day of the Regular Session — 120; Special Elections for HD 52, HD 51 (if necessary) — 131; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup/Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 132; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 133; Tampa Bay Rays will play their first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 144; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 153; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 153; First Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (Federal) — 158; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 162; F1 Miami begins — 169; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 190; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 201; Second Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (State) — 207; State Qualifying Period ends — 211; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres in theaters — 218; FIFA World Cup begins — 210; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 233; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 238; 96th annual MLB All-Star Game — 243; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 245; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 249; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 266; Primary Election 2026: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 268; Primary Election Day 2026 — 278; Yankees host the Mets to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — 302; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 306; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 310; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 315; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 322; General Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote — 326; Early Voting General Election Mandatory period begins — 345; 2026 General Election — 355; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 400; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 400; Another untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 400; Tampa Mayoral Election — 474; Jacksonville First Election — 495; Jacksonville General Election — 551; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 569; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 631; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 687; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 764; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 974; U.S. Presidential Election — 1090; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1490; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 2221.

— TOP STORY —

“New Jeffrey Epstein emails claim Donald Trump ‘spent hours’ with victim” via Julie Brown and Claire Healy of the Miami Herald — Emails released Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee show sex trafficker Epstein claiming that Trump “spent hours” with one of his victims and “knew about the girls.” The three emails, including one with Epstein’s convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, are the first public records from the Committee linking Trump to a victim. Trump has denied any involvement or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the release as a politically motivated leak by Democrats designed to smear Trump. She said the redacted name in one email referred to the late Virginia Giuffre, who has denied that Trump participated in Epstein’s activities. Committee staff declined to confirm the victim’s identity.

The emails were part of 23,000 pages obtained from Epstein’s estate, 20,000 of which became public on Wednesday. Committee Democrat Robert Garcia said the messages raise “glaring questions” about Trump’s connection to Epstein.

One 2011 email shows Epstein telling Maxwell that Trump spent “hours” with a victim at his house, calling Trump “that dog that hasn’t barked.” A 2015 exchange with author Michael Wolff suggests Epstein considered using their relationship as leverage if Trump pursued the presidency.

A 2019 message, sent after the Miami Herald’s “Perversion of Justice” series, includes Epstein saying Trump “knew about the girls” and had asked Maxwell to stop.

The revelations emerge as Congress weighs a vote to release Epstein case files still held by the Justice Department and FBI.

—“Trump administration holds Situation Room meeting over House effort to force release of all of DOJ’s Epstein files” via Katelyn Polantz, Kaitlan Collins, Hannah Rabinowitz, Alayna Treene, Kevin Liptak and Annie Grayer of CNN

—”Here’s how the House battle over the Epstein files will play out” via Meredith Lee Hill, Hailey Fuchs and Nicholas Wu of POLITICO

—“Inside Trump’s desperate push to block the Epstein vote” via Tara Palmeri and Abi Baker of The Red Letter

“Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump” via Kyle Cheney and Nahal Toosi of POLITICO — Nearly a month before Trump’s 2018 summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Epstein sought to broker a connection with Russia’s top diplomat, writing that if Moscow wanted to “understand Trump,” it should “talk to me.” In a June 24, 2018, email to former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, Epstein claimed to have previously discussed Trump with the late Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, calling Trump “not complex.” The emails, released by congressional investigators, reveal Epstein’s attempts to leverage his international network to discuss Trump’s foreign policy. Epstein also corresponded with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who criticized Trump’s deference to Putin, and with ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon about European influence. The exchanges underscore Epstein’s obsession with power and global access.

— STATEWIDE —

“Scrapped plans to build in Florida parks came from Ron DeSantis’ office, suit says” via Max Chesnes and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — New filings in a whistleblower lawsuit claim plans to build hotels and golf courses in nine Florida state parks originated in Gov. DeSantis’ office, contradicting his public denials. The amended complaint by former Department of Environmental Protection employee James Gaddis alleges that top officials ordered secrecy regarding proposals to convert protected land into commercial developments. Gaddis says he leaked the information as “an act of public service,” prompting his firing and retaliation lawsuit. The filings add details implicating senior officials, including deputy secretary Mara Gambineri. Records show DeSantis’ aides and allies discussed the projects months before the controversy broke. The DEP denies wrongdoing and calls the timing of the new complaint a “last-minute filing.”

“Protest in opposition to DeSantis as summit speaker” via Sarah Lagan of The Royal Gazette — A group of about 10 protesters gathered outside the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club this morning to oppose the choice of DeSantis as a speaker at the PwC Insurance Summit. The demonstration was organized by local activist groups Social Justice Bermuda and the Peace Collective. OutBermuda, an advocacy charity for the LGBTQ+ community, and antiracism charity Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda were not involved in organizing the protest but issued a joint statement this week opposing the choice of the Florida Governor as a speaker.

Happening Today — CFO Blaise Ingoglia will hold a news conference in West Palm Beach: 11 a.m. Media are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. and must RSVP in advance. Reporters planning to attend should contact Abigail Weeks at [email protected] for location details and confirmation.

“‘We couldn’t take it anymore’: Fear of immigration arrests near schools in Florida reducing enrollment, officials say” via Bea Anhuci of Fresh Take Florida — Thousands of immigrant families in Florida are pulling their children out of public schools amid renewed fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near campuses. The rollback of federal limits on enforcement in “sensitive areas” has fueled anxiety, particularly in heavily Hispanic districts such as Miami-Dade, Broward and Orange counties, where enrollment dropped by tens of thousands this year. Education officials report rising absenteeism and families leaving the state altogether. Though no confirmed school raids have occurred, the fear alone has disrupted classrooms and communities. Advocates warn that the climate of distrust could cause lasting harm to immigrant students’ education and mental health. Some families, like Alex Rodriguez Silva’s in Hialeah, have fled Florida entirely for safety and stability.

“James Uthmeier leading efforts seeking death penalty for man accused of sexual battery against child” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — A grand jury has indicted a Hernando County man on multiple charges related to allegations he committed sexual battery on a child under 12. Thirty-six-year-old Nathan Douglas Holmberg had indictments on 25 criminal counts returned against him after an extensive investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Uthmeier announced Wednesday. The indictments include seven charges of capital sexual battery on a child under 12. Uthmeier said his statewide prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Holmberg.

—“Christian Family Coalition features Uthmeier at dinner honoring conservatives” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics

“Homeland Security, Florida team up to arrest more than 150 illegal alien sex offenders in statewide operation” via Frank Kopylov of Florida’s Voice — Federal and state authorities in Florida have arrested more than 150 illegal aliens with prior sex crime convictions in a coordinated enforcement operation between the Department of Homeland Security and state law enforcement agencies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the initiative, known as “Criminal Return,” was conducted in partnership with DeSantis’ administration to remove dangerous offenders from communities. The arrests, made across multiple Florida counties, targeted non-citizens convicted of crimes including child exploitation, assault, and attempted murder. All are now in federal custody awaiting removal proceedings. Noem said the joint effort demonstrates how federal and state cooperation can strengthen public safety, with similar operations planned in other states pursuing closer collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

Wilton Simpson breaks ground on new Agricultural Inspection Station — Agriculture Commissioner Simpson, joined by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and local law enforcement, broke ground Wednesday on a new Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspection station in Jackson County. Located just south of the Alabama border on U.S. 231, the site will become the state’s 24th agricultural inspection facility. Simpson said the new station strengthens efforts to stop “bugs, drugs and thugs” from entering Florida. Once complete, the Agricultural Inspection Station will be home to OALE officers who will patrol roadways entering Florida from Alabama and Georgia.

— LEGISLATIVE —

“Florida Democrats push long-odds gun control measures, weeks after open carry law takes effect” via Kaitlyn McCormack of Fresh Take Florida — Florida Democrats are again filing gun control bills they admit are unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled Legislature. The measures, including “Jamie’s Law” requiring background checks for ammunition purchases, seek to tighten gun restrictions in a state that recently legalized open carry. Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Tina Polsky and Rep. Dan Daley argue the bills are about public safety and school security, even as GOP leaders block hearings. Republicans, meanwhile, are backing bills to expand gun rights, including lowering the purchase age from 21 to 18. Gun safety advocate Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter died in the Parkland shooting, blasted Democrats for giving up the fight. Florida courts have recently sided with gun rights, signaling continued resistance to stricter laws.

“Bill filed to provide security to Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Florida Cabinet nominees” via Gray Rohrer of USA Today Network — Amid heightened partisan tensions and repeated instances of political violence, one Florida lawmaker is pushing to provide more security to nominees for statewide offices. Rep. Tyler Sirois filed his bill (HB 401) on Nov. 12. It would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to provide a security detail to the winners of Democratic and Republican primaries for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Cabinet positions of Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Agriculture Commissioner. Nominees of other parties wouldn’t be included in the required security. The legislation, which doesn’t yet have a Senate companion, comes after a series of high-profile incidents of political killings across the nation.

—“Proposal would impose timelines for Governor to set Special Election dates” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix

“Bill to make Veterans Day a mandatory school holiday proposed in Florida Legislature” via Michelle Vecerina of Florida’s Voice — Florida lawmakers are proposing to make Veterans Day a mandatory school holiday for all K-12 public students under House Bill 409, sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Giallombardo, with an identical Senate version (SB 464) filed by Republican Sen. Bryan Avila. The bill amends state law to require every District School Board to close schools in observance of the federal holiday, formally adding Veterans Day to Florida’s list of designated school holidays. Currently, whether schools close on Veterans Day is left to local discretion; the proposed legislation would standardize observance statewide and take effect July 1, 2026, if approved during the Legislative Session beginning Jan. 13.

“Roy Hardemon, former state lawmaker, Liberty City advocate, dies at 63” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Former Rep. Hardemon, a passionate Miami lawmaker and lifelong advocate for Liberty City and its neighboring community, has died, according to his sister and his nephew’s office in Miami-Dade County. He was 63. Hardemon, who served one term in the Florida House representing District 108 from 2016 to 2018, was known as a blunt, neighborhood-first politician whose priorities rarely strayed far from the blocks where he was raised. During his two years in the House, Hardemon sat on the Health and Human Services Committee, Careers and Competition Subcommittee, PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee and others, filing dozens of appropriations for youth programs, senior services, cultural groups and stormwater upgrades.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“More Americans are unhappy with the way Trump is managing the government, AP-NORC poll shows” via Jill Colvin and Linley Sanders of The Associated Press — Approval of the way Trump is managing the government has dropped sharply since early in his second term, with much of the rising discontent coming from fellow Republicans. The survey shows that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of the way the Republican President is managing the government, down from 43% in a March poll. That was driven in large part by a decline in approval among Republicans and independents. Only about two-thirds of Republicans, 68%, said they approve of Trump’s government management, down from 81% in March. Independents’ approval dropped from 38% to 25%.

“Fannie Mae watchdogs probed how Bill Pulte obtained mortgage records of key Democrats” via Gina Heeb, Brian Schwartz and C. Ryan Barber of The Wall Street Journal — Fannie Mae watchdogs who were removed from their jobs had been probing if Trump appointee Pulte had improperly obtained mortgage records of key Democratic officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to people familiar with the matter. Fannie’s ethics and investigations group had received internal complaints alleging senior officials had improperly directed staff to access the mortgage documents of James and others, according to the people. The Fannie investigators were probing to find out who had made the orders, whether Pulte had the authority to seek the documents and whether or not they had followed proper procedure, the people said.

“Kash Patel’s ‘effin wild’ ride as FBI Director” via Sadie Gurman, Aruna Viswanatha, Josh Dawsey and Jack Gillum of The Wall Street Journal — On Halloween morning, Patel had a big announcement to make: “The FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack,” he said in a social-media post that referenced arrests in Michigan. There was one problem: No criminal charges had yet been filed, and local police weren’t aware of the details. Two friends of the alleged terrorists in New Jersey and Washington state caught wind of the arrests and moved up plans to leave the country. Justice Department leaders complained to the White House about Patel’s premature post, saying it had disrupted the investigation, administration officials said. In his nine months on the job, Patel has drawn flak from his bosses in the Justice Department and from his underlings at the FBI.

“U.S. Mint to strike last penny as Trump’s phaseout rattles retailers” via Michael Stratford of POLITICO — Trump’s decision earlier this year to halt production of the U.S. penny is rippling through the economy faster than expected, triggering widespread shortages of the one-cent coin and headaches for retailers and banks. The administration has moved quickly to wind down penny production as a cost-cutting measure, following Trump’s February call to “rip the waste out of our great [nation’s] budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.” While the U.S. Mint plans to produce collector versions of the penny in “limited quantities,” its regular penny operations — which churned out 3.2 billion one-cent coins last fiscal year — are coming to a stop. Winding down that machinery, however, has revealed how deeply the penny remains embedded in everyday commerce. Ending a coin that has circulated for more than two centuries has turned out to be complicated.

What Florida’s congressional delegation is reading — “Health care premiums could more than double for over 4 million Floridians” via Sabrina Maggiore of WFTV — More than 4 million Floridians risk losing affordable health care coverage as pandemic-era subsidies expire under the new government funding deal. Those subsidies, first approved in 2021, lowered monthly premiums through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace and expanded eligibility to middle-income earners. Without congressional action, costs could more than double by year’s end. Florida has more residents relying on these subsidies than any other state, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In Apopka, Army veteran Stefani Ceballos faces her son Patrick’s premium tripling from $240 to over $910 a month. Patrick, disabled from a motorcycle crash, could lose essential medical care. Ceballos said she may again pay cash for treatment and delay critical tests to stay afloat.

“Florida judge orders Bowen Kou to pay nearly $167K or face jail” via Anita Padilla of Florida’s Voice — Former Republican state Senate candidate Kou was held in contempt of court Wednesday after failing to deposit nearly $167,000 into a court registry, as ordered by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Lake County. Judge D.R. Mosley ruled that Kou could face 30 days in jail if he doesn’t comply within 10 days, noting his $16.1 million net worth and past campaign distributions of more than $1 million. The contempt stems from Kou’s defamation suit against the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, led by Senate President Ben Albritton, which he accused of falsely linking his campaign to China. The court dismissed his claim under Florida’s anti-SLAPP law, finding Kou offered no proof of malice and relied on inadmissible statements.

— ELECTIONS —

“Melanie Griffin will not run for SD 14, clearing the way for Josie Tomkow” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Griffin has decided not to run for Senate District 14, days after announcing her candidacy to replace former Sen. Jay Collins, who became Lieutenant Governor. Sources close to Griffin told Florida Politics that she stepped aside “to do what’s right for her family, her community, and the state — all of which she loves so much.” Her withdrawal clears the field for Rep. Tomkow, now the clear Republican frontrunner, with support from top Florida political figures, including U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee and several state lawmakers. One Democrat, Brian Nathan, has filed for the seat. The Special Primary Election is set for Jan. 13, followed by the Special General Election on March 24.

Top Senate Republicans endorse Tomkow for SD 14 — Senate President Albritton and Sens. Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull are throwing their support behind Tomkow in the upcoming Special Election for Senate District 14, the seat previously held by Lt. Gov. Collins. “Josie Tomkow is a proven warrior for the conservative values that have made Florida safer for our families, created more opportunity for our students and ensured government doesn’t get in the way of job creation,” the trio said in a joint statement. “Josie is a seventh-generation Floridian who knows firsthand how crucial it is to protect Florida’s precious natural resources. We are proud to endorse Josie Tomkow for Senate District 14, because we need leaders like her in the fight for a more affordable Florida with access to opportunities for all.”

“Daniella Levine Cava, Dan Gelber back Monica Matteo-Salinas for Miami Beach Commission” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava and ex-Miami Beach Mayor Gelber, a former state lawmaker, are endorsing Matteo-Salinas in the Dec. 9 runoff for the City Commission’s District 1 seat. “Monica knows how the city works and, just as importantly, how it can work better for the people who call Miami Beach home,” Levine Cava said in a statement. Gelber said Matteo-Salinas “performed exceedingly well” at City Hall, specializing in constituent services, resident outreach and legislation drafting. He expects she’ll hit the ground running with a win next month. The new endorsements join others from Miami Beach Commissioners Tanya Bhatt, Laura Dominguez and Alex Fernandez, and LGBTQ groups SAVE Action PAC and Equality Florida Action PAC.

“Ruth’s List Florida endorses Christina Romelus for Palm Beach County School Board” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Ruth’s List Florida has officially endorsed Romelus — a former educator and nurse, and a mother of two — for the School Board’s District 4 seat. The group’s CEO, Christina Diamond, said Romelus “leads with empathy, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the people she serves.” … “Christina Romelus embodies the very spirit of public service,” Diamond said in a statement. “As a mom, educator, and former City Commissioner, she brings a vital perspective to the School Board. Ruth’s List is proud to stand with Christina as she continues her work to ensure every child in Palm Beach County has access to safe, high-quality education.” The Ruth’s List endorsement, announced Wednesday, adds to others from 10 current and former Palm Beach County leaders.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Frank Carollo to remain on Miami runoff ballot after judge’s ruling” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Miami’s newly approved term limits are off to a rocky start. A Miami-Dade judge has ruled that former City Commissioner Carollo can remain on the ballot for Miami’s Dec. 9 runoff, allowing him to continue his bid to reclaim the District 3 seat he held from 2009 to 2017. The decision Wednesday by Judge Peter Lopez came after voters overwhelmingly approved a lifetime limit of two four-year terms for City Commissioners and Mayors, a measure some argued made Carollo ineligible to run again. Carollo led the Nov. 4 race with 38% of the vote but fell short of the majority needed to win outright, placing him on the runoff ballot with restaurant manager Rolando Escalona, a fellow Republican. Three Miami voters, including third-place District 3 finisher Oscar Alejandro, filed a lawsuit last week to have Carollo disqualified, claiming the referendum’s restrictive language barred him from office.

“What ‘Mamdani effect?’ Miami’s millionaires already sideline regular homebuyers,” via Salim Chraibi of the Miami Herald — With Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York putting housing front and center in the headlines, it shines a light on a truth that South Florida has been living with for years: housing affordability is a structural shift that demands action. Many commentators say Mamdani’s win could signal more migration from high-cost states to Florida. But the more urgent story is already unfolding: South Florida is attracting a growing share of high-net-worth individuals and companies, not simply people seeking lower housing costs. The Miami metropolitan area is No. 5 in the world for the most millionaire growth. The same report estimates that the number of millionaires in the region grew by 94% between 2014 and 2024. Residents in Miami-Dade are effectively being priced out of traditional homeownership.

“Miami-Dade may ask Florida to look at easing restrictions on incinerator ash in asphalt, cement” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — As Miami-Dade leaders seek a new trash incinerator site, the County Commissioner whose District housed the old one wants flexibility in how the coming one’s ash is managed or reused. A resolution by Commissioner Juan Carlos “J.C.” Bermudez would ask the state Legislature and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make it easier to recycle ash produced by waste-to-energy facilities, like the one in Miami-Dade that burned down in 2023. The measure, scheduled for a full and final vote at the Commission’s Nov. 18 meeting, calls for state lawmakers to revise Florida Statutes to “facilitate safe reuse of incinerator ash.” It also requests DEP guidance on such uses, which could include blending the ash with cement and asphalt.

“Top business leaders drive effort to jettison Broward’s name and become ‘Lauderdale County’” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Rebranding is the solution identified by key members of the Broward Workshop, the influential organization of top executives from businesses that operate in the county. The group’s leaders are so committed to moving away from the “Broward” name that the Workshop may change its own identity. The business leaders’ efforts have largely been behind the scenes. The out-front champions of county renaming are state Rep. Chip LaMarca, a Republican, and County Commissioner Michael Udine, a Democrat. LaMarca has supported such a move since 2011, his first full year on the County Commission. The current push to rename is moving rapidly. It received its first significant public attention two weeks ago, and it is on the agenda for two government votes on Thursday.

“Charter school operators seek to share 46 Palm Beach County campuses” via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The Palm Beach County School District received 69 requests from three charter school providers expressing their intent to open “Schools of Hope” starting in the 2027-28 school year on 46 campuses in the county. Schools of hope initially were created as alternatives to failing District-run schools, but the law was greatly expanded this year. The focus has now shifted to allowing charter schools to operate rent-free on campuses with excess space due to declining enrollment. Two providers making requests in Palm Beach County, Mater Academy and Somerset, are both owned by the giant charter company Academica. They provided an identical list of 14 campuses to share. A third provider, BridgePrep Academy, made requests to operate on 41 schools, nine of which were also requested by the other two.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Employee fired over Charlie Kirk posts sues Eastern Florida State College” via Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — A former Eastern Florida State College employee has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was fired for exercising her right to free speech after posting online about the assassination of conservative activist Kirk. Erika Santos, who has worked in accounting and grant compliance since 2019, was terminated in October and is represented by the ACLU of Florida. The lawsuit claims the Brevard County college retaliated against Santos for expressing her political opinions, noting that other employees with controversial posts were not disciplined. Kirk, a Trump ally and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot to death Sept. 10 in Utah. Santos’ posts criticized his views but condemned the killing. The case joins a wave of lawsuits in Florida testing public employees’ First Amendment protections.

“Permit filed for mystery project at Epic Universe” via Laura Kinsler of the Orlando Sentinel — Universal Orlando is planning a significant addition to its recently opened Epic Universe theme park. Bryce Ramsay, an architect with Baker Barrios’ hospitality and entertainment division, submitted the application for utility and foundation work for a 150,000-square-foot building. The address on the permit is 1001 Epic Blvd., the official address for Epic Universe. However, it’s not clear if the building would be located within the theme park or on the company’s Universal Boulevard property nearby. This is the second hint of a major project in the pipeline at or near Epic Universe, which premiered May 22 as the area’s first all-new theme park in 25 years and has been a smash hit so far.

“Morgan & Morgan drops ‘Steamboat Willie’ lawsuit against Disney” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel — Morgan & Morgan dropped a lawsuit against Disney on Wednesday that asked a judge to rule the law firm could use an adaptation of the nearly century-old “Steamboat Willie” cartoon in one of its ads. The Orlando-based personal injury firm asked a federal court to dismiss the suit without prejudice, meaning another legal action could be filed in the future. Morgan & Morgan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The filing did not specify why the suit was dropped or if a settlement had been reached. The 1928 “Steamboat Willie” animated short, featuring the official debut of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, entered the public domain last year. However, Disney still holds trademark rights and copyright protections for later, more modern versions of the characters.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Scott Tate to challenge Adrian Petrila for St. Pete Beach Mayor” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Project Management Professional Tate will challenge incumbent St. Pete Beach Mayor Petrila in next year’s election. Petrila is facing his first re-election contest after first being elected in 2023, when he unseated then-incumbent Alan Johnson. Tate emphasized community collaboration to fully restore the city after the devastating impacts of last year’s back-to-back hurricanes. His campaign is also emphasizing future resiliency. “Like many families here in St. Pete Beach, our lives were turned upside down by the devastating storms of 2024,” Tate said. “I’m running for Mayor because it’s taken far too long for residents and businesses to get back on their feet.”

“‘Tampacrat’ karaoke — the fun side of Tampa City Council you didn’t know existed” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — In case you’ve been sleeping for the past several weeks, you’re well aware that the federal government is, at present, shut down. You probably also know that, for weeks on end, Republicans and Democrats have been playing the finger-pointing game. Even with a deal now reached to reopen the government, the blame game continues, and even people within their own party are publicly annoyed with one another. The headlines are enough to make even the most devoted political watchers want to swear off social media and ignore the news. Who wants all that nastiness just a couple of weeks before the day of the year when we’re all supposed to be the most thankful? But rest assured, the game of politics is not always a dirty one, and two Tampa City Council members have ensured that at least once a year, fun can be had by all.

“St. Pete outlines plans for $148 million marina project” via Mark Parker of St. Pete Catalyst — Long-awaited plans to revitalize St. Petersburg’s Municipal Marina have turned a new page as the mayoral administration is searching for the $148 million-budgeted project’s contractor. The city recently issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) from firms with experience designing and building coastal facilities, floating docks, accessory buildings, fuel stations, seawalls, bridges, roads and other infrastructure. Development Administrator James Corbett subsequently said construction will start in late 2026. St. Petersburg will oversee the redevelopment and retain control of the marina, a key change from previous attempts to breathe new life into the downtown waterfront facility. Proposals are due Dec. 2, and administrators will ensure the city receives a “quality” and “sustainable” product.

—“Ken Welch delays historic Gas Plant District redevelopment timeline into 2026” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics

“St. Petersburg tenants forced out after landlord ignored fire safety issues” via Rebecca Liebson of the Tampa Bay Times — At least 14 tenants at a St. Petersburg apartment complex could be at risk of eviction if their landlord, Lurin Real Estate Investments, fails to correct fire safety issues at the property. That’s according to an order issued by St. Pete Fire Rescue. This is the second time this year that residents there have been threatened with eviction through no fault of their own. Over the Summer, the city nearly shut off the water after Lurin racked up tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid water bills. On Monday, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue warned tenants living on the third floor of five buildings at the Morgan Apartments that they had seven days to move because their landlord had failed to correct certain safety violations.

“St. Pete Beach’s Postcard Inn to reopen with flag from Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio” via Emma Behrmann of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — A nearly 70-year-old resort on St. Pete Beach that’s been closed since Hurricane Helene pummeled Tampa Bay will be reborn as a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The Postcard Inn, located at 6300 Gulf Blvd., is set to debut in early 2026 as The Luce, following its closure since the historic back-to-back hurricanes in 2024. The hotel, owned by The LCP Group, will be the latest addition to the Tribute Portfolio brand, a collection of independent hotels within Marriott Bonvoy. The LCP Group purchased the property in March 2022 for $83 million. The group is overseeing the complete renovation of the 9-acre beachfront resort that will open with 200 guest rooms, two restaurants, including a day-to-night beach club and indoor and outdoor event space.

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Duval DOGE Committee to review ‘alleged fraud’ in city’s telehealth program” via David Bauerlein of the Florida Times-Union — The Duval DOGE Committee will convene an emergency meeting about the city’s contracts with telehealth service providers after City Council member Rory Diamond raised concerns of “potential serious misuse of taxpayer funds” and “potential illegal conduct.” “I’ve been looking into alleged fraud and conflicts of interest with the city’s telehealth contacts,” Diamond said. “We absolutely need a thorough investigation out in the sunshine of these contracts.”

“FSU, TMH say talk of hospital taxing district is dead on arrival” via Elena Barrera and Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat — The idea of creating a special tax district for Tallahassee’s nonprofit hospital has become the latest stumbling block on the already bumpy journey to creating an academic medical center. Still, all the parties involved agree that the proposal is dead on arrival. In a rare joint statement, Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said they wanted to be clear that they didn’t support creating “a special hospital taxing district in Leon County or anywhere else.”

“‘Way worse’: Residents confused, concerned after fire fee hikes property tax bill” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — Tacking the fire services fee onto already rising property taxes is causing sticker shock and confusion for Leon County residents living outside city limits as their annual statement from the tax collector hits their mailboxes. Amid a raging fight between the county and the city over firefighting costs, Leon County Commissioners voted in September to streamline how all unincorporated county residents are billed for the fire services fee. They opted to remove the option for county residents to pay the fee monthly on their city utility bill and instead add it as a lump sum to the property tax bill.

“‘Unique predicament’: Judge delays re-sentencing for drug planting ex-deputy Zach Wester” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat — The judge who presided over the trial of a former Jackson County deputy convicted of planting drugs on innocent drivers continued his re-sentencing hearing until next year — a move designed to give breathing room to the Florida Supreme Court as it weighs his case. Wester was convicted in 2021 of a host of crimes, from official misconduct and fabricating evidence to false imprisonment and racketeering, the most serious charge against him. Circuit Judge James Goodman sentenced him to 12 and a half years in prison.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Oakes Farms sues former executive, accusing him of stealing millions from the company” via Laura Layden of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — A former executive of Oakes Farms is accused of stealing millions of dollars from the company to support a lavish lifestyle. The accusations are at the root of a lawsuit filed in Collier Circuit Court on Oct. 31. In the suit, Oakes Farms alleges that Steven Veneziano Jr. used his position of power in the company to “steal millions of dollars in funds, equipment and assets.” The high-profile company, headquartered in Collier County, claims Veneziano engaged in various fraudulent schemes to “fund his lavish lifestyle, which included high-dollar gambling, regular trips to Las Vegas, a multimillion-dollar house, and the purchase of a Lamborghini, among other luxuries.”

— TOP OPINION —

“Florida lawmakers offer election-year goodies” via Bill Cotterell for the Tampa Bay Times — As Florida’s 2026 Election approaches, lawmakers are busy crafting bills designed to please voters — even if many accomplish little. Efforts to ease property insurance costs and curb property taxes top the wish list, though both are easier said than done. Hurricanes and coastal growth keep premiums high, and slashing taxes risks cutting essential services.

Redistricting remains politically charged, with Trump pressuring Republican-led states to redraw maps favoring the GOP. Florida’s Constitution forbids gerrymandering, but few expect DeSantis and Republican legislators to defy Trump’s wishes.

Beyond those heavyweight issues, lawmakers are churning out smaller “headline bills.” One would ban the use of foreign or Sharia law in state courts, despite no evidence that it’s occurring. Another proposes naming college roads after conservative activist Kirk, and yet another requires teachers to swear loyalty oaths to the Constitution.

Attorney General Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia are also chasing voter attention with flashy moves. Uthmeier has targeted a teacher for using the gender-neutral title “Mx.,” while Ingoglia has toured the state exposing what he calls local government waste.

Both seem intent on shaping headlines rather than policy, highlighting how election-year politics often prioritize optics over outcomes.

The 2026 Session promises plenty of colorful debates and symbolic measures — the legislative equivalent of “Skittles and beer” — tasty, forgettable distractions meant to keep voters entertained before November.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“Florida pays a tort reform dividend” via The Wall Street Journal editorial board — Florida’s insurance reforms championed by DeSantis are yielding results, with major auto and home insurers cutting rates and even issuing rebates. State Farm announced a 10% reduction in auto rates — its second consecutive cut — saving customers roughly $400 annually. The state’s five largest auto insurers have trimmed premiums by an average of 6.5%, while Progressive is refunding policyholders about $300 each, totaling nearly $1 billion statewide. The reforms, enacted in 2023, curtailed lawsuit abuse by ending one-way attorney fees and limiting inflated medical claims. Similar measures stabilized Florida’s fragile home insurance market. Since early 2024, 33 insurers have filed for rate decreases, and 17 new companies have entered the state, underscoring a rare policy success amid a national rise in insurance costs.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, officially becomes part of Miami golf recruiting class” via Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press — Kai Trump knew more than a year ago that she wanted to go to the University of Miami and play golf for the Hurricanes. And the granddaughter of Donald Trump never changed her mind. Miami announced that Kai Trump is part of its women’s golf signing class on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA Division I signing window for most sports. She actually filled out the letter of intent last week in a ceremony at her high school — not far from her grandfather’s Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach — but Miami could not acknowledge her signing or even her commitment until now because of the NCAA rule regarding signing dates. How she’ll fare in college is anyone’s guess. But this much is certain: Miami golf is about to see a whole lot more attention. “We view any potential exposure as positive for Miami golf,” Hurricanes coach Janice Olivencia said. “Our current team is a very mature and intelligent group of women. So, we anticipate that we will handle all the attention with great composure and enthusiasm.”

“Power when it matters: How solar, storage keep Florida homes running through the storm” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — When Hurricane Sally hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2020, widespread outages left residents powerless for days. But for retired U.S. Navy Capt. James Darenkamp, with a solar and battery system that kept essential appliances running, provided comfort and stability when neighbors sat in the dark. Since then, his family has expanded the system to power their entire home, recognizing that energy resilience is essential amid intensifying storms. Experts say solar paired with storage can prevent losses from spoiled food, hotel stays, and work interruptions while cutting utility bills in the long-term. As storms grow stronger and outages become more frequent, solar power offers Floridians a practical, quiet alternative to gas generators — a way to safeguard homes, save money, and maintain control when the grid goes down.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Happy birthday to Speaker-to-be Sam Garrison and lobbyist David Ramba.

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