Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 11.24.25

Good Monday morning.

Breaking late Sunday afternoon — “Florida State keeping coach Mike Norvell, who vows to make fundamental changes” via The Associated Press — Florida State is sticking with Norvell for at least another season, with university leaders insisting he now deliver “fundamental changes” to restore the program’s championship form. President Richard McCullough said Norvell “continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future,” while acknowledging the need for improvement as FSU struggles through a 5-6 season and a 7-17 record since its 2023 ACC title run. The Seminoles’ decline, missed quarterback evaluations and repeated transfer-portal failures weighed heavily, but firing Norvell would have triggered a massive $54 million buyout in a tight coaching market. Norvell said the program remains rooted in “belief, sacrifice and putting the team first,” and trustees vowed to address “structural changes” needed to compete again at an elite level.

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As Thanksgiving approaches, we ask our loyal Sunburn fans — particularly those in The Process — to let us know what you’re grateful for this year. We will publish the comments in tomorrow’s edition. Please send your emails to [email protected].

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📣 — James Fishback to make major announcement, but…: The Azoria CEO and Incubate Debate founder has a checkered past, complete with allegations of stalking, lying and failing to repay debts, among other things. He’s expected to announce his campaign for Governor, but public documents and comments suggest a campaign in trouble before it even begins. More here.

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SPOTTED at the VIP Lounge at the Bellagio Hotel and Resort: U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

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This year’s White House Christmas tree arrives Monday — The holiday season will formally arrive at the White House as First Lady Melania Trump welcomes the Official 2025 White House Christmas Tree. The tree, grown by Rex and Jessica Korson of Michigan’s Korson’s Tree Farms, will be delivered to the North Drive at noon. The Korsons earned the honor after winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s 2025 National Tree Contest, becoming Michigan’s first Grand Champion growers in four decades. Their tree was selected in September by White House Superintendent of Grounds Dale Haney and continues a tradition dating back to 1966, when contest winners first began supplying the centerpiece. The First Lady will greet the growers and officially mark the start of the White House holiday season.

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While Cape Coral is unlikely to see snow this holiday season, former Rep. Gary Aubuchon will host a charity fundraiser to ensure hearts stay warm in the area and throughout Southwest Florida.

The Aubuchon Team of Companies will present the “Fire & Ice” event at its corporate headquarters in Cape Coral from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“For 27 years, this gathering has been the fire that fuels the warmth for our community’s most vulnerable,” Aubuchon stated in an email. “Your attendance and generosity will directly support three incredible local organizations: Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Lee BIA Builders Care, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida.”

The funds raised will help provide emergency housing and a “home away from home” for families facing unexpected challenges at no cost.

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. At the same time, Ronald McDonald House provides financial assistance, including lodging and meals, to families who must travel long distances for their children’s medical care. The Lee County-based Lee BIA Builders Care provides emergency housing for needy, elderly and disabled homeowners.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@RealDonaldTrump: The War between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, would have NEVER HAPPENED. It began long before I took office for a Second Term, during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration and has only gotten worse. If the 2020 Presidential Election was not RIGGED & STOLEN, the only thing the Radical Left Democrats are good at doing, there would be no Ukraine/Russia War, as there wasn’t, not even a mention, during my first Term in Office. Putin would never have attacked! It was only when he saw Sleepy Joe in action that he said, “Now is my chance!” The rest is history, and so it continues. I INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED. UKRAINE “LEADERSHIP” HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. THE USA CONTINUES TO SELL MASSIVE $AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS TO NATO, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UKRAINE (CROOKED JOE GAVE EVERYTHING, FREE, FREE, FREE, INCLUDING “BIG” MONEY!). GOD BLESS ALL THE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE HUMAN CATASTROPHE! President DJT

—@RealDonaldTrump: Marjorie “Traitor” Brown, because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong (Donald) Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!), has decided to call it “quits.” Her relationship with the WORST Republican Congressman in decades, Tom Massie of Kentucky, also known as Rand Paul Jr., because he votes against the Republican Party (and really good legislation!), did not help her. For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never-ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD. Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie and thank her for her service to our Country! President DJT

—@nickschifrin: After talking to @SecRubio, @SenatorRounds announces that the 28-point plan was a Russian document, not a U.S. document.

—@StateDeputySpox: This is blatantly false. As Secretary (Marco) Rubio and the entire administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians.

—@RonDeSantis: Getting blown out in the Swamp by Tennessee = rock bottom for the Gators. I remember the days when even someone like Peyton Manning didn’t have a chance against UF in Gainesville. Frustrating for the fan base.

—@JeffreyBrandes (re: Manny Diaz appointment): Amazing how this keeps happening, and we keep finding the only one person out of the group of finalists, despite my friendship with @PresMannyDiazJr. This policy should be hunted down at the end of the five-year review period and voted down.

Tweet, tweet:

— DAYS UNTIL —

‘Stranger Things’ final season premieres — 2; Bears vs. Eagles on Black Friday — 4; Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 9; Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 9; JMI, Floridian Partners, and Red Hills Strategies host the holiday ‘Capital Young Professionals Gathering’ — 9; Special General Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 15; ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ premieres — 18; ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era’ docuseries premieres on Disney+ — 18; Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 23; ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 25; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 31; Special Election for HD 87; HD 51 Special Primary and two Boca Raton referenda — 50; 2026 Legislative Session begins — 50; Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In — 50; The James Madison Institute’s 2026 Red, White & Bluegrass event — 51; ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres on HBO — 55; ‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 67; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 73; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 74; Boca Raton Mayoral and City Council Elections — 106; last day of the Regular Session — 109; Special Election for HD 51 (if necessary) — 120; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup / Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 121; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 122; Tampa Bay Rays first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 133; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 142; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 142; First Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (Federal) — 147; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 151; F1 Miami begins — 158; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 179; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 190; Second Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (State) — 196; State Qualifying Period ends — 200; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres in theaters — 207; FIFA World Cup begins — 199; live action ‘Moana’ premieres — 219; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 222; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 227; 96th annual MLB All-Star Game — 232; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 234; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 238; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 255; Primary Election 2026: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 257; Primary Election Day 2026 — 267; Yankees host the Mets to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — 291; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 295; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 299; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 304; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 311; General Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote — 315; Early Voting General Election mandatory period begins — 334; 2026 General Election — 344; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 389; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 389; Untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 389; Tampa Mayoral Election — 463; Jacksonville First Election — 484; Jacksonville General Election — 540; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 558; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 620; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 676; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 753; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 963; U.S. Presidential Election — 1079; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1479; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 2210.

— TOP STORY —

“A judge has sided with the state of Florida over pot petitions” via WFSU — Florida’s push to legalize recreational marijuana hit a major setback Friday when Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper upheld a state directive tossing more than 200,000 petition signatures gathered by Smart & Safe Florida. The ruling wipes out roughly a third of the group’s verified petitions as it races toward a Feb. 1 deadline to submit more than 880,000 valid signatures for the 2026 ballot.

The dispute centered on an Oct. 3 order from Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews instructing county supervisors to invalidate petitions that did not include the full text of the proposed amendment. The state argued the committee’s mailed petitions were “not obtained legally.”

Smart & Safe Florida countered that Florida law doesn’t require the full text on the petition itself, and that its form was identical to the Secretary of State’s approved version except for a website link on the back page. Cooper ultimately found that link to be a “material change” that required state approval.

Cooper said he believed the committee acted in good faith but concluded state law is explicit: petitions collected on unapproved forms cannot be counted. The committee vowed to appeal, arguing voters deserve a chance to weigh in.

The group faces mounting pressure because supervisors need up to 30 days to process petitions. As of Friday, the state showed 675,307 valid signatures, a number that has been dropping as the disputed petitions are removed.

The ruling deepens a broader clash between the DeSantis administration and the committee, which is attempting another legalization bid after its 2024 effort failed.

—STATEWIDE—

“Ron DeSantis: Plan for oil drilling off Florida coast would ‘weaken protections’” via the News Service of Florida — The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management proposed opening federal waters about 100 nautical miles off the west coast of Florida and the entire coastline of California to oil drilling as early as 2029. “What the Interior Department is proposing to do is really to go back off that policy, and I think that would weaken protections that we worked very hard to establish offshore,” DeSantis said during an appearance at Bayside Kraft Kitchen in Crystal River. “Yes, part of it is environmental. But part of it is military training. If you go talk to our folks up in the Panhandle who are stationed there, they will say it’s really important to be able to have that access, to be able to do key training. So, we hope that they double down on the 2020 policy and not push ahead with what Interior wants to do now.”

Happening today — Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia will pivot from budgets to bird prep today, hosting a turkey safety demonstration and media gaggle at the Capitol. Reporters are invited to Plaza Level 11, with media arrival at 10 a.m. and the event starting at 10:30 a.m. Credentialed media should RSVP to [email protected]. The event will also stream live on X and Facebook via the CFO’s official channels.

“Florida DOGE seeks information on every course taught at universities” via Ryan Gillespie and Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s DOGE team has asked state universities to turn over data on every undergraduate course offered at the 12 schools, including the syllabus and names of faculty members who are instructing it in the next two academic years. The DeSantis administration sent its request Monday to the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s public universities, and wants the reams of data by Dec. 3. “As we continue our work to identify opportunities to improve higher education in Florida, we are seeking additional information regarding the rigor and performance of programs, majors, and departments within each university,” it reads.

—“County leaders get candid in discussing getting ‘DOGEd’ by CFO’s office” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix

“State can’t find Hope Florida vehicles in motor pool database” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Buses, vans and trucks emblazoned with the Hope Florida logo serve as backdrops to press conferences touting the welfare alternative program championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis. They also show up in communities hit by natural disasters wherever news cameras are rolling, with food, water and other supplies. And they are visible in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Children and Families’ state headquarters in Tallahassee. But they cannot be found in the FleetWave database, which is supposed to track all 27,000 or so state-owned vehicles. And state officials either can’t or won’t explain why. “While no vehicles are assigned to Hope Florida in FleetWave, Hope Florida vehicles play a critical role in assisting Floridians and connecting them with resources, particularly during disaster response and recovery,” said Dan Barrow, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Management Services.

Tweet, tweet:

“Families face long waitlist for Florida’s subsidized childcare program” via Michael Cuglietta of the Orlando Sentinel — The number of children waiting for subsidized childcare in Florida has ballooned to nearly 26,000 this year as federal COVID-era funding ended and the state made more youngsters eligible for the help, but chipped in no extra money. As a result, many low-income families, already struggling with rising rents and food costs, cannot afford childcare assistance, a service they need to hold down jobs. “I’ve been here 36 years, it’s the most distressing time for families that I’ve ever seen,” said Pat Cronon, owner of Hand ‘n Hand Child Enrichment in Orlando, which serves 43 children ages one month to five years. Parents waiting for money from Florida’s School Readiness program, which administers federal subsidized childcare funds, now remain on a waitlist for about six months before they get help, Cronon said.

“Florida gaming officials join forces with Port Orange police for illegal gambling crackdown” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Florida’s crackdown on illegal gambling swept through Port Orange this month, where state gaming agents and local police raided three bars and seized 20 slot machines, two coin pushers and more than $25,000 in cash. The Florida Gaming Control Commission charged three business operators with possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house. FGCC Executive Director Alana Zimmer said the agency is committed to stopping illegal gambling and urged businesses to seek guidance if they’re unsure about the legality of machines. The raids at Mulligan’s Grill, Port Hole and The Dog House are the latest in a series of statewide enforcement actions following new powers granted by lawmakers this year. All three suspects were issued orders to appear in court.

— LEGISLATIVE —

“Florida House schedules second redistricting meeting in December” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The first agenda isn’t out yet for the House Congressional Redistricting Committee, but a second meeting is already on the calendar. An interim meeting notice just went out for the second week of December, showing the high-profile Committee will meet on Dec. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Reed Hall. That’s less than a week after a Dec. 4 meeting already announced by House leadership. That signals that House leadership intends to have plenty to work on ahead of the 60-day Regular Session, which runs from Jan. 13 to March 13 this year. Speaker Daniel Perez announced in August that the House will explore a mid-decade redistricting of Florida’s 28 congressional seats.

“Don Gaetz proposes reforms after audit finds gaps in school choice funding” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Sen. Gaetz has filed a bill aimed at improving transparency and accountability in Florida’s expansive school choice programs after a state audit revealed major gaps in tracking students and funding. SB 318, co-sponsored by Sens. Danny Burgess and Corey Simon, would overhaul how the state funds and monitors its Family Empowerment Scholarship and other school choice programs. The proposal was filed in response to findings from a recent Auditor General report showing that the state could not verify the locations of roughly 30,000 scholarship students and could not account for more than $270 million in funding transfers on any given day. Audit findings were presented to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education, chaired by Burgess, on Wednesday.

“Election Supervisors once again ask lawmakers to make it easier to vote by mail” via the Florida Phoenix — Florida Election Supervisors are again asking state lawmakers to change state law to make it easier for Floridians to vote by mail, but whether the GOP-controlled Legislature will act on the request is questionable, since they ignored a similar request earlier this year. David Ramba, representing the Florida Supervisors of Elections, told the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee that Supervisors in the state want lawmakers to reinstate the checkbox on mail-in ballot envelopes, an item wiped away by a 2021 election law that requires voters to renew their vote-by-mail ballot requests every two years instead of every four years.

“Bills seek $16M from Clearwater for traffic crash victim” via Colbi Edmonds of the Tampa Bay Times — Two state lawmakers have filed bills that would require the city of Clearwater to pay more than $16 million to the victim of a vehicle crash. Rep. Kimberly Berfield, a Clearwater Republican, and Sen. Nick DiCeglie, a St. Petersburg Republican, filed claims bills seeking compensation for Maximus Giannikos, who suffered severe injuries when a driver hit him at a busy intersection in 2019. At the time of the accident, Giannikos was 16 years old. He was visiting Clearwater from Cape Town, South Africa, with his family. They were trying to cross the intersection of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and U.S. Highway 19, but the crosswalk signal was stuck on “Do Not Walk,” even after the family pressed the button multiple times.

“Gainwell Technologies’ new rural health data collaborative could help power Ben Albritton’s rural renaissance” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — Florida’s push to revive rural communities now intersects with a national effort to save fragile rural hospitals, as technology firm Gainwell launches a sweeping Rural Health Transformation Collaborative aimed at stabilizing care in underserved areas. The initiative links state agencies, providers and community partners through shared data systems designed to improve coordination, financial resilience and long-term sustainability. Gainwell is building a unified Rural Health Data Toolbox to map needs, integrate Medicaid platforms, support CMS guidelines and guide targeted solutions, arguing that data, not just dollars, will determine which hospitals survive. The timing aligns with Senate President Albritton’s stalled “rural renaissance” package, which collapsed amid GOP tax-cut infighting but now gains fresh momentum as major federal funding and Gainwell’s model offer new leverage for improving rural health care across Florida.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“How Marco Rubio’s political fate is entangled with Nicolás Maduro’s” via Eric Bazail-Eimil and Nahal Toosi of POLITICO — Rubio’s political future is now tied to the Trump administration’s high-risk pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Maduro. As Secretary of State and acting national security adviser, Rubio helped design the strategy, which includes a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and deadly strikes on suspected drug-running boats. Publicly framed as an anti-cartel operation, officials acknowledge that the real objective is to force Maduro from power. The gamble carries heavy political stakes: failure could cost Rubio support among Venezuelan and Cuban exiles in Florida, while success could alienate MAGA voters wary of foreign entanglements. Even a successful ouster could backfire if Venezuela plunges into deeper instability. Trump’s shifting appetite for intervention adds another layer of unpredictability, leaving Rubio exposed if the campaign stalls or collapses.

“Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s brother, two other defendants released on bond” via Shira Moolten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The brother of U.S. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick and two other people were released on bond after appearing in Miami federal court on Friday. Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted Wednesday on more than a dozen federal charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds and using the money to support her 2021 Election campaign. Her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, her district office chief of staff, Nadege Leblanc, and her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer, are also charged. Cherfilus self-surrendered Friday morning and appeared in court later that afternoon along with Leblanc and Spencer for a bond hearing, his attorney, Michael Pizzi, told the Sun-Sentinel. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

“Jeffrey Epstein bill requires Florida judge release grand-jury transcripts, Pam Bondi says” via Milena Malaver of the Miami Herald — The Justice Department is again asking a South Florida judge to unseal grand-jury transcripts from the original federal investigation into Epstein, citing a bill passed this week by Congress directing the U.S. government to release all its case files involving the notorious sex trafficker. “[T]he Department respectfully requests that the Court enter an order allowing the Department to publicly release the grand-jury materials in this case as well as lift any and all pre-existing protective orders that would prevent the Department from complying with the Act,” states the motion, filed Friday with U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg.

“John Rutherford says he missed vote because of wife’s cancer, not politics” via David Bauerlein of The Florida Times-Union — U.S. Rep. Rutherford said House members wrongly criticized him for missing a vote on a censure motion against a Democratic delegate by saying he was supporting his wife as she undergoes lung cancer treatment. “These colleagues could have easily called me to ask why I missed some of the votes this week,” Rutherford wrote in a post on X. “Instead, they trashed my character in the media and denounced me.” Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, rarely posts personal items on social media. An attempt by the House to reprimand Stacey Plaskett, a nonvoting Democratic delegate representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, fell short on a 209-214 vote.

Jared Moskowitz slams delay on Epstein file release — Dragging out the vote to release the Epstein files was a self-inflicted wound, Rep. Moskowitz said on C-SPAN, arguing Republicans created needless suspicion by slow-walking something that should have been handled quickly. He pointed out that the delay “mishandled” the process and invited questions about what lawmakers might be trying to hide. “When you drag things out like this in Washington, people smell a cover-up,” Moskowitz said. Rep. Tim Burchett agreed, comparing the moment to lingering doubts over the JFK assassination records. Both lawmakers said the optics were terrible and that postponing the release only fueled public distrust, regardless of the actual reason for the holdup.

“Alito lets Texas reinstate gerrymandered House map that could give GOP five more seats” via Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney of POLITICO — Texas’ redrawn GOP-friendly congressional districts are back, for now. Justice Samuel Alito temporarily restored the state’s new map — expected to net Republicans up to five seats in the 2026 Midterms — while the Supreme Court weighs a lower court’s decision to toss that map altogether. Alito’s move allowing Texas officials to continue preparing for the Primary Elections under the new map came just after the state asked the Supreme Court for an urgent ruling to revive the redistricting plan adopted at Trump’s urging. The emergency appeal filed Friday evening urged the high court to put a hold on a lower court’s decision Tuesday that found racial considerations likely unconstitutionally tinged the new map.

“FBI’s Kash Patel, Homeland Security’s Kristi Noem attend Las Vegas Grand Prix” via Rory Carroll of Reuters — Patel and Noem were in attendance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, arriving on the red carpet with Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali before touring the paddock and McLaren’s garage. “This is a fantastic event to celebrate not just these drivers and teams but also the great competition F1 is,” Noem told Reuters. “We’re just glad everyone could come and do it securely.” Patel said he was “absolutely” an F1 fan and that he supported McLaren. Asked whether he would switch allegiances when the American team, Cadillac, joins the grid next year, Patel hedged. “I’ll have to see how they do,” he said. Security at major events in Las Vegas has been heightened since a gunman killed 58 people and wounded more than 500 others at a country music festival in 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

— ELECTIONS —

“Paula Stark loses her political committee over unpaid $16,000 fines” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — The state has shut down Rep. Stark’s long-troubled political committee for not paying $16,225 in fines for missing a string of campaign finance deadlines in 2023, records show. The Florida Department of State’s Elections Division sent a Nov. 6 final order to revoke the registration for Friends of Paula. The state could file a complaint in circuit court to fight for the fines and recoup attorney fees, according to an Oct. 22 letter sent to Joel Davis, Stark’s boyfriend, who chairs Friends of Paula. Stark and Davis did not respond to a request for comment on Friday for this story. The political committee, which is operating $10,000 in the red, has reported questionable expenses for years on large restaurant bills and, more recently, $953 at a St. Cloud car mechanic.

“Frank Lago files to succeed Vicki Lopez, lands her endorsement” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Republican businessman Lago has filed to run for House District 113 to succeed Lopez. And Lopez is endorsing Lago as her preferred successor. Lopez, a Republican, was appointed by the Miami-Dade Commission this week to fill the District 5 seat vacated earlier this month by Eileen Higgins, a Democrat. Lopez said serving her community in the Legislature “has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” adding that it is imperative to have “an effective and strong voice for District 113.” “I know and trust Frank Lago to carry the torch forward. Frank will bring the dedication, character, and work ethic that this district demands and deserves,” she said.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Trump-endorsed candidate for Miami Mayor shrugs off Trump’s Zohran Mamdani moment” via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald — On the campaign trail to be elected Miami’s next Mayor, Trump-endorsed candidate Emilio González has warned about what he sees as the creeping scourge of socialism. But one day after Trump shared a moment of glowing praise in the Oval Office with Democratic Socialist New York Mayor-elect Mamdani, González said he wasn’t questioning the President. “Clearly, New York City is an important city and I’m sure the President meets with all sorts of people,” González told the Miami Herald Saturday. “I’ve got my race to concentrate on.”

“Miami-Dade Committee punts hard on Kionee McGhee’s nonprofit slush fund” via Elaine De Valle of Political Cortadito — Miami-Dade’s nonprofit funding battles erupted again this week as Commissioners weighed a proposal to create a new Community-Based Organization Trust Fund, a plan critics say functions as a political slush fund. The idea, pushed by Commissioner McGhee — who has deep personal ties to multiple nonprofits and earns nearly $100,000 annually from one that receives county money — would skim 2% from vendor contracts to fund favored organizations. Budget staff warned the plan would raise only $4–$5 million, far short of the roughly $80 million nonprofits received last year. Commissioners questioned the math, the ethics and the political alliances forming around the plan, including McGhee’s partnership with Commissioner Roberto González. The Committee delayed action, sending the controversy into the next fiscal year and fueling calls for greater scrutiny of Miami-Dade’s nonprofit funding ecosystem.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“‘This is for Marco’: Casino operator says he handed proceeds to Sheriff Lopez’s wife” via Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel — A key player in a multi-county illegal gambling enterprise is expected to testify that he directly handed over an envelope of cash to the estranged wife of former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez in 2022. “This is for Marco,” Krishna Deokaran claims he told Robin Severance-Lopez. The alleged handoff was part of an arrangement in which Lopez was paid in exchange for protecting an unauthorized casino in Kissimmee. Months earlier, Deokaran claims the couple toured the casino around the time of its opening. If true, this latest revelation could complicate the defense of Severance-Lopez, who rejected a plea deal earlier this month after her lawyer claimed a conspiracy case against her linked to the broader racketeering prosecution of her husband rested on a single email sent to her in 2019.

“Democratic battle lines are drawn in Orlando’s District 3 City Council Runoff” via Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel — Orlando’s District 3 runoff has become a high-stakes Proxy fight between the city’s Democratic old guard and its rising progressive wing, with Roger Chapin and Mira Tanna separated by just 14 votes in the first round. Chapin is backed by Mayor Buddy Dyer, Sheriff John Mina, police and fire unions, and former rivals who didn’t make the runoff. Tanna is powered by Rep. Anna Eskamani, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Attorney Monique Worrell and a long list of progressive groups. The nonpartisan district leans heavily Democratic, and both campaigns are flooding neighborhoods with volunteers and mail. Chapin is leaning on establishment experience, while Tanna casts herself as the grassroots alternative. Early voting runs Dec. 1-7; Election Day is Dec. 9.

“One of Roger Chapin’s former opponents is getting paid by him” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — After losing in the Orlando City Council election, Chris Durant posed arm-in-arm with his former opponent Chapin and wholeheartedly endorsed him for next month’s runoff against Mira Tanna. But Durant’s endorsement posted on social media Nov. 9 and Chapin’s new mailer highlighting his friendship with Durant doesn’t tell the whole story. Chapin paid Durant $1,500 on Nov. 10 for “contract labor,” according to Chapin’s campaign finance report. Both Durant and Chapin denied that Durant was compensated for his endorsement. In an interview, Durant described the nature of the $1,500 work as canvassing and offering messaging strategies for Precinct 45 for the Rosemont neighborhood where Durant lives.

“County leaders get candid in discussing getting ‘DOGEd’ by CFO’s office” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Florida CFO Ingoglia’s county spending audits are drawing sharp backlash from local officials, who call them politically driven and misleading. Ingoglia has held news conferences across the state, accusing counties of “waste” as part of a broader push for a 2026 constitutional amendment to cut property taxes. But Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine and Broward Commissioner Steven Geller say the numbers are “fictitious” and unsupported, noting Ingoglia couldn’t cite a single concrete example when pressed. Seminole’s audit followed the county’s first property tax hike in 16 years, prompting officials to publicly dispute Ingoglia’s methodology and accuse him of ignoring state mandates that drive spending. They argue the audits are campaign props, urging other counties to focus on educating voters rather than engaging with Ingoglia’s office.

“Ex-Bethune Cookman University employee accuses school of discriminating against White people” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — The former nursing school Chair at Bethune-Cookman University accused the historically Black university of discrimination and refusing to hire White nursing faculty. Sameh Ghareeb recently sued the school and raised additional allegations about its nursing program after losing his job last year. The Daytona Beach school did not return a message for comment this week. Ghareeb, 45, worked his way up the ranks from assistant professor in 2016 to Chair of the nursing school by the time he was forced out last year, his lawsuit said.

“UCF lays off 65 employees, most tied to ‘shifting federal priorities,’ school says” via Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — The University of Central Florida laid off 57 employees at a renewable energy research center in Brevard County last week after the Trump administration cut federal grants that helped support it. The state’s largest public university also recently laid off six people in its technology department and two at the UCF Arboretum. However, those were not tied to the loss of federal funding. After the cuts, the Florida Solar Energy Center, established in 1975 to advance research, development and education in solar energy, has just seven employees, said Courtney Gilmartin, a spokesperson for UCF. The university laid off employees because of “shifting federal priorities and external funding for traditional energy programs declining sharply,” she said.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Shutdown delays $160M storm recovery program” via Mark Parker of the St. Pete Catalyst — St. Petersburg’s leadership planned to open applications for a $160 million storm recovery program this month. The federally funded initiative became another casualty of the longest government shutdown in U.S. History. Mayor Ken Welch’s final City Hall on Tour event of 2025 highlighted local resources for residents struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season. They also received an update on Sunrise St. Pete. City officials expect to help 98 households rebuild storm-damaged homes, assist 288 with eligible repairs and provide disaster relief reimbursements to an additional 784 once the program begins. Amy Foster, housing and neighborhood services administrator, said they anxiously await a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Police charge two after Muslim students harassed on USF’s Tampa campus” via Lucy Marques of the Tampa Bay Times — Two days after the incident, which was widely shared across social media, local government leaders, faith leaders, and law enforcement gathered at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area to condemn the harassment and support the Muslim students who endured it. USF police announced that they have charged two men, Christopher Svochak, 40, of Waco, Texas, and Richard Penskoski, 49, of Canyon, Oklahoma, with a felony and two misdemeanor charges. The charges include disturbing schools and religious assemblies, disorderly conduct and disrupting school or lawful assembly. The men have no affiliation with USF, according to a news release from university police. The Department is also issuing trespass orders to prevent them from returning to campus.

“Clearwater Council Member seeks AG guidance on Scientology dispute” via Colbi Edmonds of the Tampa Bay Times — A Clearwater City Council member met with Scientology leaders before sending a letter to the state attorney general seeking legal guidance on a land dispute between the city and church. During a meeting on Thursday, City Council member David Allbritton said he sent the letter this week to James Uthmeier seeking clarification on how to proceed with the proposed sale of a stretch of South Garden Avenue in downtown Clearwater. Scientology wants to buy the property from the city for a long-planned event hall.

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“UWF had 84 applicants for president. Manny Diaz is the sole finalist,” via Mary Lett of the Pensacola News Journal — Diaz was named the sole finalist that the University of West Florida Board of Trustees will consider as the institution’s seventh president, the university announced. The university’s current interim president, Diaz, was one of 84 candidates to apply for the position. “After conducting in-person interviews, it quickly became apparent that interim president Diaz possessed a unique combination of experiences and expertise that best positioned him to serve as UWF’s next president,” Zack Smith, Chair of the UWF Presidential Search Committee, said after the announcement was made. Smith declined to say how many of the candidates were semifinalists and interviewed by the university’s 15-member Presidential Search Committee.

“Donna Deegan highlights health care savings, new Riverfront Plaza, and political civility” via Ajay Uppaluri of News4Jax — Mayor Deegan emphasized the success of Jacksonville’s telemedicine program, Health Link Jax, which connects uninsured residents to doctors and reduces costly emergency room visits. “This health Link Jax program… has saved more than $10 million for emergency room visits,” Deegan said. “It has been a wildly successful program.” She explained the program’s benefits for taxpayers, noting that emergency room visits are expensive and the costs “trickle down to people in health care costs.” Deegan expressed frustration over duplicative investigations into the program, stating, “The IG’s Office actually went in and relooked at everything in the procurement process. And it was all perfect.” Turning to community development, Deegan shared her excitement about the upcoming opening of Jacksonville’s new Riverfront Plaza.

“Gulf Breeze residents whose water was contaminated with sewage win $37M” via Tom McLaughlin of the Pensacola News Journal — A Santa Rosa County jury has awarded $37,495,930 to 28 Gulf Breeze residents impacted by what the law firm of Morgan and Morgan has billed the “2021 Midway water crisis.” Filed by Morgan and Morgan on behalf of the homeowners, the lawsuit revolved around events that occurred around the first of April in 2021, when a crew working for Brown Construction at a home listed at 5000 Soundside Drive in Gulf Breeze tapped into Midway Water System’s water main and connected a city sewage line to a freshwater supply line. The case went to trial Oct. 27 after the city of Gulf Breeze and Brown Construction were dismissed as co-defendants, along with Midway Water System.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Billionaire’s mining operation is blasting Collier homes with no relief. It may be about to get a whole lot worse” via Francisco Alvarado of the Florida Trident — On Sept. 14, 2023, in the outskirts of Naples, a chain of timed explosions tore through limestone rock on farm land owned by West Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, rattling nearby homes in Golden Gates Estates to their core. “The house shook like a pirate ship on rough open seas,” recalled Robert Dixon, one of the homeowners affected. “I immediately went out to look at the walls, and I saw cracks.” “It’s absolutely disgusting that our elected county officials are ignoring the very same rules and regulations that they implemented to protect their constituents,” Dixon added. “We go to county officials for help, and they are in bed with the people that you need help fighting against. Nobody cares.”

— TOP OPINION —

“How Florida — yes, Florida — complicates Trump’s Obamacare attacks” via Jonathan Cohn of The Bulwark — Federal officials last week announced convictions in a large-scale scheme that exploited the Affordable Care Act, a case the Trump administration quickly used to bolster its argument that Obamacare invites fraud.

Prosecutors said two men enrolled vulnerable people in ACA plans under false pretenses, collecting millions in commissions while triggering roughly $180 million in federal payments to insurers.

Administration officials seized on the verdict, framing it as evidence that enhanced ACA subsidies fuel systemic abuse. Mehmet Oz, the official overseeing the program, argued that such schemes prove the subsidies need to be overhauled. The claim plays well politically, but it skips over a central truth: fraud isn’t unique to Obamacare. It’s a recurring feature of the broader American health care system, especially in places like Florida, where loose oversight and aggressive marketing make consumers easy prey.

A parallel case in 2024 showed exactly that, involving a telemarketing company selling bare-bones plans to people with serious medical needs who were then left with crushing bills. These were the same kinds of predatory products that proliferated before the ACA barred insurers from excluding people with pre-existing conditions.

If Republicans let ACA subsidies lapse, millions could lose comprehensive coverage and wind up back in those shadow-market plans. That’s the fraud risk no one on the administration side seems eager to discuss.

Even the enrollment-switching scams critics now highlight trace back to Trump-era decisions that loosened safeguards on HealthCare.gov. States that kept tighter controls on their own exchanges haven’t seen the same abuses.

The Biden administration has since tightened verification rules, sharply reducing ACA plan-switch fraud. Congressional proposals exist to go further, but GOP leaders show little interest. Complaining about fraud has become the easier play. Fixing it would require keeping people insured.

— MORE OPINIONS —

Did it? — “The COVID political backlash disappeared” via Lakshya Jain of The Argument — For years, it seemed apparent that Democrats had suffered deep, lasting political damage from their COVID-19 decisions. But fresh polling tells a more complicated story. Five years after the crisis, voters hold nuanced, even conflicted views, and there’s little evidence of a long-term partisan penalty. Both parties are still underwater on pandemic handling, but Democrats fared far better than Republicans. Most Americans say school closures were necessary at the time, even though they wouldn’t support repeating them. The real fallout shows up in eroding trust in public health, rising anti-vaccine sentiment and uncertainty about how to handle a future pandemic. Yet COVID is no longer driving electoral behavior. In fact, Democrats now hold a trust advantage on personal health, and Gavin Newsom is outperforming the party with disengaged voters — proof the old COVID narrative isn’t defining politics anymore.

“Trump’s Neville Chamberlain prize” via Thomas Friedman of The New York Times — President Trump’s proposed Ukraine deal is being blasted as a historic act of appeasement that would hand Vladimir Putin everything he failed to win on the battlefield. Critics warn the plan resembles a modern Munich Agreement, forcing Ukraine to surrender territory, limit its military and accept weak security guarantees while the U.S. demands half the profits from rebuilding a nation that Russia destroyed. Trump’s team negotiated the terms with Putin without involving Ukraine or Europe, then insisted Kyiv accept them by Thanksgiving. The move threatens to stain Trump and his advisers with lasting infamy, signaling to allies that America won’t defend them and to adversaries that aggression pays. This isn’t a negotiated end to a brutal war. It’s capitulation disguised as diplomacy.

“The Epstein story? Count me out.” via David Brooks of The New York Times — America is facing massive challenges, from artificial intelligence to rising authoritarianism, yet political debate has fixated on Epstein. The reason, the piece argues, is the spread of a QAnon mindset that assumes elites are inherently evil and institutions hopelessly corrupt. Epstein’s crimes fuel conspiracy theories that now dominate political discourse, encouraged by figures like Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene and others who weaponize distrust for political gain. Some Democrats have joined in, hoping Epstein chatter will damage Trump, but in doing so risk deepening the cynicism that empowers right-wing populism. The column warns that obsessing over conspiracies while ignoring real national challenges is self-destructive and urges leaders to reject the “Epstein class” narrative before it further corrodes public life.

“‘Schools of Hope’ is just another effort to defund Florida’s public schools” via George Ellis for the Miami Herald — Florida’s “Schools of Hope” program has taken another leap into taxpayer-funded entitlement, now allowed to fill empty seats in district schools at no cost. The comparison is blunt: it’s like moving into a neighbor’s house because the spare bedroom isn’t being used. The move fits a long-running political project to weaken unions, redirect curriculum and library resources, suppress pay and benefits, and slowly hollow out public School Districts. It revives the old Jeb Bush playbook aimed at shifting Florida education into private hands. What’s unfolding is a dismantling of public education in favor of charter operators who treat schooling as a profitable enterprise. In today’s Flori-Duh moment, the free lunch isn’t for students — it’s for the power brokers.

“‘Drain the swamp’? We’re drowning in it. But there’s fresh air locally” via R. Bruce Anderson of The Ledger of Lakeland — Local life offers a rare breather from the national political swamp, where outrage, conspiracy and gridlock drown out meaningful progress. Here at home, the noise fades and the basics still matter: schools working to improve, neighborhoods showing up for one another, community leaders solving problems without the theatrics that define Washington. While the national conversation spirals into culture wars and performative chaos, local government remains one of the few arenas where citizens can still see results and feel connected to something real. Lakeland and Polk County provide that respite, a reminder that despite the dysfunction dominating the country, civic life is rooted in relationships and shared purpose endures. In turbulent times, the path forward may start closest to home.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Meta shares tips for safe holiday online shopping” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — With online holiday shopping expected to surpass $250 billion this season and with Florida leading the nation in fraud and identity theft, Meta is urging Floridians to stay alert. Their guidance includes researching sellers, using payment protection and secure payment methods, and enabling two-factor authentication. It comes as scams surge during the holidays, costing Floridians more than $866 million in losses last year and affecting nearly 90% of U.S. adults. Meta’s tips are designed to help consumers recognize scams, protect themselves, and report suspicious activity.

“Tampa Bay Bucs players and personnel join in Habitat home building for the holidays” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chase a berth in the NFL playoffs this year, the franchise and players pitched in to help provide housing for those in need along the Gulf Coast. Several Buccaneer officials and players put on hard hats and took part in building two new affordable homes as part of Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough. It’s all part of Habitat’s Holiday Home Build with the Bucs. It’s the third year of the charitable effort. Rookie cornerbacks for the Bucs, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, were the first members of the Bucs roster to take part in the building project on Tuesday morning. In the afternoon, Bucs defensive lineman CJ Brewer and offensive lineman Lorenz Mets joined in helping with construction. Those players were eventually joined by Bucs safety Rashad Wisdom and tight end Devin Culp, who continued building well into the afternoon.

“Mattel dipping toe into water parks, starting with Orlando” via DeWayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel — Toy-making giant Mattel Inc. is developing plans that could bring the first retractable-roof water park to Orlando, along with Barbie, Thomas the Tank Engine and Hot Wheels theming. Creative and operational work is underway, led by Orlando-based Martin Aquatic. “It is an opportunity to play with one of the cornerstone brands in Americana,” said Josh Martin, president and creative director. “For the Mattel Wonder projects, we are the creative lead for all the design and layout of storytelling, as well as the aquatic engineer of record, where we do mechanical, electrical, and structural,” Mattel announced this week its intention to create five water parks — dubbed Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks — with Orlando targeted as the first location. Where exactly they will go has not been revealed. “We’re not fully ready to announce what those locations are,” Martin said. That information may be shared as early as next month, he said.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Best wishes to Derek Cooper, Andrew Ketchel, and Todd Thomson.

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