Good Thursday morning.

“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 —

—@Sec_Noem: For months, we’ve been warning politicians and the media to tone down their rhetoric about ICE law enforcement before someone was killed. These horrendous killings must serve as a wake-up call to the far left that their rhetoric about ICE has consequences. Comparing ICE Day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police and slave patrols has consequences. The men and women of ICE are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. They get up every morning to try and make our communities safer. Like everyone else, we just want to go home to our families at night. The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop. We are praying for the victims and their families.

Tweet, tweet:

—@JayCollinsFL: We need someone who will keep Florida STRONG. We need someone who will be a strong partner and ally to President @realDonaldTrump. We need someone who will continue the success of the past 7 years under @GovRonDeSantis. We can’t afford to let Florida slip back to being a purple state.

—@LivCaputo: During a press conference discussing cancer, Surgeon General (Joseph) Ladapo urged Floridians to “reject the normal” and pursue a “righteous” path. “I hope it spreads like all those minor viruses that my critics are afraid of or something.”

—@Big12Conference: Big 12 Beach Volleyball Adds Boise State, Florida State and South Carolina

Tweet, tweet:

— DAYS UNTIL —

Paul Thomas Anderson’s ’One Battle After Another’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio premieres — 1; Special Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 5; Taylor Swift’s new album ’The Life of a Showgirl’ drops — 8; Regular Session Committee Weeks begin — 11; Florida TaxWatch Annual Board Meeting — 11; ’Tron: Ares’ premieres — 15; ‘Six Kings Slam,’ featuring six of men’s tennis’ best players in the world, premieres on Netflix — 20; Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) Fall Board Meeting and Gala begins — 25; NBA returns to NBC, with 2025-2026 season Opening Day tipoffs including the Houston Rockets visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder — 26; ’Mayor of Kingstown’ season four premieres — 31; Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber annual meeting — 32; Miami Beach City Commission Elections — 40; ‘Landman’ season two premieres on Paramount+ — 52; ’Wicked: Part 2’ premieres — 57; ’Stranger Things’ final season premieres — 62; Bears vs. Eagles on Black Friday — 64; Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 69; Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 69; Special General Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 75; ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ premieres — 78; Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 83; ’Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 85; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 91; Legislative Session begins — 110; Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In — 110; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 134; last day of the Regular Session — 169; MLB Opening Night matchup between the Giants and Yankees — 181; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 182; Tampa Bay Rays will play their first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 193; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 202; First Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (Federal) — 207; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 211; F1 Miami begins — 218; ’Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 239; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 250; Second Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (State) — 256; State Qualifying Period ends — 260; FIFA World Cup begins — 259; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 282; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 287; 96th annual MLB All-Star Game — 292; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 294; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 298; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 315; Primary Election 2026: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 317; Primary Election Day 2026 — 327; Yankees host the Mets to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — 351; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 355; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 359; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 364; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 371; General Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote — 375; Early Votion General Election Mandatory period begins — 394; 2026 General Election — 404; ’Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 449; Another untitled ’Star Wars’ movie premieres — 449; Tampa Mayoral Election — 523; Jacksonville First Election — 544; Jacksonville General Election — 600; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 618; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 680; ’The Batman 2’ premieres — 736; ’Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 813; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 1023; U.S. Presidential Election — 1139; ’Avatar 4’ premieres — 1539; ’Avatar 5’ premieres — 2270.

— TOP STORY —

“‘Be the difference maker:’ Ron DeSantis announces $60M in Florida grants for fighting cancer” via Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Gov. DeSantis announced that Florida is now accepting applications for $60 million in grants from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund. Speaking at the University of South Florida, the Governor called on researchers and innovators to apply for the funding, stating that the state can be a “difference maker” in advancing cancer treatment.

This year’s grants will have a specific focus on cancer prevention through nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. The Governor cited a study suggesting 40% of cancer cases are preventable through modifiable factors. First Lady Casey DeSantis added that the goal is to help people understand how diet plays a critical role in achieving better outcomes.

The First Lady, a breast cancer survivor, noted that her personal experience prompted her to question the various factors that contribute to cancer. The state’s consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers was previously renamed in her honor, reflecting her commitment to supporting research and improving patient care throughout Florida.

An example of this research is already underway at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center. There, a behavioral scientist who received a previous grant is studying how shifting meal timing can change tumor biology in women with endometrial cancer, addressing a common question from patients about what they can do to help.

In a separate announcement, the Governor detailed a $30 million investment over the next five years for pediatric cancer research. This funding will be distributed through the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator to four of the state’s leading children’s hospitals to help expand clinical trials and improve treatments.

This year alone, Florida has committed a total of $118 million to cancer research across three different initiatives. The Governor emphasized that the state’s objective is not just to fund projects but to achieve tangible outcomes, including improved treatments and real-world cures for patients across the state.

— STATEWIDE —

“Gov. DeSantis, Joe Ladapo dodge ‘silly’ questions about vaccinating selves, family” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — During a news conference, DeSantis and Surgeon General Ladapo refused to disclose whether they or their children are vaccinated, with Ladapo calling the question a “silly game” by the media. DeSantis, who previously received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot, said he skipped the mRNA booster because he deemed it unnecessary. He claimed public enthusiasm for COVID boosters is now very low, especially for children, because people perceive little benefit. The Governor suggested that a lack of mandates would lead to more voluntary vaccinations. Ladapo, who referred to his critics’ focus as “minor viruses,” dismissed concerns that insurance companies might not cover shots if they are not mandatory for the public.

“Blaise Ingoglia targets Hillsborough County over claims of excessive taxation” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia made his latest stop in Hillsborough County on his ongoing tour, calling out local governments he says are engaging in “wasteful and excessive spending.” Ingoglia was in Hillsborough County a week after he criticized local governments in Orange County and Jacksonville, highlighting what he perceived as superficially high property tax rates. It’s a tour Ingoglia launched as part of the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) oversight of local spending. “The taxpayers of this county should be outraged,” Ingoglia said of Hillsborough’s spending. Using Department of Revenue data, Ingoglia estimated that Hillsborough County is overtaxing residents by $279 million in the planned upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. He added that the Hillsborough County budget has increased by $858.86 million, a 56.6% hike, since 2019.

“Florida Board of Education signs off on a charter school expansion” via The Associated Press — Florida’s Board of Education has approved new rules allowing charter schools, specifically “schools of hope,” to operate inside traditional public school facilities at no cost. This expansion, building on a law signed by DeSantis, requires public school districts to share their underutilized spaces — including classrooms, gyms and cafeterias — and provide services like maintenance and security to the co-located charters. Supporters argue this offers better educational opportunities for students in low-performing areas. However, public school advocates slammed the move as “parasitic,” warning it will drain critical resources from traditional schools. State Board members defended the policy, arguing that such charter programs are necessary because the public school system has failed to support its students.

“James Uthmeier says pharma company ordered to pay Florida $3M in HIV drug kickback lawsuit” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Attorney General Uthmeier announced Wednesday that a multimillion-dollar settlement has been reached with a pharmaceutical company accused of paying kickbacks to health providers involved with a drug used to treat HIV and AIDS patients. The company, Gilead Sciences Inc., was sued by Florida and several other states for allegedly requiring health care providers to promote its drugs in exchange for compensation. The HIV drugs included Stribild, Genvoya, Complera, Odefsey, Descovy and Biktarvy. The lawsuit claimed Gilead Science was providing payments, meals and travel expenses to the health care practitioners who promoted the drugs and spoke at events organized by Gilead between 2011 and 2017.

“Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO — State environmental officials are recommending the Cabinet buy nearly four acres of waterfront property in Destin for more than $80 million as part of a proposed deal inserted into the state budget. The Department of Environmental Protection is recommending the purchase based on the budget language, while including a pair of appraisals submitted by the landowner that set the value compared to a high-rise condominium. The agenda does not refer to any assessment conducted for the Department. The landowner, Pointe Mezzanine and Pointe Resort, purchased the property for nearly $8 million in 2016 and 2017, according to the agenda description of the proposed deal. DeSantis and the Cabinet are scheduled to meet on Tuesday at the Capitol.

“Bill would make a cow dewormer misused as a COVID remedy available over-the-counter” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Legislation filed this week would make a horse- and cow-deworming drug that sold out amid disinformation during the pandemic available in Florida as an over-the-counter treatment for humans. The antiparasitic drug ivermectin has limited uses in humans, including river blindness, intestinal infections caused by threadworms, and other types of worm infections. It can also be used topically to treat external parasites, such as lice, and for skin conditions like rosacea, according to the FDA, which has not approved it for the treatment of COVID. Rep. Jeff Holcomb filed a bill (HB 29) that would allow ivermectin to be legally sold and purchased without a prescription or consultation with a health care provider.

Gayle Harrell re-files ‘step therapy’ bill for 2026 — Sen. Harrell has filed legislation (SB 70) for the 2026 Session that would create more exceptions to “step therapy” requirements for Florida Medicaid beneficiaries. Step therapy — also known as “fail first” — requires beneficiaries to attempt to manage psychiatric conditions with lower-cost medications before they are granted access to higher-cost drugs. Advocates for step therapy exceptions argue that the current rules prevent physicians from prescribing the medication they believe would provide the most effective treatment to patients. Editing the rules comes with a hefty price tag; however, staff analysis estimates the 2025 version of the bill (SB 264) would’ve spiked Medicaid costs by as much as $50 million a year.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“The economy was a strength for Donald Trump in his first term. Not anymore, according to recent polling” via Linley Sanders of The Associated Press — Trump’s second-term strengths look different from his first. Once strengthened by economic issues, Trump’s approval rating has now declined on the economy and he’s leaning on his stronger issues of crime, border security, and immigration. Concerns about the economy and immigration helped propel him to the White House, but polling over the past year shows that Americans’ faith in the Republican President’s handling of the economy is low, particularly among independents, and his approval on immigration has fallen slightly. Now, Trump’s strongest issues are border security and crime, but there were signs of potential weakness on crime in the most recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

“Ashley Moody applauds Senate for approving bill to stop government payments to dead people” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The U.S. Senate has passed the “Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act,” a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Moody. Now heading to the House, the legislation permanently requires the Treasury Department and Social Security Administration to share data to stop sending government benefits to deceased individuals. Moody and the bill’s author, Sen. John Kennedy, praised the measure as a common sense way to eliminate government waste, fraud and abuse, with Kennedy calling the existing payments an “insult to taxpayers.” While this data sharing has been required for the past three years, the act makes the practice permanent. The bill awaits a final vote in the House before it can be sent to the President.

“As Cuba laments ‘blockade,’ South Florida Republicans support continued sanctions” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Florida’s congressional delegation is reaffirming its support for a strict embargo against Cuba, dismissing the regime’s claims of a “blockade” as misinformation. Led by Cuban American members like Reps. María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, and Mario Díaz-Balart argue that the policy denies resources to an oppressive dictatorship and stands with the Cuban people’s fight for freedom. The renewed pushback follows a Cuban ambassador’s condemnation of the embargo at the U.N. and a state-run media campaign. The U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, echoed the sentiment, asserting that the “murderous dictatorship must be destroyed” and that the regime fears free elections, not U.S. sanctions, which they believe are nearing their goal of ending the communist rule.

“Conservative groups urge Congress to pass María Elvira Salazar’s immigration bill” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald — A coalition of conservative Hispanic influencers and political groups, including the Libre Initiative and Christian Family Coalition, gathered in Miami Tuesday to rally support for Rep. Salazar’s bipartisan Dignity Act. The bill, which has yet to receive a Committee hearing, would allow undocumented immigrants who arrived before 2021 without a criminal record to earn legal status through work and financial restitution. Supporters stressed the measure is not “amnesty” but a merit-based solution that also funds border security and expedites asylum cases. Salazar expressed hope that Trump would ultimately support the bill, which she believes is crucial for Florida’s estimated 1.6 million undocumented immigrants and the nation’s immigration system.

— ELECTIONS —

“‘She has stood with workers’: Eileen Higgins notches support from construction labor union” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — A collective bargaining organization that represents construction and craft workers across South Florida is getting behind Miami-Dade County Commissioner Higgins for Mayor. LiUNA Local 1652 — a local affiliate of the Florida AFL-CIO whose members come from Miami-Dade County, Broward County, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers — has endorsed Higgins to succeed Mayor Francis Suarez. The group cited Higgins’ record of supporting labor interests, affordable housing construction and job-creating infrastructure investments as key to earning its support. “Eileen Higgins has always understood that investing in infrastructure means investing in good jobs and strong communities,” LiUNA Local 1652 business manager Miguel Aragon said.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“More than half of Miamians can barely make ends meet, new report finds” via Max Klaver of the Miami Herald — Shirley Phinzee blinked wearily under the fluorescent lights of a Miami Wendy’s. She had slept in her car the night before, as she has nearly every night since January. Phinzee is 63, and for the first time in her life, she is homeless. Phinzee, like more than half of Miami-Dade residents, is what United Way considers ALICE — asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. They’re people who work, often earning too much to qualify for state assistance, but effectively live paycheck to paycheck. There are 527,469 such households in the county, according to a recent report by United Way Miami. That’s 54% of Miami-Dade households — a 40,000-household increase since 2023 — and the highest rate of Florida’s larger metropolitan areas.

“Boca Raton voters will consider funding a new city police station on the March ballot” via Abigail Hasebroock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Boca Raton could get a new police station if voters approve a March 2026 ballot referendum question that would allow city officials to spend the money to do so. The proposed police station could be built along Broken Sound Boulevard between the Spanish River Library and the Boca Raton Innovation Campus. The city’s current police station is at 100 NW Boca Raton Blvd., just south of the Brightline station. Though city staff presented a location to the City Council, the referendum question only involves the financing of the project, which, if approved, would come from $175 million of bond funds.

“Boynton Beach will annex 2 neighboring communities” via Elisabeth Gaffney for the Palm Beach Post — Boynton Beach Commissioners have unanimously voted to annex two residential areas as part of a larger effort to bring unincorporated neighborhoods into the city — a move that has some residents concerned about property taxes, utility fees and other potential impacts. The two communities — Bamboo Lane and Palmyra — are among 38 the city proposed to annex last year. Ultimately, Boynton Beach could eventually absorb more than 50 communities to its west, stretching its boundary from Congress Avenue to beyond Military Trail. That would add 4,500 acres to the city, more than triple what was being considered in Palm Beach Gardens more than a year ago.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Orlando’s Rosen Hotels & Resorts CEO backs new tax on hotels” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — For years, I’ve argued that Orange County should start using some of the piles of hotel taxes it collects each year on much-needed roads, buses and public safety — instead of pouring most all of it into never-ending expansions to the convention center and more tourism promotion efforts. Yet Central Florida’s tourism lobby has always vehemently disagreed. Now that appears to be changing. Frank Santos, the new CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts — the largest independent hotel chain in the state — says he’s backing a proposal to raise Orange County’s 6% tax on hotel rooms by 1 to 4 percentage points to pay for sorely needed transit and transportation projects. “We have some serious issues in this community,” Santos said this week. “And our visitors could help us address some of them.”

“Brevard School Board members lambaste teacher union for support of ousted teacher” via Finch Walker of Florida Today — Support from Brevard’s teacher union for an ousted educator — and criticism of Superintendent Mark Rendell’s decision not to rehire her — prompted blowback from School Board members at a meeting in Viera. Terse back-and-forth exchanges between the president of the Brevard Federation of Teachers, the public, and the Board took place during a meeting following a rally in support of former Satellite High School AP English Literature teacher Melissa Calhoun. The veteran educator’s contract wasn’t renewed in April over her use of a then-17-year-old student’s chosen name without parental permission. Anthony Colucci, president of Brevard Federation of Teachers, was the first to speak, castigating Rendell for opting not to rehire Calhoun.

“Lakeland warehouse appears quiet even after company receives $132 million from state” via Gary White of The Ledger of Lakeland — Despite receiving over $132 million in state payments since 2021, a Lakeland warehouse built by LifeScience Logistics for Florida’s Canadian drug importation program appears largely inactive. The Texas-based company secured a no-bid contract to manage the program, which was championed by DeSantis and gained federal approval in January 2024. However, the state has yet to submit a required pre-import request to the and the facility remains quiet. State records show continuous, substantial payments to LifeScience Logistics, mainly from the Agency for Health Care Administration, for “medical supplies” and “construction services.” The company, a significant donor to Republican causes, has not commented on the program’s status or the purpose of the ongoing state funds.

“Port Canaveral budget forecasts 9 million passengers for record year” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel — Port Canaveral is set to bathe in the spoils of another record year of cruise traffic, with a fiscal budget for 2026 projected to hit nearly $240 million in operating revenue. More than $200 million of that is from cruise-related income, projected from a record 9 million passenger movements, which includes both on- and off-ship passengers, as well as a parking fee increase from $17 to $20. Overall operating revenue is projected to reach $237.4 million, with operating expenses expected to total $159.2 million, resulting in an operating income of $78.2 million. After nonoperating revenue and costs, the port would end the year with a net position of $72.1 million. “Keep in mind, every dollar that we make here at the port is reinvested back into the port in projects, infrastructure, etc.,” said port chief financial officer Jeff Long.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Here’s how Florida property tax reform might affect the region” via Logan Dragone and Breanne Williams of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — Florida’s push for property tax reform is gaining momentum, with lawmakers preparing a constitutional amendment that could significantly alter homestead exemptions, tax rates and local government revenue streams. DeSantis has called for the elimination of property taxes, but the Florida House is taking a more moderate approach. Legislators are working on a proposal for the 2026 ballot that would overhaul — rather than abolish — the state’s property tax system.

“Nick DiCeglie again mulls moving municipal elections, boosting turnout” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Sen. DiCeglie is considering filing a bill that would move municipal elections in Pinellas County to the same day as General Elections. Speaking during a Pinellas County legislative delegation meeting, DiCeglie offered few details of his potential bill. But he compared it to a bill he filed last year (SB 1416) that would have applied statewide. That legislation would have required municipalities to hold elections concurrently with the General Election and, where applicable in areas with Runoff Elections, to hold the first election on the same date as the Primary. The measure died in Committee during the 2025 Legislative Session. If filed, DiCeglie’s new local bill would apply only to Pinellas County and be heard in the 2026 Legislative Session.

“Pinellas Commissioners question disaster recovery contract before approval” via Brittany Muller of WFLA — Pinellas County Commissioners approved a $565 million contract with Mississippi-based Horne LLP to manage $813 million in federal disaster recovery funds, despite significant concerns about the firm’s past. Commissioners questioned Horne’s 2023 $1.2 million settlement with the Justice Department over improper federal disaster grant payments in West Virginia and a reported $42 million recall of COVID relief money in 2022. While county officials offered reassurances, the County Clerk clarified that his office only gathered information, not performed an audit. Residents like Brenda Tucker, facing home demolition mandates after storm damage, eagerly await the programs slated to roll out in October, hoping the funds will provide much-needed assistance for their communities.

“‘Sawtooth’ Pinellas beach renourishment could leave some homes at risk” via Lizzy Alspach for the Tampa Bay Times — Lynn Timberlake used to kick her feet in the waves from a seawall behind her Indian Rocks Beach home. Now, she watches sea turtle nests emerge in the sand between the wall and the water, the sea oats that sprout from it and a heron that tries to snatch snacks from anglers on the shore. That’s a result of beach renourishment that takes place every several years in Pinellas County. This month, renourishment started along some of Pinellas’ most severely eroded beaches on Sand Key, including Timberlake’s Indian Rocks Beach. But the outcome promises to look a little different this go around.

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“After marathon meeting, Jacksonville City Council approves budget at 4 a.m.” via David Bauerlein of The Florida Times-Union — At the end of a meeting that clocked in at more than 13 hours, the Jacksonville City Council approved the 2025-26 budget. It averted a financial crisis if it had failed to pass a budget during the marathon session. The meeting started at 3 p.m. and lasted until 4:25 a.m. the next morning, as Council members squared off over a controversial budget amendment that some called a “poison pill.” Members of the public filled Council chambers and spilled over to another City Hall meeting room, where they followed the Council’s actions on a televised simulcast. Supporters of Mayor Donna Deegan’s budget rallied on the steps of City Hall.

“Kat Cammack replaces flags stolen from Newberry Veterans Memorial” via Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Cammack joined city leaders in Newberry to replace American and military branch flags stolen from the town’s new veterans memorial last month. Calling the original theft “outrageous,” Cammack presented high-quality replacement flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol. The new memorial, which opened in May after two years of planning, was desecrated when the flags were taken just three months after its dedication. Local officials, including City Commissioner and Marine veteran Mark Clark, who spearheaded the project, expressed gratitude for Cammack’s quick action in restoring dignity to the site. The new flags now fly as symbols of the “courage and service of our nation’s heroes.”

“Florida Education Board’s frustration with Alachua reaches ‘crisis level’” via Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO — The Florida Board of Education has intensified its scrutiny of the Alachua County School Board, declaring its “failure in leadership” has reached a “crisis level.” State officials cited several new issues, including a “lack of decorum” at local meetings, failure to submit safety data, and a social media post by Vice Chair Tina Certain criticizing the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas labeled Certain’s comments “vile,” particularly after the state issued warnings against such remarks. While Certain refuses to resign, the state Board has summoned local members to a November hearing, threatening sanctions and exploring further options to address what it calls a dysfunctional Board that is failing its students and community.

“D.C. Reeves and Alex Andrade aren’t speaking. Will it hurt Pensacola?” via Jim Little of the Pensacola News Journal — Pensacola Mayor Reeves and Rep. Andrade appear to be at odds over the handling of the city’s requests from Tallahassee, as the two have not communicated directly since early 2025. Andrade is calling for the City Council to exercise more oversight over the city’s lobbying efforts. At the same time, the Reeves administration ignored Andrade altogether when it sent out its legislative request to the local delegation earlier this month. Now, the legislators are preparing to return to Tallahassee and the three-member Escambia County legislative delegation has issued its annual call for local priorities. The delegation also held a local meeting in Molino to hear from organizations and individuals about the upcoming Session.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Free speech questions, rallies emerge in Lee teacher probe over Charlie Kirk comments” via Mickenzie Hannon of the Fort Myers News-Press — Local groups are planning rallies to defend teachers’ free speech rights following an investigation into teachers at three Lee County schools who posted on social media about the assassination of conservative activist Kirk. The investigations come amid statewide scrutiny over the balance between educators’ free speech rights and their professional responsibilities. The School District of Lee County confirmed that the teachers under investigation work at the following schools: Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers, Diplomat Elementary School in Cape Coral and Lemuel Teal Middle School in Lehigh Acres. As of Sept. 12, the teachers remain employed, and no disciplinary action has been taken.

“Another Sarasota Schools employee under review for Kirk posts” via Melissa Pérez-Carrillo of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Another Sarasota County School District employee is being investigated for posts related to the killing of conservative activist Kirk. Sarasota joins several other Florida districts that are reviewing similar comments made by educators. Rex Ingerick, president of the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association, stated that the union has since sent an email to employees, asking them to be vigilant about their social media sites and refrain from posting any information related to political issues. Ingerick noted that the current definition of political issues is very vague and broad. As of Sept. 23, six employees are being investigated, but Barry Dubin, Executive Director of the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association, told the Herald-Tribune that number might increase.

“Collier County to address visitor drop, help fill hotel rooms” via Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News — Collier leaders have approved a $5 million boost for tourism advertising to address a softening market. The Collier County Commission greenlighted $5 million in supplemental funding requested from the county’s Tourist Development Council for Fiscal Year 2026 for advertising. That’s on top of $6 million, which is the annual base budget for tourism-related advertising since 2019. The Board vote was 4 to 1, with Commissioner Chris Hall casting the dissenting vote. He said it is not the county’s job to help fill the 1,000 new hotel beds that have come online in the last year or so, and 600 more beds are expected to come soon.

— TOP OPINION —

“The end of thinking” via Derek Thompson of The Argument — Top AI executives are offering a troubling prediction: we have about 18 months before artificial intelligence fundamentally takes over the economy, wiping out white-collar jobs and leaving humans in the dust. I do not like this prediction, not just because it’s no fun to imagine my own worthlessness, but because this vision of a secular Rapture misses the far more significant crisis happening right now.

My chief concern isn’t about the rise of tomorrow’s thinking machines, but rather the decline of today’s thinking people. Long before software is ready to steal their jobs, young people are already degrading their own cognitive capabilities by outsourcing their minds to machines. We are preparing for the alleged arrival of a super-brain by effectively lobotomizing ourselves.

We are witnessing the end of writing and the end of reading. With large language models, students are cheating their way through school, emerging from universities essentially illiterate. This matters profoundly because writing is not a secondary act that happens after thinking; the act of writing is, in fact, an act of thinking. When we let AI write for us, our screens fill with words while our minds empty of thought.

This crisis is compounded by plummeting reading skills, with national scores hitting a 32-year low. Reading and writing are the twin pillars of deep thinking — the very “serum” that grants us the superpower of symbolic logic that the modern economy prizes. AI is just the latest heavyweight to enter the prize fight against our ability to truly think, a fight that began with television and was accelerated by the internet and smartphones.

If we fail to resist this trend, the future isn’t a grand, cinematic apocalypse. It is a quiet slide into a post-literate society. Leisure time will rise, screen time will fill that leisure and AI-generated content will fill our screens. The greatest tragedy is that we will have lost the wisdom even to feel nostalgia for the cognitive abilities that have slipped away.

But there is time to resist. The solution is to value the skill of deep thinking itself, an ability that, like a muscle, benefits from “time under tension.” We must learn to sit patiently with difficult ideas. The sensational stories about rising “thinking machines” are a dangerous distraction from the real cognitive challenge of our time: the decline of thinking people.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“The future on the ‘Highest of Seven Hills’ never looked brighter” via Byron Donalds for Florida Politics — Florida A&M University holds a special place in my heart, and its current success is deeply connected to historic action by Trump. While the media ignores it, Trump delivered the strongest federal commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in history. Most significantly, he signed legislation that eliminated $1.34 billion in HBCU debt nationwide, forgiving nearly $112 million for FAMU alone. This freed up millions in annual payments for scholarships, labs, and student services. His administration also secured permanent annual funding for HBCUs, provided direct White House access, and expanded grants. Combined with strong state support, this real partnership has positioned FAMU to thrive for generations, and the future on the “Highest of Seven Hills” has never looked brighter.

“Trump Library next to Miami’s Freedom Tower? The irony is hard to miss” via the Miami Herald editorial board — Plans to build Trump’s presidential library next to Miami’s Freedom Tower are sparking intense debate. The proposed location is seen by critics as a “twisted symbolism” given the tower’s history as an immigration processing center for Cuban refugees, contrasting sharply with Trump’s hardline immigration policies and mass deportation plans. Additionally, the tower’s past as a newspaper headquarters clashes with Trump’s attacks on the press. The deal, rapidly pushed through Miami-Dade College’s Board and the state Cabinet with little public notice, involves prime public land. While supporters celebrate the library as a prestigious addition to Miami that will boost tourism, opponents view its placement as an affront to the city’s immigrant-built identity and democratic values.

“USF makes gutless Hall of Shame decision by honoring Jim Leavitt without mentioning his name” via Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel — The University of South Florida is inducting founding football coach Leavitt into its Hall of Fame, but is barring him from the ceremony and won’t announce his name. The author condemns this as a “gutless” decision, stemming from Leavitt’s 2010 firing for allegedly striking a player, Joel Miller, who later died tragically. This controversial move is seen as a cowardly attempt to honor Leavitt’s legacy while hiding him to avoid backlash from critics and Miller’s family. The author argues that this “half-measure” pleases no one, angering both supporters and detractors, and that USF should have either fully celebrated Leavitt or rescinded the honor entirely, rather than creating a “limbo of shame.”

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Realtors net 13.5 tons of trash, oddities” — What happens when you bring nearly 1,200 Florida Realtors members and volunteers together to clean up the state’s waterways? You get 13.525 tons of trash. For a visual, think of a trash heap the size of two adult male African elephants or a fully loaded school bus. Indeed, the members and volunteers who stepped up for the 2025 Clean Up Florida Water Campaign most certainly got the job done. The 1,197 participants covered 218 miles of waterways across the state during the 134 planned events. “Realtors know that our beautiful beaches and outstanding waterways are one of the major reasons so many people love to live in — and visit — the Sunshine State,” said 2025 Florida Realtors® President Tim Weisheyer.  “We know every one of us can make a difference. Working together, we can help preserve our waterways so that everyone can enjoy them now and for future generations.”

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Celebrating today are U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. Michele Rayner, Teye Carmichael of Smith Bryan & Myers, Travis Mitchell, Tara Reid of The Trianon Group and Nancy Riley.

___

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

Post Views: 0