Takeaways from Tallahassee — All pets go to heaven

Come on up — crawl, slither, or even hop — for a moment the whole family will cherish. Even the family pet.

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd is inviting the whole Tallahassee community to bring their animal friends to Mission San Luis, the beautifully reconstructed 17th-century Spanish and Apalachee living history museum managed by the Florida Department of State, for the 22nd annual Blessing of Animals.

All pets on leashes or in carriers are welcome from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is free.

“The Department is pleased to host this pet-friendly event each Fall on the grounds of Mission San Luis. Held in a reconstructed 17th-century Spanish church, this event is a long-running Tallahassee tradition that honors the site’s unique story and its place in Florida history,” said Byrd.

The blessing of the animals occurs near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order and the patron saint of animals, who believed that all animals should be treated with dignity and respect. After all, they are God’s creatures too, and in the creation story, they were created on days five and six.

You’ve probably seen him in a book or at a museum, as St. Francis is one of the most venerated figures in Christianity. In art, he is often shown with animals, wearing a brown habit with a rope tied around his waist. The rope’s three knots symbolize poverty, chastity, and obedience.

St. Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228, so yeah, he’s been around for a minute.

Families who make their way down to Mission San Luis today will have their pets blessed by local clergy members in a reconstructed 17th-century church built on the very site where the original church stood more than 300 years ago.

Participants will receive certificates and online photos of the blessing and their pets as a memento. If they walk around the property, they will find themed photo stations for more opportunities to take special photos with their pets. Animal organizations will also be on site, sharing information on the important work they do to support animals in Tallahassee and the surrounding communities and accepting donations of pet food and supplies for animal shelters.

It’s not just blessings and holy water: The event will be fun for the kiddos, featuring pet-themed crafts and, of course, the staple living-history interpreters stationed around the Mission to answer questions about the area’s history. And if you get a little peckish during all the animal fun, food vendors E’s Weenies and The Copper Drip will have food and drinks available for guests to purchase.

The event is being put on by Friends of Florida History, Inc., the Mission’s citizen support organization, and by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

All guests are asked to use the entrance at 2021 Mission Road as construction is occurring at the site.

For more questions or information, visit MissionSanLuis.org or call (850) 245-6406 — and prepare to be bow wow WOWed.

___

Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida’s capital city by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Drew Dixon, Liam Fineout and the staff of Florida Politics.

But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:

— Take 5 —

War on terror? — The Florida Cabinet has approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa as terror groups under a new state law. More than 90 federally designated foreign terrorist organizations will also be on that state list, including the Sinaloa, Noreste, and Golfo cartels, Tren de Aragua and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The designations carry the full force of state law 30 days after publication, though at least one legal controversy remains: CAIR is already challenging the designation in court, alleging violations of the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution. HB 1471 created the authority for a formal designation process through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which recommended the designations ahead of the Cabinet’s meeting Tuesday.

Overstep — U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz threw out a charge against Chelsea Michelle Ann Cox, a Florida resident accused of voting despite lacking U.S. citizenship. In a 31-page opinion, Leibowitz concluded that a federal prohibition on non-citizens voting couldn’t support Cox’s prosecution because the U.S. Constitution generally leaves voter eligibility to the states. Prosecutors accused Cox of knowingly voting in Broward County on Oct. 29, 2020. They filed a misdemeanor charge against her five years later. Cox is Jamaican, according to Reuters, and allegedly overstayed a tourist visa, using a fraudulent U.S. Virgin Islands birth certificate to obtain identification and register to vote. The case hinged on a 1996 federal law that generally bars noncitizens from voting in elections involving federal offices.

Billions, with an S — Gov. DeSantis visited Miami for an event highlighting a new Florida campus for Carnegie Mellon University, one of the nation’s pre-eminent research institutions. Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin has donated $2 billion to jump-start the satellite campus in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Griffin is donating another $1 billion to bolster the school’s operations in Pittsburgh, where the computer-science arm will be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science. The Miami facility will focus on subjects ranging from biological discovery to national security, along with what a press release calls “energy and climate resilience,” and “advanced manufacturing and industrial transformation.”

Higher caps … — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds pledges to review Florida’s sovereign immunity caps if elected Governor in November, potentially revising a threshold last set in 2010. In cases of government negligence, limits currently restrict what local governments can be forced to pay out. Those figures are $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. Even reviewing the issue represents a meaningful break with DeSantis. Earlier this year, DeSantis vetoed a measure (HB 145) sponsored by a key Donalds ally, Rep. Fiona McFarland of Sarasota, which would have increased the caps to $350,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. Those numbers were lowered in bicameral negotiations to pass the bill, but they weren’t enough for DeSantis. He argued at the time that the current system “disincentivizes frivolous lawsuits.”

Or lower ones? — Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly says if he’s elected, he’s going to ensure that insurance companies can’t move profits out of Florida while imposing higher rates on policyholders. The money is significant, according to Jolly’s campaign and reporting. Between 2017 and 2019, property insurance companies booked $1.3 billion in affiliate net income, while claiming $432 million in losses in the Florida market. Jolly says he’d be willing to cap transfers to related companies at 20%, mirroring legislation championed by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith that stalled in the Legislature, even as a companion bill requiring proof every three years that affiliate fees were “fair and reasonable” passed the House.

— Add to your lane —

On Tuesday, DeSantis made his way down to Orlando to highlight the more than $20 billion in investments to revitalize Florida’s Turnpike, which has expanded capacity along the entire 320-mile mainline from South Florida through Central Florida to I-75 in Wildwood.

DeSantis also announced about $8.5 million for new food concepts, amenities, and customer services at Turnpike service plazas across the state, plus nearly $54 million to expand and improve truck parking across the system.

“As Florida has grown, we have made major investments in our transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve our roadways,” DeSantis said.

“We’ve made significant investments in expanding lane capacity to relieve congestion all along the Turnpike. Today, I announced an additional investment to improve 19 restaurants and retail locations across six Turnpike service plazas. We will keep working to ensure that our roadways are safer, more convenient, and better-maintained than ever before.”

FDOT’s transformational plan includes widening the entire 320-mile Turnpike Mainline from South Florida to I-75 in Wildwood. Every section of the Mainline across the state will be expanded to six or more lanes. Once it’s complete, the improvements will add more than 965 lane miles of capacity to help reduce congestion.

On paper, that gives families and drivers less time in traffic on the way to Disney World.

“Transportation plays a direct role in the quality of life of Floridians, connecting people to jobs, opportunities, and the communities they call home. The Turnpike System is a vital part of this, which is why we’ve made significant investments to continue expanding the Mainline,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue.

Ongoing Turnpike Mainline improvements also include the widening from State Road (S.R.) 50 in Clermont to Hancock Road in Minneola, completed in June 2026, and the widening from the Dolphin Expressway (S.R. 836) to N.W. 106th Street in Miami-Dade County, completed in February 2024. The next section from N.W. 106th Street to I-75 recently opened to traffic.

— Double whammy —

Gov. DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have announced the arrests of 20 people for election fraud.

Uthmeier said the busts resulted from investigations by the Office of Election Crimes and Security and the Election Integrity Unit. Most of the arrests involved foreign nationals, but about one-fifth of them were felons who were stripped of their voting rights upon conviction of crimes.

Uthmeier said a dozen of the suspects have already been arrested. Officials are rounding up the remaining suspects.

“If you’re going to cheat, we’re going to get you,” Uthmeier said, noting that most lied on registration forms and then voted. Both are felonies.

“I view these elections crimes among the most dangerous in our country,” Uthmeier said. “It challenges our American sovereignty.”

DeSantis used the news conference at Palm Beach State College to promote election reforms in Florida since the 2000 debacle. That’s when the entire Presidential Election came down to several hundred votes in Palm Beach County after audits and recounts found multiple problems with ballots and vote counting.

“Florida has done more than any other state in the country to ensure the integrity of elections; it’s not even close,” DeSantis said. “We’ve come a long way in Florida … and I know in 2000 nobody would have predicted that.”

DeSantis said the Office of Election Crimes and Security was a key development in the evolution of election integrity when it was established in 2022. More than 100 voter fraud prosecutions have occurred since that office was founded.

DeSantis acknowledged that some people are skeptical about the breadth of voter fraud in Florida. But he insisted it’s a serious issue.

“I know there are other states in the country that allow violations of the law,” DeSantis said. “We believe this matters.”

— Wheels on the bus —

Attorney General Uthmeier has opened an investigation into the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).

Uthmeier’s prosecutors issued a subpoena to interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson for records related to tuition reimbursements and internal management communications, according to a Florida Times-Union report.

The probe comes after JTA laid off 194 employees to address a $39 million budget shortfall.

Ferguson has told the JTA Board of Directors that Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is seeking documents spanning Oct. 1, 2023, through Oct. 21, 2025, with additional requests extending into 2026, the Times-Union reported.

Investigators are also examining JTA’s relationship with a development firm that does business with the agency, including connections between outgoing CEO Nat Ford, his spouse and the firm.

Jacksonville City Council Member Rory Diamond raised concerns about the probe on social media Tuesday.

“Now JTA (is) hit with criminal subpoenas,” Diamond wrote on Facebook. “The taxpayers, riders, and the decent people fired by JTA last week deserve answers and accountability. We’ve got to do better than this.”

JTA told Florida Politics the agency is responding appropriately to the probe.

“The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has received a subpoena from the State Attorney General’s Office and is prepared to fully cooperate. The JTA remains committed to transparency and accountability and will provide information as requested throughout this process,” a JTA spokesperson said.

The subpoena adds to a turbulent stretch for JTA. Beyond the September layoffs, the agency is pausing its Skyway elevated people mover Nov. 2, and its autonomous NAVI vehicle service Dec. 31. JTA is also restructuring bus routes citywide, including changes to the First Coast Flyer rapid transit system, with some routes shifting from 30-minute to hourly frequencies.

— Made lands —

Welcome to the family.

This week, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced that Gov. DeSantis and the Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved preserving more than 4,500 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program prevents future development on the property and allows agricultural operations to continue as normal.

This, in turn, contributes to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other natural resources.

“The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program gives us the most effective and cost-efficient way to preserve our natural lands while also supporting our farmers and ranchers,” Simpson said.

“By permanently protecting working agricultural lands while keeping them in private ownership, we’re protecting Florida’s food supply and our rural way of life without taking the land off the tax rolls or creating new costs for the state. This is what smart conservation looks like, and it’s why this program is the best tool we have to protect Florida’s agricultural lands. I’m grateful to Gov. DeSantis and my fellow members of the Florida Cabinet for continuing to support this mission.”

Since its creation, the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 251,000 acres of working agricultural land, including 186,000 acres preserved during Simpson’s administration.

The lucky group of ranches and farms includes Blandford Farm & Ranch, an approximately 349-acre sod and hay farm in Lake County (preserved for $7,500,000), Encore Farms, a 194-acre horse and cattle operation in Lake County (preserved for $5,436,000), Fair Bluff Ranch, roughly a 618-acre cattle ranch in Martin County (preserved for $6,200,000), Leonard Property, around a 219-acre cattle ranch in Martin County (preserved for $20,150,000), Turnpike Dairy, an approximately 498-acre cattle operation in Martin County (preserved for $7,480,000), Limestone Creek, a 1,034-acre cattle ranch in Hardee County (preserved for $6,520,000), and the Stokes Farm, a 1,586-acre timber operation in Columbia County (preserved for $5,562,000).

— Crop of talent —

This Thursday, in recognition of National Farm to School Month, Agriculture Commissioner Simpson invited all Florida students to participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ annual “Florida Farm to School Essay Contest” and the brand-new “Florida Farm to School Art Contest.”

The contests are open from Oct. 1 through Nov. 16 and invite middle and high school students to actively explore how agriculture connects to their own schools, communities, and everyday activities.

“Each year, Farm to School Month gives students a chance to develop a deeper appreciation for the hard-working farmers and ranchers who help our state thrive. These contests challenge students to think about the importance of Florida-grown foods and the vital role agriculture plays in their schools and communities,” Simpson said.

High schoolers who enter the Farm to School Essay Contest will be competing for up to $3,000 toward college and middle school students will be competing for fame and glory — aka the opportunity to have their artwork featured on official 2027 “Farm to School Month” campaign material with the new Farm to School Art Contest.

The essay contest is open to students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in public, private, charter, virtual and home-school programs. This year’s theme asks students to imagine themselves as farmers in their own community, exploring what they would grow, how their farm would connect with their neighbors, and how it would support local schools and students. Prizes include the Florida Investment 529 Plan: $3,000 (first place), $2,000 (second place), and $1,000 (third place); publication of the first-place essay in a Florida agricultural publication; and recognition at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference (travel stipend).

For the art competition, Florida students in grades six through eight enrolled in public, private, charter, virtual, and home-school programs are asked to create an original piece of 2D artwork (NO AI!) celebrating Florida agriculture and its connection to their schools and communities. In practice, that might look like locally grown food or the farmers and ranchers who make it happen, school meals, and gardens — school or your own.

The first-place winner will have their artwork featured on official 2027 Florida Farm to School Month campaign materials and be recognized at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference (travel stipend). Honorable mentions in the art competition will have their work featured across digital channels, including the Farm to School website and the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness social media channels.

For both contests, students may submit only one entry through FarmToSchoolFL.com/Contests during the official window.

Good luck!

— Family affair —

Mess with the cow, you get the udders.

This week, CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced seven additional arrests after a $1.7 million scheme to defraud the state.

Briana McCarthy, a former state employee arrested in February by the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID), processed fraudulent claims for several family members and acquaintances totaling more than $1.7 million.

Since then, investigators have made 30 arrests in this case, including 14 former state employees.

“Defrauding the state and abusing taxpayer dollars is dead on arrival in Florida. As my investigators continue to pull the threads on this scheme, there is no safe haven for these criminals and every person involved will be brought to justice. We have already made arrests of more than 30 individuals in this case, and we will not stop until justice is served,” said CFO Ingoglia.

D’Andrea Campbell-Frison, Deidra Campbell, Khadijah Campbell and Mona Wood could face up to 10 years in prison. Tyler Frison and Jennifer Young could face up to 15 years in prison.

Each of these individuals was arrested and booked into the Leon County Jail on Aug. 19.

Additionally, Jacoby Wood has been charged with grand theft, cashing an item with intent to defraud, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. He was booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 21.

A video about the arrests was released on the CFO’s social media accounts and is available to watch here.

— Instagram of the week —

— New IDs —

A new look for your mug.

This week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that, starting Wednesday, Florida drivers will receive newly designed driver license and identification cards.

The updated cards will be available at service centers statewide and for online orders through MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November.

Gov. DeSantis helped announce the rollout at the Florida Capitol on Sept. 29.

The new credentials will provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today while incorporating imagery and designs reminiscent of the state. They also include an enhanced security feature and a “Temporary Non-Domiciled” marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits.

“Florida continues to set the standard for secure credentialing. Our last major redesign introduced high‑security features that nearly doubled fraud protection, significantly strengthening the integrity of Florida’s credentials. Since then, we’ve enhanced our credentialing practices to anticipate emerging fraud trends and strengthen identity verification across agencies. This latest redesign further solidifies Florida’s leadership in secure identification technology and REAL ID compliance,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner.

The new design features Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card. Located in St. Augustine, it is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States. And if you look closely, the “O” in Florida is an orange, one of our most iconic associations and products.

And the UF fans will be happy to see an alligator incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.

And if you are wondering, no, you aren’t required to replace your existing driver’s license or identification card. Just know this is what your new one will look like after your current one expires or you lose it.

— License to lie —

Popped on policies.

On Monday, Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky ordered an immediate suspension against Hydrogen Deep, LLC, d/b/a the Wave Insurance, after a market conduct examination found that the company operated without the required licenses.

OIR reminds Florida consumers to research businesses and make sure they are properly licensed before entering into a contract or conducting business with an entity.

“Operating without a required license and soliciting consumers is not only unacceptable, but it can also cause immediate danger to public health and safety. My office works hard to alert consumers of unlicensed activity and will aggressively investigate any report of insurance companies operating without a proper license,” Yaworsky said.

Back in June, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested Christopher Jason Brossett, owner of Hydrogen Deep, for grand theft while acting as an insurer and transacting insurance without a certificate of authority or license. In July, the office arrested Brady Allen Howard, owner of The Wave Insurance, for conspiring with Brossett to commit grand theft and operate a business without a proper certificate of authority.

“In Florida, we have zero tolerance for insurance companies defrauding innocent consumers and operating without a license. As CFO, it is my promise that we will continue to go after bad actors that try to take advantage of hardworking people who are just trying to find insurance coverage. My team is proud of our work with the Office of Insurance Regulation and Commissioner Yaworsky to protect Florida consumers,” added CFO Ingoglia.

The Florida DFS and OIR’s Market Conduct team discovered that Brossett and Howard operated under aliases and provided insurance policy quotes, collected premiums, issued insurance binders, failed to pay claims, solicited business and provided certificates of insurance.

Brossett and Howard misrepresented or concealed the true nature and legitimacy of the insurance products being sold, collected more than $100,000 in premiums, and permanently diverted the funds for personal use.

— Picture this —

Help add to our history.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Byrd announced that the State Archives of Florida is seeking photographs to commemorate and remember America’s 250th anniversary celebration here in Florida.

This request corresponds with National American Archives Month, which began on Oct. 1.

The State Archives of Florida holds over 48,000 cubic feet of records and one of the nation’s largest photographic collections, with more than 1.5 million still images and over 7,000 videos.

“By donating your photos, you can preserve your community’s place in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Consider contributing to our state’s history by donating your photographs and leave your mark on America’s and Florida’s shared legacy,” Byrd said.

Those who are interested in helping are asked to email the State Archives of Florida at FloridaMemory@dos.fl.gov to discuss donating original photographs showcasing America250FL community events and celebrations.

And before you ask, yes, photos taken on your phone are fine (as long as you took them). iPhones (4 and newer), iPads (3 and newer), and many Android devices by Samsung, Motorola and Sony take photographs at or above the archives’ minimum resolution of 5 megapixels.

If you send in photos, you’ll receive a Deed of Gift form to complete and return. All senders must sign the form to transfer image ownership and usage rights to the State Archives of Florida. This ensures that you and others can access and use the image now and in the future.

TIFF and RAW are preferred file formats, but JPEG is accepted.

There is no guarantee your submission will be put on Florida Memory, but all donated photos are included in the Florida Photographic Collection at the State Archives of Florida and will be accessible to researchers.

— Server and protect —

Amid growing scrutiny over data centers’ impact on local communities, a new Florida TaxWatch report finds the facilities could deliver significant fiscal benefits to the state’s tax base.

But the government watchdog group is urging caution, warning that safeguards should be implemented to protect taxpayers and natural resources.

The report, “Data Centers and Florida’s Tax Base: Balancing Fiscal Opportunity, Responsible Development, and Taxpayer Protection,” concludes that more data centers will benefit local tax bases. The independent analysis examined how the facilities’ taxable value would affect local tax rates as data center development accelerates nationwide to meet rising demand from digital services and artificial intelligence.

TaxWatch acknowledged that concerns about the facilities are legitimate. “Florida taxpayers have genuine concerns about how data centers may affect their water supply, electric utility costs, and overall quality of life,” the report states.

The data center issue has drawn intense scrutiny in recent months, with support extending from the White House to the Governor’s race in Florida. Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Donalds has said he supports them, while his Democratic opponent Jolly has criticized the facilities.

Still, Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp said the potential benefits warrant a closer look.

“This is why Florida TaxWatch led this independent research project to analyze the fiscal and taxpayer impacts associated with hyperscale data center development in Florida,” Kottkamp said. “It is critical that Florida establish a data-driven policy framework within which to approve or reject proposed data center development.”

Using a hypothetical 500-megawatt data center costing $16.05 billion to build, the analysis projected about $10.02 billion in average annual taxable value, generating roughly $1.11 billion in tax revenue in incorporated areas and $1.04 billion in unincorporated areas. About 94.2% of that revenue would flow to local taxing entities, with the remainder going to the state.

Despite the projected upside, TaxWatch recommended state and local governments set firm conditions before approving new facilities. The report suggests developers — not taxpayers — should bear the costs of building out utility infrastructure, and that municipalities develop site-specific plans for reclaimed and reused water to meet data centers’ cooling needs.

— Red, yellow, orange & green —

I-10 to I-75 to the Turnpike won’t be the only major connection from Tallahassee to Orlando anymore.

This week, down in the 407, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Valencia College have strengthened their bond by formalizing a new articulation agreement specifically designed to create a more seamless pathway for Valencia students to earn bachelor’s degrees at FAMU.

The “2+2 pathway” will guarantee admission to FAMU for eligible Valencia College Associate in Arts (AA) graduates and selected Associate in Science (AS) graduates into designated FAMU baccalaureate programs consistent with university policies.

“At Florida A&M University, we believe access and excellence must go hand in hand. By working with Valencia College, we can help more students understand their pathway to a four-year degree, connect with FAMU earlier in their academic journey, and ultimately position themselves for success in Florida’s workforce and beyond. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together around a shared goal: helping students successfully move forward, complete their degrees and contribute to the communities they serve,” said FAMU President Marva B. Johnson.

Valencia students participating in the FAMU IGNITE Transfer Program under the agreement must complete an AA degree or an identified AS degree and submit an IGNITE Transfer Program inquiry form before earning 30 credits to declare their intent to participate in the 2+2 pathway.

The agreement runs for three years and will help establish a collaborative framework to increase access to public higher education, expand transfer opportunities, and reduce the time required for students to complete associate and bachelor’s degrees.

“We know that many students in Central Florida dream of attending FAMU, and we are thrilled to offer them a clear pathway to make that dream a reality,” added Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske.

“Through this partnership, students can begin their college journey at Valencia and know that they have a guaranteed pathway to continue their education at FAMU. That kind of certainty is incredibly powerful for students and their families as they plan for the future.”

And this partnership isn’t just about credits. It’s about supporting students who need it. Under the newly penned deal, eligible Valencia IGNITE students may receive FAMU scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, based on GPA and available funding.

Students who have a 3.3 FAMU-recalculated GPA may receive $1,000, while students with a 3.6 GPA or higher may receive $4,000.

“Transfer success is not simply about moving credits from one institution to another; it is about creating a coordinated student experience,” said FAMU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Allyson Watson.

— No. 1 In motion —

Bodies in motion stay in motion — and get national rankings.

On Thursday, Florida State University (FSU) announced that its doctoral program in kinesiology — which explores human movement and physical activity — earned the No. 1 spot in the National Academy of Kinesiology’s (NAK) 2026 rankings, up from No. 3 in the 2023 rankings.

Released every three years, the rankings draw on data spanning 2023-2025 across 39 participating universities. They factor in research expenditures, faculty productivity and research impact, leadership roles in the field, doctoral student support, student research productivity, graduate employment, and the number of NAK Fellows on the faculty.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as the nation’s top kinesiology doctoral program. This ranking reflects the outstanding work of our faculty and students and the culture of excellence that defines our program. Together, they are advancing research, shaping the future of the field and strengthening the FSU Health initiative through leadership in the field of kinesiology,” said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College).

This is the first No. 1 overall ranking for an FSU Health-associated program since its launch in 2022. The NAK evaluation also highlighted the program’s strength in student success and research productivity and ranked FSU in the 100th percentile nationally for doctoral student publications, students receiving full financial support, graduates securing tenure-track faculty positions and faculty-authored books.

“This recognition reflects the strength of the people who make our program exceptional,” Andrew continued.

“Our faculty attract talented students who want to work alongside leaders in the field, and those students go on to make meaningful contributions through their research, scholarship and professional success. That cycle continues to strengthen our program.”

— Proper fire fits —

On Thursday, the Florida State University Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship moved forward with plans to conduct a first-of-its-kind study exploring the link between proper fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and occupational cancer risk for women in the fire service.

In a partnership with the University of Arizona, FSU’s very own Carol Avery Professor Meredith McQuerry, who is the lab Director of the Wearable Advancements in Research and Performance (WARP) group, received a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to further examine the relationship between gear fit and occupational cancer.

The findings will be applicable to approximately 1.1 million members of the United States Fire Service.

“I am honored to be part of this award, partnering with colleagues at the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, to study how gear fit directly impacts occupational cancer for the first time,” McQuerry said.

“We hope this work will inform standard sizing improvements for increased firefighter health and safety.”

McQuerry’s team will compare female firefighters’ gear fit with cancer biomarkers measured before and after live-fire training burns at four structural fire departments across the United States—in Florida, California, Arizona, and Virginia.

Currently, occupational cancer is the leading cause of long-term line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

McQuerry also recently chaired a research team that concluded a five-year multi-state project titled “Protective Clothing for Wildland Firefighters,” which provided recommendations to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on improving methods for cleaning and safeguarding PPE for wildland firefighters.

— Gold for 2026 —

Third time’s the charm.

On Monday, Tallahassee State College (TSC) announced its student-produced literary and arts magazine — The Eyrie — has earned a Gold Medalist rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). One of the nation’s leading organizations recognizing excellence in collegiate publications, CSPA annually critiques and evaluates magazines for their writing, editing, design and visual presentation.

This is the third time The Eyrie has received this prestigious recognition. On a scale of 1,000 points, TSC received 863 in a comprehensive evaluation.

“I am incredibly proud of this team and what they have accomplished together. Every page reflects their vision, collaboration, problem-solving, and care,” said Nicolette Costantino, The Eyrie’s faculty adviser.

“This recognition affirms the extraordinary work they put into creating a publication that gives our students’ voices a place in the world. I’m excited to see how future teams continue to learn from what came before them and make The Eyrie their own.”

CSPA judges praised The Eyrie for its organization, visual consistency, and thematic cohesion, highlighting its “strong elements” and describing the magazine as “a very good collegiate publication with amazing growth potential.”

Judges were also impressed with the editorial team and its ability to create a cohesive publication while encouraging submissions from across the TSC community.

This is the third time The Eyrie has placed gold, following previous recognitions in 2019 and 2023.

The team is already gearing up for its 2027 edition, which will be unveiled in April.

— National Night Out —

This week, the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) announced it is inviting the entire 850 to join local first responders for an evening of food, fun and community for “National Night Out” on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Cascades Park.

Held annually in towns and cities across the country, “National Night Out” strengthens relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve while bringing neighbors together in a fun, family-friendly environment featuring music, activities, and food—while supplies last.

Meet the people behind the uniforms outside of an emergency setting.

“National Night Out gives us an opportunity to simply spend time with the people we serve,” said TPD Chief Lawrence Revell.

“The relationships we build during events like this matter. We want our community to know the men and women behind the badge, ask questions, learn more about what we do and, most importantly, know that we are HERE for them.”

Local and state public safety agencies and community partners will join TPD for National Night Out. Participating TPD units include its Community Relations Unit, Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving Squad (COPPS), Motor Unit, Tactical Apprehension and Control (TAC) Team, and other specialty units.

For more information, visit Talgov.com/Police or follow @TallyPD on social media.

— State of play —

The Florida Gators look to continue an undefeated start under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall when they travel to Missouri to face the Tigers on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Florida is the second-highest-scoring team in the country, averaging 53.5 points per game in victories over Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Auburn, and Ole Miss.

Running back Jadan Baugh is second in the nation in rushing yards with 600 yards in four games. Florida has not started a season with five straight wins since opening the 2019 season 6-0.

Florida State tries to dig out of a tumultuous start as the Seminoles host Virginia on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

FSU opened the season with a win over New Mexico State before dropping games to ranked teams SMU and Alabama. Last Saturday, the Noles topped Central Arkansas 34-7. On Sept. 14, a week after the loss to SMU, the university fired athletics Director Michael Alford.

Another high-scoring team also plays on Saturday as No. 4 Miami travels to Clemson (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The Hurricanes are third in the nation in scoring, averaging 51.8 points per game in wins over Stanford, Florida A&M, Wake Forest and Central Michigan.

Miami sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney is third in the nation in receiving yards and one behind the national leaders with six touchdown catches.

— Rays the stakes —

“How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

Baseball fans, rejoice, especially if you rock the TB hat, as the Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series (ALDS) playoffs.

The Rays this year won the AL East pennant and had a record of 98-64, which was also good enough to secure the No. 1 seed in a historically weak AL (look no further than the 81-81 Houston Astros, who got their butt kicked by the Pope’s own Chicago White Sox), which gave the boys in St. Pete — for not much longer — the bye week.

The Yankees earned their matchup with Tampa Bay after defeating their bitter rival, the Boston Red Sox, in the AL Wild Card Series earlier this week, as they did last year. Ouch, Red Sox fans.

But instead of facing the Blue Jays like in 2025, they have a different AL East foe. Tampa Bay.

This year, the Rays barely have the edge over the Yankees after going 7-6 against them in the regular season. The Rays’ strengths? “Smallball,” if you will — aka great pitching, defense, base stealing, and bunting. With excellent aces such as Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, Griffin Jax, and Ian Seymour, the Rays are feeling confident in their ability to take 3 out of 5 games in the series and advance to the AL Championship Series, something they’ve only done twice in their history since 1998, but both times they won those pennants and went on to the World Series, in 2008 and 2020. They lost the World Series both times.

But here come the Bronx Bombers with a 93-68 record. With a Cy Young-worthy season from pitcher Cam Schlittler, noteworthy play from Ben Rice, and the return (maybe?) of 3-time MVP winner Aaron Judge, the series looks exciting for Florida baseball fans.

Game 1 is tonight at 6:30 p.m. on TBS/truTV. There’s truly nothing like October baseball.

— Not So Endgame, Cruise-ing for a flop, and Anne’s back —

It’s been a moment, but we are heading back to the movies.

Did you get some 2019 nostalgia this past weekend? Well, you’re not alone. In preparation for Doomsday coming this December, “Avengers: Endgame” was re-released to theaters with additional retcon scenes and new material to better fit the timeline for 2026 audiences, and it topped the domestic box office with $26 million, followed by the critically acclaimed video-game adaptation “Resident Evil” in its second weekend at $23 million, and the Brad Pitt-led dog movie “Heart of the Beast” took third place with $20 million.

From the visionary four-time Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the man who brought us “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” and the face of the 21st-century blockbuster, Oscar nominee Tom Cruise, comes their $125 million Warner Bros. movie “Digger” — a dark comedy/satire about the most powerful man in the world who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything. The film is rounded out by impressive talents such as Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, Oscar nominees Sandra Hüller and Jesse Plemons and Emmy winner John Goodman.

The film’s original campaign was all about Cruise: how the man who’s become the face of movies for many people is taking a massive swing on a new original character helmed by a Director known for his lavish and often pretentious films. Isn’t it time to give the man his flowers while he is still alive? But after the reviews came out—with the film sitting at 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.3 on IMDb, and a 3.7 on Letterboxd—the ads have shifted to calling out the film’s divisive response and saying you won’t want to miss one of the most talked-about movies this year. The message: Don’t believe any of the naysayers; form your own opinion.

She’s inescapable. In her 5,000th movie of the year, Oscar winner Anne Hathaway stars in the new adaptation of the other name dominating Hollywood of late, Colleen Hoover’s book-turned-film “Verity.” The psychological thriller follows Dakota Johnson as she’s asked to ghostwrite for Verity Crawford and uncovers what appears to be Verity’s autobiographical notes. She then wrestles with confessions about Verity’s husband and finds it hard to separate fiction from reality. Josh Hartnett plays the husband, a man on a bit of a roll himself lately. The film has a 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.1 on IMDB, and a 2.8 on Letterboxd. We’re sure the Michael Showalter-directed film will have enough word of mouth and legs to succeed — these movies always do.

Happy watching!

— Capitol Directions —

Ron DeSantis — Crossways arrow — Landed CMU. Double-booked the spotlight.

Byron Donalds — Up arrow — Remembering the “general” in General Election.

David Jolly — Down arrow — The response to ‘where are you’ can’t be ‘We’ve got 4 events in one day in Coral Gables.’

Jolly’s Marriott Points — Up arrow — Grassroots, with turndown service.

Florida Dems — Up arrow — Next step: “Risky, risky, risky, risky!” Break out the champagne.

Bernie Sanders — Crossways arrow — “Hope is a dangerous thing.” Deposit it anyway.

Larry Keefe — Up arrow — A new badge for an old hand.

Joseph Ladapo — Down arrow — The Guilty Remnant finally has a Surgeon General.

Alan Levine — Down arrow — Two billion dollars. Let them cook, Alan.

Henry Mack — Down arrow — Why is the field-trip bus headed to Petersburg, Kentucky?

Wyman Duggan — Down arrow — Launching his solo career while the band is still passing the hat.

Ben Braver — Down arrow — Running for the House. Auditioning for the algorithm.

TECO — Up arrow — Big Tech can pay its own damn light bill.

Kristellys Estanga — Up arrow — This glass house has blackout curtains.

Crocs — Down arrow — Liberté, égalité, take off those f*!#ing Crocs.

Oysters — Up arrow — Welcome back, you salty little bastards.

The Minors & The Uthmeiers — Up arrow — New bosses. Terrible hours. Congratulations.

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