Movies and television have changed over the years. Whether that’s due to streaming, budgets, disruptive technology, COVID, or changing interests is debatable (we’re going with all of the above), but the change is real.

While “they just don’t make ‘em how they used to” may have some truth, exciting films and filmmakers emerging every year deserve to be celebrated and seen.

The 2024-25 Academy Award-winning film for Best Picture this year was “Anora,” an independent film distributed by Neon (which is the third-lowest budgeted film to win Best Picture) that ended up taking home five Oscars, four of which went to the writer, director, producer and editor, Sean Baker. Trust us, Anora is one of the aforementioned films that deserve to be celebrated and seen.

This week, as Anora made its streaming debut on Hulu (seriously, if you haven’t seen the Best Picture-winning film, you no longer have an excuse … also, it’s hilarious and touching!), Baker swung through Tallahassee to appear as a featured speaker for the Florida State University Student Government Association’s “Golden Torch Lecture Series.”

The event, which was free and open to the public, was held in the historic and beautiful Ruby Diamond Theatre. FSU’s “Club DownUnder” was on hand to distribute free T-shirts to attendees.

Baker took questions from a moderator for around an hour before fielding a smattering of queries from the crowd, selected via lottery.

Baker discussed his earlier works, such as “Prince of Broadway,” and touched on the many themes he explores in that film and others, such as “The Florida Project,” which focused on people who are marginalized and rarely represented in media.

Of course, “Anora” was also a central talking point, with Baker discussing his excitement for Mikey Madison winning the Best Actress award and his recognition for editing and how important a vision is for a “jack of all trades” such as himself.

Baker has and continues to be a cheerleader for independent cinema, marginalized communities and the theater experience — even saying he saw Steven Soderbergh’s new film in the local AMC after arriving from a Tokyo flight. Imagine being in that screening!

___

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, Andrew Powell and the staff of Florida Politics.

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

—Take 5 —

Rural Renaissance — The Florida Senate passed a comprehensive package of legislative proposals that seeks to create a modern-day renaissance in rural communities across Florida. Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon spearheaded the legislation (SB 110) that would create opportunities for rural communities to expand education, increase health care services and modernize commerce. The legislation was also a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton. The bill would direct $200.8 million to the Rural Infrastructure Fund, increase funding for the Rural Revolving Loan program, improve coordination of federal broadband programs, create the Florida Arterial Road Modernization program, expand the Small County Road Assistance program, expand the regional education consortia, create the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, and expand rural health care access.

Rollback rolls forward — Legislation that lowers the age to buy firearms, reversing restrictions implemented after the Parkland shooting, is moving to the House floor. The House Judiciary Committee, on a 16-6 vote, advanced a bill (HB 759) that would allow 18-year-olds to purchase or take legal ownership of firearms, including the type used in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. That marked the last Committee stop this year for the legislation before the full House membership can take it up for consideration. Several family members of individuals killed in that tragedy spoke out during the Committee hearing, urging lawmakers not to roll back gun access restrictions put in place in response. “To me, this feels like salt being poured into an open wound. Families, very early into grief and shock of what happened, came up here to Tallahassee and asked you to do something and you did it,” said Debbie Hixon, whose husband, Chris Hixon, was Campus Security Monitor at the Parkland High School and one of three adults murdered there.

Strike one — Attorney General James Uthmeier says Fort Myers made itself a sanctuary city by rejecting an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to city leaders, he told the Council that they now risk suspension from office. “Sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida,” Uthmeier wrote in a letter to Fort Myers City Council members. “Failure to correct the Council’s actions will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including but not limited to being held in contempt, declaratory or injunctive relief, and removal from office by the Governor.” The missive from the state’s top legal officer came a day after the City Council split 3-3 on approving a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Such agreements allow local law enforcement to perform specific immigration officer functions under federal direction and oversight.

‘Watching paint dry’ — Senate President Albritton said legislation that unanimously cleared the Senate floor Wednesday may seem boring, but it is perhaps one of the most significant bills of the 2025 Session. “This may be like watching paint dry, but at the end of the day, it is one of the boldest moves and important moves that the Florida Legislature will propose to state government to produce accountability and transparency and better government,” Albritton said about the proposed administrative procedural changes. Among the sweeping changes in SB 108 is a requirement that state agencies review 20% of their rules annually. The agency would then decide whether to keep the rule, make a technical change, significantly change it or repeal it. The Senate President and House Speaker would get notified about the agency’s plans in a report due by Jan. 1 every year.

It’s back — After a lengthy debate, the House Health & Human Services Committee approved legislation expanding the breadth of procedures and prescriptions administered by optometrists. Sponsored by Rep. Alex Rizo, HB 449 is this year’s edition of the long-running “Eyeball Wars.” Multiple ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents spoke out against the bill, but Rizo said many Floridians struggle to obtain eye care, and expanding optometrists’ scope of practice would improve access. Rizo bolstered this claim — and even converted an initially reticent Committee member from a “nay” to a “yay” — by citing American Medical Association data recommending one ophthalmologist per 4,000 residents in a given region. There are approximately 1,700 ophthalmologists in Florida, which would be adequate for a state of 7 million residents, not Florida’s 23.5 million and growing. Committee members voted 13-5 in favor of the bill.

— Even NASA needs bridges —

NASA can’t escape this world until worldly goods reach the Kennedy Space Center.

To that end, a new bridge in Brevard County is expected to improve traffic flow for the workers who help send astronauts into the final frontier. The NASA Causeway Bridge is the second of two new bridges along Cape Canaveral. It was completed some six months ahead of schedule and cost $128 million.

DeSantis said the new span builds on efforts to revitalize space program activity at Kennedy Space Center in recent years with increased missions from SpaceX and more involvement from NASA.

“Cape Canaveral Spaceport broke records with 93 launches and 2.7 million pounds of space cargo last year — and we’re expecting over 150 launches this year,” DeSantis said. “Florida is committed to building the infrastructure the space industry needs to keep growing and with these new bridges, Florida is more ready than ever to become home to NASA’s new headquarters.”

The new bridge crossing the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County is taller and broader than the original bridges and is a companion to another new span completed earlier. The new bridges stretch 4,025 feet over the river and are fixed spans. That eliminates the drawbridges across the river, dramatically slowing road traffic when the bridges open for riverboat traffic.

 

— Work, work, work —

Loverboy said it best: Everybody’s working for the weekend, especially in the 27th State. This week, platform boot enthusiast Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida’s workforce exceeded 11.1 million in January, showcasing the state’s economic strength.

“Florida continues to prove that leadership and conservative fiscal policies drive success. We will keep the momentum going by insisting on reducing government spending, continuing to eliminate bureaucracy, and finding more tax reductions for Floridians,” said DeSantis.

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics indicated that Florida’s labor force was bigger than previously estimated and that it grew or remained stable in 10 of the past 12 months.

“Under Gov. DeSantis’ decisive leadership, Florida continues to generate wins. These revised numbers demonstrate Florida’s unique resiliency and the strength and efficacy of Gov. DeSantis’ approach to economic and workforce development — creating an environment that promotes future growth and builds confidence in job seekers and job creators,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly.

Education and health services saw the biggest growth among all industries, with education adding 7,200 jobs (+0.5%) and a respectable 6,100 for the leisure and hospitality sector (+0.5%). Job growth and economic stability are great for now, but as the R-word lingers, we will see how these numbers hold up.

— Pool guy in hot water —

It gets pretty toasty here in the Free State of Florida and the months when a dip in the pool is most magical are fast approaching.

And while a refreshing break from the heat helps balance out hanging with the county club snobs, there’s nothing better than having your own private vat of chlorinated water right outside.

But before you install a pool, Attorney General Uthmeier advises you to double- and triple-check your sources.

This week, the AG’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced it secured a guilty conviction for James Ivan Staten, owner of Olympus Pools, who stole more than $1.5 million from customers.

“I’m proud to announce that Prosecutors Stephanie Bergen and Panagiota Papakos secured a guilty conviction for this fraudster who turned many Floridians’ dreams of a backyard paradise into a nightmare, taking their money and digging holes to nowhere. Little did this fraudster know, he’d be digging himself into a 20-year minimum prison sentence,” said Uthmeier.

Staten was found guilty of 35 counts, including an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, contract fraud and aggravated white-collar crime. According to law enforcement investigations, Staten actively preyed on property owners and hired subcontractors to do the work and often failed to pay these subcontractors. The investigation was led by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office Division of Consumer Protection.

It’s getting hotter and hotter every year but maybe investing in the country club is better than falling victim to fraud.

— Welcome aboard —

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis appointed Yunia Demicco-Nadler to the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Board of Governors this week.

A Boca Raton resident, Demicco-Nadler has over 30 years of experience as a workers’ compensation attorney, encompassing both claims handling and litigation.

Demicco-Nadler is the founding partner and owner of Demicco-Nadler LLC, where she has successfully litigated over 85% of workers’ compensation cases, secured substantial client compensation, investigated fraudulent workers’ compensation cases and provided comprehensive legal counsel.

Established in 1993, FWCJUA was designed to depopulate the Florida workers’ compensation residual market and invigorate the competitive or voluntary market.

According to the FWCJUA’s mission statement, to achieve the goals, they provide workers’ compensation and liability insurance to employers unable to procure it in the voluntary market; ensure that policyholders and claimants receive quality service; provide coverage and service efficiently and establish actuarially sound rates; establish and pursue programs designed to assist applicants and Insureds of the residual market mechanism to obtain coverage in the voluntary market; and promote safety in the workplace through the aggressive pursuit of safety programs for Insureds of the residual market mechanism.

—Instagram of the Week —

—The week in appointments —

FWCJUA Board of Governors — CFO Patronis appointed Yunia Demicco-Nadler to the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Board of Governors this week. Demicco-Naddler has over 30 years of experience as a workers’ compensation attorney, encompassing both claims handling and litigation.

— Vet business —

Elected officials love to tout Florida as the most veteran-friendly state, a claim that’s strengthened when lawmakers OK legislation like the Florida Veterans and Military Spouse Business Development Act.

The bill (SB 1172) passed the Commerce and Tourism Committee with unanimous support this week, moving one step closer to a full vote in the Senate.

The bill, which happens to be supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, establishes the Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Program, and with help from the Department of Commerce, the bill requires the Department of State to waive fees and provide tax exemptions for businesses that hire veterans and their military spouses.

Give back to the business that gives back to the veteran and military community — a win-win.

“Our active service members, veterans, and military spouses and families make immense sacrifices and face unique challenges, including frequent relocation, which can disrupt careers and make it difficult to find and maintain stable employment,” said Democratic Sen. Shervin Jones.

“This legislation is an important step toward providing military families the resources and support they need to start or grow their own businesses, creating economic opportunities for themselves and their families, and contributing to our broader economy in a positive way.”

— Justice for injustice —

Incarceration is a complicated topic. If the mountain of law books on the set of every attorney commercial isn’t proof enough, perhaps the Academy Award-nominated documentary “13th” by Ava DuVernay will convince you.

The film explores the prison industrial complex and the wording of the 13th Amendment, which makes the exception for involuntary servitude a form of punishment for convicted criminals.

The general public and politicians alike know the inhumanity that can occur in prisons. And if you are in Tallahassee next week and interested in learning what’s being done to combat this issue in Florida, Sen. Rosalind Osgood and Rep. Dianne Hart can fill you in.

On March 25 at 9 a.m., the lawmakers, alongside the families of mistreated inmates, will hold a news conference on HB 185.

Osgood and Hart are in the firm belief that inmates in Florida and around the U.S. are not receiving the proper care needed to sustain life and that nothing is being done to change that — in many cases, the extent of inmate mistreatment isn’t quantifiable due to a lack of publicly available data.

The news conference will be held on the 4th floor Rotunda on the House side. If you can’t make it, the event will be livestreamed on Hart’s official Facebook page.

— EO ruffles feathers —

Fort Lauderdale Democratic Rep. Daryl Campbell released a statement on the Trump administration’s recent decision to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education via an executive order signed by the President on Thursday.

Campbell said the action carries severe consequences for constituents in House District 99 and asserted the EO is illegal.

“The illegal attempted shutdown of the federal Department of Education is yet another devastating move undertaken by this administration that guts services that millions depend upon,” Campbell said.

“Now, thanks to this move, my constituents who were in the midst of deciding which colleges to go to and how to pay for them will see their careful years of planning thrown into uncertainty, as we still don’t know who will administer Pell Grants or student loans.”

Campbell noted that certain schools would not be able to receive the critical funding needed to function and said the chaos caused by dismantling the department was intentional.

“Meanwhile, Title I schools may not receive the critical funding that makes them the linchpin of the communities they serve,” Campbell said. “This chaos is intentional — denying those in need what they rightfully deserve.”

— Rock you like a hurricane —

It only takes one rocky hurricane season for new Floridians to learn firsthand how dangerous paradise can be.

This past season was especially brutal, with Helene and Milton causing significant damage across the state. While it sometimes becomes a contest between Floridians on who’s gone without power the longest, these storms are no joke, and a Republican state Representative is leading the charge to help with recovery efforts.

HB 1535, spearheaded by Sarasota Rep. Fiona McFarland, aims to enhance the state’s ability to respond to and recover from major storms that impact local communities by improving these communities’ coordination, expediting debris removal and streamlining rebuilding efforts.

“Every minute counts after a storm. By cutting red tape and enhancing coordination, this bill ensures communities can rebuild faster and more efficiently. With each hurricane, we learn valuable lessons about improving our response and recovery efforts,” said McFarland.

HB 1535 was reported favorably by the Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee and has two additional Committee references: the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee.

— Exposing the fakes —

McFarland announced she is taking a stand against digital deception head-on by introducing legislation (HB 369) to ensure Floridians can trust what they see and hear in an era of “fast-evolving artificial intelligence.”

McFarland presented the bill Thursday before the Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee. It would require that digital content, such as photos, videos, text and audio, carry “provenance data” metadata showing where it originally came from and whether the content has any AI-driven modifications.

The use of provenance data aims to reveal whether content was created or altered using AI, the tools involved, and the nature of the changes. For example, an AI-generated image would be flagged with details about how it was made, helping viewers distinguish authentic media from manipulated content.

“We can’t sit back while deepfakes and digital trickery blur the line between real and fake,” McFarland said. “From online posts to everyday images, Floridians deserve to know when AI is at play. This bill gives you the facts you need to trust what you see and hear.”

The bill applies to social media platforms, requiring them to retain and display provenance data for all visual or digital content posted or shared. It is scheduled to be heard by the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee before moving to the Florida House for a vote.

— DOGE ‘em —

Stuart Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf introduced an initiative (HB 433) to cut government waste, improve efficiency and modernize Florida’s Administrative Procedures. This is the first major review of the state’s rulemaking process in seven years.

“Bureaucratic red tape slows down businesses, burdens taxpayers, and creates unnecessary obstacles for Floridians,” Overdorf said. “Florida should lead the way in making government work smarter, not bigger. HB 433 is about cutting waste, improving accountability, and ensuring every regulation has a clear purpose and benefit.”

The bill seeks to enhance transparency, streamline the rulemaking process, and ensure agencies remain accountable to Floridians by cutting red tape and strengthening oversight, eliminating costly and unnecessary regulations, ushering in faster and more transparent rulemaking, fostering smarter government and less waste, and holding agencies accountable through annual reviews.

The measure aligns with the national initiatives championed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce bureaucratic waste and promote smart governance. By ensuring every state regulation serves a clear and necessary purpose, Florida continues to set the standard for fiscally responsible, citizen-focused government.

The bill went before the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Tuesday. The Committee advanced it and will head to the House Budget Committee next. If enacted, all state agencies must complete a full regulatory review by Dec. 31, 2030, with continuous five-year reviews thereafter.

— Keeping Florida wild —

Lawmakers and leaders from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Park Service joined the Florida State Parks Foundation and Live Wildly to celebrate the state’s award-winning parks, trails, and historic sites during a reception Wednesday night at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum.

The reception was part of the second annual Florida State Parks Day to honor the state’s park system, which spans more than 800,000 acres, supports more than 50,000 jobs, provides countless recreational opportunities and is home to thousands of species, including Florida panthers, manatees, and sea turtles.

Tallahassee Democratic Rep. Allison Tant presented HR 8009 at the reception. The resolution officially designates March 19, 2025, as Florida State Parks Day.

Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation, said Florida State Parks Day and the reception have become signature events.

“Our state parks are a source of pride and inspiration to Floridians, attract visitors from around the world and provide unmatched return on investment. We embrace every opportunity to share about our parks with Florida’s elected officials,” Woodward said.

The reception highlighted the bond between Florida’s state parks and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Seventy-five of Florida’s 175 state parks fall within the wildlife corridor’s footprint, which provides habitat and room to roam for Florida’s native species.

Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly, expressed her excitement at holding the event in Tallahassee.

“Live Wildly and the Florida State Parks Foundation are committed to serving and supporting Florida’s natural spaces for generations to come, and the Capitol is the perfect place to put a spotlight on the significance of our mission,” Shipley said.

Last year, Florida State Parks welcomed nearly 30 million visitors while generating an estimated economic impact of more than $3 billion.

— Raising the Bar —

The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar applauded the support and passage of SB 1838 through the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.

The bill is designed to prevent tampering with, harassing or retaliating against court officials.

Chris Rumbold, Chair of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, said the bill, introduced by Fort Myers Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin, prioritizes the safety of court officials.

“General magistrates and child support hearing officers are an essential part of Florida’s judicial process,” Rumbold said. “Specifically playing a significant role in matters pertaining to family law, and we appreciate the inclusion of them in this good bill by Sen. Martin that will further prioritize court officials’ safety.”

Rumbold noted that court officials often face threatening situations and expressed his gratitude to Martin for introducing the legislation.

“Too often, judges and magistrates face harassment and retaliation from those who are going through court proceedings, and this bill penalizes those actions by providing criminal penalties under Florida law,” Rumbold said.

“As a section, we’re committed to ensuring that policy relating to family law puts Florida’s families first, and that’s what general magistrates and child support hearing officers are responsible for day in and day out in Florida’s courthouses, and we are grateful to Sen. Martin for his good work on this legislation and look forward to supporting it throughout the process.”

The Committee passed measure 9-0, which will now be moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.

— Florida Poly Day —

Florida Polytechnic University showcased its mission of innovation at Florida Poly Day at the State Capitol, where school leaders engaged lawmakers, staff, and visitors in the Capitol Rotunda with displays highlighting its industry-driven STEM programs.

The day, Thursday, allowed the state’s youngest university a prominent platform to spotlight its status as the only state university dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, including interactive exhibits demonstrating its cutting-edge programs, research and economic impact.

Led by Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson, the school shared its mission and made a case for continued investment to further enhance its rapidly increasing positive reputation both statewide and nationwide.

“Florida Poly Day at the Capitol is a tremendous opportunity to share our bold-thinking approach to STEM education with leaders from across the state,” Stephenson said. “As Florida’s premier STEM university, we are preparing the next generation of pioneers and problem-solvers who will fuel Florida’s economic future. I’m incredibly proud to showcase the remarkable work happening at our institution and to share our story with the decision-makers who influence the direction of higher education and industry in our state.”

Demonstrations included student-created games.

“STEM is the big thing for us. It’s all we do, and we want to make sure every representative and senator knows that’s what we care about more than anything,” said Dimitry Tsetsekas, a graduate student and member of the Student Government Association who attended the event. “For us at Florida Poly, it’s not just about making degrees to print degrees. We’re here to make the best of the best better. If any other school can do that, I’d love to see them try, but right now, we’re beating them all.”

According to MyFloridaFuture, Florida Poly graduates earn the highest salaries one year after graduation among all institutions in the State University System while also carrying the least amount of student debt.

“The best reason to be part of this day was to witness once again the caliber of our students and how impressive each of them is,” said Patrick Hagan, a Florida Poly trustee. “These students already have jobs waiting for them and the representatives were very impressed by the fact that most of them are staying in Florida, building the economy.”

— Great Hall adds legends —

The hallowed halls of Florida sports greats are getting some new leadership.

The Florida Sports Hall of Fame, which honors athletic legends who competed at all levels, has elected four new members to the Board of Directors. The Hall’s offices are located in Davenport, and it has a physical museum in Port St. Lucie. However, it operates throughout the state in its nominations to the institution. Board members are represented from throughout Florida.

Keyna Cory was named President of the Hall of Fame. She’s also president of Public Affairs Consultants and is involved with sports events in Florida. For example, she was the first woman Chair of the Carquest Bowl in 1995. She was also a member of the University of Florida bowling team and a junior Orange Bowl Champion in 1972.

John Reger was named Secretary of the Hall. He’s been a 42-year member of the PGA of America and is not only a professional golfer but a tournament announcer, golf course owner and broadcaster and writer.

(Editor’s note: John Reger’s son, also named John, was one of Florida Politics VP Drew Wilson’s closest childhood friends, and he grew up to become an all-star lineworker, placing well at FMEA’s signature competition!)

John Kearney is the Treasurer of the Hall of Fame. He is also the Chair and CEO of Advanced Training Systems, which develops driving simulators. He’s also the Chair of the KML Foundation, which is dedicated to educational grants for youth.

Rick Hatcher is now the hall’s past Chair. He’s the executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission and has more than two decades of experience in sports tourism and management.

Ginger Kane was elevated to Executive Director of the Hall. She’s already served on the Board of Directors and was the first woman Board President.

Those appointees join more than a dozen other members of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

— Allergy alert —

The first day of Spring has arrived (officially March 20 on the East Coast), and depending on where you are, that can mean different things. In Tallahassee, it means 90-degree afternoons and 40-degree mornings. For residents in South Florida, it means the snowbirds leave and the spring breakers arrive.

But for many throughout Florida and the U.S., the arrival of Spring means pollen and, by extension, allergies. A new report released by the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation America examined allergy data in the 100 largest cities in America to find out which are “allergy capitals” — where Americans with seasonal allergies have it the worst. About a quarter of U.S. adults claim to suffer from allergies, so if you get nasty sneezes and itchy eyes, listen up.

Nine cities in Florida made the list and six of them, compared to other cities in the rankings, are in the red — also known as the “worse than average” category. Orlando came in at No. 34, tying with Palm Bay. Lakeland ranked No. 30, Tampa was No. 25 and Sarasota was No. 22. The worst city in Florida for allergies was Jacksonville, which ranked 20th worst.

The three other Florida cities fell into the “average” bracket. They included No. 43 Cape Coral, No. 47 Daytona and the best city in Florida to avoid allergens, No. 65 Miami … well, the “best” would be all the cities that weren’t on the list.

Now, just because your city didn’t make the list, or your city is higher or lower than others, doesn’t take away from your personal experience, nor does it relieve you of your dire need for a tissue at an inopportune or embarrassing moments. Please throw them out when you’re done, too — holding onto them is nasty.

“This doesn’t mean to dismiss how badly people are feeling in certain regions,” said Kenny Mendez, president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

— TSC is the place to be —

State Colleges serve an essential role in many cities and towns. They help students earn post-secondary education at a lower cost and function as an economic engine by employing professors, boards, janitors and more.

When it comes to state college jobs, Tallahassee State College is king. The proof: It was just named one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges” for 2025.

The designation, which is awarded by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and alongside “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education,” is to showcase institutions that excel in student and staff collaboration, retention, and fostering while in a workspace that provides meaningful and transformative opportunities for both staff and students alike.

TSC was one of 16 community colleges — other states apparently haven’t embraced Florida’s nomenclature change — to be recognized alongside Arapahoe Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Coconino Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Community College of Baltimore County HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, Joliet Junior College, Montgomery County, Community College, Northeast Lakeview College, Olive-Harvey College, Palo Alto College, Phoenix College, Prince George’s Community College, St. Philip’s College and Weatherford College.

“Since becoming President, my vision has always been to make TSC the employer of choice for faculty and staff. Having an incredible team of dedicated professionals who give their best every day to support our students doesn’t happen by accident. That’s why we are so intentional in our efforts to create the best possible work environment for them. I couldn’t be prouder that our institution is recognized as one of the most promising places to work in community colleges,” said TSC President Jim Murdaugh.

— Where the sidewalk ends —

The Legislative Session has been here for a moment now, which means lobbyists and staffers are walking around downtown Tallahassee, clogging up the traffic waiting on valet service at the Governor’s Club — someone needs to figure out how to fix that nightmare traffic backup onto College. With tensions high, sometimes art is the best thing to bring everyone together, especially when they can see it on their way to their stressful jobs.

On Tuesday, the Leon County Government, along with the Knight Creative Communities Institute, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Ausley McMullen offices to commemorate the unveiling of the new “Crosswalks to Courthouse: Artistic Crosswalks.”

The beautifully decorated crosswalks are at the intersections of College Avenue and Jefferson Street, aiming to enhance pedestrian safety through public art. The colorful and vibrant design creates a safe connection between the Calhoun Eastside Parking Garage and Leon County Courthouse alongside Calhoun Street. The funding for the sidewalks was made possible by a KCCI grant from the Community Foundation of North Florida Knight Foundation fund.

So, while Florida can’t make up its mind whether it wants to be 42 degrees in the morning or 83 by 2 p.m., and while politicians give you the death stare while jaywalking in front of you when you have the right of way, you can always decompress by checking out some engaging new art just around the corner.

— Hard winds ahoy —

It could be a bumpy weekend on Gulf waters as yet another cold front plowed through the U.S. Southeast. The aftermath will create high winds and hazardous marine conditions on Saturday and Sunday, and a bet on staying on the sand instead of going into the surf might be a better wager.

Winds out of the Southeast, closing in on 20 mph, will generate rough waters Saturday, with seas mounting to 5 to 7 feet high, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) marine forecast for the Gulf of America (also known as the Gulf of Mexico).

Forecasters are calling for “near gale-force” conditions through the weekend. Those conditions in the Gulf are expected to continue through Sunday, though the wave heights may decrease slightly to 4 to 6 feet, still somewhat challenging.

The direction of the wind will also make it difficult for any nearshore activity, such as surfing, paddle boarding and even small watercraft boating. Those southeast winds will create challenging onshore conditions as they sweep right up into Apalachee Bay, a short distance from Tallahassee.

Visit the NWS buoy 42036, about 112 miles northwest of Tampa, to keep an eye on up-to-the-minute conditions. The buoy weather station data, which is tracked hourly, is expected to show some impressive wave heights this weekend. With such conditions, risks of rip currents are bound to increase, so be careful if you head into the waters and keep children close by. These are conditions for experienced swimmers.

It might be a better weekend to catch rays and sunbathe on the beach rather than head into what promises to be trying marine conditions.

— Capitol Directions —

RON DESANTIS — Up arrow — Thursday was such a perfect example of the Gov at his best: With Homan in SWFL, in D.C. for Trump E.O. Plus Ingraham appearance.

JAMES UTHMEIER — Crossways arrow — Should he do his duty or lock down 2A voters? It’s a real Catch-.223.

PEDRO ALLENDE — Down arrow — ‘I’d say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.’

RANDY FINE — Down arrow — While he was losing a game of chicken with Pushaw, his opponent shifted the CD 6 special from a GOP layup to a must-watch.

FDOT — Up arrow — Talk about government efficiency. Vroom vroom!

GLASS LEWIS & CO. — Down arrow — The only thing worse for business these days is being on the Florida AG’s radar.

HOUSE JUDICIARY CMTE. — Down arrow — Turns out ‘Never Forget’ has an expiration date.

COLLEEN BURTON — Up arrow — She’s still trying to protect kids from hemp. Perhaps third time’s the charm.

ERIN GRALL, TOBY OVERDORF — Up arrow — Just this once, ‘watching paint dry’ is proof of a job well done.

GAYLE HARRELL — Up arrow — A solid, comprehensive government IT bill? Since when were those allowed?

SHEV JONES, JASON PIZZO — Up arrow — Senate Democrats may not have the numbers, but they have two of the best speakers in debate.

JOHN SNYDER — Up arrow — The IT Budget Chief is speedier than Wi-Fi 7.

MARK BERLICK — Down arrow — If he’s trying to get ‘canceled’ printed in the lobby reg database, he’s on the right track.

BRANDON HARRIS — Up arrow — If ever you need proof that five-star staffers can move mountains, ask him how he found a time slot for 1,000 4-H kids to join Ben Albritton in the Chamber.

ANIMAL ABUSERS — Down arrow — They have a special place in hell, but we’re impatient. Based on his bill, Tom Leek is, too.

CHEMTRAILS — Crossways arrow — We used to see them over the Everglades all the time back in the 80s. Hold on, I’m being told those were mountains of blow being tossed out the back of a Cessna 402.

EYEBALL WARS — Up arrow — One of the best food fights in The Process is back … keep your eyes glued on this one.

INSURERS VS. LAWYERS — Up arrow — There aren’t as many pun opportunities, but this matchup is always main card material.

SPEEDOMETERS — Up arrow — You might be able to pretend it’s slightly less broken the next time a trooper taps on your window.

REVENUES — Double up arrow — Water is wet. The sun is hot. Florida is beating revenue estimates.

THOROUGHBREDS & HORSEMEN — Up arrow — They did not win or place this week in the House, but they certainly showed at the committee meeting.

DELOITTE — Up arrow — Who knew getting rid of an old iPad could be this heartwarming?

DISNEY — Down arrow — We know you’re used to bears who fly seaplanes or love honey but trust us — don’t poke this one.

MYERS COUNCIL MEMBERS — Down arrow — They could soon be former Council members … it’s their call.

USF — Down arrow — If you don’t straighten up, that Bull will turn into a Banyan.

RODNEY DORSEY — Up arrow — True pros know the show must go on … and it did.

RED DOG BLUE DOG — Puppy paw — This year’s edition was a trea … oops! This year’s edition was a T-R-E-A-T.

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