Takeaways from Tallahassee — Rattler dreams big

“You can have a plan, but you have to be flexible,” a Tony-winning actor once said.

That flexibility proved essential for Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication graduate Joel Mitchell, whose curiosity-driven path through SJGC led to a full-time role as a news producer at WTXL ABC 27 in Tallahassee.

“All you need when getting exposure is not being afraid to speak to someone and get to know that person, no matter who that person is,” Mitchell said.

When Mitchell transferred to Florida A&M University in 2023 and entered SJGC, he was unsure where his career — or life — would take him. He admitted he coasted through classes early on, unsure how he had ended up feeling lost and unguided.

That began to change when Mitchell took a job with FAMU’s Office of Communications, where he began interviewing people and writing stories. The experience sparked his curiosity and set off a chain reaction. Soon after, Mitchell joined FAMU TV 20, working his way up from audio technician to Wednesday show producer.

Mitchell then expanded his experience at 90.5 WANM-FM, The Flava Station, where he launched his own radio show and podcast, Mari Plays. The program blended classic and contemporary R&B while highlighting emerging artists, further sharpening his storytelling skills.

“What helped get my foot in the door was researching people, companies, internships and alumni I met,” Mitchell said. “I like to be nosy and see their pathway — where they started and who they became.”

During the 2024–25 academic year, Mitchell was selected for the highly competitive NYU Ed Bradley Journalism Fellowship, which provided workshops, mentorship and exposure through the New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. As part of the fellowship, he interned at the Tallahassee Democrat, gaining reporting and research experience.

“Once I walked into the newsroom, I acted like a journalist, not an intern,” Mitchell said. “I wanted to say yes to everything, no matter what story they wanted me to cover.”

Mitchell also attended the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, where he connected with journalists and media professionals whose careers he hopes to emulate. Though his journey included moments of rejection, Mitchell said those experiences fueled his determination rather than defining his path.

Throughout his time in SJGC, Mitchell built strong relationships with faculty who recognized his potential and encouraged his growth, particularly Professor Kenneth Jones, whom Mitchell credits with seeing something in him before he did.

“When you walk into SJGC as a transfer or freshman, you see people doing great things,” Mitchell said. “But if you connect with them, talk to them and learn their stories, they will pour into you.”

Now post-graduation, Mitchell produces three weekday newscasts at WTXL ABC 27 and oversees digital content production on weekends.

“I advise students to know that you are worthy of where you are right now,” Mitchell said. “God has put you in this position, so don’t give up on the person you want to become.”

___

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 —

To the floor — Republican lawmakers have sent a bill that would phase out homestead property taxes over 10 years to the House floor, despite persistent warnings from Democrats and local officials that it would kneecap vital services. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee voted 11-5 for the measure (HJR 203), which would not apply to property taxes for schools, police, firefighters and other first responders. If approved by the Legislature and voters, HJR 203 would amend the Florida Constitution to increase the homestead property tax exemption by $100,000 per year for nine years, starting in 2028, and then make homestead property fully exempt from ad valorem taxes beginning in 2037. The measure would prohibit local governments from reducing total funding for first responders below their highest budget level between Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27, and would adjust that funding floor for inflation.

Up in smoke? — Attorney General James Uthmeier says he’s finding evidence of further petition fraud on behalf of a citizens’ initiative to legalize recreational pot. But what is presented as new evidence actually comes from Smart & Safe Florida, which is legally required to submit all petitions collected on its behalf without culling out those that may not be legally sufficient. The Attorney General’s Office says approximately 50 petition circulators submitted more than 21,600 petitions, with more than 14,500 raising “significant concerns,” including “mismatched signatures” or “indicia of fraud.” Meanwhile, a campaign spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida says the group is complying with the law and rejects the framing by Uthmeier’s Office. “Consistent with Florida law, each and every time we found any sort of discrepancy from state-certified petition gatherers, we reported our suspicions to the Secretary of State. Even further, we segregate any suspicious petitions before submitting them to county Supervisors of Elections. In short, it appears the Attorney General is taking issue with the fact that we explicitly follow the law.”

AI Bill of Rights — A Senate Committee advanced a bill to create an artificial intelligence bill of rights, aiming to protect consumers and minors. With unanimous bipartisan support, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee backed Sen. Tom Leek’s bill (SB 482). “Quite simply, we get a 60-day Session once a year. If we don’t act and Congress doesn’t act, those protections won’t exist for Florida’s children and vulnerable adults,” Leek, a Port Orange Republican, told lawmakers before the 10-0 vote Wednesday. “So, I believe we have to act.” Wednesday’s vote was the bill’s first Committee stop to support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda as the measure heads next to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Red tape rolls forward — Two bills meant to address the proliferation of large-scale data centers in Florida just cleared their first hurdles in the Legislature’s upper chamber — with concerns from industry figures and lawmakers about unintended impacts. Tackling the issue is a priority for the bills’ sponsor, Miami Springs Republican Sen. Bryan Ávila, who described his legislation as a compromise between safeguarding Florida’s environment and residents while upholding the state’s open-for-business policy. “This is a balance between making sure that we are still leading the way on tech, but also laying a foundation and protecting our consumers,” he said. “Particularly, (it’s) making sure that our local governments in rural areas have a voice and a seat at the table with that discussion.”

‘Delete everything’ — Christina Pushaw, a key adviser to DeSantis, spent months getting close to a candidate to replace him, but now regrets and repudiates the move, which she reportedly initiated months ago because she liked his spicy approach to conservative politics. Pushaw, who earns nearly $180,000 a year as a senior adviser to DeSantis, claims to have disagreed with James Fishback’s rhetoric as it grew “more extreme over time.” Still, the specifics of her agreement and disagreement remain open in her posts. Yet the extremism of Fishback’s views, which include repeatedly describing U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds using various racist tropes, wasn’t the deal-breaker. Instead, it was Fishback allegedly trashing Pushaw behind her back.

— Nursing Programs Payday —

Investing in medicine and health care is rarely a tough sell. People get sick, need prescriptions, get hurt — and Florida has continued directing money toward nursing education.

This week, DeSantis announced that since 2022, the State has invested $485 million in nursing programs through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) initiatives.

That total includes $20 million in new LINE funding announced this week, with $14.5 million directed to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $6 million distributed to State University System institutions.

“Today, I was proud to award more than $20 million in LINE funding, with $14.5 million awarded to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, as well as $6 million to state universities. Florida is investing at scale to expand nursing programs and strengthen the health care workforce. Since launching the LINE and PIPELINE programs in 2022, Florida has invested more than $485 million in nursing education,” DeSantis said.

LINE is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant designed to support educational institutions and health care providers by funding student scholarships, recruiting faculty and staff, purchasing equipment and enhancing simulation centers. To date, the program has provided more than $85 million to state colleges, private postsecondary institutions and State University System schools.

“Governor DeSantis has made nursing education a top priority in Florida, recognizing the critical role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe,” said Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Through strategic investments like the LINE and PIPELINE programs, we are supporting the next generation of nurses by expanding access to high-quality education and ensuring Florida’s health care workforce is prepared to meet growing demand.”

Since its launch, the PIPELINE program has awarded $240 million to state colleges and School Districts and $160 million to State University System institutions.

“Florida’s continued investment in nursing education demonstrates our state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the health care workforce and expanding opportunities for students across the State University System,” said SUS Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.

— Uthmeier targets affirmative action —

Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a legal opinion concluding that Florida laws requiring state institutions to engage in affirmative action hiring practices are unconstitutional.

In the opinion, Uthmeier argued that the State is violating the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and provisions of Florida’s Constitution.

“Florida maintains several laws on its books that promote and require discrimination on its face,” the opinion states.

The 14th Amendment provides that “(N)o state shall… deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Uthmeier also cited Article I, Section 2, of the Florida Constitution, which states: “No person shall be deprived of any right because of race, religion, national origin or physical disability.”

Uthmeier pointed specifically to a Florida statute he described as “egregious,” which mandates statewide participation in “programs of affirmative and positive action” and requires every executive agency to “develop and implement an affirmative action plan” that includes race-based hiring goals.

“Because enforcing and obeying these discriminatory laws would violate those bedrock legal guarantees, those laws are unconstitutional,” Uthmeier wrote. “My office, therefore, will not defend or enforce any of these discriminatory provisions.”

The opinion also applies to race-based preferences in government contracting.

“Florida’s discriminatory contracting provisions earmark certain opportunities for minority contractors without providing any ‘strong basis in evidence’ to support this race-based action,” Uthmeier wrote.

The opinion drew criticism from a candidate running against Uthmeier in the Attorney General’s race, which will be decided in November. Miami Democrat José Javier Rodríguez said the timing of the opinion’s release on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was offensive.

“It is troubling that our Florida Attorney General has chosen, of all days, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to announce an effort to undermine civil rights,” Rodríguez said. “Equal protection has never meant ignoring discrimination — it means confronting it. This kind of politicization of the Attorney General’s office is exactly what Floridians are tired of.”

— No corrals —

Uthmeier has issued a legal opinion concluding that municipal governments cannot require businesses to submit shopping cart collection or retention plans for local approval.

Uthmeier issued the three-page opinion in response to a request from Allan Weinthal, the Town Attorney for Davie, as the Davie Town Council considered adopting a shopping cart retention ordinance. Weinthal asked whether state law preempts municipalities from enacting such requirements and whether local governments can impose monetary penalties on businesses that do not submit a plan.

In the opinion, Uthmeier said local governments lack the authority to establish those ordinances and do not have the legal ability to generally impose fines related to shopping cart retention.

Uthmeier cited Florida law that “expressly preempts municipal ordinances that allow a municipality to require a business owner to submit a shopping cart retention plan to the municipality (or) deny a shopping cart retention plan (and) impose a monetary penalty for failing to submit and adhere to a shopping cart retention plan.”

— Green for forests —

Florida landowners could soon see new money flowing their way.

This week, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, along with the Florida Forest Service, announced that $6.3 million in grants is available through two cost-share programs: Florida’s Future Forests Program and the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program.

Both programs aim to improve forest health and water quality through tree planting and improved timber stand management practices. Applications for both programs are open through March 27.

“Florida’s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets — protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,” Simpson said. “These programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.”

Florida’s Future Forests Program is open to non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and registered nonprofit organizations with a minimum of 10 acres and a maximum of 250 acres. Eligible applicants are encouraged to contact their Florida Forest Service County Forester to begin the application process.

The RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program is available to non-industrial private landowners, local governments and registered nonprofit organizations located within designated priority watersheds. Funding may be used for reforestation, prescribed burning, first pulpwood thinning, mechanical underbrush treatment, and chemical underbrush treatment. The acreage requirements are the same: a minimum of 10 acres and a maximum of 250.

“Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improve water quality, and enhance overall forest health,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service.

For more information, visit FDACS.gov/Restore and FDACS.gov/FutureForests.

— Nassau, you’re next —

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is once again taking aim at a county budget in the name of efficiency.

Blink twice if you’ve heard this one before: This week, Ingoglia traveled to Fernandina Beach to announce that Nassau County is spending more than $53 million above what budget growth and population increases over the past five years would justify.

Ingoglia called on local officials to provide tax relief to county residents.

“Taxpayers throughout Florida are tired of their locally elected officials wasting their hard-earned money on government bloat,” Ingoglia said. “The amount of excessive, wasteful spending in Nassau County announced today is yet another example that the growth in government is wasteful in itself.”

“As CFO, I will keep bringing transparency to Floridians and holding local governments accountable for overtaxing their citizens,” he added. “With each review of local governments, we are proving that real tax relief is not only possible but necessary.”

The Florida Agency of Fiscal Oversight and Ingoglia recommended that Nassau County lower its millage rate by 0.95 mills, a reduction they said would not interfere with essential county services. The change would save homeowners with a taxable value of $400,000 up to $380 per year.

“Small-business owners like me are reliant on customers having expendable income to spend at our businesses,” said Jeff Freese, owner of Ash Street Cigar Parlor. “Rising property taxes have a cascading negative effect on businesses, our employees, and small-business owners. We just want to make a fair living and have a conduit to be heard as voting citizens.”

— Conviction upheld —

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has affirmed the conviction and 14-year federal prison sentence of Tallahassee attorney Phillip Timothy Howard, rejecting his appeal of a 2023 guilty plea to racketeering charges.

Howard admitted to using his law firm, Howard & Associates, P.A., as a racketeering enterprise between 2015 and 2018, defrauding clients — including NFL players, litigation lenders, and a university professor — of more than $12 million through wire fraud and money laundering.

“This defendant repeatedly violated the trust placed in him by his clients, enriching himself by defrauding them of millions of dollars, and continued to try to evade accountability for his crimes even after he was found guilty,” said John P. Heekin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“As this appellate victory makes clear, my office not only zealously advocates for criminal fraud victims at trial, but also ensures our successful prosecutions stick and criminals are held fully accountable.”

The appellate court agreed with prosecutors and upheld the conviction in an unpublished decision without oral argument. The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the SEC and FINRA.

—Instagram of the week—

See more

— Three-peat territory —

Three-peat or a turkey — whatever you call it; it’s still a hot streak.

This week, Commissioner of Education Kamoutsas announced that Florida has been ranked No. 1 in education freedom for the third consecutive year by the “ALEC Index of State Education Freedom: A 50-State Guide to Parental Empowerment.”

The ALEC Index evaluates learning options across all 50 states, with an emphasis on educational opportunity, including charter schools, homeschooling, virtual education, and open enrollment policies.

“Florida’s continued recognition as No. 1 in Education Freedom reflects Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership and unwavering commitment to putting students and families first,” Kamoutsas said. “Florida leads the nation because we provide all students and families with access to high-quality school choice options that meet their individual needs.”

Florida also ranked No. 1 in the ALEC Index for Student-Centered Funding Programs, Charter Schools, and Homeschooling. Other national groups have issued similar rankings. The Heritage Foundation has ranked Florida first for education freedom, while Lightcast has ranked the state No. 1 for talent attraction and workforce development. Florida also topped the “Parent Power!” Index by the Center for Education Reform.

Florida was the only state in the 2025–26 rankings to receive an A-plus grade from the ALEC Index. State officials credit continued efforts to expand school choice options and give parents greater control over their children’s education.

By the way … what’s a snappy term for four in a row? We’ve got a year to figure it out.

— Nine years for a name —

Nearly nine years after Hurricane Irma tore through the Florida Keys, authorities have identified the remains of a man recovered in Monroe County in 2017.

This week, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced it assisted in identifying the remains as those of James Donald Schlake, 77, of Key Largo. The remains were recovered following the storm but remained unidentified until now.

The identification was made through genetic genealogy, in partnership with FDLE’s Forensic Services and Othram, a DNA laboratory that specializes in advanced sequencing and genealogical research to help resolve unidentified human remains cases.

“FDLE’s Key West Field Office and Forensic Services turned over every stone to identify Mr. Schlake,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Our statewide forensic resources and strong partnerships are critical to supporting Florida’s communities and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration helped bring long-awaited answers to Mr. Schlake’s loved ones and to the Florida Keys community.”

During a search-and-rescue operation in Big Pine Key following Hurricane Irma, on Sept. 14, 2017, the body of an unidentified man was found in a debris pile. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was accidental drowning.

“People should know that it doesn’t matter how old a case is,” said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram. “If there is DNA, there is technology today that can bring answers to families. This is powerful technology, and cases like this can absolutely be solved.”

Next of kin have been notified of the identification, bringing long-awaited closure to Schlake’s family.

— Backlash —

Sen. Shevrin Jones criticized Attorney General Uthmeier’s recent legal opinion on affirmative action, calling it a direct attack on civil rights and Black communities.

In a statement, Jones said the opinion “carries profound and troubling implications,” arguing that it undermines progress in civil rights, equity, and access across areas such as health care, workforce development, and community protections. He warned the opinion could create confusion for state agencies and weaken frameworks meant to address systemic inequality.

Jones also took aim at the timing of the opinion’s release on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, calling it “insulting” and “clearly planned and intentional.”

“This is a clear continuation of DeSantis’ fear mongering in an attempt to get people to fall in line and create an environment where existing disparities are allowed to deepen without challenge,” Jones said. “This is a slap in the face of the millions of Black Floridians who call our state home.”

— 500K trees for you and me —

The Florida State Parks Foundation’s Plant a Pine program has passed a major milestone, topping 500,000 longleaf pine trees planted across Florida’s state parks.

The milestone was marked this week at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, where volunteers planted an additional 1,000 longleaf pine seedlings to celebrate the achievement. The program focuses on restoring native longleaf pine ecosystems within Florida’s parks.

The Florida Park Service and Tallahassee’s Bass Pro Shops took part in the event. Since the program launched in 2020, Bass Pro Shops has contributed $200,000 to Plant a Pine.

“We are amazed that Plant a Pine has restored more than half a million trees in our state parks,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. “It’s a proud day for the Foundation, and we are celebrating the best way we know how — by planting more trees in a state park.”

The Plant a Pine initiative was created after Hurricane Michael destroyed an estimated 500 million trees across the Florida Panhandle in 2018 and has since become one of the Foundation’s signature conservation efforts.

More than 2,500 grassroots supporters have contributed to the program, whether through direct donations, gifts in someone’s honor, or commemorative plantings. Each donor receives a printed certificate confirming the tree planting.

“Today’s event at Wakulla Springs is a great example of what makes Florida’s state parks so special,” said Matt Caldwell, President of the Foundation’s Board. “That so many people and partners have donated to Plant a Pine over the years is a testament to how much Floridians care about their natural spaces.”

— Powerful awards —

Being a good neighbor means lending a hand when it matters most.

That’s the idea behind the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s 2025 “Restoring Communities Awards,” which recognize Florida public power utilities for restoring service in their own communities and providing mutual aid to others. This year’s recipients include the City of Tallahassee, Gainesville Regional Utilities, and the City of Starke.

“Florida’s mutual aid crews work through all kinds of weather — from the sweltering heat of Summer to the freezing cold of Winter and everything in between,” said FMEA Executive Director Amy Zubaly. “When Florida public power is needed, we are there, whether that’s in our home state or anywhere else in the country.”

Zubaly also noted that the same spirit of cooperation extends to infrastructure upgrades and reliability projects. “Thanks to each of the 2025 award recipients for powering our communities,” she said.

One example cited involved Tallahassee assisting the City of Marietta, Georgia, during a Winter storm, deploying crews and resources to prepare for ice accumulation on power lines and trees — conditions the city doesn’t often face.

Another recognized project saw the City of Starke and Gainesville Regional Utilities work together to replace electrical feeder lines that were positioned too close to another circuit. By coordinating the effort, the utilities completed the work without interrupting service to customers.

— Harambee hoedown —

Hey, Tallahassee — mark your calendars.

Florida A&M University will host the ninth annual 2026 Harambee Festival on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Will Packer Amphitheater, welcoming students, alumni, and the broader Tallahassee community for a day centered on culture and unity.

Derived from the Swahili term meaning “all pull together,” Harambee celebrates collective responsibility and cultural pride through music, food, art, and community engagement.

“The Harambee Festival plays a vital role in our relationship with the Tallahassee community by strengthening community engagement and showcasing the colleges, schools, and programs the university has to offer,” said Vernon Bryant, the festival’s project manager.

Attendees can expect local vendors offering food, drinks, art, fashion, and culturally inspired goods, along with free interactive workshops for all ages, giveaways throughout the day, and informational booths highlighting FAMU’s academic offerings.

Parking will be available on the west side of Bragg Stadium, with a shuttle running every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m. to transport attendees to and from the event. Limited first-come, first-served parking will also be available at Cascades Park.

Live entertainment, cultural performances, and community-focused activities will take place throughout the day, highlighting African and African American history while reinforcing FAMU’s connection to the Tallahassee community.

— FSU x LEGO —

Sorry, Dick Van Dyke, but the LEGO box is pretty clear: ages 4–99. Rules are rules.

Jokes aside, LEGO remains a classic construction toy built around imagination — whether that’s free-form city building or following step-by-step instructions to recreate familiar worlds. In an era dominated by screens, LEGO has endured by offering something different: hands-on creativity.

International LEGO Day is Jan. 28, marking the 1958 patent of the LEGO brick. To recognize the occasion, Florida State University’s Dina Vyortkina, Assistant Dean of Innovation and Instructional Technology Enhancement in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, will lead a workshop exploring LEGO’s role in STEM education.

The session will focus on how LEGO supports problem-solving, creative collaboration, and following instructions — skills that translate well beyond the toy box.

“LEGO bricks are a powerful tool for teaching foundational academic concepts, fostering positive attitudes and building interest in STEM,” Vyortkina said. “As in any science field, a lot of exploration and inquiry is involved with ‘what if’ scenarios and sequencing steps.”

Vyortkina is also a faculty affiliate of the FSU Learning Systems Institute and has led grant projects related to teacher education and the development of learning materials in Egypt and Uzbekistan. Anne’s College Technology Sandbox National LEGO Day workshop will run from noon to 2 p.m.

“Not having a screen or always requiring a computer is a huge plus,” Vyortkina added. “Many LEGO kits are relatively open-ended, allowing builders to use their imagination rather than being limited to a single model.”

LEGO prices may have climbed over the years, but the ROI — curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning — is hard to beat.

— TSC dominates —

While Hoosiers were singing “We Are the Champions” and swaying in the stands Monday night (and FSU and UF fans were quietly thanking Fernando Mendoza), some Tallahassee college students were celebrating for very different reasons.

This week, the Tallahassee State College Speech and Debate team competed in the third annual Sunshine State Virtual Forensics Tournament — and for the first time took home gold in both the Individual Events Team Sweepstakes and the Overall Team Sweepstakes, along with silver in the Debate Team Sweepstakes.

“All of us put in countless hours of hard work, and it’s very satisfying to see it pay off,” said Grace Hartman, a sophomore at TSC. “I’m looking forward to many more wins throughout the rest of our competition season.”

The final team standings showed TSC leading the field with 122 points, followed by the University of Central Florida with 78, the University of West Florida with 52, the University of Pittsburgh with 29, and Union University with 26.5.

In the Overall Individual Team Sweepstakes category, TSC swept the podium, with Olivia Shull earning gold, Hartman taking silver, and Jack Hopkins finishing with bronze.

Additional points and awards were earned by Natalie Gordon, Samuel King, Lillyana Humphreys, Tamyah Richardson, Solei Sutton, Elsmary Hernandez, and Sophie Germanovsky.

TSC will have the opportunity to defend its titles in February when the Speech and Debate team competes in the two-year and four-year Florida State tournaments.

— FYC: Win your office Oscar poll —

Oscar nominations are out. So instead of the usual box office chatter or release-date recap, consider this a cheat sheet — a way to sound like the smartest person in the room when the Oscar talk starts flying.

The Academy, once again, has settled on a mandatory 10 Best Picture nominees. Remember when it was five? Then 10? Then “up to” 10? We’re officially back to a full slate.

The clear headline: the genre-blending juggernaut “Sinners” set a new Academy record with 16 nominations, leaving the earlier three-way tie in the dust. Worth noting: a new Casting category debuted this year, but even without it, “Sinners” still would have broken the record. The film landed major nods, including Best Director for Ryan Coogler, Lead Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and a long-awaited Supporting Actor nomination for Delroy Lindo.

“Sinners” wasn’t the only titan this year. Close behind with 13 nominations was “One Battle After Another,” which many pundits still consider the Best Picture front-runner. Paul Thomas Anderson picked up nominations for Director and Adapted Screenplay, while the film scored acting noms for Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn, along with Editing and Score. One surprise came in Lead Actress, where Kate Hudson’s late surge for “Song Sung Blue” edged out Chase Infiniti, despite Infiniti sitting just outside the top betting odds heading into nomination morning.

Snubs and surprises were plentiful. Paul Mescal missed Supporting Actor for “Hamnet,” and “Wicked: For Good” was completely shut out. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” showed up in Costume Design despite missing Sound, while “Superman” failed to land noms in either Sound or Visual Effects, raising more than a few eyebrows.

Out of left field, “Blue Moon” snagged two noms — Best Actor for Ethan Hawke and Original Screenplay — instantly turning Hawke into a potential spoiler in a crowded race. Meanwhile, “Marty Supreme” kept its momentum with nominations for Director, Original Screenplay, Production Design, and Editing, firmly keeping Timothée Chalamet in the Best Actor conversation.

On the streaming front, Netflix’s global hit “KPop Demon Hunters” landed two nominations — Animated Feature and Original Song — and is widely expected to dominate both categories. If you have a kid under 12, this is not news.

International films made a strong showing. “Sentimental Value” emerged as a standout with nine noms, including multiple acting nods and major above-the-line recognition, cementing its status as one of the year’s most successful international contenders. Brazil’s “The Secret Agent” also broke through with a Best Picture nomination, Best Actor for Wagner Moura, and a nod in the new Casting category.

Not everyone made it. “It Was Just an Accident” earned nominations for Original Screenplay and International Feature but missed Best Picture, while “No Other Choice” was shut out entirely — one of the morning’s more painful omissions. Depending on who you ask, the Summer juggernaut “F1” may have squeezed out one of those international hopefuls at the margin. Florida Politics’ resident cinephile, Liam Fineout, thinks “Train Dreams” was the film that snagged that last spot.

When it comes to studio tallies, Warner Bros. led the pack with 30 nominations, followed by Neon with 18 and Netflix with 16.

If you’re looking to catch up fast — or just want to win your office Oscar poll — start with these five: “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Frankenstein.”

— Capitol Directions —

Ron DeSantis — Crossways arrow — There must be a Whataburger in Boise

Casey DeSantis — Up arrow — Heavy metal is a genre, not an ingredient.

Christina Pushaw — Up arrow — Couldn’t have happened to a better spokesmuppet.

James Fishfuck — Crossways arrow — The focus group looks suspiciously like an Asmongold chat, but whatever.

Jay Collins — Down arrow — Silence reads differently when you want a promotion.

James Uthmeier — Down arrow — MLK Day was a choice.

Angie Nixon — Crossways arrow — The U.S. Senate candidate no one knew they needed.

Tom Leek — Up arrow — The right guy to get it across the goal line before Skynet lobbies up.

Anna Eskamani — Down arrow — Gasoline, meet culture-war fire.

Jason Shoaf — Up arrow — He earned it.

Lauren Melo — Up arrow — Giving accountability the green light.

David Smith — Up arrow — I’ll take a sorry-not-sorry, hold the sorry.

Emily Duda Buckley — Up arrow — A+ in kindness for Seminole County kids.

Bridget Ziegler — Three arrows going all directions — Magic 8 Ball says, ‘House prospects hazy. Try again.’

Public adjusters — Up arrow — As they would say in the biz, the loss ratio is trending the right way.

Marva Johnson — Up arrow — Keeping it 100 with the perfect backing band.

Brian & Kathryn Ballard — Up arrow — A Gator great and a notable Nole. Not a house divided, just a full pantry.

Deirdre Finn — Up arrow — Thirty seconds flat, no loose ends.

Carol Bowen — Up arrow — She has ABC pouring concrete while others are still drafting blueprints.

Fred Karlinsky — Up arrow — A gala done right.

Ron Pierce — Up arrow — When the Bolts hit ohms, he brings the amps.

Todd Bonlarron — Up arrow — A 30-year run, a well-earned victory lap.

FSU Day — Up arrow — Brought the hardware, the band, and The Duce.

Charlie Ward — Up arrow — Garnet and gold or orange and green, some people are just winners.