A.G. GancarskiRon DeSantis says ‘fraud’ Kamala Harris needs to come clean about mistakes
The former presidential candidate said the interview showed ‘the real Kamala … is not somebody that should be president’
2
2min
Judge grants restraining order to stop state’s threats over pro-abortion ads
The temporary restraining order expires Oct. 29.
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6min
Staff ReportsLast Call for 10.17.24 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics
A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
0
14min
How Disney World is helping Milton relief efforts
Disney also pledged to assist its own employees affected by the storm.
2
4min
News & Trending
October 17, 2024
Peter Schorsch
Peter Schorsch
Lee County Sheriff’s Office spearheads cross-agency collaboration effort
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3min
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Drew Dixon
October 17, 2024
Gabrielle Russon
Gabrielle Russon
Milton lineworkers and first responders can get free theme park tickets
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3min
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Jesse SchecknerStorm Coverage
How Disney World is helping Milton relief efforts
Disney also pledged to assist its own employees affected by the storm.
2
4min
Milton lineworkers and first responders can get free theme park tickets
The offer for free Florida theme park tickets extends through Halloween.
0
3min
Not fueling around: Rick Scott rips Florida’s ‘ridiculous’ gas shortages during and after Milton
Petroleum problems didn’t escape the Senator’s notice.
7
3min
Associated PressFederal money to help states hit by Helene and Milton nears $2B
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has said the agency eventually will need supplemental funding from Congress.
1
7min
‘Operation Blue Roof’ enacted for Florida to provide temporary shelter over damaged buildings
Thousands of roofs damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida can now get free blue tarps to cover damage.
5
5min
More than 99% of Duke Energy customers’ power has been restored in Pasco, about 97% systemwide
Most remaining outages are in hard-to-reach areas or are the result of extensive damage or flooding.
0
4min
Ron DeSantis boasts of ‘zero tolerance’ for storm looters, animal abusers
‘We said you’d be held accountable and you will be held accountable.’
21
4min
Gov. DeSantis doles out recovery resources in Pasco, marks power and gas progress
Help is coming to flood victims in Zephyrhills.
6
4min
Florida Supervisors of Elections ask for more voting accommodations post-Milton
‘Addressing these concerns is necessary and imperative.’
2
6min
2024 – Presidential
Ron DeSantis says ‘fraud’ Kamala Harris needs to come clean about mistakes
The former presidential candidate said the interview showed ‘the real Kamala … is not somebody that should be president’
2
2min
GOP Florida leaders endorse Kamala Harris over ‘disaster’ Donald Trump
‘He is a blustering, name-calling bully who only cares about himself.’
9
4min
Drew WilsonThe Lincoln Project says ‘Dobbs Dads’ could deliver for Kamala Harris
The anti-Trump group will be focusing on the potentially pivotal bloc during the final sprint to Election Day.
7
4min
Ryan NicolMarist poll shifts 3 points toward Kamala Harris in last 2 weeks, now has her up 5 over Donald Trump nationally
Trump is winning more independent voters, however.
8
3min
Kamala Harris returns to battleground Pennsylvania, with Republicans, as Donald Trump pursues Latinos’ votes
Election Day is now less than 3 weeks away.
1
4min
Florida GOP says Donald Trump victory ‘assured,’ cites poll showing strong minority support
‘This has been consistent in both public and private polling for months.’
54
4min
2024 – Initiatives
Judge grants restraining order to stop state’s threats over pro-abortion ads
The temporary restraining order expires Oct. 29.
0
6min
Anti-abortion rights advocates want Amendment 4 pulled from ballot
Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson is representing the plaintiffs.
12
4min
Jacob OglesRecreational pot ads deploy Donald Trump, Joe Gruters to promise legalization will done the ‘right’ way
The Amendment 3 ads promise the measure won’t lead to public smoking.
2
4min
Abortion rights advocacy group speaks out against Florida threatening TV stations for playing ad
The Committee to Protect Health Care attacked the state’s move during the contentious fight over abortion rights.
0
3min
A TV station stopped playing pro-abortion rights ads after state’s threats, lawsuit says
The lawsuit is asking the federal courts for an injunction.
13
7min
Group backing recreational pot measure raises $100M-plus, but an opposing campaign has more cash on hand
More marijuana companies have provided cash and in-kind support to the Amendment 3 effort.
5
4min
2024 – Down Ballot
Police group offers backup to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s anti-gun violence platform
The newly launched national group has supported policies aimed at stopping gun violence.
5
4min
Rick Scott says ‘racism’ behind Kamala Harris proposal for biz loans for Black men
Forgivable loans would provide capital for various investments under the VP’s plan.
4
3min
University submitted form allegedly forged by Carolina Amesty to state in pursuit of accredition
Central Christian didn’t need state licensing to operate as a religious school, but wanted to expand its curriculum.
1
8min
DLCC to offer support to Democratic candidates in 7 competitive legislative races
Daryl Parks, Sarah Henry, Tom Keen, Maria Revelles, Joe Saunders, Jay Shooster and Leonard Spencer should all feel a boost.
1
4min
Whitney Fox outraises Anna Paulina Luna in third quarter, nears incumbent in cash
The Democrat saw a funding surge after her inclusion in the DCCC’s Red to Blue program.
0
6min
Direct mail round-up: In HD 113 GOP incumbent depicted as a ‘Blue Dog Progressive’
Funding for the mailers can be traced back to her political committee.
0
10min
Fiona McFarland’s political committee cash overshadows Derek Reich’s fundraising success
Reich has also received no support from the state party.
0
4min
Party support for Maria Revelles overshadows Paula Stark’s cash advantage
Democrats have offered more than $100K worth of in-kind support to the Democratic challenger.
0
4min
Laurel Lee has outraised Pat Kemp more than 4-to-1 as she seeks re-election in CD 15
The incumbent has seen national support from groups like AIPAC.
0
5min
Dems lead Republicans in mail ballots returned, with room to stretch lead further
The GOP has a higher return rate, but a smaller bank of potential absentee voters to count on.
1
3min
Carolina Amesty holds cash edge on Leonard Spencer, but is support drying up after her arrest?
The Republican Party of Florida hasn’t provided in-kind support since the lawmaker’s arrest on 4 felony counts.
0
4min
Candidates for open House seat in Palm Beach County tied in fundraising — but for very different reasons
One candidate has received nearly 400 contributions since filing. The other, who has campaigned longer, just crossed 80 donations this month.
1
5min
David Smith holds massive cash edge over Sarah Henry in closing weeks of HD 38 race
The FHDCC has supported Henry but her accounts are largely depleted.
1
3min
Maxwell Frost, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell say Villages golf cart caravan translates into Dem momentum
‘It’s about a vision for this country, and it’s about true freedom.’
15
4min
DSCC teams up with Debbie Mucarsel-Powell on Rick Scott ‘snake’ hit
Do Floridians want a ‘Senator with a spine’? DMP and D.C. allies are betting big that they do.
3
5min
Legislative, Influence & Policy
New migration to Florida drops by half in 2023, AARP urges state leaders to address cost of living
AARP raises ‘wake-up’ call for Florida leaders to bring down cost of living expenses.
1
3min
Personnel note: Lewis Longman & Walker adds Jason Winn to Tally lobbying team
‘We are thrilled to welcome Jason to our team.’
1
3min
PRNEWS recognizes Karen Moore as ‘Person of the Year’
“I’m truly honored to be recognized as a mentor …’
1
2min
Gov. DeSantis blames legal ‘loophole’ on gas station generator shortfall, but probably won’t fix it
‘I think that it was written in a way that if you want to conduct your operations to not be covered by that, you can.’
8
4min
Florida PhoenixHurricane surge could blow away Florida homeowners insurance ‘fixes’
Floridians already pay nation’s highest homeowners insurance premiums
4
7min
Peter SchorschThe Fall 2024 edition of INFLUENCE Magazine is here, just in time to hunker down … again
This edition features the Great Communicators, a timely spotlight as they work tirelessly to spread critical hurricane-related info.
1
8min
Culture Wars
Gov. DeSantis stonewalls question about climate change, accuses media of ‘virtue signaling’
‘I don’t subscribe to your religion.’
15
10min
Florida GOP denounces Donna Deegan’s ‘antisemitic rhetoric’ regarding ‘concentration camps’
Chair Evan Power pilloried the Jacksonville Mayor’s ‘unhinged’ statements about Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
9
3min
Book bans are down in Florida but the fight over censorship remains, advocate group says
Some of the contested books in Florida this year are over classic titles.
3
5min
Dockworkers’ union to suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract
The walkout raised the risk of shortages of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks.
7
7min
Gov. DeSantis launches Florida workaround to Longshoremen strike
Hurricane Helene makes the ILA action ‘simply unacceptable.’
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4min
Jacksonville
NE Florida
St. Pete
Janelle Irwin TaylorSW Florida
Tampa
Panhandle
Tallahassee
Communities
South Florida
‘Incredible commitment to Everglades restoration’: SFWMD touts update on EAA Reservoir construction
Executive Director Drew Bartlett laid out the board’s ‘commitment to build the crown jewel and move water south.’
0
5min
Jay Shooster crosses $800K raised, spends almost half that in a month to flip HD 91 blue
He has now raised well over 3 times as much as the incumbent and outspent her more than sixfold.
0
8min
Direct mail round-up: In HD 113 GOP incumbent depicted as a ‘Blue Dog Progressive’
Funding for the mailers can be traced back to her political committee.
0
10min
María Elvira Salazar nears $3M raised to defend her CD 27 seat
Her Democratic challenger, Lucia Báez-Geller, raised just slightly more than Salazar spent last period.
0
8min
Miami-Dade Sheriff candidates clash on experience, budgeting, immigration in second debate
It was a heated discussion that frequently grew contentious, but never hostile.
1
14min
‘Integrity and accountability’: 14 more local leaders back James Reyes for Miami-Dade Sheriff
‘His dedication to reform and protecting residents in every corner of Miami-Dade is exactly what we need to build a safer community for all.’
1
7min
Federal
Super PAC that backed Ron DeSantis for President transfers leftover cash to his renamed committee
Of the $145.5M that Never Back Down amassed since its February 2023 founding, just $625K was left at the end of the last quarter.
3
6min
Marco Rubio, Rick Scott push FEMA funding bill as members of Congress focus on re-election
Timing is everything, and it’s time for many legislators to focus on winning another term.
2
3min
Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor lead request to Joe Biden for expedited Milton declaration
Every member of Florida’s congressional delegation joined in on the ask.
1
4min
Anna Paulina Luna calls on Mike Johnson to reconvene Congress for hurricane relief
The Republican said she spoke to Joe Biden and feels confident that resources would be well utilized.
4
5min
Disconnect? Joe Biden dodges question about ‘gracious’ Ron DeSantis snubbing Kamala Harris
‘All I can tell you is I’ve talked to Governor DeSantis.’
3
3min
Maxwell Frost rides along with Hurricane Hunters into Milton
America’s youngest Congressman flew into the storm as it reached near-record strength.
2
4min
Foreign Affairs
Florida political leaders reflect 1 year after Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Florida is home to America’s third-largest population of Jewish people.
1
51min
As major hurricane threatens Florida, Ron DeSantis weighs in on UK Tory leadership fight
Kemi Badenoch could be ‘inspiration for conservatives not just in the United Kingdom but around the world.’
4
3min
Florida Dems cry foul as Donald Trump threatens to revoke TPS for Haitians
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he will revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians if he wins in November. That’s a move that could affect tens of thousands of Haitians living legally in Florida. Trump made his comments to NewsNation at a Texas fundraiser while discussing a high concentration of Haitian immigrants in Ohio. […]
3
10min
Rick Scott invokes Israel-Hamas war, United Nations in latest Senate leadership pitch
The Senator is backing the Israeli government amid its conflict with the Secretary General.
3
4min
Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott back Israel amid Iranian attacks
Florida Republicans make it clear where they stand as war threatens to widen in the Middle East.
7
4min
Marco Rubio expects ‘negotiated settlement’ in Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Senator wants a deal favorable to Kyiv.
9
3min
Emails & Opinions
Last Call for 10.17.24 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics
A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
Apolitical
Florida’s new unemployment claims plunge following huge spike to start the month
Jobless claims haven’t accounted for possible impacts from Hurricane Milton yet.
Ticket prices spike for Rafael Nadal’s final matches
If Nadal plays in the finals, tickets could cost more than $180K.
Tech
Universities
Florida Poly ranked among top 10 best universities in America for outcomes for students
Lakeland-based university Florida Polytech credits career development services for recent high ranking for career outcomes for students.
0
3min
The Gator Nation is everywhere: UF professor lands spot on National Science Board
Juan Gilbert is a past National Medal of Technology and Innovation honoree.
0
4min
After Milton, Florida universities split on whether to reopen
Here’s which schools are opening soon and which ones remain closed.
1
4min
