Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
Memorial Day weekend means hot dogs, the beach and a Monday off to many. But to Florida’s politicians, it’s a working holiday.
“Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military,” according to History.com. “Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
“…Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.”
And high campaign season.
— John Tupps, spokesman for Gov. Rick Scott, said the governor – also in the running for U.S. Senate – “will be monitoring the storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico.” “He’s planning on honoring our nation’s troops in Miami on Friday and again on Monday,” Tupps added. “He’s already awarded hundreds of Veteran’s Service Medals to Florida veterans this week.”
— CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I’ll be spending my weekend at home with my two boys and wonderful wife. My family is incredibly grateful for the freedoms we have because of the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers.” His office also noted that he would be monitoring the storm brewing in the Gulf, providing any immediate assistance needed for Floridians.
— Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who also happens to be running for Governor, “will be in Florida, monitoring the weather system moving into the state, celebrating the end of another school year with his family, and honoring the sacrifices made by our fallen veterans that make these moments even possible,” said campaign spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice.
— U.S. Rep Ron DeSantis did not directly respond to our injury, but a blast email from his campaign notes that he will be in Pinellas County on Saturday for a Meet-and-Greet at Quaker Steak & Lube. That event begins at 3:45 p.m.
The Democratic candidates for governor are similarly booked.
— Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum will attend Saturday’s Florida A&M University National Alumni Association Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, 9-11 a.m., at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. On Sunday, he’ll be at the St. Pete Democratic Club’s 10th Annual Memorial Day Picnic, 2:30-4 p.m. at War Memorial Park in St. Petersburg. And on Monday, he plans to be at the American Legion Memorial Day Observance and Flag Retirement Ceremony, Seminole Post 111, 10:30-12:30 p.m. in Tampa.
— Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham of Tallahassee reports she is “looking forward to spending this weekend with my husband Steve and recognizing the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives serving our country at the Tallahassee National Cemetery Memorial Day observance ceremony. “Each year, as families enjoy the long weekend together, I deeply appreciate all the Floridians who take time to attend services across our state honoring those we have lost.”
— Orlando-area businessman Chris King “and his wife Kristen will be attending a family wedding in Fort Myers and spending the weekend with his family after completing his 10-day, 11-county ‘Turning the Tide’ tour on criminal justice reform,” his campaign said.
— Former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine says he “will join Floridians in honoring the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and allow freedom to reign in the US and all over the world. “Like many, I will be with my family and encourage everyone to reflect on the meaningful purpose behind Memorial Day.”
Sunburn asked the other candidates running statewide what their plans for. Among their responses:
AG candidate Sean Shaw: “I will be attending a ceremony on Sunday at the Tallahassee National Cemetery honoring the brave women & men who have given their lives in service to our state & our nation. After the ceremony, I’ll be taking the rest of the long weekend off the trail to relax by grilling & fishing at my childhood home in Tallahassee.”
Ag. Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley said, ““I will be with family this Memorial Day, ever so grateful for those who gave all that we may live in freedom.”
—
“I Will Vote” weekend of action planned by Florida Democrats – With less than 100 days until the Aug. 28 primary, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and the Florida Democratic Party are hosting joint “Nelson’s Neighbors” events across the state. It’s all part of what they are calling a “I Will Vote” weekend of action this Memorial Day weekend.
It “marks the kick-off to a summer of activism, where Democrats are committed to registering thousands of Floridians to vote-by-mail, knocking on doors in all 67 counties, registering thousands of new voters and communicating in new ways about our candidates,” according to a statement.
“The momentum we are seeing in our Democratic clubs and progressive groups across the state has been outstanding,” Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo said. “There is tremendous enthusiasm about our candidates, and it shows by the engagement we are seeing in this weekend of action, and beyond.”
Nelson is scheduled to join volunteers in Orange County, and his wife Grace Nelson will be in Duval County with volunteers making phone calls and knocking on doors. “Sen. Nelson has been fighting day in and day out to protect the people of Florida and we will do everything we can to elect Democrats up and down the ticket,” Rizzo said.
—
Programming note: Sunburn will definitely be taking Monday off to commemorate Memorial Day. It may also take Tuesday off because, well, it doesn’t want to work on a holiday to produce an edition on Tuesday. For the latest news, be sure to check out FloridaPolitics.com.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
–@politiCOHEN_: @willripleyCNN on phone from north korea now. says he was the first person to read to the north korean officials he was with trump’s letter. they had all just been together seeing a nuclear site dismantled. he said they were in shocked, got up, left and are all on the phone.
–@ScottforFlorida: It’s unfortunate Congress failed to pass a bill to protect Florida’s coast. It’s also disappointing to see politicians who have been in DC for decades only try to take action when it’s an election year. As governor I have fought to invest in our beaches
—@JKennedyReport: Hearing reports that G’ville Publix stores have put @GainesvilleSun out of sight cuz of front page story on boycott
–@ShevrinJones: We may have fallen short of the numbers for a special session, but we will continue to stand, ready and willing to work to ensure that our public schools have the adequate resources to provide students with a high quality education. We live to FIGHT another day!
—@Fineout: When’s my deadline? Every moment, every minute, every hour, every day….
—@SchmitzMedia: Just got an email from someone concerned that a politician was lying about their endorsements, so I’m very ready for a three-day weekend.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Memorial Day — 3; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in St. Petersburg — 15; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Miramar — 17; Time Warner/AT&T merger ruling — 18; 2018 FIFA World Cup begins — 20; Father’s Day — 23; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 28; Florida GOP Sunshine Summit starts — 34; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 44; MLB All-Star Game — 53; Deadline for filing claim bills — 68; ‘The Race for Governor’ Republican gubernatorial debate — 68; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in Miami — 69; Start of the U.S. Open — 94; Primary Election Day — 95; College Football opening weekend — 97; NFL season starts — 104; Future of Florida Forum — 124; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 151; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 152; General Election Day — 165; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 265; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 284.
— TOP STORY —
“Group files suit to show whether offshore drilling announcement was supposed to boost Rick Scott” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida — A left-leaning group based in Washington filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department seeking records related to Secretary Ryan Zinke‘s decision to exempt Florida from a federal offshore drilling proposal. American Oversight said it was suing for records to shed light on the department’s decision to exempt Florida. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington seeks emails and other records related to offshore drilling in 14 coastal states, including Florida. Zinke’s decision to exclude Florida as Scott was preparing an election bid for the Senate “looks like more than a coincidence,” said Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight … “Given the detrimental effect that offshore drilling can have on states’ environments and economies, the public deserves to know how DOI is making drilling-related decisions,” Evers said. “We need to find out if Secretary Zinke is conducting agency business with an eye to boosting Republicans’ electoral chances.”
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
First on #FlaPol – Gwen Graham expands campaign staff — Graham’s gubernatorial campaign has added Monica Rodrigues, Ed Rodriguez, and Jenny Busby to its political, policy and operations teams. Joining as political director, Rodrigues, of Miami Beach, previously served as the communication director and development director for Enroll America she helped with the enrollment of 1.9 million Floridians in Obamacare. Rodriguez joins the Graham campaign as Deputy Policy Director. A University of Florida graduate, Rodriguez previously worked for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America as a Legislative Associate in the organization’s Washington, D.C. policy team. He has experience as a legislative staffer in the U.S. Senate and as a political consultant for Solidarity Strategies. Busby joins as the Operations Director. She comes to the campaign from Congressman Al Lawson‘s office. A Jacksonville native, she previously worked for City Councilman Tommy Hazouri, the Florida Democratic Party, and former Broward County Sen. Nan Rich.
“Philip Levine is basing his run for governor on his climate change record — which is complicated” via the Miami Herald — Last week, amid questions about planning under Levine‘s tenure, angst about the city’s climate change efforts effectively torpedoed the next steps of the former mayor’s agenda. Because of fierce opposition to a $24 million project that includes raising roads, a divided city commission punted on nearly $90 million of roadway and stormwater improvements in a residential swath of the city. Following the vote, one elected official referred to the delayed project as “ill-conceived.” The criticism follows frustrations from business owners who’ve seen the city’s pumps fail during power outages and faced warnings from scientists who’ve documented evidence that those same pumps are polluting Biscayne Bay. “I think Philip Levine helped wake everybody up. I love him for that. This is an elected official who said, ‘We don’t have time to wait,” said Caroline Lewis, executive director of the climate change nonprofit CLEO Institute. “But I’m not so sure everything was so well thought out.”
“Ron Bergeron decides not to run for governor” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — One of Broward’s most colorful figures — developer, conservationist and sometimes alligator wrestler — Bergeron had spent much of 2017 thinking about running, consulting with political professionals and talking to friends about the idea. As the months went on, and the two parties’ primary contests developed, the idea of a Bergeron candidacy looked less likely … with a month until the deadline for candidate qualifying, Bergeron told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that his name won’t be on the ballot this year. “It was the most difficult decision I’ve ever made, truthfully, to be honest with you. Very, very difficult. I have gotten calls and emails across this state, so positive,” he said. Bergeron said he’d be concentrating on his passion, restoration of the Everglades, and on charitable work, which recently won national recognition when he received a Horatio Alger Award. “Our family has been here for eight generations. I love this state. I love the people, and that’s why I’m so passionate.”
Matt Caldwell campaign announces finance committee — State Rep. Caldwell announced nearly 70 members of his statewide, finance committee in his bid for Agriculture Commissioner. The announcement follows the news that Caldwell’s campaign and political committee has raised nearly $2 million to date — leading in funds raised from supporters across the state. “I am proud to be running the only statewide race for Commissioner of Agriculture and see that hard work pay off as we announce our statewide finance committee,” Caldwell said in a statement.
Denise Grimsley rolls out more law enforcement endorsements — State Sen. Grimsley continues to add endorsements from the law enforcement community, with four more Florida sheriffs supporting her bid for Agriculture Commissioner. The total number of sheriffs backing her now stands at 18. New names include Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, Liberty County Sheriff Eddie Joe White, Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart and Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen.
“Less than a month into his candidacy, David Straz shakes up campaign staff” via Mitch Perry of WMNF — Less than three weeks after philanthropist and former banker Straz announced his candidacy for mayor of Tampa, he is already shaking up his campaign staff, naming Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee executive director Mark Hanisee to replace Susan Clary as his campaign manager. Hanisee has spent the last three and a half years as executive director of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, where he’s been responsible for a major uptick in fundraising for the local party. The change comes a little more than three weeks after Straz officially announced his candidacy for mayor, a debut that some dubbed shaky. Among his initial stumbles was a comment … where he said that he believed that the city of Tampa should fund $100 million for a potential stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. A spokesperson later [said] that Straz hadn’t settled on a precise amount that the city should spend on a proposed ballpark.
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
“Democratic analytics firm launches new ad-testing service” via Scott Bland of POLITICO — Civis Analytics, a Democratic firm that grew out of former President Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign, is launching new ad-testing software that lets campaigns up and down the ballot inject a little science into a famously subjective process. The application, called ‘Creative Focus,’ uses controlled experiments to test the efficacy of ads in online surveys. Users upload their ads and choose the audience they want to test against, from national down to the congressional district level. Civis then runs an online survey of that audience — randomly showing some respondents the ad test while a control group does not see the ad, and then delivering back results that show how the ad affected the treatment group. … “We’ve been doing large-scale ad testing … about one-third of the ads we tested don’t work — we mean they actively cause backlash and make people more likely to vote for Republicans,” said [David] Shor. “We noticed that the more people in the office liked the ad, the worse it tested. … How much people said they liked an ad was basically uncorrelated to how effective it ended up being.”
“Twitter to verify election candidates in the midterms” via Nancy Scola of POLITICO — Twitter will begin verifying political candidates running for the House, Senate and governor in general elections, another sign of the company’s scramble to put new controls in place after the controversy over social media’s role in the 2016 campaign. The company will affix a label to candidates consisting of a small icon of a columned government-style building and details on which position the candidate is seeking. Using information from Ballotpedia, the platform will identify the legitimate accounts of those who’ve qualified for the ballot.
— STATEWIDE —
“Second ‘stand your ground’ case filed at Supreme Court” via the News Service of Florida — Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is asking the Florida Supreme Court to take up a Hillsborough County case that deals with how courts should carry out a controversial 2017 change to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law. The notice does not detail the arguments Bondi’s office will make, but the issue centers on a 2017 decision by lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott to shift a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases from defendants to prosecutors. The 2nd District Court of Appeal agreed … that the change should be retroactively applied to his case. Also pending before the Supreme Court is a request to take up the retroactivity issue in a Miami-Dade County case.
“Medical marijuana regulator: We’ll change our rules—or not” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Despite lawmakers’ concerns, the Department of Health has final say over how medical marijuana plays out in Florida, the state’s top regulator suggested. The agency regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The office’s director, Christian Bax, spoke with reporters Thursday after a rulemaking hearing in Tallahassee. A legislative panel took Bax’s office to task in a letter sent earlier this month, asking whether staff there is “refusing to modify the rules” governing the drug … He said department staff is still “reviewing” the 2 ½-page letter. “If the Department believes that we need to make changes, we’ll make the change. If not, we’re going to continue to move forward with the process,” Bax told reporters.
Worst story you’ll read today – “Report faults many, from judge to investigators, in tot’s cruel scalding death” via Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald – When the stresses of parenting five ungovernable youngsters became most acute, Christina Hurt reacted predictably, child welfare administrators say: She lashed out at her children. Sometimes violently. Multiple members of the child protection system knew this in the winter of 2016 when a decision was to be made on whether to allow Hurt to regain custody of the five kids, or to get custody of her then-newborn son, Ethan Coley. The system failed him, a report released Thursday says: the rookie therapist whose forceful insistence that Hurt’s family be united at almost any cost seemed to bulldoze any doubters; abuse investigators who obsessed over one tree but missed the forest; and, perhaps most tragically, the Miami-Dade judge who ignored the concerns of the the professionals who warned prophetically against returning Hurt’s children. Ethan died on Jan. 18. Though medical examiners haven’t yet released a cause of death, it is believed his death was the result of a severe bathtub scalding for which Hurt failed to seek treatment. The day the 1-year-old died, Hurt drove past a hospital on her way to the older siblings’ school. When a friend later asked her why she refused to get help for her suffering child, the report said, she replied: “They are going to take my kids.”
“Nursing home fined after probe of resident’s care” via Christine Sexton of the News Service of Florida — A Sarasota nursing home has agreed to pay $26,000 in fines and increased licensure fees after the facility failed to notify the daughter of a resident that her mother’s health was deteriorating. The state Agency for Health Care Administration issued a final order this month citing Beneva Lakes Healthcare and Rehabilitation for failing to inform a resident or a resident’s representative about a serious medical condition and for failing to have adequate programs to ensure quality of care and quality of life in nursing homes. The facility will be on the state’s nursing-home watch list until about February 2020 … The final order imposed a $6,000 fine to cover costs of increased surveying, which is required for protection of public health, safety and welfare. AHCA’s order essentially implemented a settlement agreement. The nursing home, part of the Consulate Health Care chain, did not acknowledge fault or admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
“Tampa Electric to shut down Big Bend coal unit that killed 5” via Malena Carollo of the Tampa Bay Times — Tampa Electric Co. is taking a big step away from coal. The Tampa-based utility is converting its coal-fired Unit 1 at its Big Bend Power Station to natural gas and retiring coal-fired Unit 2 in 2021. Five workers died in June 2017 after performing a known-to-be-dangerous maintenance procedure on Unit 2. The incident resulted in a fine from federal regulators and a “willful” designation for safety violations found following an investigation. Tampa Electric is currently appealing the designation. “Coupled with our significant increase in solar power, these changes will make Tampa Electric substantially cleaner and greener than it is today,” Nancy Tower, CEO of Tampa Electric, said in a release. “This investment in cleaner generation will also provide significant savings to customers through lower expenses for fuel and maintenance of the existing units.” Revamping the Apollo Beach facility will cost $853 million. Tampa Electric expects to complete the project by 2023.
“Erin Grall charges All Aboard Florida with ‘misrepresentations’” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Grall is charging that an All Aboard Florida representative made “misrepresentations” in congressional testimony supporting the department’s approval of tax-exempt bonds to finance the company’s Brightline higher-speed passenger train proposal to connect Miami and Orlando. Grall, among Florida lawmakers from the Treasure Coast who are opposed to the train, sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who chaired an April 19 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Government Operations examining Brightline’s planned use of $1.15 billion in federally-approved, private activity bonds to finance the proposed railroad leg from West Palm Beach to Orlando. “During the subcommittee hearing, and later in correspondence dated April 30, 2018, AAF made several misrepresentations related to its ownership interest, its past interactions with local governments, and the overall financial burden this proposed project will have on my constituents,” wrote Grall, who represents Indian River County and part of St. Lucie County, which lay along the planned Brightline route.
“Flags at half-staff to honor Daytona Beach police officer” via Florida Politics – Flags will fly at half-staff on Friday to honor a Daytona Beach police officer who died after a training exercise. Thomas Coulter, 25, had been with the Daytona Beach Police Department for only one week. He “suffered a heart attack while conducting physical training in front of Police Department headquarters” last Friday, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. He died the following Monday.
— SMARTER THAN A THIRD GRADER? —
A majority of school districts in the Sunshine State will wrap the year Friday — just a day after the third-grade required reading test results were released.
Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times reports, “The Florida Department of Education, under pressure from parents and educators to get the scores out before classes conclude this week, quietly released the results just before 5 p.m. Thursday.”
For third graders, it’s the determining factor to whether the summer kicks off to a good or bad start.
Early assessment: The results are similar to a year ago, notes Solochek. Roughly 20 percent of third graders scored below a passing threshold, setting them up to repeat the grade.
But: “Those students have other opportunities to earn promotion, including passing an alternate test and submitting a portfolio of class work that demonstrates they can read at an entering fourth grade level.”
The good news: Some low-performing schools in the Tampa Bay area made gains. St. Petersburg’s Melrose Elementary saw an 8 percent drop in the amount of non-passing scores. Likewise with B.T. Washington Elementary in Tampa.
— D.C. MATTERS ––
“Sarasota protest targets Donald Trump plan to cut funding for abortion providers” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Protesters gathered in downtown Sarasota to denounce a new rule put forward by Trump’s administration that cuts off federal family planning funding for clinics that share space with abortion providers or refer patients to those providers. The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates helped organize a protest outside the office of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. Many of the protesters wore pink shirts and carried pink signs reading “I stand with Planned Parenthood.” Planned Parenthood regional organizer Sarah Scully said her organization wants to “spread the word in the community, making sure there’s outrage.” About 30 people joined the protest, including Sarasota attorney Jan Schneider, a Democrat who is running for Buchanan’s seat.
“How a Miami Republican is leading a last-gasp shot at an immigration vote in Congress” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald — Miami Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo is leading a last-gasp shot to change the nation’s immigration laws after years of inaction, and he’s been furiously trying to rally dissatisfied Republicans over the past three weeks to bypass House Speaker Paul Ryan and force a series of votes on the House floor on immigration in the next few days. Here’s what you need to know. On May 9, Curbelo introduced a petition to change the rules in the House of Representatives to allow votes on four immigration-related bills. The bill that receives the most support beyond a simple majority passes the House and heads to the Senate for consideration. Within hours, 17 Republicans signed Curbelo’s petition, including Miami Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Curbelo and California Republican Rep. Jeff Denham have led an arm-twisting effort over the past two weeks to get more Republicans on board, and now they are two Republican signatures short of the 25 GOP votes they need to reach a majority if every single Democrat signs the petition.
— MOVEMENTS —
Appointed — Carlos Diaz and Melanie Peterson (reappointed) to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board; Pat Schirard to the Florida Citrus Commission.
Personnel note – New College of Florida names Kristie Harris as VP for Administration – The college made Harris the College’s first associate vice president for administration. Harris began work at New College on Monday. She previously served as director of university budgets for the State University System of Florida, beginning in 2008, after joining the SUS as senior budget analyst in 2005. Before joining the university system, she held accounting and budget positions at Florida State University and the Leon County Office of Management and Budget in 2000-05. At New College, Harris will be responsible for oversight of the College’s budgets, including preparation and administration of the College’s annual operating budget throughout the year and preparation of legislative budget requests.
Earnings:
—“Johnson & Blanton clears $1.25M in first quarter” via Florida Politics
–“Jones Walker earns $500K-plus in Q1” via Florida Politics
—“Larry J. Overton & Associates maintains top-20 status in Q1” via Florida Politics
—“Lewis Longman & Walker starts 2018 with $380K haul” via Florida Politics
—“Liberty Partners trio banks at least $150K in Q1” via Florida Politics
—“Louis Betz & Associates snags up to $230K in first-quarter earnings” via Florida Politics
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Cara Suzanne Martin: Southwest Florida Water Management District
— WEEKEND TV —
Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede on CBS 4 in Miami: The Sunday show provides viewers with an in-depth look at politics in South Florida, along with other issues that affect the area’s citizens.
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: Moderator Rob Lorei hosts a roundtable with Tampa Bay Times political editor Adam Smith, political consultant Ron Pierce, University of South Florida Government and International Affairs professor Dr. Susan MacManus; and Susan Smith, president of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.
In Focus with Allison Walker-Torres on Bay News 9: A discussion on mental health services for students and what programs community leaders believe should be in place at schools. Joining Walker-Torres are state Rep. Jason Brodeur; Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning; and Dr. Kathleen McHugh, psychologist.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa/St. Pete: House Minority Leader Janet Cruz will discuss her run for state Senate. PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter will rate a claim made by Gov. Scott about U.S. Sen. Nelson.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Host Gary Yordon speaks with pollster Steve Vancore and Dr. Ed Moore.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: This week’s guest is Former Jacksonville Mayor and University of North Florida President John Delaney.
This Week in South Florida on WPLG-Local10 News (ABC): Is taking Sunday off for the Memorial Day weekend and will return next week.
— ALOE —
“Amazon Map Tracker lets you follow your package delivery in real time” via Nick Statt and Thuy Ong of The Verge — The feature gives you a real-time map of your Amazon package delivery as it’s in transit, letting you watch a dot on the screen similar to monitoring an incoming Uber or Lyft driver. It was given a soft launch last year. The feature is great for anyone who obsesses over the exact moment an Amazon delivery is slated to arrive. It’s also handy because it allows you to pop out for an errand by showing how many stops or deliveries the driver will make before reaching you. “The Amazon Map Tracking feature is another delivery innovation we are working on to improve convenience for our customers and provide them greater visibility into their deliveries,” Amazon spokeswoman Alana Broadbent told CNET.
“AC hotels by Marriott coming to Cascades Project” via TaMaryn Waters of the Tallahassee Democrat — AC Hotels by Marriott is building a $30-million, seven-story hotel with more than 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, which would be suitable for conventions, a longtime request of the business community. It also will have 154 rooms, a rooftop bar serving craft beers, signature drinks, tapas and an observation deck overlooking the 24-acre Cascades Park … members of the Community Redevelopment Agency heard details about the hotel and an update on Cascades Project from developer Shawn McIntrye, North American Properties’ managing partner for Florida. “I think that as Tallahassee grows, and now that we are the third largest state by population in the country, that the population of Tallahassee’s workforce and business force is changing,” said McIntyre. “This hotel is going to meet those needs in both aesthetics and its design with the ballroom and dining facilities.”
“Florida State’s MagLab is chosen venue for exclusive summit of G-7 science leaders” via Byron Dobson of the Tallahassee Democrat — The National MagLab, located in Innovation Park, was the host site for a delegation of high-level science officials representing the G-7, the group of seven nations with the most advanced economies in the world. Top science decision makers — the equivalent of key National Science Foundation officials in the United States — started arriving in Tallahassee Saturday and began their conference Monday at the MagLab. It marks the first time the U.S. hosted the meeting. The MagLab was selected as the venue by the National Science Foundation, which organized the meeting in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science. The sessions were closed to the public.
Spotted – Lobbyist Chris Moya at Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg to celebrate his daughter’s graduation from eighth grade.
Happy birthday to one of the best in The Process, as well as a great mom and wife, Ashley Ross. Celebrating on Memorial Day is state Rep. Mel Ponder.
