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.
Autumn arrives Saturday at 9:54 p.m. EDT (that’s 8:54 p.m. CDT, 7:54 p.m. MDT and 6:54 p.m. PDT).
At a precise moment each September, on either the 21st, 22nd or 23rd, the sun appears directly above the equator, marking the exact time of the autumnal equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Below the equator in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s known as the vernal or spring equinox and marks the beginning of spring. So if you’re in need of more guaranteed warmth and sunshine in the months ahead, head way down south to countries such as Argentina, South Africa or Australia.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for cool, fall-like weather the next couple of weeks here in the U.S., head for the Northwest or north-central states. Warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for most of the eastern half of the U.S. for the final 10 days of September, according to the Climate Prediction Center.
The word equinox comes from the Latin words “aequalis” and “Nox,” meaning equal night. On the autumnal (and the spring) equinox, day and night are both roughly 12 hours long over most of the world.
Another equinox fun fact: On Saturday, the sun rises due east and sets in due west for most of the world, except at the North and South Poles.
Although some people claim that the autumnal equinox is the “official” start of fall, no administrative or political organization actually designates such.
Indeed, though astronomers say summer ends Saturday, meteorologists and climatologists say summer ended Aug. 31, the final day of the three hottest months of the year (June, July and August.)
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the summer of 2018 tied for the USA’s fourth-warmest summer on record, while the planet as a whole had its fifth-warmest summer on record.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@NWS: Florence analysis confirms extreme 3-day rainfall amounts exceeded 0.1% probability event expected in given year, or “1000-year” event.
—@SenBillNelson: Most Americans who died as a result of Hurricane Maria were not killed by storm surge, rain or wind, but rather as a result of an inadequate response by the federal government. Today, I urged FEMA to pay the full cost of Puerto Rico’s post-hurricane emergency recovery efforts.
—@DarrenSoto: As a son of Puerto Rico, I take offense to Rick Scott using our people as a political prop for his stumbling campaign. We deserve better! 
—@MarcACaputo: If Twitter existed during the Clarence Thomas hearings, Washington would’ve ignited
—@FordM: A lot of things have happened on this website over the years, but I’m pretty sure “using Google Maps and Zillow to strongly insinuate a random guy committed sexual assault in the early 1980s” is a first.
—@Fahrenthold: At last, a spokesperson for @FloridaCrystals called back. BUT she was not authorized to answer questions. So Fla. Crystals is declining comment? No. She was not authorized to decline. I’d heard of no-comments. This was an anti-comment. I’m making journalism history here
—@Fineout: Just a reminder — some GOP legislators, and initially @FLGovScott, had concerns about the prescription drug database and whether the state should even pay for it.
—@Scott_Maxwell: No one better epitomizes visual storytelling in Florida than @RedHuber. He has a gift for capturing joy, pain, beauty, energy — and oh-so-many bald eagles and space shuttles. After nearly 50 years, he’s earned the next chapter. But Red, we will miss you.
—@RicTampaBay: There you go #TampaBay! Last year we broke the record high for Sep. 20th with 94°. Today we smashed that record by another 2 degrees! Our top heat index today high 106°.
—@AbelHarding: If I want to drink out of a (plastic) straw that doesn’t ruin the taste of the drink I’m consuming, I’ll do so. Long live Florida.
— DAYS UNTIL —
First day of fall — 1; Future of Florida Forum — 5; Government shutdown — 9; FSU vs. UM football game — 15; Voter registration deadline for General Election — 19; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 32; MLB World Series begins — 34; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 34; Early voting begins — 36; Halloween — 40; General Election Day — 46; 2019 Legislature Organization Session meetings — 60; Thanksgiving — 62; Black Friday — 63; Florida Chamber Insurance Summit — 67; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 144; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 165; Captain Marvel release — 168; 2020 General Election — 774.
— FIRST IN SUNBURN —
Newly released surveys from Public Policy Polling (PPP) show Democrats either tightening margins (or leading) in three critical South Florida congressional races. Protect Our Care, a group advocating for the protection of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commissioned the poll of likely Florida voters, taken Sept. 17-19.
The largest gap — just five points — is in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart leads Democratic challenger Mary Barzee Flores 41 to 36 percent, with 22 percent undecided. The numbers represent a net gain of two percentage points for Barzee Flores since the last PPP poll in May showed her down seven points.
Next largest is Florida’s 18th Congressional District; incumbent Republican Brian Mast holds a three-point lead over Democrat Lauren Baer, 46 to 43 percent; 10 percent of respondents remain undecided.
Then there’s Florida’s 26th Congressional District, where PPP found Democrat Debbie Murcarsel-Powell leading incumbent Congressman Carlos Curbelo by a single point, 45 to 44 percent; 11 percent are unsure.
As for the ACA, most Florida voters surveyed in all three districts support keeping the health care law. In CD 25, 49 percent of respondents support the law; 37 percent say they oppose it and 14 percent were unsure. With CD 26, the approval gap is a full 18 points, with 53 percent approve, 35 percent opposed and 12 percent not sure. The same is in CD 18, where 51 percent of likely voters support keeping the ACA, with only 37 percent opposed and 12 percent are unsure.
— HE SPEAKS —
Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for Governor, is talking … and talking.
In a 25-minute-long interview with the Tampa Bay Times, DeSantis gives his takes on a comprehensive list of Florida issues.
Here are some highlights:
Education: On Common Core, some of it’s “funny business,” DeSantis says. Charter school accountability, he adds, is market-dependent. “If a public charter school’s not doing a good job, people aren’t going to go there.” Concerning school funding, DeSantis says more money can come by expanding the economy and therefore taking in more revenue in already existing taxes.
Race: ” … The Washington Post says it was, quote — ‘racially charged.’ That means they don’t have the goods to say it’s about race,” DeSantis says in response to questions about speaking at conferences attended by extremists.
Amendments: Most proposed ballot items from the Constitution Revision Commission don’t belong in the Constitution, DeSantis says.
— TOP OF THE BALLOT —
“Ron DeSantis faces questions about supporter’s racist slur” via Karen Zraick of The New York Times — POLITICO reported that a Republican activist who has donated more than $20,000 to Mr. DeSantis over the years used a vulgar, racist slur recently against former President Barack Obama on Twitter. The donor, Steven Alembik, had also lined up a speech for DeSantis at a pro-Israel event at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in February. Alembik told POLITICO that he had written the tweet in anger, and later deleted it. In an appearance at Florida International University in Miami, DeSantis disavowed the tweet. “I’m not responsible for it, reject it,” he told reporters. “We’re focused on our message, and we’re focusing on what we’re putting out.”
“Jeb Bush, Richard Corcoran laud DeSantis’ education policy” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics — Republican nominee for Governor DeSantis rolled out an education policy this week that wasn’t too different from that of dispatched primary rival Adam Putnam, with emphasis on school choice (charter schools) and vocational training. As yet another signal of DeSantis being embraced by establishment Republicans, his campaign on Thursday rolled out endorsements from Gov. Jeb Bush (whose eight years in Tallahassee stressed educational reform, and who was the last conservative defender of Common Core) and House Speaker Richard Corcoran (who abandoned his own gubernatorial ambitions and backed Putnam in the primary) …. The Bush imprimatur is interesting here, given the former Governor spent a good portion of his 2016 Presidential run explaining away his own backing of Common Core. DeSantis, of course, wants to end Common Core …. Corcoran, who called DeSantis “visionless” just this summer, now believes DeSantis offers “bold education policy.”
“DeSantis not returning cash to donor who called Obama N-word” via The Associated Press — Campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson said that money they’ve already taken from Steven Alembik‘s company, SMA Communications, won’t be returned because it was already spent on the primary election. The Democratic-affiliated group American Bridge provided a screenshot of the Alembi’s tweet, in which he used profanity to describe Obama as a Muslim N-word. Lawson called the tweet “disgusting.” SMA Communications donated $2,000 to DeSantis’ campaign and $2,000 to DeSantis’ political committee. Another $11,000 in donations from Alembik and SMA were returned.
—“Trump made DeSantis in the Florida GOP primary but could sink him in November” via S.V. Date of HuffPost
—“DeSantis should study Florida Constitution, quit lying about Gillum” via Daniel Ruth of the Tampa Bay Times
“Andrew Gillum fundraiser in building county might buy ‘looks bad,’ commissioner says” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Eight of the nine Broward County commissioners are co-hosting a fundraiser Gillum — at space donated by a property owner who wants the county to buy the same building for $24 million. The fundraiser is organized by Commissioner Dale Holness, who was one of Broward’s most prominent Gillum supporters. Holness is also the commissioner who raised the idea of buying the building in question, in the Spectrum Office Park in northwest Fort Lauderdale, with his colleagues last month. In a telephone interview, Holness said there’s no connection between the free space for the fundraiser from the building owner and the possibility of the county buying the building. “I see nothing where anyone is getting any personal benefit from it,” he said. Chip LaMarca, the only Republican commissioner, said the confluence of events “looks bad.”
“Gillum, to make first Pinellas appearance since primary win” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Tallahassee Mayor Gillum is making his first campaign stop in Pinellas County since his surprise victory in the Democratic primary for Governor. Gillum and incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson are featured speakers at the Pinellas County ‘Democrats’ Wave to Victory’ dinner this Saturday at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon. The event is the party’s biggest fundraiser benefiting. Red tide will likely be a topic of conversation. Gillum is considering touring some of the devastation this weekend, according to campaign sources … Nelson’s race is one of the most important Senate races in the nation this year … Other guests at the Wave to Victory Dinner include Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw, CFO candidate Jeremy Ring, and Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried. Congressman Charlie Crist and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman are also attending. The event includes a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m. and dinner and program from 7-10 p.m.
“Bill Nelson is ‘tired of waiting’ to meet with Brett Kavanaugh, will make decision next week” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald — “I’ll announce it,” Nelson said at a Hurricane Maria recovery meeting. “I have tried to see him for months. That is the respectful thing to do. And I am tired of waiting. So, today, we have requested again to see him next week. And if they ignore that request, I will make a decision.” Nelson says he has asked five times to see Kavanaugh, who has met with most Republicans and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the body responsible for confirmation hearings. Republicans want Kavanaugh’s accuser to testify Monday or else they are prepared to move forward with the nomination.
Assignment editors — SEIU announces its endorsement of Nelson for re-election, 2 p.m., UAW Local #788 Union Hall, 1825 West Oak Ridge Road, Orlando.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“Ballots start to trickle in for November election” via the News Service of Florida — A division webpage said Thursday morning that four Democrats and one Republican had returned vote-by-mail ballots and that more than 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots had been requested. Two of the Democratic voters who had already returned their ballots were from Monroe County, with the other two from Manatee and Leon counties. The Republican was from Lee County.
AIF committees back Republican Cabinet candidates” via the News Service of Florida — Associated Industries of Florida-linked committees known as Florida Prosperity Fund and Floridian’s United for Our Children’s Future gave $200,000 to Friends of Matt Caldwell … AIF-linked Voice of Florida Business Political Action Committee gave $115,000 to Friends of Ashley Moody … Floridian’s United for Our Children’s Future also gave $55,000 to Treasure Florida, a PAC supporting Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Meanwhile, the Voice of Florida Business Political Action Committee gave a combined total of $100,000 to Innovate Florida, a committee led by incoming Senate President Bill Galvano and the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, also led by Galvano.
“Crossing the aisle: Democratic sheriffs endorse GOP’s Ashley Moody for A.G.” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics — In the bare-knuckled GOP primary race for Attorney General, former Hillsborough Circuit Judge Moody played up law enforcement backing to distinguish herself from opponents. Now the nominee, Moody continues to bank law enforcement endorsements — including eight Democrats from rural counties rolled out Thursday, bringing her total to 57 …. Democratic endorsements suggest that Moody will draw votes from Blue Dog Democrats as well as Republicans in her race against the Democratic nominee, state Rep. Sean Shaw of Tampa.
“Another $800,000 funneled into Senate GOP committee” via the News Service of Florida — State Sen. Dana Young used her PAC to funnel $800,000 to a political committee led by Senate Republican leaders, according to a newly filed finance report. The PAC known as Friends of Dana Young contributed the money to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is led by incoming Senate President Galvano and is spearheading efforts to elect Senate candidates. The contribution was the latest example of how Republican leaders are using the committee as a war chest for the November elections.
“’Dammit Dana’: Janet Cruz blasts opponent Dana Young’s education record” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — “Dammit Dana, stop,” Cruz lamented at a news conference in front of Plant High School in South Tampa. Cruz was referring to Young’s track record voting in favor of school choice programs like vouchers and charter schools, which critics say funnel funding away from traditional public schools into corporate hands. Young responded to Cruz’s comments, arguing school choice programs are effective for children, particularly those who may not live near good schools. “Bottom line, no one can really say anymore what traditional education is because that rigid thinking does not help the students,” Young said.
— WINNING TICKET —
The Florida Democratic Party is appointing Mitchell Berger as Finance Chair for the Democratic Coordinated Campaign. Berger is a South Florida attorney who has been involved with the Democratic Party for years, including serving as the Democratic National Committees Federal Victory Chair in 2000, co-leader of the Campaign for Change in 2008 and as a member of the National Finance Board of Obama Victory Fund.
“There could not be a more exciting time to serve as Finance Chair of the Florida Democratic Party,” Berger said. “I am proud to be able to contribute to the efforts the party is doing to elect bold and progressive leaders. From Andrew Gillum’s historic election, to the re-election of Senator Bill Nelson, and with the balance of the House and Senate hanging on Florida’s efforts, the work we are doing could not be more important.”
“We are so thrilled to have Mitchell Berger as our Finance Chair at such a critical time for our party, our state, and our nation,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo. ” Florida Democrats began their field efforts late last year, we have won six special elections in a row, and have knocked more than 1.5 million doors and had the highest Democratic primary turnout since 1978. And now that Florida families have our winning ticket, the coordinated ground game is ready to deliver wins in November. I am confident that Mitchell will do everything he can to support our Winning Ticket and help take us over the edge in November.”
As Finance Chair, Berger will play a significant role in helping to raise money for the coordinated campaign, which is a statewide effort to elect Democrats up-and-down the ballot. Berger founded Berger Singerman in 1985 and is co-chair of the firm. He has over 30 years of successful representation in commercial disputes including Fortune 500 companies.
The “Winning Ticket” is the Florida Democratic Party coordinated campaign dedicated to supporting and electing a record number of Democrats in Florida in 2018, including Nelson, Gillum, Democratic cabinet nominees and thousands of Democrats from school board to the state Senate. The Florida Democratic Party and our Democratic candidates seek to run a presidential-level statewide ground game with paid organizers in every corner of the state for the first time in a midterm in recent history.
— TROLL WARS —
Facebook is finishing construction of a 16-desk, high-tech headquarters for safeguarding elections.
“On one wall, a half-dozen televisions will be tuned to CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and other major networks,” write Sheera Frenkel and Mike Isaac for The New York Times. “A small paper sign with orange lettering taped to the glass door describes what’s being built: ‘War Room.’”
Context: Foreign influence peddlers have compromised Facebook in the past, using the platform to disseminate false and misleading information on candidates in the hopes of swinging elections.
Tools: A new software allows the expected 20-person staff to track information spreading across social media. Dashboards give real-time updates to traffic on stories.
‘Last resort’: If a problem gets to the war room, it’s bad. “Everything else we are doing is defenses we are putting down to stop this in the first place,” Facebook’s elections and civic engagement team leader says.
— STATEWIDE —
“March For Our Lives founder leaves the group, regrets trying to ‘embarrass’ Marco Rubio” via Alex Daugherty of the Tampa Bay Times — Cameron Kasky helped raise millions of dollars in a matter of days for a gun-control rally and confronted Sen. Rubio on television after the nation’s deadliest high school shooting. Now, Kasky is leaving the group. Kasky first announced his decision to leave March For Our Lives in an interview with Fox News Radio’s Guy Benson, where he also expressed regret for the way he talked to Rubio during a town hall event broadcast on CNN. “I look back on that and I say, you know what, there were people who had just been buried and when you’re looking at somebody that you find might in some way have been complicit in this murderer obtaining the weapon it’s hard not to say something like that,” Kasky said to Fox. “But, I went into that wanting less conversation and more to embarrass Rubio and that was my biggest flaw.”
“Lawsuit challenges Rick Scott’s Supreme Court appointments (again)” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel — In a move that could determine the political balance of the Florida Supreme Court, two advocacy groups sued Scott, contending he doesn’t have the power to appoint three justices to replace three members who must retire on the same day Scott’s term expires. The justices rejected a similar previous suit as not ready for review because Scott hadn’t yet acted on the appointments. But last week Scott moved to convene the Judicial Nominating Commission to vet and recommend nominees, an action the League of Women Voters and Common Cause say oversteps his authority. The state constitution requires justices to retire once they turn 70 but allows them to finish a six-year term if they’ve already served half of it. As a result, Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince and Fred Lewis must retire by midnight Jan. 7, 2019, the same time Scott’s term ends. The retiring justices make up three votes on the 4-3 liberal majority on the court.
Assignment editors — Gov. Scott will announce Florida’s August job numbers, 10 a.m., Promise in Brevard, 4105 Norfolk Pkwy., West Melbourne.
“Briefly considered for Lieutenant Governor candidate, Lauren Book explains her ‘contemplation’” via Jessica Bakeman of WLRM Miami — Sen. Book was floated as a potential running mate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gillum — but she says she wouldn’t have accepted the offer if it had materialized. Book said Gillum did not officially ask her to be his running mate. But Book gave it “a lot of contemplation.” She decided giving up her Senate seat — plus her position as the Senate appointee on a panel investigating the Parkland shooting — would be too big a sacrifice. She said her work on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission “really changed my entire trajectory and path” and how she saw “the person I want to be, the educator I want to be, the parent I want to be, the legislator I want to be.”
“73 Florida House Republicans sign letter supporting Brett Kavanaugh. Two from Tampa Bay didn’t sign.” via the Miami Herald — The letter, originated by House Speaker-Designate Jose Oliva went to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and three other senators Wednesday in advance of a key hearing set for next Monday. The GOP lawmakers called on senators “and in particular, Sen. Nelson, to confirm Judge Kavanaugh and allow him to begin his service as quickly as possible. Rep. Shawn Harrison said it was an oversight that he didn’t sign, and it should not be interpreted as a sign that he opposes Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Rep. Chris Latvala issued a statement saying: “While I believe Judge Kavanaugh should be confirmed and the timing of this accusation is suspect, I think it’s important to gather all the facts.”
Florida hospitals get $1.1B in LIP money — Hospitals and medical facilities hitting the required thresholds for providing free care to uninsured patients will get $700 million in federal “low-income pool” matching funds to cover their costs. That cash is in addition to the combined $450 million raised by those facilities. Florida children’s, public and teaching hospitals that with an uncompensated caseload of 17 percent or more will get a combined $438 million of the total; private hospitals that hit the same mark will get $165 million combined; private facilities that missed the mark will get $14 million; and rural health centers and other federally qualified centers with an uncompensated caseload of 19.3 percent or more will receive $20 million.
“Use of drug database increases amid opioid fight” via News Service of Florida — One of Florida’s main weapons to thwart “doctor shopping” has been expanding substantially after the passage of a tough new law aimed at addressing the continuing opioid crisis. State officials on Thursday said more than 92,000 health care providers had registered to use an electronic database that tracks patients who are prescribed controlled substances. The August total is more than double the number of providers who were registered to use the system the previous year.
ICYMI from last night’s “Last Call” — A Collier County fire official is seeking guidance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office on whether to exempt a proposed “marijuana grow and processing facility” from the state’s fire code requirements. Dale E. Fey Jr., Fire Marshal at The North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, filed a petition for what’s known as a “declaratory statement” last month … The property in question, in Immokalee, is registered to Oakes Farms Tomato Repack LLC, according to Collier County property records … “This is not a proposed facility of any current MMTC [medical marijuana treatment center] at this time, but may be a location not yet submitted, or a location of a proposed MMTC applicant,” (Health Department) spokesman Nick Van Der Linden said … Fey wants to know whether the structure’s owners can claim an “agricultural exemption to avoid complying with Fire and Life Safety codes,” his filing said. The request was still pending as of Thursday.
“Mold displaces Department of Environmental Protection workers” via Tallahassee Democrat — Thirteen Florida DEP workers, displaced by a mold infection at their Tallahassee offices, continued to work from home Thursday. Mold forced more than two dozen workers out of the Bob Martinez Center on Blairstone Road Monday. An employee had alerted DEP officials to what they described as a “mildew-like substance” in several offices of the complex last week. The Department of Management Services inspected and found the infection limited to the fifth and sixth floors. While dehumidifiers and air scrubbers were installed this week, DEP employees were displaced — 23 workers telecommuted from home and around town, while others found workspace elsewhere in the Martinez Center.
“Former LCS employee sues Rocky Hanna, district over age discrimination and politics” via Ashley White of the Tallahassee Democrat — A lawsuit was filed in Leon Circuit Court by Stephen Shelton, the former LCS director of maintenance. The lawsuit claims Hanna and the district infringed on Shelton’s freedom of speech and elected not to rehire him because of his support of former Superintendent Jackie Pons. It also alleges they discriminated against Shelton because of his age. He was 66 at the time his contract was not renewed for the 2017-18 school year. Shelton’s replacement was 59 when he was hired.
“Boca Raton man indicted in scheme to defraud Amazon of $229K in cash, merchandise” via Jeff Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat — Joseph Sides created hundreds of accounts with Amazon to order an array of gaming products, then conspired with others to defraud Amazon to obtain refunds and merchandise that he sold on the internet, a federal indictment said. The indictment, issued by the Northern District of Florida, said he created over 500 Amazon accounts using false names and setting up email accounts to go with them. “While current whereabouts of the Defendant is known, the public revelation of the Indictment could severely hamper law enforcement’s ability to apprehend defendant to answer the charges,” stated the motion requesting the indictment be sealed. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District said Sides was 24 and a resident of Boca Raton.
“Plants, but no pants: Florida man gardens in the nude” via The Associated Press — Being in touch with nature is one thing. But gardening au naturel is quite another for some neighbors of a Florida man who’s been doing yard work in the nude. Miffed residents called the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, but the man continues to do yard work naked. Sheriff William Snyder believes the man’s refusal to wear clothes has breached two statutes: lewd and lascivious behavior and breach of peace. Neighbor Melissa Ny tells WPBF the man was bent over winding up a garden hose on Sunday evening when she put the trash out. Neighbor Aimee Canterbury says she’s just taught her six kids to look the other way if the neighbor is naked.
“Flags at half-staff for victims of Hurricane Maria” via Florida Politics — Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday ordered flags at half-staff “as a tribute to those who lost their lives during Hurricane Maria.” Scott directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Capitol from noon Thursday to sunset. He did not make a statement to accompany his order. Scott was traveling to Puerto Rico on Thursday, the anniversary of Maria’s 2017 island landfall. He is scheduled to join Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and other island officials.
Assignment editors — Café con Tampa hosts “Brightline: Connecting Florida cities with high-speed rail” with Bob O’Malley, Brightline vice president of Government Affairs, 8 a.m., upstairs at Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
— WEEKEND MEDIA —
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 affecting the region.
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: Moderator Rob Lorei hosts a roundtable with Tampa Bay Times Deputy managing editor Amy Hollyfield, Florida Phoenix reporter Mitch Perry, Bay News 9/AM 820 News host Chris Ingram and Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Ione Townsend.
In Focus with Allison Walker-Torres on Bay News 9: This week’s show will discuss the Florida Constitution Revision Commission’s vote to place Amendment 10, composed of four constitutional amendments, on the ballot. Joining Walker-Torres are Martin County Clerk of Court Carolyn Timmann, and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa/St. Pete: A discussion on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the situation with his accuser Dr. Christine Blasey Ford coming forward; Nikki Fried will discuss her run for Agriculture Commissioner. PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter will discuss a claim made by Andrew Gillum on being sued by the NRA.
Politics on Your Side with Evan Donovan on News Channel 8 WFLA (NBC): Reggie Garcia and Richard Harrison will debate the Felons Voting Rights in Amendment 4.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Host Gary Yordon and Steve Vancore will speak with Bob McClure of the James Madison Institute and Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: Guest is Darcy Richardson, Reform Party gubernatorial candidate. Discussing “Generation” and efforts to connect unemployed youth with training, then to employers: Brenda Ford of the New Town Success Zone; Phyllis Martin of the United Way of Northeast Florida; and Alex Rudnick of Generation U.S. Retail Program.
This Week in South Florida on WPLG-Local10 News (ABC): Co-hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg will focus on the upcoming November elections, including the race for Governor and Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Also, the powerhouse roundtable will take on the week’s news.
>>>Happening today — Former U.S. Reps. David Jolly and Patrick Murphy take part in a town-hall meeting on the SiriusXM POTUS radio station to discuss ideas for ending gridlock in Washington, 2 p.m., SiriusXM POTUS Channel 124.
— MOVEMENTS —
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Jorge Chamizo, Cory Guzzo, Floridian Partners: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Virginia Haworth: Florida State College at Jacksonville
Joe Clements, Matt Farrar launch new podcast — “Of Record” will “drill down on the latest in digital media,” a Facebook announcement said Thursday. “Sprinkled in are deep-dive interviews where small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and captivating characters will share real challenges of modern-day organizations,” Clements and Farrar wrote. “We’ll be giving away some of our best marketing ideas to these innovators for free, and you won’t want to miss these special episodes.” The two are co-founders of Strategic Digital Services, a Tallahassee-based tech company, and Bundl, an app that coordinates political contributions. iPhone and iTunes users can listen to episodes in the Podcast app by clicking here. Several episodes are already live.
“The Lede” newsletter calls it quits — Former News Service of Florida top editor Dave Royse has suspended his email newsletter, he wrote to subscribers Thursday. Royse, a former Associated Press reporter now in Chicago, edits the LedeTree website, which “covers emerging industries, technology, lifestyle and stories about a changing world.” He said “his email newsletter just isn’t getting enough attention, enough click-thrus and enough sharing, so he and LedeTree are shutting it down for now … LedeTree is still here, and I’m still here — it’s only The Lede newsletter that is taking a break. We’re hoping we can bring you some cool, interesting things in the near future …” LedeTree’s CEO is Ruth Herrle, formerly the News Service of Florida’s publisher.
— ALOE —
“Amazon ramps up effort to make Alexa voice assistant more ubiquitous” via Ina Fried and Erica Pandey of Axios — So far, the company has announced, per CNBC: Amazon Basic Microwave, which will cost $59.99. Echo Wall Clock, at $30, to set timers and such. Alexa Smart Plug, which, for $25, will sync objects that are plugged into it with an Echo speaker. For example, you could plug in any old lamp and turn it into a smart lamp. A new Echo Dot, which will be 70 percent louder and come in different colors. It will cost $49.99. Echo Plus, at $149, with cleaner sound, better bass and an internal temperature sensor. Echo Input, a $34.99 product that will connect to existing speakers and Bluetooth devices. New Alexa capabilities. She’ll be able to tell when you’re whispering — and she’ll whisper back. She’ll also act on “hunches,” so if you tell her “good night,” she might turn off your lights and check if your doors are locked.
“Hear Tom Petty’s nostalgic ‘Gainesville’ from ‘American Treasure’ box set” via Andy Greene of Rolling Stone — The upcoming Petty box set “An American Treasure” is an exploration of the singer’s catalog that skips past obvious hits in favor of lesser-known album tracks, alternate versions of familiar songs, great live moments, demos and even previously unreleased tunes. That’s the case with “Gainesville,” a song recorded during the Echo sessions in 1998 but never wound up on the album.
To listen to the track, click on the image below:
“’Incredibles’ taking over Pixar Place” via John Gregory of Orlando Rising — The former Pixar Place area in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be rethemed after “The Incredibles” as one of many small changes Disney announced for its parks in 2019. In a Disney Parks Blog post about “new and limited time experiences” coming to Disney World next year, the area once built to look like Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, will now be remade into a city block of Municiberg. The area will feature a character meet-and-greet with Edna Mode, the super suit designer from the films … guests should also be on the “look out for clues to the whereabouts” of Jack-Jack, the youngest in the Incredibles family. Pixar Place has been closed since July.
What Richard Reeves is reading — “Watch the trailer for Season 5 of Chef’s Table” via Nikita Richardson of GrubStreet.com — There will, of course, be many, many slow-motion shots of food, contemplative stares into the distance, and globe-trotting trips to far-off places. But rather than just focusing on chefs making pretty food, this season will feature “chefs and cuisines whose stories have for too long been hidden,” according to Netflix. That includes an episode about Cristina Martinez, the chef and co-owner of South Philly Barbacoa, who is undocumented; slow-food advocate and chef Bo Songvisava of Thailand’s Bo.Lan; Spanish restaurateur Albert Adrià (formerly of El Bulli); and renowned Turkish chef and traditionalist Musa Dağdeviren.
To watch the trailer, click on the image below:
Happy birthday belatedly to Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News and Barry Shields, and the exquisite General Manager of the Governors Club. Celebrating today is Sen. Denise Grimsley (who we hope — HOPE — remains involved in politics), as well as our dear friend Chris Dudley of Southern Strategy Group and Carlo Fassi.
