Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Candi Churchill will take over as executive director of the United Faculty of Florida at the end of this month, the labor union announced Monday.
“I am honored to be selected for the UFF executive director position. Higher education is a pillar of our democracy and, in Florida, there are no better advocates for our students and communities than the faculty, staff and graduate employees who make our universities and colleges so successful,” Churchill said.
“UFF is going through a pivotal transition from a union that reacts and mobilizes to one that flexes its muscles and pushes our own agenda. I am looking forward to supporting our members as they stand up for health and safety, academic excellence, and fair working conditions for all.”
Churchill has worked for UFF since 2002, first as a member of the field staff. Through nearly two decades at UFF, she has gained experience in all aspects of higher education union work. A news release from UFF highlights her experience “negotiating collective bargaining agreements, building new chapters and fighting for UFF members” as well as “revitalizing the union, with UFF membership more than doubling to over 8,700 during her tenure.”
UFF President Karen Morian said, “Candi has been a major part of the growth of UFF and has been committed to ensuring that UFF members at our 32 chapters are well represented as we work to educate college and university students throughout the state and at our four university K-12 laboratory schools. Her leadership as an advocate for higher education and her passion in defense of our members will be great assets to our union as we face challenging times.”
UFF represents more than 20,000 faculty at all 12 public universities, 15 colleges and Saint Leo University, along with graduate assistants at four universities. UFF employs an executive director, five service unit directors, and two administrative assistants.
Churchill will replace exiting executive director Marshall Ogletree on Dec. 28.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 1,192,456 FL residents (+10,907 since Sunday)
— 20,125 Non-FL residents (+108 since Sunday)
Origin:
— 10,538 Travel related
— 456,030 Contact with a confirmed case
— 13,263 Both
— 712,625 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 60,152 in FL
Deaths:
— 20,976 in FL
Evening Reads
“The inside story of how Donald Trump’s denial, mismanagement and magical thinking led to the pandemic’s dark winter” via Yasmeen Abutaleb, Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey and Philip Rucker of The Washington Post
“Inside Trump’s pressure campaign to overturn the election” via Anita Kumar and Gabby Orr of POLITICO
“How Trump drove the lie that the election was stolen, undermining voter trust in the outcome” via Amy Gardner of The Washington Post
“How offshore oddsmakers made a killing off gullible Trump supporters” via Alex Kirshner of Slate
“Vatican: OK to get virus vaccines using abortion cell lines” via Frances D’Emilio of The Associated Press
“The mysterious link between COVID-19 and sleep” via James Hamblin of The Atlantic
“The coronavirus is mutating. What does that mean for us?” via Apoorva Mandavilli of The New York Times
“After day two of fiery debate, budget experts tick revenue estimates up $1.5B” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“‘Our door’s always open’: Governor responds after South Florida Mayors decry lack of access on COVID-19 policy” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Ron DeSantis will wait for COVID-19 vaccination; Marco Rubio needled for getting his shot” via Mark Skoneki of the Orlando Sentinel
“Two weeks. Three lost. One Florida family ravaged by coronavirus.” via Claire McNeil of the Tampa Bay Times
“Fired data manager Rebekah Jones sues FDLE over raid on her home” via Jeff Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Repo men face a big year in 2021 as car payments go overdue” via David Lyons of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“DeSantis calls reservoir ‘a top environmental priority’” via Jim Turner of The News Service of Florida
“Sale of newspaper building in capital city is fresh evidence of sad times for the industry” via Lucy Morgan of the Florida Phoenix
“Workers left downtown Orlando during COVID-19. Will they ever come back?” via Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“I will do it, but I’m not going to step in front.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, on when he will get the coronavirus vaccine.
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