Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried gave Santa Claus and his reindeer the all-clear to fly through Florida and deliver presents tomorrow night.
Fried on Wednesday announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had fast-tracked an Animal Movement Permit for Saint Nick.
The broad certificate grants extraordinary freedom for the Clauses to make their way through the Sunshine State. Between the hours of 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 7 a.m. Dec. 25, Claus will be allowed to enter and exit all Florida homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises.
The permit also gives the Clauses and crew permission to pass through or over any U.S. port in the state, which should make restocking the sleigh with presents a breeze.
Despite Santa’s reindeer being healthy enough to take a sleigh airborne, they’re still subject to FDACS’ rules aimed at keeping sick or invasive animals out of the state.
FDACS’ tests produced a clean bill of health for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolph passed with flying colors. State Veterinarian Michael Short also confirmed that his red nose is not a health concern.
“Given the challenges of this year, we want to ensure Santa Claus can safely travel the state and spread Christmas joy to all of Florida’s children,” Fried said. “As Florida’s regulator for the entry of animals, we’re pleased to issue Santa’s necessary Certificate of Animal Movement early, waive all fees, and ensure proper safety protocols to protect against livestock diseases and COVID-19. On behalf of Floridians, we wish Santa and his reindeer good luck and a pleasant visit to the Sunshine State.”
Fried added that Santa has agreed to wear a mask at all times while delivering gifts, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 1,213,760 FL residents (+11,100 since Tuesday)
— 20,639 Non-FL residents (+284 since Tuesday)
Origin:
— 10,648 Travel related
— 465,239 Contact with a confirmed case
— 13,425 Both
— 724,448 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 60,800 in FL
Deaths:
— 21,173 in FL
Evening Reads
“When my daughter asked if Santa was real, my answer was yes” via Vanessa McGrady of The Washington Post
“Buried in pandemic aid bill: Billions to soothe the richest” Luke Broadwater, Jesse Drucker and Rebecca R. Ruiz of The New York Times
“COVID-19 aid package in limbo after Donald Trump’s surprise demand to boost direct payments” via Kristina Peterson, Andrew Restuccia and Natalie Andrews of The Wall Street Journal
“Trump to return to a Florida rattled by virus, but with election loss on his mind” via Antonio Fins and Christine Stapleton of The Palm Beach Post
“Trump’s pardons make the unimaginable real” via The Atlantic
“‘Twas the night before Christmas … at Mar-a-Lago” via Frank Cerabino of the Palm Beach Post
“On Santa’s list, Florida politicians are divided between who’s been naughty and who’s been naughtier” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Ron DeSantis says counties could start giving vaccines to 65 and older as early as Monday” via Garfield Hylton and Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
“So far, mostly women and middle-aged people in FL are getting COVID vaccines” via Diane Rado of the Florida Phoenix
“DeSantis questions politicians’ logic in ‘jumping the line’ for COVID-19 vaccine” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics
“121 deaths, 11K cases tied to COVID-19 in Florida’s latest pandemic report” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Why are nursing home COVID deaths doubling in Florida? Advocates blame testing” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
“Judge opens the door to late-night bars at a time when COVID-19 is raging” via Lisa Huriash of the Sun-Sentinel
“As holidays approach, Florida nonprofit pays fines, fees of 181 ex-felons throughout state” via Brendan Rivers of WJCT
“Medicaid cuts may still loom in Florida amid COVID-19 health care crisis” via John Kennedy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“‘Small Business Saturday’ holiday proposed” via The News Service of Florida
“Florida whistleblower alleges ‘fixed’ contracts, big payouts at state-run insurer” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Forecasters think it could be the coldest Christmas of this century in Florida” via Howard Cohen of the Miami Herald
“Disney World, Universal draw holiday crowds despite COVID-19 warnings” via Gabrielle Russon and Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel
“New attractions, approaches forced changes in theme parks in 2020” via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel
“Orlando airport’s holiday traveler numbers surge along with pandemic” via Kevin Spear of the Orlando Sentinel
“Designer of healing places helps homeless build new lives” via Wayne Washington of The Palm Beach Post
Quote of the Day
“It makes no sense for someone that’s 42 to jump ahead of someone that is 70 years old. You can look at the data on this; it’s very clear. I want to make sure that if there’s one dose here in Pensacola left for this week, I want it to go to an elderly. I don’t want it to go to me.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, criticizing politicians who ‘jump the line’ for the vaccine.
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