Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized National Human Trafficking Prevention Month on Wednesday, highlighting resources to help Floridians spot and report the crime.
“Human trafficking is an atrocious crime and if we are going to end this illicit practice in Florida, it will take all of us working together. In recognition of this important month, I am calling on Floridians to learn the signs of human trafficking and how to alert law enforcement to suspicious behavior,” she said.
Moody pointed to a recent study by Polaris that shows Florida has the third-highest volume of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The study shows that in 2020 there were more than 700 trafficking cases reported to the hotline from Florida.
Some of the key signs of human trafficking victim include seeming to be under the control of another individual; responding as if coached or letting another speak for them; acting fearful, anxious or paranoid; having branding scars, burns, tattoos or serious dental issues; and being malnourished, disoriented, confused or showing other signs of physical abuse.
Moody, who serves as Chair on the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, implored Floridians who suspect they’ve witnessed a potential trafficking victim to call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s human trafficking number at 1(800) 342-0820 and the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888.
More detailed information on how to spot and report human trafficking is available on YouCanStopHT.com.
Evening Reads
“White House embraces a manage-not-contain omicron game plan” via Adam Cancryn and Christopher Cadelago of POLITICO
“Ron DeSantis says shots won’t end pandemic, denies losing faith in vaccine” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Miami-Dade prosecutors target prominent political consultants in sham candidate case” Via Samantha J. Gross, Ana Ceballos and David Ovalle of the Miami Herald
“DeSantis, Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan: Jimmy Patronis wants feds to turn over discussions about the trio” via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics
“Charlie Crist announces new ‘Action Plan for Florida Seniors’ policy framework” via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics
“Why more American children are dying by gunfire” via Jack Healy of The New York Times
“Universities need to catch up to the post-vaccine reality” via Emily Oster of The Atlantic
“New data shows impact of ‘prison gerrymandering’ on Florida’s redistricting process” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“NPR is losing some of its Black and Latino hosts. Colleagues see a larger crisis.” via Paul Farhi and Elahe Izadi of The Washington Post
“Mayor-elect Ken Welch’s historic ride to St. Petersburg City Hall” via Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times
“UF President Kent Fuchs announces plans to step down, become professor” via Douglas Ray of The Gainesville Sun
“‘It’s a leaner, meaner business’: Hollywood braces for volatile 2022” via Pamela McClintock of The Hollywood Reporter
“To boldly explore the Jewish roots of ‘Star Trek’” via Adam Nagourney of The New York Times
Quote of the Day
“With omicron, the vaccines are not stopping the spread. That’s clear. If you look at who’s being infected, vaccinated, boosted, they’re all being infected. It didn’t stop it. It doesn’t provide sterilizing immunity, and I think that you just have to be honest with people about that.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, claiming he has not lost faith in vaccines.
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One comment
Alex
January 5, 2022 at 5:39 pm
UF President Fuchs failed in his duty to promote and protect freedom of speech in higher education, and now he’s stepping down.
Goodbye jerkwad!
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