Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Attorney General Ashley Moody has a reminder for people hoping to stiff hurricane victims — the ban on price gouging is still in effect after Ian.
Since Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Sept. 23, prohibitions against excessive price increases for essential commodities have been in place, per state law. Since then, the Attorney General’s Rapid Response Team has recovered approximately $17,000 for more than 100 consumers who contacted the Florida Attorney General’s Office with allegations about suspicious prices.
“Florida’s price gouging laws remain in effect and cover commodities related to post-storm recovery — including essentials such as lodging for displaced Floridians and first responders who traveled from across the state to live amid the destruction and help survivors as they rebuild,” Moody said in a statement. “We will aggressively investigate allegations of extreme price increases to protect Floridians and first responders doing everything they can to help us recover from this devastating storm.”
The price-gouging law applies to items such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline, lumber, equipment and storm-related services needed as a direct result of the event. Violators are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period.
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Tonight, the debate for Florida’s Congressional District 10 between Democrat Maxwell Frost and Republican Calvin Wimbish will air live on Spectrum News 13.
The 7 p.m. debate will be moderated by Spectrum News 13 anchor Ybeth Bruzual and Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell. The debate, which will help voters decide who should succeed Orlando Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings, will last one half-hour.
Frost has gained national attention as possibly a candidate who could become the nation’s first Gen Z Congressman. He is a 24-year-old progressive Democratic organizer who has become one of Democrats’ leading fundraisers nationwide.
Evening Reads
—“Jury rejects death sentence for Parkland school shooter in all 17 murders” via Rafael Olmeda, Brittany Wallman, Angie DiMichele, Susannah Bryan, Lisa J. Huriash, Anthony Man and Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
—“Politicians, victims’ families react after jury recommends life for Parkland shooter” via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics
—“After Hurricane Ian, Gov. Ron DeSantis issues executive order on 2022 election” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
—“Hurricane Ian proved why DeSantis’ version of climate resilience is a disaster” via Craig Pittman for The New York Times
—“Development on Florida’s barrier islands made Ian evacuation virtually impossible” via Craig Pittman of the Florida Phoenix
—“How Hurricane Ian changed the Florida Governor’s race” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
—“Two child incest victims denied abortions in Florida” via Kylie Cheung of Jezebel
—“Jan. 6 Committee votes to subpoena Donald Trump” via Scott Patterson of The Wall Street Journal
—“Why Jan. 6 is mostly absent from the Midterms” via Jordain Carney, Sarah Ferris and Ally Mutnuck of POLITICO
—“Ben Sasse is nothing if not thoughtful. Right?” via Carlos Lozada of The New York Times
—“Will Alex Jones pay Sandy Hook families $1B? What to know about the huge award” via Annabelle Timsit, Leo Sands and Joanna Slater of The Washington Post
—“Living without internet: Library is hot spot after hurricane disconnected parts of Florida” via Grace Banahan of Fresh Take Florida
—“Transcript details ‘ghost’ candidate’s aid in probe of spoiler scheme” via Annie Martin of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“He should die. Even Death is not enough. This is travesty of Justice. Mass shooters get to live but (their) victims don’t, f*cking unacceptable. He should be removed from ever existing. The 17 can never return and neither should he. I always stand with the Parkland families.”
— Jared Moskowitz on the verdict on Nikolas Cruz’s sentence.
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