Last Call for 11.28.22 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

For the next three weeks, Rep. Anna V. Eskamani will host her Team Anna Toy Drive to support two Orlando-area nonprofits.

Beginning Monday, the Democrat from House District 42 is accepting unwrapped toys for all ages to benefit Nathaniel’s Hope and United Against Poverty Orlando.

Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to celebrating kids with special needs, which they call VIPS, as well as educating and equipping communities and churches to provide programs and assistance to families for free. VIP kids include those with any physical, cognitive, medical, or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.

United Against Poverty Orlando serves an average of more than 300 individuals each day, all of whom fall at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The majority live in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Eskamani accepts gifts each weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at her district office, 1507 East Concord Street in Orlando.

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Secretary of State Cord Byrd is inviting Floridians to attend The Grove Museum’s annual Winter Open House.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the museum opens its doors with free educational activities, lawn games, hot cider and treats for all ages. The Frother’s Daughter coffee cart will also be on-site with a variety of beverages for purchase.

“Community partners are important to the function of The Grove Museum,” Byrd said. “This annual event showcases the great work of our partner organizations in a fun, festive, and family-friendly atmosphere with activities inside the museum and throughout the site’s beautiful grounds.”

Built by enslaved craftspeople, the ca. 1840 Call-Collins House at The Grove is one of the best-preserved antebellum residences in Florida. Home to several generations of the Call and Collins families, most recently LeRoy and Mary Call Collins, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The Department of State rehabilitated the house and 10.5 acres, opening it to the public in 2017 as The Grove Museum. The museum preserves and interprets the Call-Collins House, its surrounding acreage, and its historical collections for public viewing.

Evening Reads

—“Gearing up for 2024? Ron DeSantis’ PC pulls in $1.8M after 2022 spending deadline” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—“New state voter fraud units finding few cases from Midterms” via Gary Fields, Anthony Izaguirre and Sudhin Thanawala of The Associated Press

—“Tampa woman takes plea deal in DeSantis voter fraud case” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times

—“Armchair lawyers proven wrong again — DeSantis does not have to resign to run for POTUS” via Lilian Rodríguez-Baz for Florida Politics

—“Joe Biden helped Democrats avert a ’22 disaster. What about ’24?” via Katie Glueck of The New York Times

—“Poll: Pennsylvania Republicans prefer DeSantis to Donald Trump” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—“Inflation woes won’t move legislative leaders to hike Florida’s low jobless benefits” via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics

—“Parents, we must fight the radical left’s conditioning of our kids” via Quisha King for The Florida Standard

—“I’m Team USA. But it’s more important Iran advances in the World Cup.” via Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post

—“The mother of all contracts: A seismic shift in Medicaid program could be ahead” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics

—“Disney going forward with hiring freeze, CEO Bob Iger says in town hall” via Katie Rice of the Orlando Sentinel

—“Florida hospitals weren’t ready for Hurricane Ian. Some fear the next big storm.” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO

—“Innocence Sold: ‘Kidnapping, human trafficking, murder.’ What happened to missing teen Sophie Reeder?” via Brittany Wallman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—“‘It’s a staple of the culture.’ Meet Souseman, king of Black Miami’s signature stew” via C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald

Quote of the Day

“Apparently Smells was planning to chase after a big mouse he heard was running around Disney World.”

— TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein on the cat found in JFK luggage bound for Orlando.

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