Staff Reports
On Sunday, Tallahassee’s Midtown Reader is holding a pretty sweet event — literally.
The locally owned independent bookstore will be holding a grand opening bash for its new addition, “Piebrary.”
The tasty portmanteau of “pie” and “library” is the name of the bookstore’s new in-house café, and it was borne out of Midtown Reader founder and owner Sally Bradshaw’s sweet tooth and Manager Kristin Kehl’s background in local cafés and craft coffee.
The new venture will serve a full menu of coffee, tea and, of course — pie-by-the-slice while channeling the same local energy as Midtown Reader. The bookstore has partnered with Tallahassee’s own TC Bakery to bring customers the best in homemade treats.
The pie offerings include two tried-and-true staples, pecan and apple, alongside a seasonal offering. For the full experience, tack on a scoop of ice cream.
Those needing a pick-me-up will be delighted to hear that Jacksonville-based Bold Bean Coffee will be bringing their coffee to Tallahassee. The company’s Florida-roasted beans will shine through in a full range of drinks, from espressos and cortados to cappuccinos and Americanos.
Midtown Reader, a quaint Thomasville Road locale just a short drive from the state Capitol, is a general subject bookstore that boasts a wide variety of political books, along with works from other genres, on its shelves.
After a successful career as a political operative, Bradshaw opened Midtown Reader in 2016. It has since become a local favorite with events featuring well-known authors and shining a light on books about Florida’s rich political, social, and natural history.
The Piebrary grand opening runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 1123 Thomasville Road. A full calendar of Midtown Reader events is available here.
Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida’s capital city by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Gray Rohrer, Christine Jordan Sexton and the staff of Florida Politics.
But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:
Take 5
Goodbye Reedy Creek, hello CFTOD — During the weeklong Special Session, lawmakers approved a bill renaming the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and allowing Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint Disney World government’s board members, who would be confirmed by the Florida Senate. The bill, which is expected to be quickly signed by the Governor, comes after DeSantis feuded with Disney following the company’s vocal opposition to the “Parent Rights in Education” law — dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics — last year. Republicans argued the bill takes away the unfair advantage Disney had over SeaWorld and Universal. Democrats, however, have derided the legislation as retribution for Disney taking a stand on a political issue.
Lawmakers approve another $700M in hurricane relief — In a Special Session mostly centered on controversial issues, the Legislature sent one bill to the Governor that passed with broad bipartisan support. As a result, $700 million will soon be on the way for communities recovering from hurricanes Ian and Nicole. The bill on its way to DeSantis would set up an emergency bridge loan fund and replenish the state’s catastrophe fund. If signed, it will at once create a dedicated Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity. That will facilitate $50 million in nonrecurring dollars from the general revenue fund. Another $650 million in general revenue would also be transferred to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. The Legislature last year approved that fund with $500 million available.
Migrant flights bill en route to Governor’s desk — The Legislature approved an overhaul of a controversial program allowing the Governor to fly migrants around the nation. DeSantis made national headlines when he used the program to transport migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last year, but the move was out of compliance with the state law creating the program which enabled “the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state,” meaning Florida. The individuals who were moved last year never stepped foot in Florida but for a plane stop in the Panhandle. The legislation budgets $10 million for the program. It also shifts it from the Florida Department of Transportation to the auspices of the Department of Emergency Management.
Legislature approves giving AG authority on election crimes — Another bill shipped to the Governor’s desk this week would allow Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office to handle election crimes that potentially impact multiple judicial circuits. The legislation has generated substantial controversy in the wake of the arrest of 20 individuals last year for registering to vote despite being ineligible, then casting ballots. Many said they believed the right to vote had been restored by a 2018 constitutional amendment, and many in fact had been sent papers by the state encouraging them to register. While one of the cases has been settled, judges have in many cases dismissed charges and some local State Attorneys have been reluctant to pursue charges. Democrats have questioned if the proposed legislation will allow the statewide prosecutor to take over cases that local State Attorneys won’t try. Meanwhile, Speaker Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, suggested at a news conference Friday that the legislation could result in nearly all election-related cases being handled by the statewide prosecutor.
FHSAA backtracks on menstrual questions — The Florida High School Athletic Association reversed course on a controversial proposal to mandate questions about girls’ menstrual cycles as a requirement to compete in sports. Medical forms currently include questions about girls’ menstrual cycles, but those questions were optional and the answers, or non-answers, were not used to determine whether a student was eligible to compete. The FHSAA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee recommended requiring the questions be answered. The FHSAA was supposed to take up the matter at its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 26-27 but called an emergency meeting after it was inundated with complaints from parents and other concerned parties who said the potential mandate was invasive and sexist. With the changes approved this week, medical forms will no longer include any menstrual history questions but will require student-athletes to disclose the sex they were assigned at birth rather than their sex.
CTE Month
DeSantis and Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. this week commemorated February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.
The monthlong recognition is meant to highlight student and educator accomplishments, while also spotlighting important collaboration among local leaders, businesses and industry partners that contribute to CTE success throughout the state.
DeSantis is well into his 2019 stated goal of making Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030 and has since committed more than $5 billion for workforce education.
“Under Gov. DeSantis’ leadership, workforce education has been the driving force of our economy, giving students the opportunity to pursue hands-on learning in vital areas of development,” Diaz said. “We know the impact that career and technical education has on our students, businesses and the future of our state; and we will continue to invest resources, time and energy to support its expansion.”
There are nearly 800,000 CTE students in K-12 in Florida now, the most in state history. Additionally, there are some 380,000 postsecondary CTE students and more than 17,000 registered apprentices. Since 2019, entities have awarded nearly 250,000 credentials, with more than 93,000 awarded in the 2021-22 school year alone.
Adding to successes, DeSantis’ proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year calls for $624 million to support CTE and workforce education programs, $45 million more than the current fiscal year.
Stop the clock app!
Attorney General Moody is warning parents about the threat of data collection through the China-owned app TikTok.
Moody’s warning comes days after a Chinese spy balloon was spotted floating through the skies in various U.S. destinations, before being shot down in South Carolina.
Moody’s office is investigating TikTok over its engagement techniques and data collection, which she and staff worry are harming children. Moody is encouraging parents to safeguard their children’s personal data.
“The Chinese spy balloon that traveled U.S. airspace this week is a reminder of the importance of protecting personal information. As a mom, an American and Florida’s Attorney General, I have major concerns about how TikTok may be influencing children and exploiting user data,” Moody said. “As my attorneys — along with federal officials — continue to investigate TikTok, I recommend parents consider deleting the app from their children’s devices to protect the security of their personal information.”
This isn’t the first time the social media company has faced calls to block it from use. Last month, the University of Florida issued a letter to faculty, staff and students recommending they delete the app due to national security concerns regarding user data.
Last year, Moody joined 42 other attorneys general asking TikTok and Snapchat to allow parents to access and monitor their children’s social media usage through parental controls to guard against online threats.
In December, she and 14 peers nationwide also demanded Apple and Google take immediate steps to correct TikTok ratings in the companies’ app stores from ’T’ for teen to ‘M’ for mature in Google Play and from ’12+’ to ’17+’ in the Apple Store.
Treasure hunt
Floridians secured $26 million in unclaimed property in January, according to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Unclaimed property is a financial asset, such as dormant bank accounts, insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, deposits, credit balances and refunds, sometimes from an inheritance, with either an unknown owner or an owner who can’t be contacted. Often the asset is held by a business that can’t locate the owner. Patronis’ office holds the unclaimed property after the business remits it to them.
“My Division of Unclaimed Property kicked off 2023 by putting more than $26 million back into the pockets of Florida families and businesses in January,” Patronis said.
“As your CFO, I’ve been proud to highlight the great work my office has done to return every cent of unclaimed property back to its rightful owner. Help us spread the word by encouraging Floridians to recover and claim cash that has been unknown or lost to them. Currently, Florida has unclaimed property accounts with a total value of nearly $2.7 billion.”
The areas with the largest value of returned property were Tampa ($6.4 million), Miami ($5.88 million) and Orlando ($5.8 million).
So far $1.9 billion has been returned since Patronis took office in 2017.
Click here to search for unclaimed property.
Welcome to the board
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson appointed three to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
The appointees include Katherine English, Staci Sims and Rosie Paulsen.
“It is truly an honor to appoint Kate, Staci, and Rosie to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women,” Simpson said. “They each bring a unique perspective to the commission not only because of their strong agricultural and business roots but their involvement and contributions to their communities and important advocacy work. I am confident that their service on the commission will greatly improve the well-being of Florida women and girls — and by extension, all Floridians.”
English is a southwest Florida native and a partner at Pavese Law Firm, where she concentrates on agricultural, environmental and land use law. She has experience working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District, the Army Corps of Engineers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Sims, from Highlands County, is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general, agricultural member association. She previously served as director of local government and community affairs for the group.
Paulsen came to the United States from Ecuador as a teenager. She now owns Rosie Paulsen Enterprises and S&R Services. Paulson’s nod from Simpson is a reappointment. She was previously appointed in 2019 by then-Senate President Bill Galvano. She also serves on the city of Tampa’s Equal Business Opportunity Council.
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is a nonpartisan board consisting of 22 appointed members. The Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate President, and the Attorney General appoint four members, and the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture each appoint three members for a term of four years. The commission’s mandate is to study and make recommendations to the Governor, Cabinet, and Legislature on issues affecting women.
Instagram of the Week
The Week in Appointments
Central Florida Expressway Authority — DeSantis reappointed Christopher “C.J.” Maier and Rafael “Ralph” Martinez to the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Maier, of Orlando, is the Director of Development for NextEra Energy. He was previously appointed to the Florida Public Service Nominating Council and previously served as president of the Alumni Board of Directors of Rollins College. Maier earned his bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Florida State University and his master’s degree in business administration from Rollins College. Martinez, also of Orlando, is a Managing Partner of McEwan, Martinez, Dukes & Hall, P.A. He has served on a number of boards and commissions including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Metropolitan YMCA for Central Florida, and Orlando Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors. Martinez earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from FSU.
19th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission — The Governor named Michael Dadko and Nina Ferraro to the JNC. Dadko, of Palm City, is the executive vice president at Janney Montgomery Scott. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. Dadko is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2024. Ferraro, of Indiantown, is the president of Nina L. Ferraro, P.A. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her law degree from Stetson University. Ferraro is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2023.
Hamilton County Court — DeSantis appointed Jamie Tyndal, of Jasper, to the court. Tyndal has been the owner of the Law Office of Jamie L. Tyndal, P.A. since 2021. Previously, she served as the Office Supervisor at the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 3rd Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from UF. Tyndal fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sonny Scaff.
Hillsborough County Court — The Governor appointed Richard Martin, of Tampa, to serve as a judge on the Hillsborough County Court. Martin has worked as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General since 2020. Previously, he served as the General Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General. He received his bachelor’s degree from UF and his law degree from FSU. Martin fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Susan Lopez.
Historic addition
The Hampton House Motel in Brownsville is the Sunshine State’s latest addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
“I am pleased to announce that the Hampton House Motel has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places,” Secretary of State Cord Byrd said in a news release. “From the 1950s to the 1970s, the Hampton House Motel hosted meetings of prominent Black civil rights leaders, athletes, and entertainers. Today, through the efforts of dedicated local preservationists, it remains an integral part of Miami’s heritage.”
The Hampton House Motel, originally known as the Booker Terrace Motel, was built in 1954 and designed by Miami Modern architect Robert Karl Frese. Located in Miami-Dade County’s greater Brownsville neighborhood, the motel was purpose-built specifically for the Black community during the era of racial segregation. In 1961, owners Harry and Florence Markowitz renamed and renovated the motel, creating its iconic image that is preserved today.
The Hampton House Motel provided many upscale amenities, which were not typically available to Black travelers in the 1950s and 1960s. Private rooms and bathrooms, kitchenettes, and Brownsville’s first swimming pool made the Hampton House Motel the premiere accommodation for the Black community in Miami during the post-World War II period.
The upscale motel also served as the social, entertainment, and political hub for Miami’s Black community. The motel’s nightclub hosted famous entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Sam Cooke and Ella Fitzgerald.
Notable athletes, such as Althea Gibson, Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis also stayed at the Hampton House Motel during their Miami visits. Malcolm X frequented the motel, often to meet with his friend Muhammad Ali. Ali famously celebrated his 1964 victory over Sonny Liston in the motel’s coffee shop. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the motel to coordinate south Florida’s civil rights strategy and host press conferences. Documents show that an early version of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered at the Hampton House Motel.
“Ultimately, the motel was a place associated with dignity and freedom for Miami-Dade County’s Black residents and visitors for two decades,” the Department of State news release says.
Meet the new boss
The CareerSource Florida Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Adrienne Johnston to president and CEO. DeSantis recommended Johnston for the position.
“Under our Governor’s bold leadership and together with our state partners, CareerSource Florida has an exciting opportunity to help transform Florida’s workforce system to be truly customer-focused,” Johnston said. “I am grateful for our state board’s vote of confidence, and I will work closely with our board to achieve Governor DeSantis’ vision that Florida continues to be the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family.”
Johnston most recently served as deputy secretary of Workforce Services and chief economist for the Department of Economic Opportunity, positions she held since November 2020. She also has served on the CareerSource Florida Board as the designee for the department.
Previously, Johnston served as DEO’s chief of the Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research for nearly six years, delivering quality data analysis, informative data visualizations and applied research to better serve the agency and stakeholders across the state. Before joining DEO, Johnston worked in the private sector. She holds a master’s degree in economics from Florida State University.
“Adrienne Johnston is focused on achieving Gov. DeSantis’ goal that Florida will be No. 1 in workforce education by 2030, and our board is privileged to have her at the helm of CareerSource Florida to lead this effort,” CareerSource Florida Board Chair Stephanie Smith said. “Adrienne’s extensive background in workforce services and economics ideally suit her to help lead transformational change, ensuring the CareerSource Florida network continues to anticipate and respond to the current and future needs of business and our citizens.”
Career Source Florida is the state’s workforce policy and investment board, which partners with the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida to help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow.
Meet the new boss, part II
Laura DiBella is officially serving as permanent president and CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI) after the Board of Directors confirmed her in a unanimous vote.
“I’m beyond humbled and grateful to both the Governor and EFI Board for what truly is the opportunity of a lifetime,” DiBella said. “Florida is in an enviable position representing the gold standard for business freedom, all while being incredibly well positioned for even greater success. I’m excited and look forward to championing and leading the outstanding efforts of the entire EFI team, in lockstep with our statewide partners, to really capitalize on this amazing snapshot of time.”
EFI had been without a permanent head since October 2021, when Jamal Sowell, a U.S. Navy Reserve officer, resigned to attend to military duties.
After Sowell’s departure, Marc Adler stepped in as interim president and CEO. Adler then left in July 2022 to take over the Florida Development Finance Corporation.
That prompted DiBella to step in — in a temporary capacity. Now, she’s been OK’d by the Board to head EFI permanently.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Laura during her time at Enterprise Florida,” said Holly Borgmann, Vice Chair of the EFI Board of Directors. “In the past few months, she has hit the ground running showcasing Florida as the best place for business. With her incredible background and passion for Enterprise Florida’s mission, I am confident she will lead EFI well and look forward to all she accomplishes as Secretary.”
Close the loophole
Florida has some of the weakest drug-impaired boating and driving laws in the nation, according to Sen. Lori Berman of Boca Raton and Rep. Joe Casello of Boynton Beach, so the two have teamed up to file legislation (HB 549/SB 448) that would bring the state more in line with the vast majority of other states.
Current law says that a driver can be found guilty of a DUI or BUI if they are in physical control of a vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or certain “controlled substances,” that are based on a list of substances that written law cannot keep up with, according to a news release.
Also, judges aren’t allowed to issue blood tests in misdemeanor cases.
Berman and Casello are proposing to add “or any other impairing substance, or combination thereof” to the DUI and BUI law. That would mean that evidence of using novel psychoactive compounds, or what’s also commonly referred to as “designer drugs,” could be in a DUI or BUI prosecution.
Also, the bills propose to allow judges to issue warrants for blood tests in all cases, not just felonies. That means prosecutors will have more to work with in dealing with impaired operators.
Berman, who is also a lawyer, said it would close a glaring loophole in the law. Casello said these are common sense changes in the law.
“As a former firefighter, I saw firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of impaired driving and it’s time to close these loopholes in our laws,” He said in a prepared statement.
Make it right
Legislation is advancing for the first time in years to help convicted people in Florida get paid for their lost years.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved a bill (HB 43) Thursday to lower two barriers that today block 17 Sunshine State exonerees who spent a combined 270 years in prison from compensation.
State law provides that wrongly convicted people are eligible for $50,000 for each year they spend behind bars. Under current law, exonerees must file a compensation petition within 90 days of having their conviction and sentence vacated and clear the state’s “clean hands” rule, a stipulation unique to Florida that denies payment to exonerees with multiple nonviolent felonies.
The bill and its Senate companion, SB 382, would extend the filing deadline to two years and nix “clean hands” altogether.
“If we as a state don’t get something right, then we as a state need to make it right,” said Tampa Republican Rep. Traci Koster, the bill’s sponsor.
The Committee’s members agreed. Democratic Rep. Michael Gottlieb, who co-introduced HB 43, called it “one of the most significant pieces of justice reform” he’s seen since taking office.
Several advocacy groups also backed the bill. Adina Thompson of the Innocence Project of Florida, which helped craft the bill, noted Florida in 2008 was among the first states in the country to enact an exoneree compensation law and that the bill will help Florida again be a leader among U.S. states on the issue.
‘Privacy. Period!!’
The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors has reversed course, removing four mandatory questions relating to teenage girls’ menstrual cycles and histories from its athletic form, the EL2, required for participation in high school sports.
The reversal came after public outcry, including from the group “Privacy. Period!!” spearheaded by Florida mom Jenn Meale Poggie.
“I commend the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors for the action they took today,” Poggie said in a statement following the decision, which came during an emergency meeting scheduled in response to pushback.
“Requiring reporting on teenage girls’ menstrual cycles on an athletic form is a complete violation of privacy. No female athlete in Florida — or anywhere else — should have to disclose this deeply personal information to an athletic department.”
The FHSAA was supposed to take up the matter, a recommendation from its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, at its regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 26-27.
Female high school athletes are currently asked to provide information about their menstrual cycles on health forms required for sports participation, but providing that information is optional, according to The Associated Press.
The proposed mandatory question would have included whether the student has ever had a period; the age at their first period; the date of their most recent period; and how many cycles they’ve had in the past year.
“Conversations about young girls’ menstrual cycles are private and should remain among the girls, their parents and their physicians. Period,” Poggie added.
Behavioral Health Day
Almost 200 leaders, clinicians and families from across the state came to the Florida Capitol this week for Behavioral Health Day, an annual awareness campaign on mental health and substance use disorder services in Florida.
The Florida Behavioral Health Association kicked off the day with a news conference at the Capitol, where FBHA President and CEO Melanie Brown-Woofter was joined by Rep. Sam Garrison, Florida Department of Children and Families Assistant Secretary Erica Floyd-Thomas, Agency for Healthcare Administration Secretary Jason Weida, Florida Association of Managing Entities CEO Natalie Kelly and NAMI Florida Executive Director Jarrod Strickland.
“FBHA is proud to represent over 70 not-for-profit, community mental health and substance use treatment providers throughout the entire state. Our members are the safety nets in communities, who work tirelessly every day to serve Florida’s most vulnerable populations,” Brown-Woofter said.
Brown-Woofter said the providers FBHA represents are experiencing record demand for services but are struggling to recruit and retain workers. She urged policymakers to continue investing in mental health services. DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris, Kelly and Weida all expressed support for boosting resources, as did Garrison, who chairs the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.
“Making sure that we provide the support and tools needed to address mental health and substance use disorders has always been something that is near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I am proud to work each and every day to try to make services more accessible to Floridians in need.”
The news conference wrapped up with NAMI Florida Executive Director Jarrod Strickland, who spoke about his personal experience battling mental health challenges.
“For the last 15 years, I have dedicated my life to connecting communities, supporting families, and empowering individuals in their mental health journeys,” he said. “As a combat veteran, I have gained a unique perspective from my experiences with my own mental health conditions that have only allowed me to better inform my community and elevate the importance of mental health in every area of life.”
Survey says …
Florida State University College of Law ranks second in the nation among law schools for best quality of life and seventh best for the quality of its professors, according to rankings published in the Princeton Review’s Best Law Schools for 2023.
The rankings are based on surveys taken among 17,000 law students.
The quality-of-life ranking covers student perceptions on sense of community; whether differing opinions are tolerated in the classroom; school location; quality of social life; and research resources.
The best faculty ranking is based on perceptions on the quality of professors as teachers and professor accessibility outside the classroom.
“We are thrilled to be ranked the nation’s second-best law school in terms of student quality of life and seventh best in terms of our professors,” FSU College of Law Dean Erin O’Connor said.
“Students often tell us that our collegial atmosphere and the quality of our professors are their favorite things about FSU Law, so it is gratifying to be ranked among the nation’s top law schools in those areas. Providing our students with a positive, academically rigorous experience is key to their success in law school and beyond.”
Capitol Directions
Ron DeSantis — Up arrow — Keep playing rope-a-dope, TFG will tucker himself out before the first ballot is cast.
Ron DeSantis, Part 2 — Up arrow — He doesn’t propose legislation, he issues royal decrees.
Renner’s House — Up arrow — Holy cow … save something for next year, Speaker.
Wilton Simpson — Up arrow — It just looked right with him ‘flipping the switch’ at the Florida State Fair.
College Board — Down arrow — They’re struggling to get their own history right, too.
Alyssa Farah Griffin — Down arrow — She says history, we hear histrionics.
Disney — Up arrow — Splash Mountain may be gone, but Disney still knows how to wiggle out of a briar patch.
FHSAA — Down arrow — When did facepalming become a sport?
NY Times v. Sullivan — Crossways arrow — Precedent shmecident.
Florida Standard — Crossways arrow — When are they launching Cable 54?
WESH — Down arrow — Think the vax mandate ban is a joke? FAFO.
Election police — Crossways arrow — A draw isn’t a loss, but it isn’t a win either.
Florida State Guard — Up arrow — Apparently we’re getting an air force and a navy, too.
Jason Pizzo — Up arrow — It’s official. Congrats to the Senate Democratic Leader-designate.
College athletes — Up arrow — You’ll be hearing from the Gators and Noles soon, thanks to Rep. LaMarca.
Sovereign immunity — Crossways — The cap is probably going up, but it’s going on your tab.
New College — Up arrow — $15M should help ease the pain.
Hillsborough taxpayers — Crossways arrow — They’re getting a refund, and they get to keep the potholes. Yay?
Florida Lottery — Up arrow — When you play, we all win.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians — Up arrow — Welcome to the Magic City.
PSC — Down arrow — “Great deference” doesn’t mean “complete deference.”
Travis Kalanick — Down arrow — Uber’s ex tries to pull fast one on delivery by monetizing customer data via Cloud Kitchens. Crisis averted. No stars for you!
Ben Crump — Up arrow — St. Thomas University will be getting many more applications with his name on the law school building.
Ken Riley — Up arrow — He was already a legend in Bartow, now he’s one in Canton, too.
FSU — Down arrow — It looks like the diversity programs weren’t working anyway.
Bradfordville Blues Club — Down arrow — The Blue’s Trail is a little shorter. RIP.
Mike Norvell — Up arrow — Ws get dollars.
Sean Stafford — Up arrow — He’s making Facebook relevant again.
TPD — Up arrow — They got their man.
Nitravian Henderson — Down arrow — We hope he gets the help he needs … somewhere far, far away.
Gallie Alley — Down arrow — It’s a lot like New York City, but without the live theater.
Tally’s pressure washers — Up arrow — Enough said.
