Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
Ed. Note — Sunburn will be taking the day off tomorrow. But don’t worry, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics will return to your inbox on Friday. Thanks again for your support, and please, stay safe.
First Shot
Attorney General Ashley Moody wants auto manufacturers to keep their hands of that dial.
Moody cited reports that some electric vehicle makers plan to eliminate AM stations in new vehicles, citing signal interference despite multiple manufacturers keeping AM radio functionality. Preserving the radio band, Moody asserts, is important “for emergency situations and diversity of thought.”
“Every state in America faces public safety emergencies including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes and more. AM radio stations are vital to disseminating information in times of crisis,” Moody said.
“AM radio signals reach farther and remain functional even when phone lines, electricity and cellphones are inoperable. Electric vehicle manufacturers must keep these radio signals open and active — Floridians’ lives may depend on it.”
AM radio stations cover about 90% of the U.S. population and approximately 47 million Americans listen to AM radio on a weekly basis, according to the National Association of Broadcasters. AM radio is particularly valuable in rural pockets of the country where access to other media is sparse and unreliable.
Moody voiced her concerns in letters to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Electric Drive Transportation Association and the Zero Emission Transportation Association.
“The decision to eliminate AM radios is even more problematic in light of the Biden Administration’s goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030,” she wrote.
“While we oppose the Biden Administration’s efforts, they underscore that removing AM radios from electric cars threatens the entire AM radio industry. Without access to their main consumers — automobile owners — AM stations, and the lifesaving signals they provide, might cease to exist.”
Evening Reads
—“Ron DeSantis’ latest appeal to MAGA tops Donald Trump in performative cruelty” via Greg Sargent of The Washington Post
—“DeSantis camp slams ‘bizarre attempt’ to write off New Hampshire primary prospects” via Eric Daugherty of Florida’s Voice
—”The new Republican litmus test is very dangerous” via David Frum of The Atlantic
—“DeSantis wants Disney trial held after presidential election” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Poll: Just 1 in 5 Americans want DeSantis to run for President” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—”Vivek Ramaswamy’s rise to semi-prominence” via Andrew Prokop of Vox
—”Comedians are starting to mock DeSantis. What it means for the 2024 candidate.” via David Catanese of the Miami Herald
—“‘Cease and desist:’ Iowa GOP county leader blasts DeSantis super PAC for ‘lying’ about grassroots backing” via Marc Caputo of The Messenger
—“NOAA proposal could shut down four Florida seaports” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”Ready to sing Elvis karaoke … as Elvis? The weird rise of AI music” via Brian Hiatt of Rolling Stone
Quote of the Day
“For a Governor that built his campaign on a slogan of never back down, he sure is running away from this issue.”
— Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, on the Disney trial date.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
