Last Call for 5.8.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

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

First Shot

A search committee at Florida International University just named Interim President Jeanette Nuñez its sole choice for permanent president.

In February, FIU picked Nuñez, Florida’s Lieutenant Governor for most of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, as its interim president. The longtime Miami-Dade politician had to leave her post in the administration to take on the new role and was widely considered the likely choice to become the permanent President.

“I’m honored and humbled to move forward in the FIU presidential search process,” she posted on X. “Thank you to Chair Carlos Duart and the Presidential Search Committee for the opportunity to interview and share my vision for FIU. I look forward to connecting with FIU students, faculty and staff during the upcoming forums.”

Duart, in a statement released by FIU, said the search committee had considered two other finalists, but they only wanted to move into a public phase of the search if they were the sole finalists being considered.

“As a result, these two finalists withdrew their candidacy,” Duart said. “Given her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications, the Committee unanimously agreed to move Interim President Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU Board of Trustees.”

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—”The surprising trend shaking up the Donald Trump administration” via Andrew Prokop of Vox

—“‘Do you like Tootsie Rolls?’: Inside Trump’s hardcore candy addiction” via Asawin Suebsaeng of Rolling Stone

—”The actual math behind DOGE’s cuts” via Jessica Riedl of The Atlantic

—“Why so many Democrats are asking the wrong question” via Chris Cillizza and Margie Omero of So What

—“Ayn Rand was right. Sort of.” via Jonathan V. Last of The Bulwark

—”Florida political leaders praise selection of first American Pope, Leo XIV” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”GOP centrists revolt against steep cuts to Medicaid and other programs in Trump’s tax breaks bill” via Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking of The Associated Press

—“Are Democrats sleeping on South Florida? And could Jared Moskowitz pay the price?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”The bubble blasters and other Chinese goods that are paralyzed by trade chaos” via Rebecca Feng, Hannah Miao and Natasha Khan of The Wall Street Journal

—”The $200 billion gamble: Bill Gates’ plan to wind down his foundation” via David Wallace-Wells of The New York Times

—”‘Legal morphine’ will stay on Florida shelves as lawmakers fail to act” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times

Quote of the Day

“I am not for more government, but I am also not for kids being able to go buy gas station heroin on the streets just because they have money in their pockets.”

— Sen. Jay Collins, on banning 7-hydroxymitragynine products in Florida.

Put it on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Order a President for Jeanette Nuñez, who was named FIU’s sole choice to lead the university.

Now that the U.S. House has voted for the Gulf of America Act, you should snag a Gulf of Mexico while you still can.

Celebrate the tariff reduction on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum with a classic Aston Martini.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Rays open home set with Brewers 

Starting Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays’ temporary home has not provided much of a home-field advantage. Through 26 home games, Tampa Bay has lost 15 while posting a winning record on the road. 

Steinbrenner Field, typically the spring training home of the New York Yankees, became the Rays’ home park for the year after Hurricane Milton devastated Tropicana Field. Repairs to the stadium are expected to be completed by April 2026, so for now, it’s the 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field.

There has been a bright spot for the Rays. First baseman Jonathan Aranda has opened the season hitting .317 with five home runs and 17 runs batted in. He is the only position player on the Rays with a wins above replacement (WAR) above one (1.3). He is among the league leaders in several other advanced metrics. 

Tampa Bay needs to find better performances from the pitching staff. No starter is better than one game over .500. As a team, the Rays rank in the middle of the pack in earned run average; they have given up the sixth most home runs so far this season.

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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.