Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

Jeb Bush is the only Republican candidate with the courage to take on Donald Trump and his “unhinged proposals,” says a new ad coming from the Bush campaign. “The Only One,” a minute-long digital spot released Monday, has Bush blasting the billionaire real estate developer over his defense of Vladimir Putin – who recently praised […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

A new digital spot produced by the super PAC supporting Ted Cruz hits airwaves this week, taking a gentle swipe at rival Marco Rubio, with whom the Texas senator has been battling over national security and immigration. As reported by Katie Glueck of POLITICO, “Trust” is a 60-second ad from Keep the Promise I and […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday the appointment of Betty Viamontes to the Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees. Viamontes, 50, of Odessa, is corporate controller of Tampa General Hospital and vice chair of the Florida Institute of CPAs. She is also the author of “Waiting on Zapote Street: Love and Loss in Castro’s Cuba,” […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 31 appointments to a variety of state regulatory boards. Commission on Ethics Scott started with three appointments and one reappointment to the Commission on Ethics, a nine-member board that serves as a guardian for standards of conduct for officials and employees of the state of Florida. Dr. Daniel Brady, […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

With the end of 2015 less than two weeks away, Gov. Rick Scott announced a wave of seven statewide judicial appointments. Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Scott began by naming John Guy and Steven Whittington to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. Guy, 51, of Jacksonville, has served as an […]

Phil AmmannDecember 20, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Florida prison rife with abuses Inmates in Florida state prisons should be able to serve their sentences without the fear of being raped or abused. But too often that is the reality for inmates at Lowell Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in […]

Phil AmmannDecember 19, 2015

It’s an unfortunate fact of life, but one we deal with every day. As time goes on, nearly everyone expects to pay more for basics such as food, housing and other utilities. However, one necessity has actually been getting cheaper at the same time: electricity. A new email from Duke Energy reminds consumers that, for […]

Phil AmmannDecember 19, 2015

Uber is going social, with a new transportation update to the popular Facebook Messenger app. In an effort to provide safe, affordable and reliable transportation, the San Francisco-based ridesharing service is partnering with Facebook to allow users in select cities to call for a ride without leaving Messenger. With the touch of a button, Uber […]

Phil AmmannDecember 18, 2015

Jeb Bush is helping Donald Trump celebrate an anniversary, but it’s one that the Republican presidential front-runner might rather forget. Seven years ago, Dec. 18, 2008, Trump – in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer – was heaping praise on newly elected president Barack Obama, saying he was “doing great,” and that his choice of […]

Phil AmmannDecember 18, 2015

Political spin may become a thing of the past on Medium, the blogging platform popular with candidates. PolitiFact, the fact-checking arm of the Tampa Bay Times, will soon start sifting through posts by politicians — and publishing rulings — on Medium, as a way to “bring voters the truth.” Medium, launched in August 2012 by Twitter co-founder […]

Phil Ammann

Jeb Bush “only one” with courage to stand up to Donald Trump, new ad says

Ted Cruz super PAC takes swipe at Marco Rubio in new digital ad

Local author Betty Viamontes named to Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees

Gov. Scott announces 31 regulatory board appointments

Gov. Scott announces seven judicial appointments

A roundup of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Email insights: Unlike other basic needs, Duke Energy keeps Florida electricity costs down

Uber gets social, with new transportation option in Facebook Messenger

New Jeb Bush video shows Donald Trump heaping praise on Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton in 2008

PolitiFact will begin fact-checking posts, and publish rulings, on Medium