Jesse SchecknerFlorida condo crisis broader, more complicated, vulnerable to malfeasance, Senate panel told
‘A cottage industry has popped up because of this.’
0
10min
SunRail hits important milestone toward becoming an independently run system
‘The next milestone is to complete the operational transition.’
3
4min
Becker elevates federal lobbyist Amanda Wood to Senior Director
Wood is only the second non-lawyer at the firm to attain the title.
1
5min
After 7 years on the West Palm Beach Commission, Christina Lambert launches bid for Mayor
The Mayor’s race culminates in March 2027.
2
7min
News & Trending
January 14, 2025
Gabrielle Russon
Gabrielle Russon
SunRail hits important milestone toward becoming an independently run system
3
4min
0
January 14, 2025
Janelle Irwin Taylor
Janelle Irwin Taylor
Becker elevates federal lobbyist Amanda Wood to Senior Director
1
5min
0
January 14, 2025
Jacob Ogles
Jacob Ogles
Greg Steube’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports passes House
3
4min
0
January 14, 2025
Staff Reports
Staff Reports
Last Call for 1.14.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
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14min
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Transition
A.G. GancarskiGov. DeSantis to raise flag for Donald Trump inauguration, putting Jimmy Carter mourning on pause
Flags return to half staff Jan. 21.
9
4min
Associated PressKey takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s fiery confirmation hearing
‘I’m not a perfect person but redemption is real.’
4
16min
Pete Hegseth confronts allegations of misconduct as Senators grill Donald Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief
Republican Senators took turns shoring up the nominee.
6
13min
Special Counsel report says Donald Trump would’ve been convicted for Jan. 6 ‘unprecedented criminal effort’
‘I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters.’
4
11min
Donald Trump flies U.S. flag at full height before end of 30-day mourning period following Jimmy Carter’s death
Both President Joe Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through Jan. 28.
9
4min
Judge clears the way for release of Jack Smith’s report on Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 case
Judge Aileen Cannon had earlier temporarily blocked the Department from releasing the report.
3
2min
JD Vance says Jan. 6 participants who committed violence ‘obviously’ shouldn’t be pardoned
JD Vance argues some Jan. 6 rioters should be pardoned as Donald Trump promised, but violent protesters won’t.
7
5min
Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here’s the schedule
After weeks of controversy over many Cabinet nominations, Congress begins hearings over Donald Trump’s appointments.
2
15min
Donald Trump can still vote after sentencing, but can’t own a gun and will have to turn over DNA sample
The case is over but the fallout continues.
31
8min
Report: Kevin Guthrie to lead FEMA
Florida’s Director of Emergency Management is battle-tested. Will he be the White House pick?
3
4min
Pam Bondi confirmation hearings scheduled before Senate Judiciary Committee
The former Florida Attorney General will appear before the committee on Jan. 15 and 16.
12
4min
Confirmation hearings scheduled for Marco Rubio, but delayed for Pam Bondi
Senators cannot schedule Bondi’s hearing until an FBI background check is done.
10
4min
Specials
Brian Hodgers emerges as early cash leader in HD 32 race to succeed Debbie Mayfield
Most comes from $250K in self-funding.
1
3min
Aaron Baker blames Susie Wiles for Donald Trump’s Randy Fine endorsement
Will voters side with the President’s pick or the long-shot challenger?
2
4min
Ron DeSantis cool on Cory Mills’ interest in Senate seat amid slim GOP House majority
‘I don’t want you to be sand in the gears.’
3
6min
Governor blames faulty ‘resign to run’ law for lack of elections to replace Randy Fine, Joel Rudman
‘I think they should just chuck the whole thing.’
6
5min
Gov. DeSantis promises Senate pick will help Donald Trump ‘deliver on mandate’
The pick will ‘come soon.’
10
3min
ACLU files lawsuit demanding Ron DeSantis call Special Elections in SD 19, HD 3
Citizens have had to sue DeSantis before to urge him to call Special Elections.
0
6min
Jimmy Patronis points to partisan gerrymandering as only reason he doesn’t live in CD 1
Joel Rudman, a CD 1 opponent, called the inference ‘severely negative’ and an attack on Republicans who drew the map.
5
9min
Nathan Boyles rapidly raises more than $22K in HD 3
He amassed the money quickly in anticipation of a Special Election.
0
4min
Lara Trump expects Gov. DeSantis to go in ‘right direction’ to fill Senate seat
The President-elect’s daughter-in-law withdrew from consideration in late December.
12
3min
Legislative, Influence & Policy
Florida condo crisis broader, more complicated, vulnerable to malfeasance, Senate panel told
‘A cottage industry has popped up because of this.’
0
10min
Becker elevates federal lobbyist Amanda Wood to Senior Director
Wood is only the second non-lawyer at the firm to attain the title.
1
5min
Drew DixonSt. Johns County pier opens for fishing again after multiple setbacks in 2024
The last 100 feet of the St. Johns County pier will remain closed in the popular tourist area.
0
4min
‘Debris on top of debris’: Local leaders brief legislators on hurricane impacts
Storms brought existential challenges to areas throughout the state.
3
6min
Housing update shows gains from Live Local Act, but affordability challenges linger in large counties
A change in law allowed construction of more working class housing, but market challenges remain.
2
6min
House panel vents frustrations over insurance cost drivers, accountability failures
Industry experts heard about how the system isn’t serving consumers.
3
8min
Federal
Greg Steube’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports passes House
The bill now heads to a Republican-majority Senate.
3
4min
Jared Moskowitz to join House Judiciary Committee, promises bipartisanship, accountability
He called the panel ‘the tip of the spear on some of the most consequential issues facing us.’
0
6min
Peter SchorschAmerican Airlines court ruling raises concerns over broader unintended consequences
The ruling may set a dangerous precedent that could negatively harm millions of Americans’ financial futures.
1
6min
What to watch as Pete Hegseth faces questions about his experience and personal past
The Senate Armed Services Committee will question the former Fox News host.
3
12min
Americans for Prosperity launches $20M campaign to back renewal of Donald Trump tax cuts
The group says families and businesses will ‘suffer if Congress fails to renew’ the legislation.
3
4min
Millions have had student loans canceled under Joe Biden — despite the collapse of his forgiveness plan
Donald Trump could reverse some of those efforts.
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8min
Jacksonville
NE Florida
Orlando
St. Pete
SW Florida
Tampa
Panhandle
Tallahassee
Mike Wright
South Florida
After 7 years on the West Palm Beach Commission, Christina Lambert launches bid for Mayor
The Mayor’s race culminates in March 2027.
2
7min
David A. Haimes receives American Board of Trial Advocates Jurist of the Year honors
He’s now entering his 15th year on the bench.
0
3min
Elijah Manley ‘almost certainly’ challenging Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in Democratic Primary
The 26-year-old criticized the incumbent amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation.
1
4min
Lori Berman brings back bill to cap the cost of breast exams for state employees
An estimated 20% of patients forgo follow-up diagnostic tests if they have to pay a deductible.
2
5min
Donald Trump plan to build 1,500 multimillion-dollar condos in Doral faces public hearing
The project would mark South Florida’s first ongoing condo sales endeavor by a sitting President.
3
5min
Promise Fund names Audrey Brown as new CEO
Promise Fund serves tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin counties who are uninsured, underinsured or have limited or no access to health care.
0
4min
Culture Wars
Florida PhoenixRon DeSantis defends UWF Board nominee who criticizes women prioritizing their careers
‘What I don’t like is cherry-picking somebody saying this, and then trying to smear them.’
5
6min
Ron DeSantis says Florida school choice should be national model
‘You don’t need the Department of Education for this.’
50
4min
Ron DeSantis rips media double standard in soft coverage of California leadership failures
It’s clear he recognizes a political double standard at play.
25
5min
Gov. DeSantis appointee says women should pick motherhood over higher ed
He’s also argued that college and universities are ‘indoctrination camps’ society should de-emphasize to make progress on ‘family matters.’
18
7min
Donald Trump wants to change colleges nationwide. GOP-led states offer a preview
Trump vowed during his campaign to end ‘wokeness’ and ‘leftist indoctrination’ in education.
3
13min
CNN defamation trial comes at a rough time for legacy media — and for the struggling network
Attorneys for a Florida company told jurors they can send a message to the entire media landscape.
3
10min
Foreign Affairs
Swift bipartisan condemnation from Florida follows as Joe Biden removes Cuba from terrorist sponsor list
From Mario Diaz-Balart to Nikki Fried, Florida expressed a range of disappointment and outrage.
2
7min
Joe Biden moves to lift state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba, part of deal to free prisoners
Will Trump let the move stand?
1
5min
New poll shows overwhelming support among Republicans to hold foreign polluters accountable
‘High-polluting countries hold an unfair advantage.’
1
3min
Mike Waltz sets scene for Donald Trump approach to Ukraine and Israel
Mike Waltz promised ‘hell to pay’ if any more Americans are taken hostage in Middle East.
4
5min
Donald Trump’s words on Greenland and borders ring alarms in Europe, but officials have a measured response
Is the President-elect serious? Time will tell.
6
5min
Venezuela opposition disappointed after Nicolas Maduro sworn in
Another chapter in an all-too-familiar story.
3
5min
Emails & Opinions
Last Call for 1.14.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
Apolitical
Florida citrus harvest projections remain steady to start 2025
USDA says revised figures for the citrus harvest after Hurricane Milton should be solid for the remainder of growing season.
Duke Energy taps Harry Sideris as new CEO, will replace retiring CEO Lynn Good
‘Harry’s nearly three-decade-long record of extraordinary accomplishments makes him uniquely qualified to lead Duke Energy.’
Tech
Karen Cyphers: Few want government regulating online speech; Meta’s move to TX may decrease distrust
There’s a growing preference among Floridians for individual control over online content and a diminished trust in both government and corporate entities to moderate speech fairly.
Uncertainty over Donald Trump’s electric vehicle policies clouds 2025 forecast for carmakers
Trump condemned the federal tax credit for electric vehicles while campaigning for the presidency.
Universities
Space Consortium promises to be a boon for space research among Florida universities
The Florida University Space Consortium is designed to bring many colleges into the fold of the space research pact.
0
4min
UF researchers develop tree that could combat greening in Florida citrus
A genetically modified tree developed by UF is designed to ease damage to citrus in Florida.
3
5min
University of West Florida lands top scientist as administrator overseeing research projects
The new research administrator at UWF is listed among the top 2% scientists in the world.
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3min
