Four hospitals treating kids with cancer are getting $30 million in state funding, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.

“I know that that’s going to go a long way,” DeSantis said at a news conference Monday in Jacksonville. “This is really going to make a difference.”

The four hospitals that will each receive $7.5 million are: St. Petersburg’s Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Miami’s Nicklaus Children’s Hospital System, Jacksonville’s Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Orlando’s Nemours Children’s Hospital.

The $30 million will be a game-changer for Florida’s hospitals, said Dr. Mark Toney, Wolfson’s vice president of medical affairs.

Although Florida is the nation’s third-largest state for children, we still lack a Top 25 pediatric cancer program. Too many families have to travel out of state for specialized treatment and added burden during an already difficult time,” Toney said at the news conference next to the DeSantises. “That will change. Today’s investment is a critical step forward.”

Wolfson plans to use its grant funding to create a home-delivery chemotherapy program to help reach more people in need, officials said.

“This is what the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator is all about, not only advancing the science around treatment and prevention, but also overcoming the barriers to accessing care,” said Shevaun Harris, Secretary of the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration.

Housed within the Florida Department of Health, the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator is focused on increasing research on pediatric cancer, which DeSantis said is the leading disease killer for children under 14. The need for more pediatric research stems from the fact that cancer trials can be limited for kids, the Governor said.

Power move

Rep. Aaron Bean says that banks and power companies should not penalize people impacted by the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, including “public servants and their families (who) face the impossible task of putting food on their tables or paying their bills without receiving a paycheck.”

Aaron Bean urges banks and utilities to support federal workers affected by the ongoing shutdown.

“I urge financial institutions and utility companies throughout the state to exercise flexibility and compassion during this time,” Bean wrote in Clay Today. “Those affected by the shutdown should not be further harmed by service disruptions, late fees or adverse credit reporting. Adverse credit reporting due to the government shutdown can have lasting impacts that persist long after the federal government reopens.”

“A short-term missed payment should not turn into a yearlong burden of damaged credit or higher costs,” Bean added. “I also ask that you work with affected customers to create flexible payment arrangements and extend lines of credit until normal operations resume.”

No to noncitizens

Here’s one way to address part of America’s $38 trillion in debt.

If you’re in the country illegally, Rep. Randy Fine says citizens shouldn’t pay to keep you alive and healthy.

Randy Fine proposes banning all noncitizens from receiving taxpayer-funded welfare or assistance programs.

“I am going to introduce a bill to ban all noncitizens from any form of welfare. No Food Stamps. No Section 8 housing. No Medicaid. No Cash Assistance. Not one penny. Not one. If you want free stuff, go home,” the CD 6 incumbent posted to social media.

Fine, who has been endorsed for re-election already by President Donald Trump, presumably will have the White House’s blessing as he carries this legislation.

Freeman momentum

Momentum continues for the man most likely to be the newest state representative from Jacksonville.

Today in Tallahassee, City Council member Terrance Freeman held a fundraiser, and as a look at the host Committee reveals, his support runs deep.

Terrance Freeman gains strong GOP backing in his bid for a state House seat.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan, who Freeman likely will replace, and Rep. Dean Black helm the host committee, which includes Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power.

Freeman entered the race in October.

His “For the Future We Want” committee had more than $200,000 in the bank before he officially launched his campaign.

Museum momentum

With Florida’s Museum of Black History soon taking shape in St. Johns County, state lawmakers are requiring an Administrative Board to be established, according to the bill authorizing the facility’s construction.

Sen. Tom Leek of Ormond Beach introduced Senate Bill 308, which would create an Administrative Board that must be formed by July 31, 2026. The panel will oversee the museum’s construction, operation, and administration — a key step in fulfilling the vision outlined in legislation authorizing the museum’s development.

The Board will oversee the Commission, construction, operation and administration of the museum, a press release from Leek’s office notes.

Tom Leek files legislation establishing an Administrative Board for Florida’s Museum of Black History.

“I firmly believe that we cannot tell the history of Florida without also telling the history of Black Floridians, which is why I am proud to file Senate Bill 308 in support of Florida’s Museum of Black History,” Leek said. “The museum will be built on the former site of Florida Memorial University, which has historical significance here in St. Johns County, and I look forward to working with our community and our state in furtherance of this significant designation.”

The Governor, the Senate President, and the House Speaker would appoint three members of the Board, which would also have two Senators and two Representatives. None of the nine members picked by leadership could hold elected office while serving.

The new Board will also work alongside the Foundation for the Museum of Black History to manage funding, programming, and long-term planning — a partnership intended to guarantee both transparency and sustainability for the institution.

Baker bill

Rep. Jessica Baker is carrying legislation that would change the way material exploiting children is referred to in statute.

“Child pornography” would be called “child sexual abuse material” if HB 245 passes.

Jessica Baker sponsors a bill renaming “child pornography” as “child sexual abuse material” in Florida law.

This would update the Florida statute to align with national and global standards that other states have already adopted.

“It implies a lawful form of pornography when, in fact, any sexualized depiction or exploitation of minors is a crime. The material is not pornography. It’s child sexual abuse material,” the Jacksonville Republican told the Tallahassee Democrat.

The Attorney General’s office supports the legislation, and Sen. Leek will carry the Senate version.

JAX Hub happenings

The University of North Florida (UNF), along with the city of Jacksonville and other partners, is launching a new effort to develop and encourage more financial technology firms and connections on the First Coast.

“JAX Hub” was announced Monday as part of a multi-layered effort to connect emerging “fintech” startup businesses with established firms and UNF graduate talent to advance the next generation of financial services. Global payment platform Paysafe and L Marks, a corporate technology firm, are also involved in the effort.

University of North Florida launches ‘JAX Hub’ to connect fintech startups, students and global financial firms.

“We are very excited to be part of this important partnership and what it represents for both our students and the Jacksonville community,” said Albert Loh, Interim Dean of the UNF Coggin College of Business.

“Through JAX Hub, talented graduate students will have the opportunity to engage directly with real companies, explore emerging financial technologies and contribute to innovative solutions. This collaboration strengthens the link between education and industry and supports Jacksonville’s continued growth as a center for financial innovation.”

Many students from UNF’s business programs will not only provide expertise but also conduct research. That research will support collaboration with multiple corporate partners and data analysis.

Meanwhile, Paysafe will provide fintech advice, and L Marks will provide design oversight for projects.

Good hires

Converge Public Strategies is adding two prominent figures in Northeast Florida to its leadership ranks.

Dylan Rumrell, Mayor of St. Augustine Beach, and Henry Dean, a veteran water policy expert and former executive director of two of the state’s central water management districts, have joined the firm as partners.

Their arrival deepens Converge’s footprint in the region, joining existing partners Deno Hicks, Carlos Cruz and Tim White.

Converge Public Strategies adds Dylan Rumrell and Henry Dean, expanding its leadership in Northeast Florida.

Rumrell, active in both the Florida League of Mayors and the Florida League of Cities, has built a record of leveraging public-private partnerships to spur local economic development. In his professional work, he’s helped direct millions in Recovery Zone bonds for private investment, infrastructure improvements and job creation. As Chair of SJCCE Inc., which manages the St. Augustine Amphitheater and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Rumrell oversees venues that together generate more than $40 million in annual economic impact.

Dean, referred to in some circles as the “Godfather of Florida Water Management,” brings decades of experience in environmental and government affairs. He previously led both the St. Johns River and South Florida water management districts, where he helped design and launch the state’s Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program. Dean also served as an environmental aide to a Florida Governor, general counsel for the Florida Department of Natural Resources, and recently completed eight years as a St. Johns County Commissioner.

“Henry and Dylan are recognized leaders in Florida whose expertise will serve our clients in the Sunshine State and beyond,” he said. “Henry’s deep understanding of water and land issues complements Dylan’s ability to merge private investment with the public interest,” said Jonathan Kilman, Converge’s Chair.

Carlos Cruz, who helped recruit both to Converge, said the pickups cement the firm’s regional stature and provide the “expertise needed to provide unmatched support for anyone seeking to make an impact here.”

The hires also earned praise from influential elected officials representing the region.

“My experience with the Converge team spans many years, and their integrity and work ethic have always stood out. By welcoming Henry and Dylan, they’ve assembled a truly exceptional group of professionals under one firm,” said Sen. Tom Leek.

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford added, “Henry and Dylan are truly exceptional Florida leaders. As Converge continues to build a reputation for leading in policy and innovation, they could not have found better additions to the firm.”

Bully for Bustos

Gov. Ron DeSantis is announcing the selection of a soon-to-be-former Assistant State Attorney for a new judgeship in Northeast Florida.

Emerging from an initial field of five candidates that was winnowed down to three finalists, Hector Bustos got the nod for the Clay County Court on Thursday, filling a position authorized by Senate Bill 2508.

Ron DeSantis appoints Hector Bustos to the Clay County Court, highlighting his extensive prosecutorial experience.

Bustos, who received word of his new job from the Governor on Oct. 20, did his undergraduate work at Florida State and earned his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law.

He brings a lot of courtroom experience to the role, having served as ASA in the 4th Judicial Circuit since 2013 as a Division Chief of County and Juvenile Court and as Lead Attorney for traffic homicides in Clay County.

He’s also been honored for his work, including being chosen as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s North Central Region’s 2025 Prosecutor of the Year.

Higher learning

From A to Z could mean from Academia to Zoology.

That is especially true for those who decide to participate in a University of Miami Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) program called “Project Dragonfly” through the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

University of Miami partners with Jacksonville Zoo to train environmental leaders through its Project Dragonfly program.

“Through the Advanced Inquiry Program, we’re cultivating the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Jamie Lankenau, Community Engagement Supervisor at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, who serves as the Zoo’s AIP manager and is a Project Dragonfly alum. “Participants don’t just earn a degree, they become changemakers in their communities, tackling real-world challenges in conservation, sustainability, and education.”

The program is designed for working professionals with bachelor’s degrees or higher, and those who are interested can find out more on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. — this is the first of three AIP Information Sessions.

Jags trade deadline

Shortly before the NFL trade deadline arrived on Tuesday afternoon, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for a wide receiver, sending a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Jakobi Meyers.

What did this move tell us about the Jaguars’ expectations?

Jacksonville Jaguars trade draft picks to acquire receiver Jakobi Meyers in a playoff push move.

For starters, the Jaguars (5-3) just beat the Raiders to remain in playoff contention. Nine games remaining in the season, the Jaguars have five games against teams with losing records (Sunday’s meeting with the Houston Texans, the Arizona Cardinals, two games against the Tennessee Titans and one against the New York Jets). If the Jaguars win four of those games, they might make the playoffs as a wild-card team. Even with three games remaining against current division leaders (two against the Colts and one at the Denver Broncos), it’s not a stretch to envision the Jaguars remaining in playoff contention through the end of the season.

That is, if they can solve two major problems. First, the team must get better play from the wide receiver. Brian Thomas Jr. has suffered a sophomore slump. Travis Hunter is on Injured Reserve for at least three more weeks. Free agent addition Dyami Brown has been a limited factor. As a group, no team’s receivers have dropped more balls than the Jaguars.

Enter Meyers.

The 28-year-old is still in his prime and in the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract, coming off a career year. Last season, he caught 87 passes for 1,027 yards. He has yet to see a touchdown pass this season. Still, he can be the Jaguars’ most important receiver for the next few weeks while Hunter recovers from a knee injury and Thomas searches to find the play that made him the league’s third-leading receiver as a rookie last season.

Because general manager James Gladstone has stockpiled draft picks, trading away a couple for a receiver who might only play nine games for the team isn’t a terrible deal.

The other issue the Jaguars failed to address is on the defensive front. Jacksonville was rumored to be interested in the New York Jets’ explosive defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The price tag was too much for the Jaguars, who traded away next year’s first-round pick to move up to take Hunter.

One could argue that the Jaguars should also address the offensive line. However, it’s rare to add a major difference-maker on the line at midseason, since unit cohesion is so essential for that position group.

So, did the Jaguars’ trade move the needle? A bit. It was not a blockbuster move, but it might be the difference between making the playoffs and watching the postseason on television.