Good Wednesday morning.

Happiest of birthdays to the legendary (and INFLUENCE 150’er) Karen Moore.

Happy birthday to Karen Moore, who is celebrating another trip around the sun.

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As Thanksgiving approaches, we ask our loyal Sunburn fans — particularly those in The Process — to let us know what you’re grateful for this year. We will publish the comments in next Tuesday’s edition. Please send your emails to . Thank you for the first wave of responses received on Monday.

Sunburn asks readers in The Process to email Thanksgiving gratitude notes for next Tuesday’s edition.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@josh_wingrove: (Donald) Trump, sitting next to MBS in the Oval, says Khashoggi was “extremely controversial” and that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman.” He chides a reporter for “embarrass[ing]” MBS by asking about it. Trump earlier called MBS an “extremely respected man.”

—@realDonaldTrump: THE ONLY HEALTHCARE I WILL SUPPORT OR APPROVE IS SENDING THE MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PEOPLE, WITH NOTHING GOING TO THE BIG, FAT, RICH INSURANCE COMPANIES, WHO HAVE MADE $TRILLIONS, AND RIPPED OFF AMERICA LONG ENOUGH. THE PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO NEGOTIATE AND BUY THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, INSURANCE. POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Congress, do not waste your time and energy on anything else. This is the only way to have great Healthcare in America!!! GET IT DONE, NOW. President DJT

—@RepDWStweets: Democrats demanded release of the (Jeffrey) Epstein files. Today, a huge bipartisan majority joined us. But Trump – who can release them right now – will try to bury the truth. We’ll keep demanding accountability, transparency and justice for these brave survivors.

—@JoWroteThis: However tough your week may be, at least you’re not the ONE Republican who voted against releasing the Epstein files.

—@TedCruz: Thank you to @NICKIMINAJ for bringing attention to the mass murder of Christians in Nigeria, and to @POTUS and @michaelgwaltz for their leadership. Let’s get my Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 across the finish line.

—@BillGalvano: @BlaiseIngoglia is a serious conservative leader. He has the experience and conviction required to lead our state as Chief Financial Officer. He has redefined the position and led on key issues for Floridians across the state. I am proud to endorse his campaign for a full term.

—@MaxVelocityWX: For the first time since 2015, no hurricanes made landfall in the United States or entered the Gulf.

— DAYS UNTIL —

‘Wicked: For Good’ premieres — 2; ‘Stranger Things’ final season premieres — 7; Bears vs. Eagles on Black Friday — 9; Florida Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 14; Florida Chamber Annual Insurance Summit — 14; Special General Elections for SD 11 and HD 90 — 20; ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ premieres — 23; ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era’ docuseries premieres on Disney+ — 23; Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet will meet — 28; ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ premieres — 30; Broncos vs. Chiefs in Kansas City on Christmas Day — 36; Special Election for HD 87; HD 51 Special Primary and two Boca Raton referenda — 55; 2026 Legislative Session begins — 55; Florida Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Fly-In — 55; The James Madison Institute’s 2026 Red, White & Bluegrass event — 56; ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres on HBO — 60; ‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 72; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 78; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 79; Boca Raton Mayoral and City Council Elections — 111; last day of the Regular Session — 114; Special Election for HD 51 (if necessary) — 125; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup / Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 126; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 127; Tampa Bay Rays first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 138; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 147; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 147; First Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (Federal) — 152; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 156; F1 Miami begins — 163; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 184; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 195; Second Qualifying Period for 2026 begins (State) — 201; State Qualifying Period ends — 205; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres in theaters — 212; FIFA World Cup begins — 204; live action ‘Moana’ premieres — 224; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 227; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 232; 96th annual MLB All-Star Game — 237; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 239; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 243; Primary Election 2026: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 260; Primary Election 2026: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 262; Primary Election Day 2026 — 272; Yankees host the Mets to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — 296; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 300; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 304; General Election 2026: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 309; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 316; General Election 2026: Deadline to register to vote — 320; Early Voting General Election Mandatory period begins — 339; 2026 General Election — 349; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 394; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 394; Untitled Star Wars movie premieres — 394; Tampa Mayoral Election — 468; Jacksonville First Election — 489; Jacksonville General Election — 545; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 563; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 625; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 681; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 758; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 968; U.S. Presidential Election — 1084; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1484; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 2215.

— TOP STORY —

“House votes to release Jeffrey Epstein files, nearly 20 years after first sex charges” via Julie Brown and Claire Healy of the Miami Herald — The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan measure Tuesday to begin releasing long-sealed federal case files on Epstein, a major step toward transparency in a criminal saga withheld from the public since 2007. The Department of Justice has kept most documents locked away for nearly two decades, and even if released, large portions are expected to be heavily redacted. The bill’s passage followed a weekend video from Epstein survivors that shifted several Republican holdouts, prompting Trump to direct GOP members to vote yes.

New emails show Jeffrey Epstein mentioned Donald Trump over 1,000 times as Congress seeks full disclosure.

The Senate must now clear the 60-vote threshold for the measure to advance. Trump has promised to sign it and could order the DOJ to unseal the records immediately, though he has not done so. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously blocked a procedural vote, reversed course and backed the bill while accusing Democrats of staging a political spectacle. Survivors expressed frustration, urging Trump to stop politicizing their fight for justice.

The push comes nearly 20 years after Epstein secured a secret plea deal that gave him immunity from federal sex trafficking charges. A 2018 Miami Herald investigation later exposed how prosecutors minimized his crimes and violated victims’ rights, leading to a renewed federal case in New York in 2019. Epstein died in jail weeks later, and Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021.

The Epstein case continues to raise questions about prosecutorial decisions, political influence and missing accountability. Newly obtained emails released Wednesday show Epstein discussing Trump more than 1,000 times between 2009 and 2019, suggesting lingering entanglements that Congress is now demanding be fully illuminated.

—“Florida lawmakers say vote to release Epstein files delivers long overdue justice for victims” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—STATEWIDE—

“Jay Collins says Governor still doesn’t have a property tax cut proposal ready to launch” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — DeSantis continues to insist property tax elimination is a priority, but with the 2026 Legislative Session weeks away, he still hasn’t released a concrete plan. Lt. Gov. Collins, speaking in Jacksonville, said that’s because the Governor’s proposal “will roll out … at the appropriate time,” stressing DeSantis is still working through the second-, third- and fourth-order impacts. His message: the details aren’t ready. Meanwhile, House Speaker Daniel Perez has floated eight constitutional amendment options for debate this week, from full elimination of non-school homestead taxes to new exemptions and portability changes. Collins dismissed the multitrack approach as confusing and urged lawmakers to back a single, sweeping amendment aligned with what he says Floridians want: “Getting rid of property tax on homesteaded properties.”

Jay Collins says Ron DeSantis’ property tax plan remains unfinished as lawmakers weigh multiple competing proposals.

“Collins ‘very grateful’ for mystery ads boosting his still-undeclared run for Governor” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Lt. Gov. Collins isn’t ready to declare a run for Governor, but he welcomes the boost from “Florida Fighters,” a nonprofit that spent more than $900,000 on TV ads promoting him and property tax reform. Collins said Tuesday in Jacksonville that he’s nearing a final decision and is encouraged that others are investing in his message. He contrasted his approach with what he called ego-driven politicians, a clear jab at Rep. Byron Donalds, who has more than $31 million in the bank. Collins also posted that leaders can’t run Florida from a Fox News studio, a swipe at Donalds’ national travel and TV presence. If he enters the race, Collins says he’ll do so only once his family and support system are ready. For now, he lags in early polling, registering 1% in a Victory Insights survey and 4% in one from St. Pete Polls.

“Ron DeSantis gives state workers long holiday weekends — but thousands won’t get paid” via Jim Rosica of the Tallahassee Democrat — State workers cheered when Gov. DeSantis announced extra holiday time off this year, closing state offices the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day. The move creates a five-day Thanksgiving weekend and two four-day weekends for Christmas and New Year’s, extending a pattern of generous holiday closures during DeSantis’ tenure. But not everyone will benefit. Nearly 10,000 workers classified as Other Personal Services, or OPS, will not receive paid time off because Florida law bars the Governor from extending holiday pay to those temporary, low-wage positions. Full-time permanent employees will receive the additional paid days. DeSantis said the closures reward state workers for their hard work and offer more time with family during the season.

— LEGISLATIVE —

“House Speaker declares ‘Artificial Intelligence Week’ to guide 2026 legislative agenda” via Frank Kopylov of Florida’s Voice — Speaker Daniel Perez has designated the final interim Committee week of the year as “Artificial Intelligence Week,” directing lawmakers to spend Dec. 8–12 examining the opportunities and risks posed by the rapidly evolving technology. In a memorandum to House members on Tuesday, Perez said the decision stems from recurring conversations with lawmakers about AI’s fast-growing influence on Florida’s economy, workforce and education system. He said the weeklong focus is intended to help legislators build a deeper, more balanced understanding of both the benefits and harms associated with AI.

Daniel Perez designates December’s final Committee week as ‘Artificial Intelligence Week’ to study statewide impacts.

“After ‘alarming’ Guana land swap idea, Kim Kendall files bill for more transparency” via Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times — Florida’s push last Summer to quietly trade 600 acres of the Guana River Wildlife Management Area sparked bipartisan outrage and exposed how major conservation decisions were being crafted with almost no public notice. Now, state Rep. Kendall is trying to close those loopholes. Kendall filed a bill requiring at least 30 days’ advance public notice and a written explanation whenever state agencies, water management districts or the Governor and Cabinet consider selling or swapping conservation land. The proposal follows a series of secretive land deals under Gov. DeSantis’ administration, including the Guana swap, abandoned state-park development plans and a Withlacoochee forest trade that advanced with little public input. Kendall said the Guana episode showed the need for stronger transparency, noting that hundreds of residents protested with almost no warning. Conservation leaders, including Audubon Florida, say the bill would bring overdue accountability and ensure Floridians can evaluate whether proposed trades meet the state’s constitutional standards for protecting natural lands.

“Peggy Gossett-Seidman files bill to ban for-profit access to DMV records, end ‘shadow rating’” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Gossett-Seidman wants to end Florida’s controversial and highly profitable practice of selling drivers’ personal information to private companies without their consent. This month, she filed HB 357, which would shut down a long-running data-sharing system within the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) that has quietly sold driver’s license and ID card information to private data brokers, insurance analytics companies and foreign-owned firms. The legislation would ban all commercial sales of Florida driver data, block foreign and foreign-owned companies from accessing DMV records and require written consent before any disclosure to non-law enforcement entities.

“Tina Scott Polsky, Debra Tendrich file bills to strengthen Civil Rights Act compliance in schools, colleges” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Sen. Polsky and Rep. Tendrich are working to ensure that all public schools in Florida, at every level of education, are complying with the antidiscrimination mandates of the Civil Rights Act. This month, the Democrats filed companion bills (SB 486, HB 415) to require more oversight and stricter adherence to Title VI of the landmark 1964 legislation, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. Their bills would, among other things, require School Districts, colleges and universities to designate a “Title VI coordinator” to oversee compliance with federal civil rights protections, provide training, maintain records and promote equal access to educational programs.

“House Subcommittee OKs bill expanding Wrongful Death Act for fetuses despite Democrats’ objections” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — A House Subcommittee has advanced a bill that would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act so parents could sue and recover damages for their unborn child’s death. The Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee approved HB 289 in a 13-3 vote, reviving the proposal that failed to pass last Session. Democrats warned that the bill goes too far in giving rights to fetuses at any stage of development, including at conception, and could empower rapists or abusive partners to sue medical providers who perform abortions. “I’m concerned because I feel like this bill is a complete ball of consequences. And I would like to say unintended consequences, but I believe they are intended because we’ve been here before. We were here last Session,” said Rep. Michele Rayner, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee.

“Lawmakers want to make cursive great again” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Is Florida trying to make cursive great again? That’s how one lawmaker phrased it as a House Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill (HB 127) to require students starting in second grade to learn cursive. Students would then be tested in fifth grade to demonstrate they can write uppercase and lowercase letters in cursive legibly. The House Student Academic Success Subcommittee voted 14-0 to advance the measure. “By the end of grade 5, each student must demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing through an evaluation of written work,” the bill says. If the Legislature passes the measure, the new education requirements would go into effect in July 2026, before the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Florida lawmakers advance a bill requiring students to learn and demonstrate cursive writing by fifth grade.

“Daniel Perez names new House Committee leads as Vicki Lopez leaves for Miami-Dade Commission” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — With Miami Republican Rep. Lopez vacating her House District 113 seat for a post on the Miami-Dade County Commission, the House is undergoing a minor bit of musical chairs. In a memo to House Clerk Jeff Takacs, Speaker Perez made two changes to the chamber’s Committee assignments. In the House State Administration Budget Subcommittee, a new panel Lopez has led since December, the Speaker elevated Dade City Republican Rep. Randy Maggard as Chair. Perez kept St. Pete Beach Republican Rep. Linda Chaney as the Subcommittee’s Vice Chair. In the Select Committee on Property Taxes, which Lopez co-chaired with Palm City Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf, Perez named Overdorf the panel’s lone Chair, with Republican Rep. Dean Black of Jacksonville serving as Vice Chair.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“Education Department offloads some work to other agencies as Donald Trump presses for its closure” via Collin Binkley of The Associated Press — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March. Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that will put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities.

Trump administration shifts major Education Department grant programs to other agencies as closure plan advances.

— ELECTIONS —

“After lawsuit, DeSantis administration moves pot initiative forward” via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — Florida’s long-running clash over recreational marijuana moved closer to resolution this week after state election officials told the Florida Supreme Court they have finally advanced the pot initiative for mandatory legal review — the very step Smart & Safe Florida accused them of stalling in an October lawsuit. Attorneys for Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews argued that the case is now moot because they submitted the proposal to Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday, triggering the 30-day window for a Supreme Court petition. The high court must decide whether the ballot summary is misleading and whether the amendment meets the single-subject rule. A separate lawsuit over 200,000 rejected petitions remains pending, with a key hearing set for Friday.

Maria Matthews and Cord Byrd advance Florida’s pot initiative for Supreme Court review after lawsuit pressure.

“Endorsements flow to Noah Widmann as field to challenge Cory Mills grows” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Widmann has outraised U.S. Rep. Mills in the last two fundraising quarters. He’s also racking up a growing list of endorsements. As another Democrat entered the race against the scandal-plagued Republican incumbent, Widmann reminded all candidates of the strong head start he had. During an interview in Washington, D.C., after a national fundraiser, Widmann voiced confidence that he has what it takes to unseat Mills, a two-term incumbent. “I’m one of the only Democrats in the entire country to out-fundraise the incoming Republican two consecutive quarters. We just did it this quarter. We did it in my first quarter in the race. We’re going to do it again this quarter,” Widmann said. “Nobody else in America is doing that, and I know that that is just piece of a piece of what it takes.”

“Sarah Ulrich launches GOP Primary challenge against Mills” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Ulrich is launching a campaign in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. While she never mentions Mills by name in a press announcement or on her campaign homepage, Ulrich took clear swipes at the incumbent’s recent slew of personal scandals. “Florida families are working harder than ever, yet too many Washington politicians are making life more difficult instead of easier,” Ulrich said. “I’ve spent my entire life solving problems, leading teams and managing budgets responsibly. It’s time Congress did the same, and we need a Representative focused on the people of District 7, not personal scandals, and certainly not from Washington bureaucrats who do not reside in our District.”

“Bill Nelson brings rocket fuel to support Bale Dalton’s congressional campaign launch” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Former U.S. Sen. Nelson wants one of his former staffers to serve in Congress. The Melbourne Democrat is endorsing Dalton’s bid to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Cory Mills. “I am proud to endorse Bale Dalton for Congress because of his unyielding faith in America’s highest ideals. As a U.S. Navy aviator, Bale led sailors through multiple combat deployments — bound by duty, united by mission, and sustained by their love of country,” Nelson said. But he also noted that Dalton served as Chief of Staff to Nelson when the former Senator served as NASA Administrator under President Joe Biden. “At NASA, Bale brought that same can-do spirit as Chief of Staff, guiding some of our nation’s most daring missions. I’ve seen his deep belief that America has the responsibility to lead in an increasingly competitive world. Bale understands that a public office is a public trust and is not an occupation but an obligation to serve the people,” Nelson said.

“Reggie Paros seeking to challenge Anna Paulina Luna with campaign centered on affordability, public safety” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Conservation advocate Paros, a fifth-generation Floridian, is running as a Democrat for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Paros launched his campaign by saying he will focus on lowering costs, boosting wages and improving safety for Pinellas County residents. He criticized U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the Republican incumbent, for supporting policies he said favor “the very rich and big corporations” over local families. Luna has already raised $1.39 million in her re-election bid. Two other Democratic candidates, Jeffrey Moore and Earle Ford, have also filed to run for the seat, though neither has reported any funds raised. “I’m running for Congress to help the people of Pinellas make more money, spend less, and stay safe,” Paros said.

“After lone opponent withdraws, Samantha Scott a shoo-in for HD 52” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Republican Scott is now unopposed in the Special Election for House District 52 after Democrat Pamala Kaye Bivins withdrew her candidacy Monday. Division of Elections records show Bivens (whose campaign documentation listed her as Pamela Harrison-Bivins) submitted her withdrawal letter ahead of today’s noon qualifying deadline. Her official statement was brief: “I, Pamala Kaye Bivins, withdraw from the Special Election as a candidate for State Representative, District 52.” Her exit leaves Scott as the only candidate who qualified for the ballot. Scott had already consolidated significant support in the race to succeed former state Rep. John Temple, who resigned in September to become President of Lake-Sumter State College.

“José Sánchez-Sánchez joins competitive HD 64 contest as Dems look to reclaim Hillsborough seat” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Sánchez-Sánchez, a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime community advocate, is running for the open seat in House District 64. The race is expected to draw significant attention next year. The seat leans Democratic, and the last time it was on the ballot, a Democrat won. But that same Democrat, Rep. Susan Valdés, is now a Republican after switching parties late last year. Valdés is term-limited, setting up a competitive open contest as Democrats look to reclaim the seat. Sánchez-Sánchez immigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2005 and has spent nearly two decades involved in Catholic ministry, marriage enrichment programs, immigration assistance and veterans’ issues. “Dante’s stance on family values is not merely a political talking point; it is the foundation of his personal and public life, reflected in his core motto: God, Family, and Community,” his campaign said in a statement.

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— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Vicki Lopez appointed to vacant Miami-Dade Commission seat after tight vote” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Miami Republican Lopez is leaving the Florida House to join the Miami-Dade Commission after a 7-5 vote appointing her to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Eileen Higgins. Commissioners wrestled with balancing efficiency, cost and turnout concerns against the principle of voter choice, with some urging a Special Election despite lower turnout and higher expense. Lopez, who flipped House District 113 red in 2022 and passed a substantial share of her bills, will serve on the Commission until at least 2026. Her record includes work on affordable housing, condo safety reforms and nearly $26 million in appropriations, along with notable bipartisan breaks. Supporters praised her effectiveness, while critics argued voters — not Commissioners — should have selected the replacement.

Vicki Lopez wins a narrow Commission appointment after debate over cost, turnout and voter choice.

“Former foes endorse Rolando Escalona in runoff for Miami Commission seat” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Escalona just notched endorsements from two men — Oscar Alejandro and Rob Piper — who ran against him earlier this month. Both are U.S. Armed Forces veterans. Both also placed just behind Escalona, a restaurant manager, in the city’s Nov. 4 election. Alejandro, who placed third in the contest with 12% of the vote, said in a statement that he believes Escalona “will bring a fresh approach to City Hall and put an end to political dynasties controlling our local government.” That’s a knock against Escalona’s opponent, former Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo, who held the District 3 seat from 2009 to 2017, when his brother, term-limited Commissioner Joe Carollo, took over.

“Outgoing Broward Mayor defends county government against state criticism” via Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Broward County Mayor Beam Furr couldn’t hold back his pride in how much county government has accomplished in the past year. He couldn’t hold back his clear frustration with having to deal with a federal and state government that he says has grown increasingly hostile toward the bluest county on the Florida map. And he couldn’t hold back the emotions he felt as he prepared to pass the gavel to his successor, Vice Mayor (now Mayor) Mark Bogen. “This year has been one long test,” Furr said during his state of the county speech, an address marking the end of his term.

“Poll finds Broward voters strongly oppose switch to ‘Lauderdale County.’ Only 7% support” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Voters in Broward are overwhelmingly opposed to changing the county’s name to Lauderdale. And, a public opinion poll found, their opposition is deep. The poll, conducted by MDW Communications, found 80% of likely 2026 voters opposed the proposed renaming. Just 7% supported the idea. Even more striking, 68% of county voters surveyed said they were “strongly” opposed. Just 4% strongly support the idea. “Broward County voters seem to have spoken loudly and clearly,” said Michael Worley, a political strategist and founder of MDW Communications. “They are not interested in a name change, and they are clearly upset at the potential cost and the overall necessity in the face of greater challenges such as affordability and (climate) resilience.”

“Palm Beach County last year paid for diversity study. But it’s shelved amid removal of DEI policies” via Abigail Hasebroock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The results of a Palm Beach County disparity study are in, but officials say they have no choice but to shelve it for now. In July 2024, the county approved a nearly $430,000 contract for consultants to conduct a disparity study and economic impact study to determine the availability and utilization of minority- and women-owned firms from 2019 to 2023. While there were some areas of improvement, the disparity study identified areas that lagged, too, said Deputy County Administrator Tammy Fields. For example, African American-owned firms were underused in some industries while some Hispanic American subcontractors were overused in some areas, according to the study.

“2 Commissioners appointed each others’ family to Boards. What’s the county doing about it?” via Jack Lemnus and Wicker Perlis of Treasure Coast Newspapers — St. Lucie County removed three appointees to two Citizen Advisory Boards because of ethical concerns, County Administrator George Landry announced during a Nov. 18 County Commission meeting. The announcement was a last-minute addition to the agenda, Landry said, without giving full details. “With some new information that’s come out, we just want to reaffirm and look at that,” Landry said of the three appointments.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Sanford grandfather to remain in ICE custody while judge ponders case” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — A 79-year-old retired Sanford optician who faces deportation for his criminal past after living in the United States since he was five will remain in federal custody while an immigration judge decides whether she can rule on his request to be released on bond. “There is a legal issue in your case that is a little complicated that I am going to have to think about, so I won’t be making a decision on your bond today,” Judge Romy Lerner told Paul John Bojerski at a bond hearing. “Unfortunately, no matter what I decide, the government may appeal my decision, which may involve you remaining in detention even if I were to grant the bond,” she added. A lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security at the hearing confirmed that she would appeal a decision made in Bojerski’s favor. If the judge later rules that Bojerski’s current deportation order is no longer valid — as his attorney argues — the department will issue a new one and seek deportation to a third country.

Judge weighs legal questions as 79-year-old Paul John Bojerski remains in ICE custody awaiting bond ruling. Image via Orlando Sentinel.

“Polk County Commissioners get an earful from teachers, put tax initiative on the ballot” via Paul Nutcher of the Lakeland Ledger — Educators in neighboring Hillsborough County get paid $22,000 more per year than some of Polk’s most experienced teachers, all while 446 candidates are needed to fill instructional vacancies with substitutes out of their subject areas, filling in the gaps. Kids are sharing one classroom set of textbooks. And teachers who once served on Summer painting crews are no longer actively painting classroom walls.

“Ethics complaint dismissed against former Polk School Board member Lori Cunningham” via Paul Nutcher of the Lakeland Ledger — An ethics complaint against former Polk School Board member Cunningham was dismissed Nov. 14 in Tallahassee after a nearly two-and-a-half-year process during which state legislation changed the rules on how the Ethics Commission operates. The state Ethics Commission had found probable cause in January 2024 that Cunningham violated standards when a company she owns sold branded uniforms at two schools within the Lake Wales Charter System, which Polk County Public Schools does not operate.

“Turnpike set to be widened, providing relief for growing southern Osceola” via Natalia Jaramillo of the Orlando Sentinel — The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to add some desperately needed lanes to one of the only major highways in and out of a booming southern Osceola County. Florida’s Turnpike will be widened from four lanes to six along one of the largest gaps between exits in the state’s highway system, a roughly 45-mile stretch completely inside Osceola. The $2.73 billion project will also widen a smaller section near St. Cloud from four to eight lanes. But the project has yet to be funded. The long stretch of the Turnpike without exits, from north of State Road 60 at Yeehaw Junction to south of Clay Whaley Road in St. Cloud, has become increasingly congested and dangerous.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Partisan battle brews over proposal to elect Hillsborough Schools Superintendent” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — A proposal to make the Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent a partisan elected position is pitting Republican backers against Democratic opponents. Currently, the Hillsborough School Board appoints the Superintendent. Proponents cite parental rights and accountability, while opponents decry the move as an unnecessary political intrusion into the education system. Proposed by Rep. Michael Owen, the measure is slated for consideration by the Hillsborough legislative delegation on Wednesday. If approved, Owen would submit the bill for consideration during the upcoming Legislative Session. If the full Legislature approves it, a referendum will appear on the 2026 county ballot.

Michael Owen’s proposal to elect Hillsborough’s Superintendent sparks a partisan fight over politicizing the role.

“Tampa had the worst foreclosure filing rate in big U.S. metros, report says” via Nathaniel Rodriguez of WFLA — Tampa property owners had the roughest time in the entire country last month, according to ATTOM’s October 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The report tracked 36,766 foreclosure filings across the country for October 2025, a 3% increase from September and a 19% increase from the previous year. 122 missing, endangered Florida children found in task force operation. Florida had the highest foreclosure rate in the country, with one in every 1,829 housing units receiving a foreclosure notice.


— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Tallahassee to approve $105M for police headquarters, senior center and other projects” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — Tallahassee is set to sign off on an additional $105 million in borrowing to keep major city projects moving, including the long-delayed new Tallahassee Police Department headquarters and a new senior center in Canopy. City staff is asking Commissioners to approve $100 million in debt for the police HQ, Southside Transit Center, Kleman Plaza work and various road and capital projects, plus $5 million more to finish the senior center. The police headquarters, now estimated at $135 million, has seen costs more than double since 2018 amid inflation and post-COVID construction spikes. Construction is expected to be substantially complete by late 2026, with a phased move-in starting in early 2027, while the senior center is slated to open in Spring 2026.

“Jeremiah Hawkes, Carlos Rey chosen as Judges in Florida’s Big Bend” via Jim Rosica of the Tallahassee Democrat — Gov. DeSantis appointed two new Judges in the Big Bend region, selecting attorneys with deep ties to the Florida Senate. Hawkes, a former Senate General Counsel now with Bass Sox Mercer, will serve as a Circuit Judge in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, joining his brother Joshua Hawkes on the same bench. Rey, the Senate’s current General Counsel, was appointed as a Leon County Judge. Both were chosen over several finalists, including Prosecutor Sarah Kathryn Dugan of the Donna Adelson murder trial. The vacancies stem from a new circuit Judgeship and the elevation of a Leon County Judge. Senate President Ben Albritton praised both men, citing their integrity, legal experience and commitment to DeSantis’ originalist judicial philosophy.

Jeremiah Hawkes and Carlos Rey win Big Bend judicial appointments, expanding Senate-linked influence on the bench.

“Palm Coast City Council agrees to hire replacement for fired City Manager” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Palm Coast is ready to hire a new City Manager after an extensive search and a lengthy vacancy after the former City Manager was fired. The Palm Coast City Council agreed unanimously to hire Michael McGlothlin as the next City Manager of the Flagler County town. The decision comes after the city received 112 applications from prospective candidates seeking to fill the position. There were also public meet-and-greet sessions with potential candidates and multiple interviews. If McGlothlin agrees, he’ll arrive in Palm Coast following his service as Town Administrator in Redington Shores, a suburban municipality in the Tampa Bay area. But he also has about four decades of experience in various government administrative roles, including as the City Administrator and Police Chief in Columbia City, Oregon, his most recent stint before moving to Redington.

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Feds clear Carmine Marceno, putting him in strong position for congressional bid” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Federal prosecutors have closed their investigation into Lee County Sheriff Marceno, ending a probe that examined allegations he paid no-show contractors and received kickbacks. A letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI informed Marceno’s attorney that the case was shut down on Nov. 17, 2025, with no further action planned. The development comes as Marceno considers running for Congress in Florida’s 19th Congressional District, where Donalds is pursuing the Governor’s Office. Political consultant Anthony Pedicini said the decision clears Marceno of “politically motivated” claims and strengthens his potential candidacy. The investigation stemmed from contractor Ken Romano’s allegations of no-show work and cash payments, which Marceno’s allies dismissed as baseless. Marceno won re-election last year with nearly 91% of the vote.

Feds clear Carmine Marceno of wrongdoing, boosting his prospects for a congressional run in Florida’s 19th.

“Commission OKs curfew for Manatee County teens, with 5-2 vote” via Angie Angers of Bay News 9 — A curfew for Manatee County teens could be on the horizon. A public hearing was held on Tuesday at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center. Following the hearing, County Commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of the ordinance. As proposed, the curfew would prohibit teens under 17 from being in public from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from midnight to 5 a.m. on weekends. Exceptions to the ordinance include teens with a late-night job, attending a school event, or with a parent or guardian. Teens caught breaking curfews will get a warning and a police escort home on the first offense. If they are caught a second time, they could receive a $50 fine. Parents could also incur a separate $50 fine.

“Sarasota County commits $30M to major flood projects along city waterways, Celery Fields” via Christian Casale of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — The Sarasota County Commission approved $30 million in funding for flood prevention projects along Hudson Bayou, Whitaker Bayou, and the Celery Fields as part of a wide-ranging hurricane recovery effort. Of the $211 million Sarasota County received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to disburse as part of the Resilient SRQ program, $30 million was earmarked for “Dredging of Major Waterways” projects. The word “dredging” has been on the lips of many local officials and activists this year – it means the removal of sediment and debris from bodies of water. The National Ocean Service calls it a “routine necessity” for clearing waterways and increasing their depth.

“Marco Island’s interim City Manager Casey Lucius forgoes having assistant, insurance” via J. Kyle Foster of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — The Marco Island City Council, after a lengthy discussion that included “disappointing” comments and suggestions, approved a contract for interim City Manager Lucius. It was not unanimous, though no one opposed her almost $68,000 salary increase from that of her previous position as assistant City Manager. Council member and former Chair Erik Brechnitz said a contract wasn’t necessary and voted against it. Chair Darrin Palumbo also voted against the contract Lucius presented at the City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 17. The agreement was approved 5-2. “I have to say this is a completely disappointing conversation to me,” Lucius told Council members when Councilor Tamara Goehler asked her whether she would still do the job if a contract wasn’t approved.

— TOP OPINION —

“James Fishback, a national embarrassment” via Frank Yang of The Daily Free Press —The high school speech and debate world becomes the entry point to examining Fishback’s pattern of failure, which is rewarded as success. His 2023 article attacking the National Speech and Debate Association relied on cherry-picked judge paradigms and exaggerated claims about ideological bias, none of which matched the real experiences of competitors or judges.

Still, it drew enough conservative attention to pressure the NSDA into stiffening its procedures, disrupting a community he’d long since left behind.

Fishback used that controversy to promote his own “woke-free” competitor, Incubate Debate, a venture with minimal reach compared to the NSDA’s national footprint. The same formula appears throughout his career: sensationalism, ideological framing and self-promotion masking weak outcomes. His time with the Department of Government Efficiency produced splashy ideas like nationwide “DOGE dividends,” which collapsed under basic arithmetic. His investment firm, Azoria, touts anti-DEI branding while underperforming the market, and its Tesla-focused fund sits in the negative.

Now Fishback is running for Governor of Florida, hoping to challenge Donalds despite a track record defined more by hype than accomplishment. His path reflects a political climate where ideological loyalty outweighs merit, and where amplifying grievances earns a larger platform than delivering results.

Fishback’s rise underscores a broader truth about modern conservative grifting: being loudly aligned with the right people matters more than being effective. His career has been propelled not by success, but by telling conservatives what they want to hear — the very dynamic he once claimed was ruining debate.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“$925/hr legal bills, $494,000 per degree. The costs of cronyism at Florida universities” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s political patronage machine has grown into a sprawling system of no-bid contracts, insider deals and taxpayer-funded rewards for allies of DeSantis and other Republicans. Critics say the pattern is clearest in higher education, where two new reports highlight extreme spending and questionable contracting. At Florida Atlantic University, former Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson’s firm secured a legal contract worth up to $925 an hour — one of the highest rates ever seen for a Florida public institution — without competitive bidding. At New College of Florida, a state review found the school spends nearly $495,000 per degree and more than $80,000 per student, even as its national ranking plummets. The revelations add to existing concerns over million-dollar salaries, insider hiring and politically driven contracts at public universities. Together, they underscore a growing spoils system that critics say contradicts the fiscal conservatism Florida leaders claim to champion.

“When they reduce crashes, ticket-generating cameras make sense” via the Orlando Sentinel editorial board — Ten years ago, red-light cameras seemed to be everywhere, silent witnesses that tattled on drivers who blew through intersections when they should have stopped. There’s significant evidence that cameras reduce dangerous collisions where they are installed — and there’s no doubt the cameras, which can generate dozens of tickets a day, are big revenue producers for local governments. Enthusiasm for the devices started to wane as people complained about being ticketed for infractions they didn’t commit. But the cameras never completely went away — and now they’re speeding back, accompanied by a new trend that puts speed-detection cameras in school zones. Local cities, including Belle Isle, Maitland, Oviedo, Ocoee and Leesburg, all have cameras active and generating tickets.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

Stay for the Ron sighting:

— ALOE —

“Joe Rogan had the most popular podcast on Apple in 2025” via Caitlin Huston of The Hollywood Reporter — Rogan, the longtime leader on Spotify, ranks as the top show in the U.S. on Apple Podcasts, based on 2025 listenership, with his interview with Elon Musk also charting highly. He took over the spot from The Daily, which is now the second-most-popular podcast on Apple, and, in turn, saw his episode “Trump, Again” rank highly. In 2024, Rogan was the third-most-popular show on Apple Podcasts. The Mel Robbins Podcast climbed the charts to become the third-most-popular podcast of the year, pushing Crime Junkie, which has often held the first or second spot, down to fourth.

Joe Rogan tops Apple Podcasts in 2025, dethroning The Daily as listener rankings shift.

“Many internet services disrupted after Cloudflare warns of service issues” via Rebecca Cohen and Kevin Collier of NBC News — Many popular internet services experienced slowdowns and outages on Tuesday morning, with major web infrastructure company Cloudflare saying that a bug led to broad problems on its network. Cloudflare, one of the largest internet hosting services, said just before 7 a.m. that it had begun investigating the issue. DownDetector.com, a website that tracks service outages based on user reports, noted that X, Spotify, OpenAI and Amazon Web Services all appeared to be slowed by the outage.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Celebrating today are Austin Nicklas, Director of Government Affairs for the Northeast Florida Builders Association, and Assistant Secretary of State Todd Wilcox.

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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.