You can read my latest FloridAI Substack here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Samuel Arena lands on ARRO \u201830 Under Thirty\u2019 list \u2014 Arena, co-founder and COO of national grassroots political firm Express Canvassing, was named to Cygnal\u2019s ARRO \u201c30 Under Thirty\u201d list honoring rising Republican operatives. The Pasco County native has overseen battleground field programs in more than 40 states, including campaign operations across Florida at the federal, statewide and local levels. The ARRO \u201c30 Under Thirty\u201d list highlights rising young talent in Republican politics and campaign operations. \u201cThese honorees represent exactly why we built 30 Under Thirty in the first place,\u201d said Cygnal pollster Chris Lane. \u201cThey are smart, hardworking, mission-driven, and already making a real difference in the conservative movement.\u201d Arena and other honorees<\/a> will be honored during a celebration in Washington next week.<\/p>\n \u2014 SITUATIONAL AWARENESS \u2014<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014@SenBillCassidy: People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the President and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability. This is adding to our national debt. If there needs to be a settlement, the administration should bring it to Congress to decide.<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014@SenRickScott: Universities aren\u2019t piggy banks. They\u2019re supposed to set students up with a good-paying job and be responsible with taxpayer dollars. We need transparency from @UF.<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014@Fineout: Day 9 of the Special Session\u2026 No budget meetings today, unlikely to be any meetings\u2026 The hope of getting the budget finished by Friday has all but evaporated. Under Fla\u2019s 72-hour \u201dcooling off period,\u201d budget must be done by next Tuesday to end the Special Session on time\u2026 This means that House & Senate budget negotiators will be working through Memorial Day weekend in order to try to bring this $115B budget \u2013 hashed out largely behind closed doors \u2013 in for a landing<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014 DAYS UNTIL \u2014<\/p>\n Marvel\u2019s \u2019Spider-Noir\u2019 arrives on Amazon Prime \u2014 5; Rafa Nadal documentary \u2019Rafa\u2019 premieres on Netflix \u2014 7; MLB Lou Gehrig Day \u2014 11; Florida Tech & Innovation Summit \u2014 12; \u2019Cape Fear\u2019 series premieres on Apple TV \u2014 14; \u2019Masters of the Universe\u2019 premieres \u2014 14; 2026 Florida Chamber Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit \u2014 17; Second Qualifying Period begins (State) \u2014 17; South Africa in the FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City \u2014 20; Steven Spielberg\u2019s \u2019Disclosure Day\u2019 premieres \u2014 21; Qualifying Period ends for Federal, Governor, Cabinet, State and local offices \u2014 21; Flag Day \u2014 23; the Octagon on the White House South Lawn: UFC Freedom 250 \u2014 23; President Donald Trump\u2019s 80th birthday \u2014 23; \u2019Toy Story 5\u2019 premieres \u2014 28; The final season of \u2018THE BEAR\u2019 premieres \u2014 34; \u2019Supergirl\u2019 premieres \u2014 35; Florida GOP Sunshine State Showdown debates \u2014 35; live-action \u2019Moana\u2019 premieres \u2014 40; Primary Election UOCAVA ballot deadline \u2014 43; Primary Election domestic ballot deadline \u2014 48; 2026 Florida Python Challenge \u2014 49; MLB All-Star Game \u2014 53; Domestic Primary Election VBM deadline \u2014 55; Primary Election voter registration deadline \u2014 59; \u2019Spider-Man: Brand New Day\u2019 premieres \u2014 70; \u2019Ted Lasso\u2019 season 4 premieres \u2014 75; Primary Election ballot request deadline \u2014 76; Early voting period begins \u2014 78; \u2019Lanterns\u2019 premieres on HBO \u2014 86; \u2018Lanterns\u2019 premieres on HBO \u2014 86; Primary Election Day \u2014 88; NFL regular season kicks off \u2014 110; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in first-ever NFL regular season game in Melbourne, Australia \u2014 111; Yankees host the Mets for 9\/11 anniversary \u2014 112; MLB Roberto Clemente Day \u2014 116; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline \u2014 120; Tampa Bay Buccaneers opener against Cleveland Browns \u2014 121; General Election domestic ballot deadline \u2014 125; Domestic General Election VBM deadline \u2014 132; General Election voter registration deadline \u2014 136; Early Voting General Election begins \u2014 155; General Election \u2014 165; \u2019Godzilla Minus Zero\u2019 premieres \u2014 168; 2026 Florida Automated Vehicles Summit \u2014 173; \u2019The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping\u2019 premieres \u2014 182; Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth, his Academy-award winning role, in a film directed by David Fincher, written by Quentin Tarantino \u2014 187; \u2019Avengers: Doomsday\u2019 premieres \u2014 210; \u2019Dune: Part 3\u2019 premieres \u2014 210; untitled Star Wars movie premieres \u2014 210; College Football Playoff national title game in Las Vegas \u2014 248; 69th annual Grammy Awards \u2014 261; Super Bowl LXI \u2014 268; Tampa Mayoral Election \u2014 284; 2027 Oscars \u2014 296; Jacksonville First Election \u2014 305; Jacksonville General Election \u2014 361; \u2019Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse\u2019 premieres \u2014 379; \u2019Bluey the Movie\u2019 premieres \u2014 441; \u2019MIAMI VICE\u2019 reboot premieres \u2014 441; \u2019The Batman 2\u2019 premieres \u2014 497; \u2019Avengers: Secret Wars\u2019 premieres \u2014 574; College Football Playoff national title game in New Orleans \u2014 612; 2028 Oscars \u2014 653; \u2019Lilo & Stitch 2\u2019 premieres \u2014 735; \u2019Incredibles 3\u2019 premieres \u2014 756; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony \u2014 784; U.S. Presidential Election \u2014 900; College Football Playoff national title game in Tampa \u2014 976; Avatar 4 premieres \u2014 1,300; College Football Playoff national title games in Miami \u2014 1,340; Avatar 5 premieres \u2014 2,031.<\/p>\n \u2014 TOP STORY \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNOAA sees quieter hurricane season but warns residents not to relax<\/a>\u201c via Martin E. Comas of the Orlando Sentinel \u2014 Federal forecasters are projecting a quieter Atlantic hurricane season this year, with NOAA predicting below-average tropical activity as a strengthening El Ni\u00f1o pattern in the Pacific creates atmospheric conditions that can suppress storm development. Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.<\/p>\n NOAA expects between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. Researchers gave the highest probability to a below-normal season, though officials stressed that fewer storms do not mean lower risk for coastal states. Forecasters urged residents to prepare as they would in any year, noting that a single landfalling hurricane can still bring catastrophic flooding, wind damage and major disruption, regardless of seasonal totals.<\/p>\n Meteorologists say El Ni\u00f1o is the biggest factor behind the forecast. Warmer waters in the eastern and central Pacific can strengthen wind shear and raise atmospheric pressure over the Atlantic, making it harder for tropical systems to organize and rapidly intensify. NOAA\u2019s outlook aligns with forecasts from Colorado State University and AccuWeather, and the agency said upgraded computer modeling, drones, satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence are helping refine seasonal forecasting and improve confidence in long-range projections.<\/p>\n Still, NOAA does not forecast where storms will strike, leaving the state\u2019s vulnerability unchanged. Last year showed how a single major hurricane can dominate a season, reinforcing the agency\u2019s broader message that fewer storms should not translate into lower preparedness.<\/p>\n \u2014 STATEWIDE \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida Cat Fund enters hurricane season in strong financial shape<\/a>\u201c via Gary Fineout of POLITICO \u2014 Florida\u2019s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund is heading into hurricane season in a stronger financial position, offering a key layer of stability for insurers and policyholders as the state prepares for potential storms. The state-backed fund, which provides lower-cost reinsurance to insurance companies, is legally required to offer up to $17 billion in coverage. A newly approved financial report shows the Cat Fund has access to more than $14 billion to cover claims, boosted in part by lower projected losses tied to previous hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian. Its health matters beyond the insurance market, as Florida can impose assessments on many insurance policies if reserves run low. With hurricane season beginning June 1, state officials and financial advisers say the fund appears well-positioned to respond.<\/p>\n \u201cRon DeSantis says budget vetoes help enforce legislative discipline<\/a>\u201c via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics \u2014 Gov. DeSantis is openly describing budget vetoes as a political tool to reward allies and pressure lawmakers who resist his agenda, offering a blunt look at how he uses executive leverage in Tallahassee. Speaking to the Federalist Society, DeSantis said support for priorities such as tort reform, school choice and other major initiatives can factor into whether legislators\u2019 local spending projects survive the line-item veto. He framed the strategy as part of broader \u201cpower politics,\u201d arguing elected officials should follow through on promises made to voters rather than pursue competing agendas. His remarks come as House and Senate leaders continue budget negotiations and could offer clues about how this year\u2019s veto list may take shape. The comments also reinforce how aggressively DeSantis links policy loyalty to political leverage.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida agriculture reels from drought, freezes and wildfire damage<\/a>\u201c via Kylie Williams of POLITICO \u2014 Florida\u2019s agriculture industry is absorbing major losses after drought, freezes and wildfires compounded long-running financial pressure on growers already facing rising costs, development pressures and past storm damage. State agriculture officials estimate Winter Storms Ezra and Gianna alone caused more than $3.1 billion in crop losses, hitting strawberries, blueberries and other sectors especially hard. Industry leaders warn the damage could force struggling farmers, particularly younger producers, to leave the business as fuel, fertilizer and labor costs remain elevated. State and federal officials are now seeking disaster relief, including grants, loans and broader crop insurance protections. With citrus and other perennial crops still being assessed, growers remain braced for additional uncertainty as hurricane season approaches and weather risks continue piling up.<\/p>\n \u201cVISIT FLORIDA counting on $80 million budget<\/a>\u201c via the News Service of Florida \u2014 VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin said the tourism marketing agency is in line to receive $80 million from the state in draft budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027, now before the Senate and House, the same level as the current year. \u201cWe\u2019re very pleased about that, for the support among all the different decision-makers in the state,\u201d Griffin told members of the VISIT FLORIDA Executive Committee. VISIT FLORIDA, expected to release first-quarter 2026 tourism numbers, estimated that a record 143.3 million people traveled to Florida in 2025, a 0.2% increase over 2024.<\/p>\n \u2014 2026 \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cPaul Renner launches parental rights coalition, proposes constitutional amendment<\/a>\u201d via Kennedy Owens of Florida\u2019s Voice \u2014 Renner announced the launch of a statewide \u201cParents for Renner\u201d coalition alongside a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at expanding and protecting parental rights in education. The coalition will focus on issues including school choice, homeschooling freedom and expanding educational options for Florida families. The group includes parents, educators and community advocates from across the state who support policies centered on parental involvement in education and childcare decisions. The proposed Florida Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment would establish in the state Constitution that \u201cthe liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children is a fundamental right.\u201d<\/p>\n Jared Moskowitz gets donor-platform boost \u2014 Oath<\/a>, a Democratic donor strategy platform, is spotlighting U.S. Rep. Moskowitz as one of the candidates offering the strongest return on investment for Democratic contributors as the 2026 map shifts. The memo places Moskowitz in its \u201dGive Here\u201d category after redistricting reshaped his South Florida seat into a Toss Up, making him a sharper focus for national donors. Oath noted Moskowitz has about $1.2 million cash on hand and is slightly behind one self-funding Republican opponent, underscoring a growing financial urgency. His inclusion signals that national Democrats increasingly see the race as more competitive and potentially pivotal in the broader fight for House control.<\/p>\n \u201cCongress candidate Luther Campbell says he knows how to deal with \u2019narcissist\u2019 Trump, calls JD Vance \u2019an anti-Christ\u2019<\/a>\u201c via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Campbell, the rap artist, youth coach, and podcaster turned political candidate, castigated Trump, Vance, and other elected officials as part of a pitch that he\u2019s the ideal, though unorthodox, choice to fill an open congressional seat in Broward County. Speaking before Broward Democratic Party leaders and activists, Campbell described Trump as the \u201dorange man\u201d and a \u201dnarcissist\u201d who violates the Constitution. He said Vance is even worse, describing him as \u201dan anti-Christ, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichael Carbonara commits $3M to TV campaign across CD 22<\/a>\u201c via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 Carbonara\u2018s congressional campaign is putting $3 million behind a multiplatform ad push in the 22nd Congressional District. The paid-media commitment will run across broadcast, cable, connected TV, and streaming platforms through the Aug. 18 Republican Primary. The buy covers the full CD 22 footprint, running from western Broward and Palm Beach counties all the way across the state, pairing traditional television with voter-file-onboarded streaming inventory to reach Republican Primary voters. The campaign projects the program will reach every Republican Primary household in the District multiple times before Election Day.<\/p>\n \u201cRuben Gallego endorses \u2019forward-looking leader\u2019 Hector Mujica for CD 28<\/a>\u201c via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego says Mujica is the best Democrat to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Gim\u00e9nez in the 28th Congressional District. Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, Marine Corps combat veteran, and son of Latino immigrants, announced his endorsement of Mujica, citing shared values on economic opportunity, working families, and immigrant communities. \u201dHector Mujica knows what it means to serve with purpose and lead with compassion,\u201d Gallego said. \u201dHe\u2019s the kind of forward-looking leader we need in Congress, and I\u2019m proud to endorse him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018He shows up\u2019: Phil Ehr\u2019s endorsement coalition grows in CD 28<\/a>\u201d via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 Retired Navy Commander Ehr is building more community support in South Florida. Ehr, a Democratic candidate for Florida\u2019s 28th Congressional District, is touting eight new endorsements from elected officials, veterans, civil rights advocates, diplomats and faith leaders. The fresh nods, Ehr\u2019s camp said, reflect his years of \u201ccommitment to Southwest Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys \u2014 not as a campaign slogan, but as a record of showing up for families across the District.\u201d Cuban-born baseball player Raidel Arbelay Becerra and businessman Adolphus Busch have also endorsed Ehr.<\/p>\n \u2014 MORE ELECTIONS \u2014<\/p>\n DeSantis sets SD 21 Special Election after Ed Hooper exit \u2014 \u00a0DeSantis has ordered a Special Election to fill the Senate District 21 seat after Sen. Hooper announced his resignation and retirement from politics. The election will align with Florida\u2019s regular 2026 cycle, with a Primary scheduled for Aug. 18 and a General Election Nov. 3 if needed. Hooper, the Senate Appropriations Chair, said timing his resignation to take effect on Election Day would ensure uninterrupted representation for constituents in north Pinellas and parts of west Pasco. Within hours of the announcement, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco launched his campaign with backing from incoming Senate Presidents Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull. No candidates had formally filed with the Division of Elections as of the announcement.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Real leadership\u2019: Eliott Rodriguez backs former congressional rival Richard Lamondin for SD 38<\/a>\u201d via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 For a short time this year, he was an opponent of Democratic candidate Lamondin. Now, Rodriguez is throwing his support behind Lamondin\u2019s Senate District 38 campaign. Rodriguez, a former CBS4 anchor, just joined a growing roster of backers who hope to see Lamondin unseat incumbent Republican state Sen. Alexis Calatayud in what Democrats have designated their top Senate target this cycle. \u201cI spent decades covering this community and the stories that shaped it. I know what real leadership looks like. And I know what failure looks like. Richard Lamondin has what it takes to deliver for South Florida and bring some much-needed sanity to Tallahassee,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cI\u2019m fighting for this community in (Florida\u2019s 27th Congressional District) and endorsing him is part of that same fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJeff Holcomb, Randy Maggard, and Brad Yeager endorse Walter Price for HD 55<\/a>\u201c via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 Three Pasco County Representatives are lining up behind Price for House District 55, adding the County\u2019s full House delegation to a coalition that already runs from a Cabinet officer to the local Sheriff \u2014 and reinforcing a Republican who currently stands alone in the race. Reps. Holcomb, Maggard, and Yeager are endorsing Price, a Captain with Pasco County Fire Rescue, praising his public service and conservative record. \u201dI\u2019m proud to endorse Walter Price for election to the Florida House. Walter isn\u2019t seeking office to begin a career in public service; he\u2019s continuing a life defined by it,\u201d Maggard said.<\/p>\n \u201cA \u2019career standing up for others\u2019: Broward Property Appraiser backs Michael Ferguson for HD 100<\/a>\u201c via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar is endorsing lawyer and military veteran Ferguson, a Democrat, in his bid for House District 100. Kiar, who served in the House and on the County Commission before winning his current government job in 2016, said he\u2019s supporting Ferguson based on his record of accountability and community service. \u201dMichael has spent his career standing up for others and holding people accountable,\u201d Kiar said. \u201dHe brings the kind of integrity, work ethic, and common-sense approach we need in Tallahassee to tackle rising costs, protect our neighborhoods, and make government work better for the people it serves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 D.C. MATTERS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cInside the unraveling of U.S. diplomacy under Donald Trump<\/a>\u201c via Andrew R.C. Marshall, Humeyra Pamuk, John Shiffman, Gram Slattery, John Irish, Tim Kelly and Andrea Shalal of Reuters \u2014 When Trump warned Iran on April 7 that \u201da whole civilization will die tonight,\u201d a European diplomat in Washington said his government wanted an urgent answer to a chilling question: Was the U.S. President contemplating the use of a nuclear weapon? Across Europe and Asia, the concern went beyond whether Trump\u2019s apocalyptic threat was real or bluster. One fear, the diplomat said, was that Russia could seize the moment to justify similar threats in Ukraine, triggering a nuclear crisis on two continents. European governments immediately sought reassurance through a traditional channel: the U.S. State Department. But according to the diplomat, officials there gave an unsettling response: They didn\u2019t know what Trump meant.<\/p>\n \u201cMarco Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action<\/a>\u201c via Matthew Lee and Will Weissert of The Associated Press \u2014 Trump and America\u2019s top diplomat again raised the specter of U.S. military intervention in Cuba, a renewed threat that takes on greater weight a day after the administration announced criminal charges against the island\u2019s former leader, Ra\u00fal Castro. \u201dOther Presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something,\u201d Trump told reporters when asked about Cuba during an environmental event in the Oval Office. \u201dAnd it looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it. So, I would be happy to do it.\u201d Secretary of State Rubio told reporters separately that Cuba has been a national security threat for years because of its ties to U.S. adversaries and that Trump is intent on addressing it.<\/p>\n \u201cSupreme Court permits lawsuits over U.S. assets seized by Cuba in 1960<\/a>\u201c via Ann E. Marimow of The New York Times \u2014 The Supreme Court sided with a U.S.-owned port business whose dock front property was seized in 1960 when Fidel Castro came to power and nationalized private property, possibly opening the door for similar claims from American companies and individuals. The 8-to-1 ruling in favor of the Havana Docks Corporation landed as Trump was ratcheting up pressure on the communist country, which has experienced a humanitarian crisis after the United States blocked oil shipments to the island from Venezuela and Mexico. The Trump administration had backed the U.S.-owned entity, which sued major cruise lines that had been using the confiscated docks.<\/p>\n \u201cU.S. sends aircraft carrier Nimitz to the Caribbean as pressure mounts on Cuba<\/a>\u201c via Antonio Mar\u00eda Delgado of the Miami Herald \u2014 In what appears to be a carefully calibrated show of force, the U.S. deployed the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying strike group into Caribbean waters this week, a move that coincided with the unsealing of murder charges against former Cuban leader Ra\u00fal Castro and an intensifying pressure campaign by the Trump administration against Havana. The Doral-based U.S. Southern Command confirmed that the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group had entered the region, describing the deployment as a demonstration of American \u201dreadiness and presence, unmatched reach and lethality, and strategic advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHomeland Security\u2019s plan to squeeze international flights<\/a>\u201c via Nick Miroff of The Atlantic \u2014 Markwayne Mullin convened a small group of airline and travel-industry executives at DHS headquarters in Washington last week and told them he may reduce Customs and Border Protection staffing at major airports that serve sanctuary jurisdictions. Mullin told the executives the locations could include Portland International Airport, in Oregon; New York City\u2013area airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport; and Washington Dulles International Airport. Mullin did not indicate when DHS would begin the pullback, but it would likely occur sometime after the United States finishes hosting the World Cup in July.<\/p>\n \u201cTrump moves to police frontier AI models<\/a>\u201c via Jacob Wendler, Dana Nickel, Dasha Burns, and John Hewitt Jones of POLITICO \u2014 The White House\u2019s highly anticipated artificial intelligence and cybersecurity executive order will designate a coalition of national security and civilian agencies to ramp up scrutiny of cutting-edge AI models. Industry officials began receiving details on the directive from the White House this week. One key question is whether the order will require a federal review of advanced AI models before they can be released, an idea the Trump administration had distanced itself from earlier this month after initially floating the proposal. The latest draft would ask developers to submit certain models to a voluntary review by federal agencies as far as 90 days before they\u2019re made public.<\/p>\n \u201cMoskowitz blasts Texas Democratic candidate over antisemitic rhetoric<\/a>\u201c via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics \u2014 U.S. Rep. Moskowitz is intensifying warnings about antisemitism inside Democratic politics, sharply condemning a Texas congressional candidate after inflammatory remarks targeting so-called \u201dAmerican Zionists.\u201d Speaking on Fox & Friends, the Parkland Democrat said rhetoric that dehumanizes Jewish people is no longer confined to the political fringe and argued party leaders across the country must confront it before it becomes further normalized. Moskowitz tied the issue to both personal and public safety, pointing to threats against his family, an assassination plot involving a constituent, and repeated harassment directed at his office. He also invoked his family\u2019s Holocaust history while warning about parallels between modern extremist language and past antisemitic persecution.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: S. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida Trump prosecutor accused in cake-recipe-named doc smuggling<\/a>\u201c via Samantha Neely of Florida Today \u2014 A former Department of Justice prosecutor from Florida is charged with allegedly transmitting sealed government records, including documents tied to former Special Counsel Jack Smith\u2019s investigation into Trump. Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, 62, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, faces multiple criminal charges and up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Lineberger previously worked on Smith\u2019s probe into Trump. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Lineberger allegedly emailed secret documents labeled \u201dINTERNAL DOJ USE ONLY\u201d to her personal email in late 2025. She changed the file titles to: \u201cChocolate_cake_recipe.pdf\u201d and \u201dBundt_Cake_recipe.pdf.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFIU suspends former campus Republican leaders for 2 years over racist group chat<\/a>\u201c via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald \u2014 Two former campus Republican leaders have been barred from FIU\u2019s campus after the school suspended the students for two years over a racist group chat created by the Miami-Dade GOP\u2019s then secretary. Abel Carvajal, the creator of the group chat and a third-year law student, was found responsible for an \u201caffirmative act which aids, attempts, promotes, conceals, or facilitates\u201d violation of the Student Code of Conduct after a sanctions hearing last month. Dariel Gonzalez, the FIU College Republicans\u2019 recruitment chairman at the time, was found responsible for violating a part of the conduct code that bars \u201dverbal or written abuse, threats, intimidation and\/or coercion that objectively endangers the health, safety or well-being of others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBroward could close more than 10 additional schools in 2027.<\/a>\u201d via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Broward could undergo its most dramatic round of school closings next year, with more than 10 schools possibly shutting down in 2027, Superintendent Howard Hepburn said. That would be more school closures than the past two years combined. The District shut down one school in 2025, Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill, with six more set to close after the school year ends in June, including North Fork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, Panther Run Elementary in Pembroke Pines and Plantation Middle. The District also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools. A substantial change planned for this Fall is an overhaul of the four Nova schools, using an artificial intelligence curriculum to return schools to their roots as places for cutting-edge learning.<\/p>\n \u201cBroward School Board approves taking legal action against County Tax Collector\u2019s Office<\/a>\u201c via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 The Broward School Board has authorized its lawyers to take legal action against County Tax Collector Abbey Ajayi over her office\u2019s decision to withhold $5.5 million from school referendum dollars. School Board members became livid in January after they learned that the Tax Collector\u2019s Office, which started operations in January 2025, had withheld the $5.5 million. The referendum was passed in 2022 to enhance employee salaries, safety and security and mental health. The District is asking voters to renew the referendum in November. District officials said before the creation of the Tax Collector\u2019s Office, the County\u2019s financial office collected the money and never withheld a Commission.<\/p>\n \u201cBroward asks court to order Spirit to pay $3M in past-due airport fees, clear path for new tenants<\/a>\u201c via David Lyons of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Amid the sea of debts generated by the shuttered Spirit Airlines after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the pile of unpaid bills owed to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport now amounts to approximately $3 million, according to a court filing by the Broward County Attorney\u2019s Office this week. The tally isn\u2019t over. Now, according to the filing, the delinquent amount could reach as high as $6 million. County lawyers assert Spirit \u201dhas failed to pay post-petition gate fees, landing fees, and other charges due and owing to the County as owner and operator of the Debtor\u2019s hub airport, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL),\u201d according to the filing. \u201dApproximately $3 million is now delinquent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKen Jenne gets clemency for tax evasion, mail fraud conviction<\/a>\u201c via Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Former Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne has been granted clemency, restoring the civil rights he lost in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and mail fraud charges after a two-year corruption investigation into his outside business dealings. Jenne was a former state prosecutor who served in the Senate from 1978 to 1998. In 1998, he was elected Sheriff and served until his resignation in September 2007. He was sentenced to a year and a day in a federal minimum-security camp. Jenne said he learned less than a month ago that Ron DeSantis had agreed to grant his clemency, which covers certain state rights, including the right to pursue some professional licenses and membership in the Florida Bar.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: C. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMayra Uribe hears pushback from Orange County Democrats about not resigning sooner<\/a>\u201c via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics \u2014 Democrats and labor leaders put Uribe in the hot seat, airing frustrations about her choice not to step down sooner from the Orange County Commission as she runs for County Mayor. Uribe presented at an Orange County Democrats meeting, where much of the Q&A centered around Uribe\u2019s decision on when to resign. Her delay has stoked fears that a DeSantis appointee could end up serving on the Commission in the blue County for nearly two years. \u201dThe Democratic process is being taken away from us,\u201d one constituent told her. \u201dI do not want a DeSantis appointee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalloween Horror Nights plans \u2019Sinners\u2019 haunted house for 2026<\/a>\u201c via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel \u2014 \u201cSinners,\u201d the four-time Oscar-winning horror film, will be represented in a haunted house at this year\u2019s Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando confirmed. The 2025 movie was written, directed and produced by Ryan Coogler. \u201cThe moment \u2018Sinners\u2019 premiered, we knew it was an undeniable fit for Halloween Horror Nights, and it\u2019s an honor to bring this story to life,\u201d Mike Aiello, senior director of entertainment creative development at Universal Orlando Resort, said in a news release. \u201cIt\u2019s rare for a film to fully satisfy hardcore horror fans while also inviting new audiences into the genre \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly what \u2018Sinners\u2019 does. Its world, characters and intensity will translate into a relentless haunted house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: TB \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cTampa City Council narrowly approves nonbinding Rays stadium deal<\/a>\u201c via Nina Moske of the Tampa Bay Times \u2014 The Tampa Bay Rays have cleared another hurdle in their quest to build a $2.3 billion baseball stadium in Tampa. The vote before the Tampa City Council came down to the wire, with members approving the nonbinding stadium agreement with the team in a tense 4-3 vote. Council members Charlie Miranda, Lynn Hurtak, and Guido Maniscalco voted no. The decision came after a 5-2 vote in favor of the memorandum of understanding from Hillsborough\u2019s Board of County Commissioners. The Board of Hillsborough College also unanimously approved a ground lease with the Rays, who have proposed their stadium and surrounding mixed-use development at the college\u2019s Dale Mabry campus.<\/p>\n \u201cSt. Pete slips in park rankings as other cities accelerate investment<\/a>\u201c via Aaron Styza of St. Pete Catalyst \u2014 St. Petersburg\u2019s park system remains among the nation\u2019s best, but the city dropped five spots in the latest Trust for Public Land ParkScore Index as peer cities accelerated investment and expansion efforts. The 2026 rankings place St. Pete 19th nationally, down from 14th last year. Tampa also slipped slightly, falling from 43rd to 46th. The movement reflects gains elsewhere rather than deterioration locally. \u201dThe rest of the country is catching on,\u201d said Will Klein, Director of Parks Research at Trust for Public Land. \u201dEven though St. Pete continued to increase its park investment this year, other cities did so more.\u201d According to the report, 78% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, slightly above the national average of 76%.<\/p>\n \u201cRich to see supporter of breadbox loan decry Winn-Dixie deal<\/a>\u201c via Mark Woods of the Florida Times-Union \u2014 Jacksonville City Council member Rory Diamond is calling a $12 million taxpayer-backed incentive package for Winn-Dixie \u201cextortion,\u201d arguing the city should not subsidize a major employer to keep jobs already rooted in Northeast Florida. The criticism carries extra edge given Diamond\u2019s past support for the controversial \u201cbreadbox loan,\u201d a separate public financing fight critics used to question selective outrage over corporate incentives. The approved deal keeps 500 jobs at Winn-Dixie\u2019s Westside headquarters, adds 200 more over five years and preserves a Harveys Supermarket in Brentwood. Winn-Dixie also pledged major capital investments. Diamond\u2019s opposition has reopened an old Jacksonville debate: when does economic development become a prudent investment, and when does it just become taxpayer-funded leverage with better branding?<\/p>\n \u201cThis Florida state park, two hours from Tallahassee, is on the best beach list<\/a>\u201d via C. A. Bridges of the Tallahassee Democrat \u2014 Once again, Dr. Beach has judged the nation\u2019s beaches and named Florida\u2019s some of the very best. In fact, a beach that capital city residents often throng to over the Summer is No. 2. We didn\u2019t make No. 1, for the third year in a row, but St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, about two hours from Tallahassee ranked second in the 2026 Top Ten Beaches in the U.S., released May 21, at drbeach.org, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Hawaii\u2019s Poipu Beach on Kauai was No. 1, according to Dr. Beach, aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University, who has created the best job ever.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: SW. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cGeorge Parrish Houston pushes change message in Lee County Runoff<\/a>\u201d via Moriah Norman of WALB \u2014 Houston is sharpening his message ahead of a June Runoff in the Lee County School Board District 1 race, arguing voters are looking for stronger transparency, accountability and a new perspective. Houston led the three-way Primary but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a Runoff against incumbent Donna L. Ford. The campaign is unfolding amid broader frustration over local property tax overpayments and voter rejection of renewing the County\u2019s Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Houston said school leaders must correct mistakes in good faith while exploring grants, partnerships and other funding options to ease pressure on taxpayers. He said his Runoff focus remains on safe schools, strong academic standards and responsible spending.<\/p>\n \u201cLee County schools cut 457 jobs as $92M deficit deepens<\/a>\u201d via Mickenzie Hannon of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News \u2014 Lee County School District is cutting 457 positions, including 275 teachers, as officials work to close a projected $92.4 million structural deficit ahead of the next school year. District leaders tied the cuts to declining enrollment, inflation, expanded school choice and years of what administrators described as legacy overspending. Officials said the County has lost nearly 2,000 students compared to a year ago, forcing staffing adjustments and broader budget realignment. Superintendent Denise Carlin said enrollment decline is only one factor behind the deficit, while school leaders are also shifting capital funds to support operations. The cuts have drawn sharp backlash from parents, teachers and community members as budget tensions escalate.<\/p>\n \u2014 TOP OPINION \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cDEI may be fading, but corporate America hasn\u2019t let go<\/a>\u201c via Beth Kowitt of Bloomberg Opinion \u2014 Diversity, equity and inclusion may no longer dominate corporate branding or workplace rhetoric, but the systems and goals behind DEI have not fully disappeared. A new study from Catalyst and New York University\u2019s Meltzer Center found that most employees and leaders at midsize and large U.S. companies say their employers remain committed to DEI principles, even if the terminology has shifted.<\/p>\n The larger concern is not whether DEI still exists in name, but whether companies are dismantling the workplace structures that made broader inclusion possible. As employers tighten policies on remote work, scheduling flexibility and benefits, critics warn gains for women and minorities may be harder to sustain.<\/p>\n Research cited in the analysis suggests universal workplace policies such as paid family leave, flexible scheduling and childcare often did more to diversify management ranks than formal racial equity initiatives. Those programs widened access for workers balancing caregiving and financial pressures.<\/p>\n Now, many companies appear to be reversing course. Some employers are scaling back leave benefits, reducing flexibility and pushing workers back into full-time office schedules.<\/p>\n That shift could disproportionately affect women and workers of color, who often faced the biggest barriers in traditional workplace models built around rigid schedules and fewer accommodations.<\/p>\n While DEI itself may not be dead, the argument is that corporate America may be eroding the infrastructure that made those efforts meaningful \u2014 raising questions about whether workforce diversity can advance without the policies that supported it.<\/p>\n \u2014 MORE OPINIONS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cTrump\u2019s Venezuela playbook faces limits in Cuba<\/a>\u201c via Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing of POLITICO \u2014 The Trump administration is escalating pressure on Cuba with sanctions, threats and legal action against former leader Ra\u00fal Castro, but former U.S. officials say a Venezuela-style strategy may not translate easily to Havana. Analysts argue Cuba\u2019s decades-old one-party communist system is structurally different from Venezuela, making regime change far more difficult and raising risks of deeper instability or military escalation. Some also warn that aggressive action could strengthen the Cuban government\u2019s resolve rather than weaken it. The issue carries political weight in Florida, where Cuban American Republicans remain vocal advocates for tougher action against Havana. At the same time, officials caution that any collapse in Cuba could create broader geopolitical risks, including migration pressures and openings for foreign rivals such as Russia or China.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida rewrites history with a right-wing slant<\/a>\u201c via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board \u2014 Several generations of Florida students were taught that the Civil War had nothing much to do with slavery, that secession was a noble \u201clost cause,\u201d and that plantation life was beneficial for the slaves. The United Daughters of the Confederacy, the perpetrators and perpetuators of those myths, had seen to it that the only textbooks allowed in Southern schools would peddle those fictions. Revisionist history never plays well. But here we go again. Not for the first time, DeSantis is messing with the minds of students, distorting the history of slavery and its persistent and pernicious legacy of racism.<\/p>\n \u2014 WEEKEND TV \u2014<\/p>\n ABC Action News Full Circle with Paul LaGrone<\/a> on Channel 10 WFTS: LaGrone leads a discussion on rising instability in Cuba, economic strain and the political fallout from major developments in Washington and Florida. Immigration attorney Renata Castro breaks down worsening conditions in Cuba and what escalating unrest could mean for migration and Florida. ABC News Washington correspondent Averi Harper examines political and legal questions tied to Trump\u2019s IRS agreement and a new $1.8 billion compensation fund. Financial adviser Steve Cotton discusses stubborn inflation and why everyday costs remain elevated. Tallahassee correspondent Forest Saunders looks at the Florida political response, while political analyst Dr. Susan MacManus examines broader trust, economic frustration and political consequences.<\/p>\n Florida This Week<\/a> on WEDU PBS: Host and moderator Lissette Campos leads a discussion this week on the U.S. Justice Department\u2019s indictment of former Cuban leader Castro and others tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, nearly 30 years after Cuban MiGs downed civilian aircraft over the Florida Straits. The panel also explores rapid shifts in the media industry, including an AI-generated \u201clocal newsroom\u201d in South Florida, the growing influence of Spanish-language media during the FIFA World Cup, and ownership changes that could affect local news coverage in Tampa Bay. Guests include Jose Cancela, Tom Martinez, Katie Sanders and Ray Roa. The program airs Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WEDU PBS. Episodes are also available online through Florida This Week<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n In Focus with Allison Walker<\/a> on Bay News 9\/CF 13: Walker leads a Mental Health Awareness Month discussion on access to services and support systems available for Floridians seeking mental healthcare. Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters discusses local government perspectives on mental health needs and community response. Ashley Brown, executive director of the Women\u2019s Resource Center of Manatee and Sarasota counties, examines available support resources and barriers families may face when seeking help. Johnny Crowder, founder and CEO of CopeNotes, adds perspective on mental wellness tools and broader conversations around emotional health and access to care. The program focuses on challenges, resources and ongoing efforts to strengthen mental health support statewide.<\/p>\n The Usual Suspects<\/a> on WCTV-Tallahassee\/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG: Gary Yordon speaks with former U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd of North Florida.<\/p>\n This Week in South Florida with Glenna Milberg<\/a> on Local 10 WPLG: Glenna Milberg returns from a reporting trip to Venezuela, where she spoke with the national campaign director for opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado, bringing fresh context to political developments inside the country. The program also breaks down the week\u2019s biggest headlines and the key newsmakers driving them. The show airs on Sunday at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n \u2014 INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY \u2014<\/p>\n \u2014 ALOE \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cCentral Florida packs Memorial Day weekend with tributes, festivals, and crowds<\/a>\u201c via Patrick Connolly of the Orlando Sentinel \u2014 Central Florida is heading into a packed Memorial Day weekend that blends solemn remembrance with major public gatherings across the region. Communities including Orlando, Ocoee, Eustis, Sanford, Winter Garden, and Mount Dora are hosting ceremonies honoring fallen service members, with wreath placements, color guards, and veterans\u2019 tributes shaping the holiday. Elsewhere, the long weekend offers a broader entertainment draw, from Orlando Fringe Festival performances and Caribbean celebrations tied to Orlando Carnival Downtown to concerts, car shows, and family attractions across Seminole, Lake, and Osceola counties. Florida State Parks are also opening gates with free admission through the weekend. The crowded schedule reflects a region balancing remembrance, tourism, and the unofficial start of Summer.<\/p>\n \u201cHoney Drippers, jazz, and riverfront crowds shape a busy holiday weekend<\/a>\u201c via Tom Szaroleta of The Florida Times-Union \u2014 Jacksonville leans hard into local flavor this weekend, from a neighborhood frozen treat becoming a minor league baseball identity to major music and holiday gatherings across the region. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will suit up as the Jacksonville Honey Drippers for weekend games against Norfolk, turning an Eastside staple into a cultural nod with specialty branding and giveaways at VyStar Ballpark. Downtown also hosts the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, bringing a packed lineup of nationally known acts to the riverfront. Outside the city core, Palatka\u2019s Blue Crab Festival returns with food, music, and family events, while St. Augustine welcomes rising country singer Sam Barber. Green Cove Springs closes the long weekend with Riverfest, blending veteran tributes, community festivities, and fireworks.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/composed-4-640x1138.jpeg\")
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<\/a>Hurricane season may look quieter on paper, but NOAA says preparation \u2014 not complacency \u2014 remains the forecast.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/600x400.png\")
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<\/a>Gov. Ron DeSantis says budget vetoes are part of Tallahassee\u2019s power politics, making loyalty potentially as valuable as local appropriations.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PAI_FLRepublicans_Healthcare.png\")
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<\/a>Paul Renner is launching a parental rights coalition and proposing a constitutional amendment, staking out familiar political turf with bigger legal ambitions.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777450116_779_ad-for-sunburn-sadowski.png\")
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<\/a>Richard Lamondin picked up an endorsement from former rival Eliott Rodriguez, adding another recognizable ally in a key Democratic target race.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/600x400-1.jpg\")
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<\/a>Donald Trump\u2019s diplomacy is rattling allies, with foreign governments questioning whether Washington still speaks clearly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mullin-640x427.jpeg\")
<\/a>Markwayne Mullin is floating airport staffing cuts in sanctuary jurisdictions, bringing immigration politics closer to the departure gate.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/051122026-FCG-Ads-02-e1778702782679.png\")
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<\/a>Carmen Mercedes Lineberger is accused of sending sealed DOJ records to her personal email, allegedly disguised under cake-recipe file names.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ad-for-sunburn-shev-jones.png\")
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<\/a>Mayra Uribe is facing Democratic pushback over her delayed resignation, with critics warning it could hand Gov. Ron DeSantis an opening.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Florida-Politics-Digital-Ad-600-x-300.jpg\")
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<\/a>The Tampa City Council gave the Rays\u2019 stadium push a narrow win, keeping a pricey and still very unfinished deal alive.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ad-DiCeglie-Delivering-Results_2.jpg\")
<\/a>\u2014 LOCAL: N. FL \u2014<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WINN-DIXIE-640x320.jpg\")
<\/a>Rory Diamond\u2019s attack on the Winn-Dixie deal is reviving breadbox-era questions about which taxpayer subsidies deserve outrage.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Graphic-Abbott-Delivering-Results-600x400jpg.jpg\")
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<\/a>George Parrish Houston is leaning into a change message, betting Lee County voters still have an appetite for something different.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UBER_DUIprevention_600X400_04292026.png\")
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<\/a>From solemn tributes to festivals and packed beaches, Memorial Day weekend is drawing crowds across Florida with remembrance and revelry sharing the calendar.<\/p>\n