___<\/p>\n Charlie Crist is closing out the St. Petersburg Mayoral Primary the way he opened it \u2014 sunny side up.<\/p>\n St. Pete Shines, the political committee backing Crist for Mayor, is launching its final ad of the Primary cycle. The spot, titled \u201cHome,\u201d spotlights the former Governor\u2019s roots in the Sunshine City and his case for a city that works for everyone who lives there.<\/p>\n The ad shows Crist walking his Golden Retriever, Spirit, through a St. Pete neighborhood as he recalls his father\u2019s work healing the sick and his days playing quarterback at St. Pete High. He also points to his time as Governor, when his approval rating hit 70%<\/a>, but says being Mayor of his hometown would be \u201cthe honor of a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n The spot ends with Crist\u2019s signature line, \u201cIt\u2019s just Charlie,\u201d and a promise that he\u2019s \u201cready to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nowhere in the world I would rather be than right here in my hometown, with you,\u201d Crist said. \u201cBut for too long, St. Pete has been on pause, leaving residents struggling to make ends meet without an advocate at City Hall. As Mayor, I promise to always be in your corner, and that starts with ensuring no one ever gets hit with an unexpected high water bill, utility rate hikes or out-of-control property taxes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHome\u201d will run on social media, streaming and broadcast channels beginning today and running through Election Day on Aug. 18.<\/p>\n Watch the ad here.<\/a><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Rick Lindstrom<\/a> is joining Shumaker Advisors as Principal in the firm\u2019s Tallahassee office.<\/p>\n Lindstrom has lobbied for more than 20 years before the Legislature, the Cabinet, state agencies and local governments. His client work has covered environmental policy, criminal justice, aerospace and technology, sports, healthcare and medical cannabis.<\/p>\n \u201cShumaker Advisors has built a sophisticated platform at the intersection of government, business, law, and public policy, and I am excited to become part of the team,\u201d Lindstrom said. \u201cThe most effective government affairs work begins with understanding a client\u2019s underlying objectives and then developing a strategy that brings together policy expertise, strong relationships, sound judgment, and effective advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n He is the firm\u2019s fourth Florida or D.C. hire this year. Former St. Petersburg City Council member Ed Montanari<\/a> joined the St. Pete office as Principal, Sean Schrader<\/a> joined the Tampa office as Director of Operations, and Jodie Moxley-Ramos<\/a> joined the Washington team as Vice President of Federal Affairs.<\/p>\n \u201cRick represents exactly the kind of professional we want to continue attracting to Shumaker Advisors,\u201d said Ron Christaldi, Shumaker Partner and Shumaker Advisors Florida CEO. \u201cHe brings deep substantive experience, long-standing relationships, sound judgment, and an ability to understand complicated issues and develop strategies that advance a client\u2019s objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Where Pub Subs and BOGO bins meet pleasure (and some politics too) \u2014 Sachs Media tested Publix\u2019s 72-year-old claim \u2013 \u201cwhere shopping is a pleasure\u201c \u2013 and finds it holds up, both in its home state and beyond. Researcher and partner Karen Cyphers also uncovered an unexpected twist: how satisfied you feel perusing the aisles may have something to do with how satisfied you feel with your state\u2019s Governor. Even among Publix shoppers alone, this gap holds. The research also identifies one key exercise Publix got right that other brands (and yes, even electeds) might learn from. Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 SITUATIONAL AWARENESS \u2014<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014@NikkiFried: One of Ron DeSantis\u2019s legacies is the higher education grift. Anointing highly unqualified people who are political allies who receive extremely high salaries at the expense of taxpayers.<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet:<\/p>\n \u2014 DAYS UNTIL \u2014<\/p>\n \u2018Lanterns\u2019 premieres on HBO \u2014 2; Primary Election Day \u2014 4; \u2018The Dog Stars,\u2019 directed by Ridley Scott, premieres \u2014 14; Florida TaxWatch Government Productivity Awards \u2014 18; NFL regular season kicks off \u2014 26; Republican National Midterm Convention \u2014 26; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia \u2014 27; Yankees host the Mets for the 9\/11 anniversary \u2014 28; MLB Roberto Clemente Day \u2014 32; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline \u2014 36; Tampa Bay Buccaneers home opener against the Cleveland Browns \u2014 37; General Election domestic ballot send window begins \u2014 41; General Election domestic ballot send deadline \u2014 48; \u2018Digger,\u2019 with Tom Cruise, directed by Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu, premieres \u2014 49; General Election voter registration deadline \u2014 52; \u2018The Social Network\u2019 sequel, with Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison, premieres \u2014 56; Optional General early voting begins \u2014 66; \u2018Six Kings Slam\u2019 on Netflix \u2014 68; Florida TaxWatch Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit begins \u2014 68; General Election ballot request deadline \u2014 69; Mandatory General early voting begins \u2014 71; General Election \u2014 81; \u2018Godzilla Minus Zero\u2019 premieres \u2014 84; \u2018Wild Horse Nine\u2019 premieres \u2014 84; Florida Automated Vehicles Summit \u2014 89; \u2018Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol\u2019 starring Johnny Depp premieres \u2014 91; \u2018Paper Tiger\u2019 starring Adam Driver premieres \u2014 91; Joe Biden\u2019s memoir, \u2018Promise Me,\u2019 releases \u2014 95; New legislator training sessions \u2014 95; Senate convenes for general organization and selection of officers \u2014 95; \u2018The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping\u2019 premieres \u2014 98; \u2018The Adventures of Cliff Booth,\u2019 with Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, premieres \u2014 103; \u2018Madden\u2019 premieres \u2014 104; Committee Week #1 \u2014 108; Untitled \u2018Star Wars\u2019 movie premieres \u2014 126; \u2018Avengers: Doomsday\u2019 premieres \u2014 126; \u2018Dune: Part 3,\u2019 directed by Denis Villeneuve, premieres \u2014 126; Committee Week #2 \u2014 143; Committee Week #3 \u2014 150; College Football Playoff national championship game in Las Vegas \u2014 164; Committee Week #4 \u2014 171; Grammys \u2014 177; Committee Week #5 \u2014 178; Super Bowl LXI \u2014 184; Committee Week #6 \u2014 185; Opening day of the 2027 Regular Legislative Session \u2014 200; Tampa Mayoral Election \u2014 200; \u2018The Thomas Crown Affair,\u2019 directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan premieres \u2014 203; Oscars \u2014 212; Jacksonville First Election \u2014 221; Miami Marlins Opening Day\/Home Opener \u2014 vs. New York Mets \u2014 223; Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day\/Home Opener \u2014 vs. Baltimore Orioles \u2014 223; Democratic Mayors Association 2027 annual summit in Miami begins \u2014 243; Jacksonville General Election \u2014 277; \u2018Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse\u2019 premieres \u2014 295; Citrus Series \u2014 Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins \u2014 336; \u2018Bluey the Movie\u2019 premieres \u2014 357; \u2018Miami Vice\u2019 reboot premieres \u2014 357; Citrus Series \u2014 Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays \u2014 392; \u2018Avengers: Secret Wars\u2019 premieres \u2014 490; College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans \u2014 528; \u2018The Batman Part II\u2019 premieres \u2014 553; Oscars \u2014 569; \u2018Lilo & Stitch 2\u2019 premieres \u2014 651; \u2018Incredibles 3\u2019 premieres \u2014 672; 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony \u2014 700; 2028 U.S. Presidential Election \u2014 816; \u2018Black Panther 3\u2019 directed by Ryan Coogler premieres \u2014 854; College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa \u2014 892; \u2018Avatar 4\u2019 premieres \u2014 1,216; College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami \u2014 1,256; \u2018Avatar 5\u2019 premieres \u2014 1,947.<\/p>\n \u2014 TOP STORY \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMission improbable: A one-time Republican is trying to prove Democrats can win in Florida<\/a>\u201c via Steven Sloan of The Associated Press \u2014 Cyn Doyle is a self-described political cynic. So, when David Jolly swung through Leesburg, she had doubts. \u201cHow can you assure us,\u201d the 71-year-old pressed, \u201cthat you won\u2019t become another John Fetterman?\u201c As the crowd jeered the mention of the contrarian Pennsylvania Democratic Senator, Jolly made the case for himself. \u201dChange is part of my journey,\u201c he responded. Doyle left impressed. \u201dI believe him,\u201c she said. \u201dI don\u2019t believe many.\u201c<\/p>\n In an interview over an Outback Steakhouse lunch, Jolly acknowledged \u201cthere\u2019s not going to be the political will\u201d to reverse the state\u2019s ban on transgender girls and women participating on female teams at public schools and universities. He said he didn\u2019t think Governors should decide who plays in what sports, even as he described himself as a \u201cgirl dad\u201d and noted, \u201cI don\u2019t think we should have biologically born men playing in competitive sports.\u201d<\/p>\n Jolly is making the 2028 case to any Democrat who will listen, including Govs. JB Pritzker, Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cAll of a sudden, the road to the White House looks dramatically different,\u201d Jolly said. \u201cIt reshapes the House of Representatives.\u201d But Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, isn\u2019t making a financial commitment yet. \u201cDavid\u2019s working really hard,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s a good candidate, and we\u2019re watching it closely.\u201d<\/p>\n Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who challenged Jolly until suspending his campaign in June, acknowledged Florida Democrats have to appeal to independents, but also said, \u201cPeople don\u2019t want a chameleon.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s the big challenge that he\u2019s had: convincing people that he has stepped away from the Republican policies,\u201d Demings said.<\/p>\n \u2014 2026 \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cByron Donalds shrugs off Ron DeSantis\u2019 praise of Paul Renner, pumps Donald Trump endorsement<\/a>\u201c via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics \u2014 Donalds is still facing questions about why Gov. DeSantis hasn\u2019t endorsed him in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary. DeSantis recently said that former House Speaker Renner would make a \u201dgood Governor\u201c if elected. Asked about those comments, Donalds said, \u201dcampaigns are never just a straight road\u201c and they \u201dtake all their turns,\u201c then stressed his \u201dfull and total\u201c endorsement from President Trump, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and most members of the state and federal legislative delegations. But while the list of endorsements is long, the conspicuous absence of DeSantis continues to intrigue reporters covering what has been a static race amid various sordid sideshows. Donalds has predicted the Governor will come around, saying last month he looks forward to DeSantis\u2019 \u201cendorsement and being out there on the campaign trail with him.\u201d DeSantis, for his part, hasn\u2019t been shy about criticizing Donalds, faulting his warnings about Amendment 3\u2019s effect on fiscally constrained counties.<\/p>\n Happening today \u2014 Donalds rallies in Brevard \u2014 Donalds hosts a get-out-the-vote rally in Brevard County alongside U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and CFO Blaise Ingoglia. The rally begins at 3:30 p.m. at Pat Fischer Nissan, 1128 S. Hopkins Ave. in Titusville.<\/p>\n Happening Sunday \u2014 Teach Florida PAC hosts a fireside chat with Donalds focused on school choice and safety for the Jewish community at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, in Boca Raton.<\/p>\n Happening today \u2014 U.S. Senate candidate Alex Vindman rolls out a Social Security plank of his \u201cFlorida First Agenda\u201d at a news conference with Florida Alliance for Retired Americans President Felicia Bruce, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Sachs and Florida seniors. 10 a.m., West Palm Beach.<\/p>\n \u201cPolitiFact: Alex Vindman overstates Ashley Moody\u2019s Hope Florida role<\/a>\u201d via Samantha Putterman of PolitiFact \u2014 PolitiFact rated Vindman\u2019s claim about U.S. Sen. Moody\u2019s involvement in the Hope Florida controversy \u201cHalf True,\u201d finding he overstated what available records establish. Vindman said Moody transferred $10 million in taxpayer Medicaid money to a campaign fund. Moody\u2019s office approved the Centene settlement directing $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation, but the foundation later transferred money to nonprofits that routed $8.5 million to a DeSantis-aligned PAC. Moody did not personally transfer the money to a political committee, and the extent of her involvement remains unclear. PolitiFact noted that Moody approved the settlement, imposed no restrictions on the foundation\u2019s use of the money, and took no legal action after the funds reached political committees.<\/p>\n \u201cRenner calls for Special Session on vaccines, AI<\/a>\u201d via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO \u2014 Former House Speaker and Republican gubernatorial candidate Renner is calling for another Special Session to reconsider measures expanding religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements and creating an AI \u201cbill of rights.\u201d The Senate approved both DeSantis\u2019 priorities during the regular Legislative Session and an April Special Session, but the House rejected them both times. Renner accused House leaders of failing voters and urged immediate action despite the challenges of convening lawmakers during election season. He also called on the incoming House Speaker Sam Garrison to revive the proposals. Former Speaker Daniel Perez opposed the AI regulations on federalism grounds and raised health concerns about expanding vaccine exemptions.<\/p>\n \u2014 MORE ELECTIONS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cTrump endorses Catalina Lauf in crowded CD 19 Primary<\/a>\u201d via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics \u2014 Trump endorsed Lauf in the Republican Primary for Florida\u2019s 19th Congressional District, giving the former Trump administration official a major boost days before Election Day. Lauf is among 10 Republicans seeking to succeed Donalds, who is running for Governor. Recent polling has placed Lauf among the race\u2019s top contenders alongside Jim Schwartzel, Jim Oberweis and Chris Collins. Trump praised Lauf as an \u201cAmerica First Patriot\u201d who had supported his movement from the beginning. Lauf has spent more than $1.5 million through July 29 and received outside support from the Rand Paul-linked Protect Freedom PAC. The Aug. 18 Primary will likely determine Donalds\u2019 successor in the heavily Republican District.<\/p>\n \u2014\u201cLauf sends cease and desist letter to Jim Oberweis over attack ads<\/a>\u201c via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics<\/p>\n \u201cSheila Cherfilus-McCormick seeks comeback despite indictment, ethics findings<\/a>\u201d via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Former U.S. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick is asking voters to return her to Congress four months after resigning as she faced potential House sanctions. The bipartisan House Ethics Committee adjudicatory Subcommittee found she committed 25 ethics violations, while federal prosecutors charged her with stealing government funds, money laundering and campaign finance-related offenses. Cherfilus-McCormick, who pleaded not guilty, says she is innocent and portrays the investigations as politically motivated. She faces four Democrats in the Aug. 18 Primary Election for the heavily Democratic 20th Congressional District. Her opponents include U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Luther Campbell, Dale Holness and Elijah Manley. A federal trial is scheduled for February 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cAnti-Israel activity blurs with antisemitism on campaign trail<\/a>\u201c via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics \u2014 From the involvement of an anti-Israel political group to the painting of swastikas on signs, antisemitism has surfaced in multiple Florida congressional districts. The Anti-Zionist America PAC (AZAPAC), an openly anti-Israel super PAC, issued five endorsements nationwide in this year\u2019s Midterms, two of those in Florida races. One candidate, Bernard Taylor, has distanced himself from the support as he runs for the Democratic nomination in Florida\u2019s 21st Congressional District. But James Martin, his Democratic opponent, said he hasn\u2019t done enough to distance himself from the group. \u201cYou can say you are not an antisemite all you\u2019d like, but when you associate with a group that doesn\u2019t think Israel has a right to exist, actions speak louder than words.\u201d The only other Florida candidate with AZAPAC support is Dan Bilzerian, a Republican challenging (U.S. Rep. Randy) Fine.<\/p>\n \u201cBelinda Keiser lands pro-veteran backing from Mike Bost<\/a>\u201c via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 U.S. Rep. Bost of Illinois is throwing his weight behind Keiser in her race for Florida\u2019s 22nd Congressional District. Bost chairs the U.S. House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, lending pro-veteran bona fides to Keiser\u2019s campaign as she faces a tough GOP Primary. Keiser is one of seven Republicans running in CD 22, including Casey Askar, David Burck, Michael Carbonara, Richard Evans, Terri Hasdorff and Michael Thompson. \u201cAs Chairman of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee and a Marine, I especially appreciate Belinda\u2019s unwavering commitment to the men and women who have worn our nation\u2019s uniform,\u201d he said. CD 22 encompasses all of Hendry County and parts of Collier, Palm Beach and Broward counties.<\/p>\n \u201cPro-crypto PAC uses fabricated Miami Herald headlines against Oliver Gilbert<\/a>\u201d via Claire Healy and Raisa Habersham of the Miami Herald \u2014 A pro-cryptocurrency political Committee is spending more than $1 million to oppose Gilbert in Florida\u2019s 24th Congressional District Democratic Primary while using fabricated Miami Herald headlines in campaign ads. Protect Progress cited real Herald stories but altered the headlines to portray Gilbert as aligned with Trump, ICE and contractors tied to Alligator Alcatraz. The underlying articles did not support those characterizations as presented. Gilbert called the ads \u201cfalse and misleading\u201d and accused crypto interests of trying to buy the race. His campaign has pointed to opponent Kendrick Meek Jr., though Meek\u2019s campaign denies any coordination or involvement with the outside spending.<\/p>\n Shevrin Jones closes CD 24 Primary with \u201cHad Enough\u201d \u2014 Jones\u2018 campaign released its closing ad in the Democratic Primary for Florida\u2019s 24th Congressional District, a spot called \u201cHad Enough<\/a>\u201c that frames the race around cost-of-living pressure on Broward and Miami-Dade families. The ad pitches Jones as a legislator who fought the DeSantis administration in Tallahassee and would carry that fight to Washington, closing with a generational appeal to South Florida voters. \u201cGroceries cost more. Gas costs more. Rent costs more. Healthcare is bankrupting families who did everything right. I\u2019ve spent my career in Tallahassee fighting for the people who get left behind by the powerful and the well-connected, and I\u2019m not stopping now,\u201d Jones said. \u201cSouth Florida doesn\u2019t need another Washington politician who\u2019s lost touch with the people who sent them there.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the ad here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018The progressive leader South Florida needs\u2019: Nancy Pelosi backs Kendrick Meek Jr. for CD 24<\/a>\u201c via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 U.S. House Speaker Emerita Pelosi is throwing her support behind lawyer Meek\u2018s bid for Florida\u2019s 24th Congressional District, calling him a strong voice who will protect Black representation in Congress and the South. \u201cKendrick Meek is exactly the progressive leader that South Florida needs right now, and I am proud to offer him my full endorsement,\u201d she said. In speaking of Black representation being under threat, Pelosi is likely referring to redistricting DeSantis and the Legislature approved in 2022 that reduced the number of Black-majority districts in the state. Before retiring, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson held the CD 24 seat, which was held by Meek\u2019s grandmother, Carrie Meek and father, Kendrick Meek Sr.\u00a0He said he is \u201cdeeply honored\u201d by her endorsement.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo SEIU unions back Eliott Rodriguez in competitive CD 27 Democratic Primary<\/a>\u201c via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics \u2014 Two unions are endorsing former TV journalist Rodriguez, strengthening his campaign\u2019s organized labor backing in the home stretch of the Democratic Primary for Florida\u2019s 27th Congressional District. 32BJ SEIU, the nation\u2019s largest union of property service workers, and SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991, which represents more than 6,800 healthcare professionals at Miami-Dade County\u2019s public Jackson Health System, have both thrown their support behind Rodriguez. \u201cRodriguez shares our belief that workers deserve fair wages, strong benefits and workplace protections,\u201d 32BJ SEIU personnel said in announcing the group\u2019s nod. Martha Baker, president of SEIU 1991, added, \u201cWe believe we share a common vision for Miami-Dade County \u2014 one in which working families have respect and the right to fair representation.\u201d Rodriguez, reflecting on growing up in a \u201cunion household,\u201d thanked the groups for their support.<\/p>\n \u2014 EVEN MORE ELECTIONS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s independent voters lose out in closed Primaries, voting advocates warn<\/a>\u201d via Florida Politics \u2014 Nearly 4 million Florida independent voters will be shut out of Democratic and Republican Primaries, fueling renewed calls to open the state\u2019s taxpayer-funded elections. Villa Johnson of the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County says closed Primaries give disproportionate influence to partisan voters and encourage political polarization. John Opdycke of Open Primaries says the problem is growing as more Americans abandon the two major parties. Advocates also point to increasing numbers of young people, Hispanic voters and veterans registering without party affiliation. Florida voters considered changing the system in 2020, when a proposed top-two open Primary received 57% support \u2014 falling short of the 60% required for passage.<\/p>\n \u201cAttack mailers target Eric \u2018Doc\u2019 Stelnicki, allege liberal ties and alliance with transgender surgeon<\/a>\u201c via Frank Kopylov of Florida\u2019s Voice \u2014 Two attack mailers and accompanying text messages obtained by Florida\u2019s Voice are targeting Republican state House candidate Stelnicki just days before the Aug. 18 Primary, accusing the pediatric plastic surgeon of funding liberal Democrats and aligning with a leading transgender surgeon. The first mailer, sponsored by MAGA Florida, blasts Stelnicki under the headline \u201cEven though Dr. Stelnicki CLAIMS to be conservative \u2026 HE CONTRIBUTES TO LIBERAL DEMOCRATS.\u201d Another mailer, paid for by the Conservative Leadership Fund, carries a red \u201cCONSERVATIVE ALERT\u201d banner and warns voters to \u201cKnow Candidates by Their Friends.\u201d Stelnicki, a Davie-based pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon, is one of four Republicans seeking the nomination in House District 100, the only Republican-held seat in Broward County.<\/p>\n \u2014 STATEWIDE \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cDeSantis mocks \u2018Woke 1\u2019 defense of progressive policies<\/a>\u201d via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix \u2014 DeSantis took aim at progressive Democrats over past calls to \u201cdefund the police,\u201d ridiculing a recent defense of those positions as a bygone \u201cWoke 1\u201d era. Speaking in Pensacola, DeSantis referenced comments from U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, though he did not name her, and argued Democrats should not get a \u201cmulligan\u201d for policies he said undermined law enforcement. He also criticized candidates who support abolishing prisons or replacing police responses with social workers. The Governor contrasted those views with Florida\u2019s approach after the George Floyd protests, saying the state pushed back quickly against efforts to reduce police funding.<\/p>\n \u201cRyan Chamberlin proposes constitutional ban on property taxes<\/a>\u201c via Anita Padilla of Florida\u2019s Voice \u2014 State Rep. Chamberlin is launching an effort to amend Florida\u2019s Constitution to eliminate property taxes on real estate, arguing that lawmakers have failed to provide sufficient relief to homeowners and small businesses. If approved by voters, the constitutional amendment would prohibit state and local governments from levying ad valorem taxes on real estate starting Jan. 1, 2029. \u201cOver the last 5 years, property-tax revenues have increased well over 50% statewide, and yet government keeps spending more,\u201d Chamberlin said in a statement. To qualify for the 2028 ballot, supporters would need to collect 880,062 valid petitions statewide. The proposal also comes after DeSantis pushed for eliminating property taxes for Florida residents. His proposal failed to pass the Legislature. Voters are also set to consider a separate property-tax measure in November.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida ballot law faces appeal over petition restrictions<\/a>\u201d via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida \u2014 Supporters of proposed constitutional amendments and voting rights groups are asking a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling upholding Florida\u2019s 2025 restrictions on ballot initiatives. Florida Decides Healthcare, FloridaRightToCleanWater.org, the League of Women Voters and the League of United Latin American Citizens filed briefs with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing HB 1205 infringes First Amendment rights. The law bars non-Florida residents, non-U.S. citizens, and felons from gathering signatures and requires volunteers who collect more than 25 petitions to register with the state. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker upheld the restrictions in April. Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Republican Party of Florida have until Oct. 13 to respond.<\/p>\n \u201cGulfstream loses challenge to racing, slots law<\/a>\u201d via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida \u2014 Gulfstream Park lost its constitutional challenge to a Florida law requiring the thoroughbred track to continue live racing if it wants to offer slot machines. Leon County Circuit Judge Joshua Hawkes dismissed the lawsuit, rejecting Gulfstream\u2019s arguments that the requirement amounts to an unconstitutional special law and violates equal protection rights. Gulfstream argued it is treated differently from other pari-mutuel facilities, which can offer slots or cardrooms without holding races or matches. Hawkes found legitimate state interests in regulating gambling and supporting tourism, racing revenue and the thoroughbred industry. Gulfstream also backed legislation to eliminate the racing requirement. The House approved the proposal this year, but the Senate did not take it up.<\/p>\n \u201cCourt upholds EPA approval of radioactive material in Florida road project<\/a>\u201d via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida \u2014 Rejecting an environmental group\u2019s arguments, a federal appeals court upheld a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the use of a radioactive byproduct of the phosphate industry in Central Florida. The opinion by a three-Judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came after wrangling over the use of phosphogypsum in road construction. Phosphogypsum emits radon, a radioactive gas that can cause cancer and other health problems. In 2024, the EPA approved a proposal by Mosaic Fertilizer, a major player in the phosphate industry, to use phosphogypsum in a pilot road project in Polk County.<\/p>\n \u201cAppeals court asked to revisit Florida wetlands permitting ruling<\/a>\u201d via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida \u2014 The Trump administration asked a full federal appeals court to take up a long-running battle about a decision by the U.S. EPA to shift permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands. The case stems from a 2020 decision by the EPA and has been closely watched by Florida businesses, environmental groups and regulators. U.S. Department of Justice attorneys filed a 19-page petition Friday asking the full appeals court to hear the case, saying the decision was \u201cerroneous and has dire consequences for cooperative federalism.\u201d Florida\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection indicates the case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/p>\n \u201cEverglades farmers post 65% phosphorus cut, nearly triple the state mandate<\/a>\u201d via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) cut phosphorus loads 65% in Water Year 2026, nearly three times the 25% reduction required under the Everglades Forever Act, according to data presented to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board in West Palm Beach. Growers have beaten the state benchmark every year since 1996, averaging a 57% annual reduction across three decades. Farms in the basin irrigate with water drawn from Lake Okeechobee, which arrived this year carrying 164 parts per billion of phosphorus. It left the farms at 91. Water running out of the EAA was nearly twice as clean as the water running in.<\/p>\n \u201cFlock updates to address police abuse of camera system<\/a>\u201c via Jeanine Santucci and C.A. Bridges of USA Today Network-Florida \u2014 License-plate camera company Flock Safety announced new privacy safeguards after a wave of reports that officers around Florida and the country had misused the system to stalk exes, partners and other people. Cases cited include a Sumter County Sheriff\u2019s detective fired and criminally charged for tracking her husband\u2019s ex-wife, a Volusia County officer arrested for running his ex-girlfriend\u2019s plate over 100 times, and a Haines City officer charged with searching his estranged wife\u2019s plate 717 times. CEO Garrett Langley said the company will make its \u201caudit assistance\u201d abuse-flagging tool mandatory for all departments by year\u2019s end, require officers to log a case code and offense type with every search, and mandate multi-factor authentication, while shortening its suggested data-retention period from 30 days to seven. \u201cYou will get caught,\u201d Langley said.<\/p>\n \u2014 D.C. MATTERS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cU.S. sending new aircraft carrier to Middle East amid Iran war<\/a>\u201d via Shelby Holliday and Yoko Kubota of The Wall Street Journal \u2014 The U.S. military is preparing to send the USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has spent more than 250 days deployed amid the Iran war. Lawmakers raised concerns about conditions aboard the Lincoln, including reported shortages of basic supplies, plumbing problems and prolonged stretches without port calls. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the concerns have been misrepresented and crews receive necessary support. Officials said the carrier rotation was planned before those concerns surfaced. The George Washington\u2019s departure from the Pacific could temporarily reduce U.S. naval presence there as China expands its regional influence. Analysts also warn that prolonged Middle East operations could strain carrier maintenance and readiness for years.<\/p>\n \u201cTrump-aligned Board votes to put his name on the Kennedy Center \u2014 again<\/a>\u201c via Gregory Svirnovskiy of POLITICO \u2014 The Kennedy Center Board on Thursday voted to again attach Trump\u2019s name to the performing arts center, Rep. Joyce Beatty said, in its latest attempt to honor the President after a judge blocked an effort to rename the Kennedy Center after him in May. The Board \u2014 which is mostly Trump loyalists after the President dismissed Democratic-appointed members on the historically bipartisan body \u2014 voted to \u201chonor the President\u2019s contribution with an inscribed recognition on the building,\u201d with the new signage reading: \u201cThe John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.\u201d The Board also voted Thursday to shutter the main building for two years, the culmination of Trump\u2019s long-term effort to make sweeping changes to the performing arts institution.<\/p>\n \u201cBrazil says it isn\u2019t folding to U.S. pressure on Ambassador<\/a>\u201d via Nahal Toosi of POLITICO \u2014 Brazil won\u2019t rush to accept President Trump\u2019s chosen Ambassador for the South American country just because the U.S. is pressuring it to, two Brazilian officials said in a joint interview. Brasilia and the Trump administration have engaged in a series of diplomatic tit-for-tats since Trump returned to office. In the latest incident, the Trump administration said Brazil was taking too long to approve its Ambassador to the country and revoked the visa of Brasilia\u2019s Ambassador to the U.S., Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti. The two Brazilian officials insisted they did not want to escalate the crisis, but that Brazil wouldn\u2019t accept U.S. disrespect. \u201cBrazil is being the adult in the room in this relationship,\u201d one of the officials said. The officials were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters. As a matter of principle, the official said, \u201cBrazil is not going to decide under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: S. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMonroe County warns Primary Election results will be delayed<\/a>\u201d via Ted Lund of Above The Fold \u2014 Monroe County voters should expect a longer wait for complete Aug. 18 Primary Election results as officials transition away from aging communication lines. Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies said precincts previously transmitted results by fax over copper lines, which are being removed as new secure data infrastructure is installed. Her office will not send results over the internet, including through fiber-optic connections. Instead, precinct workers will lock and seal results, document the chain of custody and give materials to secure couriers for delivery to election offices for processing. Early voting and vote-by-mail totals should still be available by 7:30 p.m. Hodies said the additional procedures are designed to safeguard election accuracy, security and integrity.<\/p>\n \u201cBroward College trustees to consider firing President Torey Alston<\/a>\u201d via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel \u2014 Broward College trustees will consider firing President Alston next week, less than two years after unanimously hiring him. Trustee Michael Caschette is seeking Alston\u2019s termination without cause amid criticism over communication, student registration problems and the college\u2019s struggling nursing program. Alston received 50 of 100 points in a June Board evaluation and has faced scrutiny over nursing exam passage rates, which fell from 96% in 2019 to 68% in 2025. Alston filed a formal complaint Wednesday alleging improper trustee interference and retaliation and requested an independent investigation. Board Chair Alexis Yarbrough denied discussing the allegations but directed the college to arrange an outside investigation. Trustees meet Wednesday at 8 a.m.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: C. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNathan Skop not rehirable by State Attorney\u2019s office<\/a>\u201c via Abe Aboraya of Oviedo Community News \u2014 Judicial candidate Skop, a candidate for Seminole County judge, resigned from his position as a prosecutor in 2025 and is not rehirable by the office. Skop is running against incumbent Judge Sylvia \u201cSly\u201d Grunor for Seminole County Judge Group 3. \u201cHe\u2019s not rehirable,\u201d said Matt Reed, public information officer for the State Attorney\u2019s 18th Judicial Circuit. \u201cIt was for professional reasons.\u201d The case in question was a 2024 trespassing case in which a homeless man with a long record was trespassed from Walmart. But Judge Debra\u00a0Krause ordered the guilty verdict vacated and the case retried due to an error during the trial by the prosecution team that Skop was part of, which Krause wrote could have prejudiced the jury.<\/p>\n Happening today \u2014 Sen. Jason Brodeur will highlight $13 million in state funding for the Florida Debate Initiative and Seminole State College. Brodeur will present ceremonial checks and discuss the investments at 1 p.m. at Seminole State College\u2019s Heathrow Campus, 1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow.<\/p>\n \u201cApopka enacts hiring freeze as new Mayor focuses on restructuring city government<\/a>\u201d via Brian Bell of the Orlando Sentinel \u2014 Apopka\u2019s newly elected Mayor Nick Nesta has announced a \u201ctemporary hiring pause\u201d for most vacant city positions as the city wrestles with its budget. The announcement comes after City Commissioners failed to agree last month on a property-tax hike large enough to fund a set of new positions proposed by Nesta, although they did ultimately adopt a smaller increase to be revisited in September. Nesta said that at the time of that decision, there would have to be budget cuts. A public announcement of the hiring freeze was posted on the city\u2019s website and social media accounts.<\/p>\n \u201cEdgewater Mayor learns whether he\u2019ll be charged<\/a>\u201d via Mark Harper of the Daytona Beach News-Journal \u2014 The 7th Circuit State Attorney\u2019s Office will not pursue a criminal charge against Edgewater Mayor Diezel DePew, the News-Journal has learned. Assistant State Attorney Spencer Hathaway filed a \u201cno information\u201d document, meaning prosecutors will not act upon a misdemeanor battery complaint forwarded by New Smyrna Beach Police. DePew got into an altercation the night before early voting for the Primary started at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. He called the New Smyrna Beach Police to report that someone moved his campaign sign.<\/p>\n \u2014\u201cLeslie Campione faces David Williamson in Lake County District 4 Primary<\/a>\u201c via James Wilkins of Orlando Sentinel<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: TB \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cBrandi Gabbard defends St. Pete utility hikes as rivals pounce<\/a>\u201d via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics \u2014 St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Gabbard is defending proposed utility rate increases as opponents turn the issue into a campaign attack days before the Primary Election. The City Council gave preliminary approval to increases ranging from 6% for sanitation to 9.75% for reclaimed water, with Gabbard voting in favor. She said the increases would cover inflation and operating costs while maintaining existing infrastructure projects, not add staff or expand the capital improvement budget. Rivals Crist and Kevin Batdorf criticized the proposal, arguing residents would pay more without receiving additional services. Jim Large called for a deeper review of city spending. The increases are separate from a $600 million infrastructure bond referendum that will go before voters in November.<\/p>\n To watch the video, please click the image below<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cPinellas Park pauses data center development for one year<\/a>\u201d via Michael Connor of the St. Pete Catalyst \u2014 Pinellas Park is imposing a one-year moratorium on new or expanded data centers while officials develop regulations governing the facilities. The City Council unanimously approved the pause as staff examine potential infrastructure, environmental, water, public safety and land-use impacts. The city currently lacks specific review standards for data centers and will also work with Forward Pinellas on countywide policy. The move comes after American Tower Corporation proposed a roughly 17,000-square-foot data processing facility on 76th Court North. Residents raised concerns about utility costs, resource demands and limited permanent jobs, while the company\u2019s attorney argued development rules were changing during the permitting process. Pasco, Manatee and Lake counties have adopted similar moratoriums this year.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: N. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cJacksonville budget hearings begin with cuts to housing, telehealth programs<\/a>\u201d via Jake Stofan of Action News Jax \u2014 Jacksonville City Council members began reviewing Mayor Donna Deegan\u2019s proposed $2 billion budget, with familiar spending disputes emerging during the first Finance Committee hearing. Members cut a proposed $1.5 million telehealth program for uninsured residents in half and slashed nearly $5 million designated for affordable housing. The Committee also removed $8 million from its contingency fund. Finance Chair Will Lahnen argued the city should preserve cash amid uncertainty over revenues that could be lost if a property-tax phaseout proposal passes in November. Altogether, roughly $14 million in spending was cut or placed on hold during the opening round. Five additional budget hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cDuval School Board candidates make their cases at public forum<\/a>\u201d via Corey Perrine of the Florida Times-Union \u2014 Candidates competing for three open Duval County School Board seats presented themselves to voters during a public forum at the Jacksonville Public Library. The July 30 event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast, Duval County Council PTA and other community groups. Candidates included Donna Westrich and Terence Myers in District 2; Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler and Rhodesia Butler in District 4; and Robert Stafford, Michelle Petty and Clarence James in District 6. WJCT Public Media journalist Will Brown moderated the event, joined by Fletcher High School junior Kiley Beckham and Wolfson High School senior Dylan Rolle. The candidates are seeking three vacancies on the Duval County School Board.<\/p>\n \u201cColombian citizen gets three years for identity theft, voter fraud<\/a>\u201d via News4JAX \u2014 A Colombian citizen living in Jacksonville was sentenced to three years in federal prison after using a stolen American identity for more than two decades to obtain government documents and vote in U.S. elections. Carlos Felipe Jaramillo Grajales, 55, used a U.S. citizen\u2019s name, birth date and Social Security number to secure a Florida driver\u2019s license and U.S. passport. He registered to vote in Florida in 2010 by claiming U.S. citizenship and voted in several elections, including the 2020 General Election in Duval County. His false identity also helped his then-spouse obtain permanent residency and eventual citizenship. Jaramillo Grajales was convicted of identity theft and other federal offenses and was ordered removed to Colombia after completing his sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cEscambia Sheriff investigates campaign sign incident involving county employees<\/a>\u201d via Mollye Barrows of the Pensacola News-Journal \u2014 The Escambia County Sheriff\u2019s Office opened an internal investigation after HD 2 candidate Trei McMullen complained that two county employees blocked his campaign signs with signs supporting opponent Jon Fay. The incident involved West Florida Public Libraries Director Christal Bell-Rivera, who has since resigned, and her husband, Sheriff\u2019s Office employee Ronnie Rivera. McMullen provided photographs and an eyewitness statement and asked investigators to preserve library surveillance video. Fay condemned the incident, calling it \u201cjuvenile.\u201d Elections Supervisor Robert Bender said placing a sign in front of another does not appear to violate state law, unlike removing one. Bell-Rivera resigned Aug. 10, but county officials have declined to say whether the incident prompted her departure.<\/p>\n \u2014 LOCAL: SW. FL \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cFormer SW FL Fire battalion chief sentenced for voyeurism, fraud<\/a>\u201d via Tomas Rodriguez of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News \u2014 A Southwest Florida battalion chief was placed on administrative leave months before his arrest for fraud and voyeurism, and has reversed his initial plea. Albert Shane Sibert of North Fort Myers was arrested Sept. 26, 2025, on one count each of a scheme to defraud, grand theft, official misconduct, digital voyeurism dissemination, unlawful use of a tracking device, aggravated stalking, violation of injunction for protection against stalking, battery and money laundering.<\/p>\n \u201cCollier County to hold meetings on tourist tax hike for sports complex<\/a>\u201d via Laura Layden of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News \u2014 Collier County voters will decide in November whether to raise the tourist tax to fund the Paradise Coast Sports Complex. Voters will be asked to increase the tax from 5% to 6%. The proposed \u201csixth penny\u201d could raise the $40-$50 million needed to complete the county-owned sports complex, off Collier Boulevard, near Interstate 75 in East Naples.<\/p>\n \u201c1,450 acres of Hardee ranchland conserved along Charlie Creek<\/a>\u201d via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 Two working cattle ranches in eastern Hardee County are under permanent conservation easement, keeping 1,450 acres in production while closing a gap in the Florida Wildlife Corridor along one of the Peace River\u2019s most important tributaries. The easements cover C&G Cattle Charlie Creek, at 671 acres, and C&G Cattle Fish Branch, at 779 acres. Both belong to the Gordon family, which has ranched the Peace River and Charlie Creek country for six generations. State records list the properties as closed easements under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services program that buys development rights on working agricultural land.<\/p>\n \u2014 TOP OPINION \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cAmendment 3 could reshape Florida far beyond property-tax bills<\/a>\u201d via Jeff Brandes for Florida Politics \u2014 Amendment 3 promises significant property-tax relief, but its long-term effects could reach well beyond homeowners\u2019 annual tax bills. The proposal changes incentives for governments, businesses, developers and residents, raising questions about how each will adapt.<\/p>\n Local governments facing reduced ad valorem revenue could increasingly turn to fire assessments, stormwater fees, utility charges, and other non-ad valorem financing. That could leave some long-term homeowners paying more through fees despite receiving greater property-tax protection.<\/p>\n Development incentives could shift, too. Commercial projects and expensive homes may become more attractive to communities seeking stronger fiscal returns, while starter homes and growth itself could become less appealing if new development generates insufficient revenue to cover services and infrastructure.<\/p>\n Public safety presents another potential consequence. If fiscal pressure slows hiring or investment in fire departments, insurance premiums could rise, potentially offsetting some homeowners\u2019 tax savings. Aging roads, bridges, seawalls and other infrastructure would still require funding.<\/p>\n Amendment 3 could also shift power toward Tallahassee if financially strained local governments eventually seek state assistance. State funding could bring new requirements, formulas and oversight, potentially weakening traditional home rule.<\/p>\n The larger question is what Florida looks like decades later. Because the exemption is permanently indexed to inflation, its fiscal impact grows automatically. Constitutional changes are difficult to reverse, making second- and third-order consequences as important as immediate tax relief.<\/p>\n \u2014 MORE OPINIONS \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cTrump turns to economic pressure as Iran negotiations stall<\/a>\u201d via Jonathan Lemire of The Atlantic \u2014 Trump is shifting away from intensified military action and diplomacy in the Iran war, betting that sanctions and a naval blockade can pressure Tehran into negotiations. White House aides say existing sanctions are already damaging Iran\u2019s economy and believe tougher measures could force concessions. But the strategy requires patience from Trump as negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled, with Iran demanding U.S. reparations. Military constraints are also shaping the approach: Some U.S. missile-defense stockpiles have fallen to roughly 20% of Pentagon targets, limiting options for another major strike. The strategy could take months, keeping energy prices elevated and creating political risks for Republicans heading into November\u2019s Midterm Elections.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida Democrats are competing to win in 2026<\/a>\u201d via Nikki Fried for the Miami Herald \u2014 Florida Democrats are showing that the state isn\u2019t permanently red, with more than 30 offices flipped since the 2024 Election and significant Democratic gains in communities from South Florida to Central Florida. Year-round organizing, stronger candidates and programs such as Pendulum and Take Back Local are helping Democrats reach millions of voters and compete in races once considered unwinnable. Recent victories also suggest independents and Hispanic voters are moving toward Democratic candidates. Meanwhile, Florida\u2019s affordability crisis \u2014 including high rents, property insurance costs, low teacher pay and healthcare concerns \u2014 is creating an opening against Republicans. The goal now is to defend every Democratic congressional seat, break Republican supermajorities in Tallahassee and compete everywhere in Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida lets private schools use faith to discriminate but not protect public health<\/a>\u201d via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel \u2014 Florida\u2019s school voucher policies allow religious schools to invoke faith when setting some admissions policies, but Attorney General Uthmeier says they cannot require vaccinations when parents claim a religious exemption. Uthmeier warned the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops that schools requiring vaccines could become ineligible for taxpayer-funded vouchers, even when those requirements reflect the schools\u2019 own religious beliefs. Meanwhile, some voucher-supported religious schools may refuse admission to LGBTQ students, children with same-sex parents or students with disabilities. The contrast creates a glaring inconsistency: religious autonomy is protected when schools exclude certain students but curtailed when schools use their beliefs to establish public-health requirements.<\/p>\n \u2014 WEEKEND TV \u2014<\/p>\n ABC Action News Full Circle with Paul LaGrone<\/a> on Channel 28 WFTS: Host of The Ryan Gorman Show on NewsRadio WFLA Ryan Gorman; political analyst and Florida politics expert Susan MacManus; Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick; and University of Tampa Professor of Economics Abigail Hall.<\/p>\n Florida This Week<\/a> on WEDU PBS: Moderator Lissette Campos is joined by Ana Cruz of Ballard Partners, Aakash Patel of Elevate Inc., and Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times. Topics include the Governor and U.S. Senate Primaries; the investigation involving James Fishback\u2019s running mate; redistricting and Tampa Bay congressional races; the St. Petersburg Mayor\u2019s race; and the latest Rays stadium negotiations, including a new financing proposal before the Tampa City Council. The program airs Friday at 8:30 p.m. with a replay Sunday at 12:30 p.m. 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: A discussion regarding Florida\u2019s investment in the state\u2019s nursing workforce and programs designed to meet the growing demand for nurses. Joining Walker are State Rep. Erika Booth and Willa Hill, executive director of the Florida Nurses Association.<\/p>\n The Usual Suspects<\/a> on WCTV-Tallahassee\/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG: Gary Yordon speaks with Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Mark Earley.<\/p>\n This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice<\/a> on Channel 4 WJXT: Former Jacksonville City Council President Scott Wilson; Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman; and Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp.<\/p>\n This Week in South Florida with Glenna Milberg\u00a0on Local 10 WPLG: Milberg\u00a0speaks with\u00a0Oliver Larkin, a Democratic Socialist who\u2019s running against U.S. Rep.\u00a0Jared Moskowitz\u00a0for the democratic nomination in the newly redistricted Congressional District 25.\u00a0\u00a0 Plus, a roundtable discussion with Florida State Rep.\u00a0Hillary Cassel\u00a0and\u00a0Todd Delmay, who will face off against each other this November in District 101.\u00a0 The big news of the week and the newsmakers Sunday at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n \u2014 INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY \u2014<\/p>\n \u2014 ALOE \u2014<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/James-Uthmeier-Catholics-Large-640x480.jpg\")
<\/a>James Uthmeier rewrites Florida\u2019s property-tax amendment after a judge sends the original back for edits.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Rick-Lindstrom-copy-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Rick Lindstrom brings two decades of lobbying experience to Shumaker Advisors\u2019 Tallahassee operation.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SUNBURN-AD-FHRCC-Early-Vote-8.10.26-e1786132512212.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-Interior-Department-640x884.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-Angie-Nixon-640x713.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-Vindman-1-640x661.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-Alison-Tant-640x459.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-Chef-Andres-640x655.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tweet-MLB-640x940.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/UBER_HOPEridesCatherine_600X400_070826.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/moore_ad.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/David-Jolly-640x427.jpg\")
<\/a>David Jolly\u2019s political journey has changed lanes; now he\u2019s trying to convince Florida Democrats to come along.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/THANK-YOU-e1785790706514.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Byron-Donalds-8.13.26-640x418.jpeg\")
<\/a>Byron Donalds keeps touting Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement while Ron DeSantis keeps everyone guessing about his.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ad-for-sunburn-evan-power.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lauf-Endorsement-640x418.jpg\")
<\/a>Catalina Lauf lands Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement just as the crowded CD 19 Primary hits the home stretch.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cammack-ad.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Voting-booths-640x320.jpeg\")
<\/a>Nearly 4 million Florida independents get a front-row seat to the Primaries \u2014 but no ballot.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/aaronbean_ad.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AOC-640x428.jpg\")
<\/a>Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez becomes Ron DeSantis\u2019 latest foil in the Governor\u2019s war on \u2018Woke 1.\u2019<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Florida-wetlands-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Florida\u2019s wetlands permitting fight remains anything but settled as the federal court battle rolls on.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/virginiakey_ad-e1786485438116.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/USS-George-Washington-640x426.jpg\")
<\/a>USS George Washington gets the call for Middle East duty as a long deployment tests the fleet.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Singer-600x400DigitalAd.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HODIES-copy-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Sherri Hodies says Monroe County election results may take longer, with security taking precedence over speed.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Jake-Ad-August-2026-e1785176489124.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nathan-A.-Skop-640x359.jpg\")
<\/a>Nathan Skop wants a seat on the bench after leaving the State Attorney\u2019s Office with a \u2018not rehirable\u2019 designation.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ad-DiCeglie-Delivering-Results_2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Graphic-Salzman-GOTV_600x400.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Donna-Deegan-Budget-Meeting-Image-via-Florida-Times-Union.jpeg\")
<\/a>Donna Deegan works through Jacksonville\u2019s budget math, where every priority eventually meets a price tag. Image via The Florida Times-Union.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Graphic-Abbott-Delivering-Results-600x400jpg.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Estero-fire-battalion-chief.-Image-via-CBS-12-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Albert Shane Sibert faces scrutiny far from the firehouse after an investigation into alleged database misuse. Image via CBS12.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ads-for-sunburn-suarez.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hurricane-Season-FL-Politics-600x400-2.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/600x400.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Instagram-7-640x1195.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Joshua-Levinson-copy-640x360.jpg\")
<\/a>Joshua Levenson takes the gavel at Leadership Broward Foundation for the organization\u2019s 2026-27 term.<\/p>\n