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<\/a>Blessing of Animals, 2025. Image via Florida Department of State.<\/p>\nFamilies who make their way down to Mission San Luis today will have their pets blessed by local clergy members in a reconstructed 17th-century church built on the very site where the original church stood more than 300 years ago.<\/p>\n
Participants will receive certificates and online photos of the blessing and their pets as a memento. If they walk around the property, they will find themed photo stations for more opportunities to take special photos with their pets. Animal organizations will also be on site, sharing information on the important work they do to support animals in Tallahassee and the surrounding communities and accepting donations of pet food and supplies for animal shelters.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just blessings and holy water: The event will be fun for the kiddos, featuring pet-themed crafts and, of course, the staple living-history interpreters stationed around the Mission to answer questions about the area\u2019s history. And if you get a little peckish during all the animal fun, food vendors E\u2019s Weenies and The Copper Drip will have food and drinks available for guests to purchase.<\/p>\n
The event is being put on by Friends of Florida History, Inc., the Mission\u2019s citizen support organization, and by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.<\/p>\n
All guests are asked to use the entrance at 2021 Mission Road as construction is occurring at the site.<\/p>\n
For more questions or information, visit MissionSanLuis.org<\/a> or call (850) 245-6406 \u2014 and prepare to be bow wow WOWed.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Coming up, the usual assortment of news, intel, and observations from the week that was in Florida\u2019s capital city by Peter Schorsch, Drew Wilson, Drew Dixon, Liam Fineout and the staff of Florida Politics.<\/p>\n But first, the \u201cTakeaway 5\u201d \u2014 the Top 5 stories from the week that was:<\/p>\n \u2014 Take 5 \u2014<\/p>\n War on terror?<\/a> \u2014 The Florida Cabinet has approved Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 push to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa as terror groups under a new state law. More than 90 federally designated foreign terrorist organizations will also be on that state list, including the Sinaloa, Noreste, and Golfo cartels, Tren de Aragua and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The designations carry the full force of state law 30 days after publication, though at least one legal controversy remains: CAIR is already challenging the designation in court, alleging violations of the First and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution. HB 1471 created the authority for a formal designation process through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which recommended the designations ahead of the Cabinet\u2019s meeting Tuesday.<\/p>\n Overstep<\/a> \u2014 U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz threw out a charge against Chelsea Michelle Ann Cox, a Florida resident accused of voting despite lacking U.S. citizenship. In a 31-page opinion, Leibowitz concluded that a federal prohibition on non-citizens voting couldn\u2019t support Cox\u2019s prosecution because the U.S. Constitution generally leaves voter eligibility to the states. Prosecutors accused Cox of knowingly voting in Broward County on Oct. 29, 2020. They filed a misdemeanor charge against her five years later. Cox is Jamaican, according to Reuters, and allegedly overstayed a tourist visa, using a fraudulent U.S. Virgin Islands birth certificate to obtain identification and register to vote. The case hinged on a 1996 federal law that generally bars noncitizens from voting in elections involving federal offices.<\/p>\n Billions, with an S<\/a> \u2014 Gov. DeSantis visited Miami for an event highlighting a new Florida campus for Carnegie Mellon University, one of the nation\u2019s pre-eminent research institutions. Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin has donated $2 billion to jump-start the satellite campus in Miami\u2019s Wynwood neighborhood. Griffin is donating another $1 billion to bolster the school\u2019s operations in Pittsburgh, where the computer-science arm will be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science. The Miami facility will focus on subjects ranging from biological discovery to national security, along with what a press release calls \u201cenergy and climate resilience,\u201d and \u201cadvanced manufacturing and industrial transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n Higher caps \u2026<\/a> \u2014 U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds pledges to review Florida\u2019s sovereign immunity caps if elected Governor in November, potentially revising a threshold last set in 2010. In cases of government negligence, limits currently restrict what local governments can be forced to pay out. Those figures are $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. Even reviewing the issue represents a meaningful break with DeSantis. Earlier this year, DeSantis vetoed a measure (HB 145) sponsored by a key Donalds ally, Rep. Fiona McFarland of Sarasota, which would have increased the caps to $350,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. Those numbers were lowered in bicameral negotiations to pass the bill, but they weren\u2019t enough for DeSantis. He argued at the time that the current system \u201cdisincentivizes frivolous lawsuits.\u201d<\/p>\n Or lower ones?<\/a> \u2014 Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly says if he\u2019s elected, he\u2019s going to ensure that insurance companies can\u2019t move profits out of Florida while imposing higher rates on policyholders. The money is significant, according to Jolly\u2019s campaign and reporting. Between 2017 and 2019, property insurance companies booked $1.3 billion in affiliate net income, while claiming $432 million in losses in the Florida market. Jolly says he\u2019d be willing to cap transfers to related companies at 20%, mirroring legislation championed by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith that stalled in the Legislature, even as a companion bill requiring proof every three years that affiliate fees were \u201cfair and reasonable\u201d passed the House.<\/p>\n \u2014 Add to your lane \u2014<\/p>\n On Tuesday, DeSantis made his way down to Orlando to highlight the more than $20 billion in investments to revitalize Florida\u2019s Turnpike, which has expanded capacity along the entire 320-mile mainline from South Florida through Central Florida to I-75 in Wildwood.<\/p>\n DeSantis also announced about $8.5 million for new food concepts, amenities, and customer services at Turnpike service plazas across the state, plus nearly $54 million to expand and improve truck parking across the system.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Florida has grown, we have made major investments in our transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve our roadways,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve made significant investments in expanding lane capacity to relieve congestion all along the Turnpike. Today, I announced an additional investment to improve 19 restaurants and retail locations across six Turnpike service plazas. We will keep working to ensure that our roadways are safer, more convenient, and better-maintained than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n FDOT\u2019s transformational plan includes widening the entire 320-mile Turnpike Mainline from South Florida to I-75 in Wildwood. Every section of the Mainline across the state will be expanded to six or more lanes. Once it\u2019s complete, the improvements will add more than 965 lane miles of capacity to help reduce congestion.<\/p>\n On paper, that gives families and drivers less time in traffic on the way to Disney World.<\/p>\n \u201cTransportation plays a direct role in the quality of life of Floridians, connecting people to jobs, opportunities, and the communities they call home. The Turnpike System is a vital part of this, which is why we\u2019ve made significant investments to continue expanding the Mainline,\u201d said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue.<\/p>\n Ongoing Turnpike Mainline improvements also include the widening from State Road (S.R.) 50 in Clermont to Hancock Road in Minneola, completed in June 2026, and the widening from the Dolphin Expressway (S.R. 836) to N.W. 106th Street in Miami-Dade County, completed in February 2024. The next section from N.W. 106th Street to I-75 recently opened to traffic.<\/p>\n \u2014 Double whammy \u2014<\/p>\n Gov. DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier<\/a> have announced the arrests of 20 people for election fraud.<\/p>\n Uthmeier said the busts resulted from investigations by the Office of Election Crimes and Security<\/a> and the Election Integrity Unit. Most of the arrests involved foreign nationals, but about one-fifth of them were felons who were stripped of their voting rights upon conviction of crimes.<\/p>\n Uthmeier said a dozen of the suspects have already been arrested. Officials are rounding up the remaining suspects.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re going to cheat, we\u2019re going to get you,\u201d Uthmeier said, noting that most lied on registration forms and then voted. Both are felonies.<\/p>\n \u201cI view these elections crimes among the most dangerous in our country,\u201d Uthmeier said. \u201cIt challenges our American sovereignty.\u201d<\/p>\n DeSantis used the news conference<\/a> at Palm Beach State College to promote election reforms in Florida since the 2000 debacle. That\u2019s when the entire Presidential Election came down to several hundred votes in Palm Beach County after audits and recounts found multiple problems with ballots and vote counting.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida has done more than any other state in the country to ensure the integrity of elections; it\u2019s not even close,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way in Florida \u2026 and I know in 2000 nobody would have predicted that.\u201d<\/p>\n DeSantis said the Office of Election Crimes and Security was a key development in the evolution of election integrity when it was established in 2022. More than 100 voter fraud prosecutions have occurred since that office was founded.<\/p>\n DeSantis acknowledged that some people are skeptical about the breadth of voter fraud in Florida. But he insisted it\u2019s a serious issue.<\/p>\n \u201cI know there are other states in the country that allow violations of the law,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cWe believe this matters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Wheels on the bus \u2014<\/p>\n Attorney General Uthmeier has opened an investigation into the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA<\/a>).<\/p>\n Uthmeier\u2019s prosecutors issued a subpoena to interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson for records related to tuition reimbursements and internal management communications, according to a Florida Times-Union report<\/a>.<\/p>\n The probe comes after JTA laid off 194 employee<\/a>s<\/a> to address a $39 million budget shortfall.<\/p>\n Ferguson has told the JTA Board of Directors<\/a> that Uthmeier\u2019s Office of Statewide Prosecution<\/a> is seeking documents spanning Oct. 1, 2023, through Oct. 21, 2025, with additional requests extending into 2026, the Times-Union reported.<\/p>\n Investigators are also examining JTA\u2019s relationship with a development firm that does business with the agency, including connections between outgoing CEO Nat Ford, his spouse and the firm.<\/p>\n Jacksonville City Council Member Rory Diamond<\/a> raised concerns about the probe on social media Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cNow JTA (is) hit with criminal subpoenas,\u201d Diamond wrote on Facebook<\/a>. \u201cThe taxpayers, riders, and the decent people fired by JTA last week deserve answers and accountability. We\u2019ve got to do better than this.\u201d<\/p>\n JTA told Florida Politics the agency is responding appropriately to the probe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority has received a subpoena from the State Attorney General\u2019s Office and is prepared to fully cooperate. The JTA remains committed to transparency and accountability and will provide information as requested throughout this process,\u201d a JTA spokesperson said.<\/p>\n The subpoena adds to a turbulent stretch for JTA. Beyond the September layoffs, the agency is pausing its Skyway elevated people mover Nov. 2, and its autonomous NAVI vehicle service Dec. 31. JTA is also restructuring bus routes citywide, including changes to the First Coast Flyer rapid transit system, with some routes shifting from 30-minute to hourly frequencies.<\/p>\n \u2014 Made lands \u2014<\/p>\n Welcome to the family.<\/p>\n This week, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced that Gov. DeSantis and the Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved preserving more than 4,500 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\u2019 Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program prevents future development on the property and allows agricultural operations to continue as normal.<\/p>\n This, in turn, contributes to Florida\u2019s economy and the production of food, timber, and other natural resources.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Rural and Family Lands Protection Program gives us the most effective and cost-efficient way to preserve our natural lands while also supporting our farmers and ranchers,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n \u201cBy permanently protecting working agricultural lands while keeping them in private ownership, we\u2019re protecting Florida\u2019s food supply and our rural way of life without taking the land off the tax rolls or creating new costs for the state. This is what smart conservation looks like, and it\u2019s why this program is the best tool we have to protect Florida\u2019s agricultural lands. I\u2019m grateful to Gov. DeSantis and my fellow members of the Florida Cabinet for continuing to support this mission.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its creation, the department\u2019s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 251,000 acres of working agricultural land, including 186,000 acres preserved during Simpson\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n The lucky group of ranches and farms includes Blandford Farm & Ranch, an approximately 349-acre sod and hay farm in Lake County (preserved for $7,500,000), Encore Farms, a 194-acre horse and cattle operation in Lake County (preserved for $5,436,000), Fair Bluff Ranch, roughly a 618-acre cattle ranch in Martin County (preserved for $6,200,000), Leonard Property, around a 219-acre cattle ranch in Martin County (preserved for $20,150,000), Turnpike Dairy, an approximately 498-acre cattle operation in Martin County (preserved for $7,480,000), Limestone Creek, a 1,034-acre cattle ranch in Hardee County (preserved for $6,520,000), and the Stokes Farm, a 1,586-acre timber operation in Columbia County (preserved for $5,562,000).<\/p>\n \u2014 Crop of talent \u2014<\/p>\n This Thursday, in recognition of National Farm to School Month, Agriculture Commissioner Simpson invited all Florida students to participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\u2019 annual \u201cFlorida Farm to School Essay Contest\u201d and the brand-new \u201cFlorida Farm to School Art Contest.\u201d<\/p>\n The contests are open from Oct. 1 through Nov. 16 and invite middle and high school students to actively explore how agriculture connects to their own schools, communities, and everyday activities.<\/p>\n \u201cEach year, Farm to School Month gives students a chance to develop a deeper appreciation for the hard-working farmers and ranchers who help our state thrive. These contests challenge students to think about the importance of Florida-grown foods and the vital role agriculture plays in their schools and communities,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n High schoolers who enter the Farm to School Essay Contest will be competing for up to $3,000 toward college and middle school students will be competing for fame and glory \u2014 aka the opportunity to have their artwork featured on official 2027 \u201cFarm to School Month\u201d campaign material with the new Farm to School Art Contest.<\/p>\n The essay contest is open to students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in public, private, charter, virtual and home-school programs. This year\u2019s theme asks students to imagine themselves as farmers in their own community, exploring what they would grow, how their farm would connect with their neighbors, and how it would support local schools and students. Prizes include the Florida Investment 529 Plan: $3,000 (first place), $2,000 (second place), and $1,000 (third place); publication of the first-place essay in a Florida agricultural publication; and recognition at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference (travel stipend).<\/p>\n For the art competition, Florida students in grades six through eight enrolled in public, private, charter, virtual, and home-school programs are asked to create an original piece of 2D artwork (NO AI!) celebrating Florida agriculture and its connection to their schools and communities. In practice, that might look like locally grown food or the farmers and ranchers who make it happen, school meals, and gardens \u2014 school or your own.<\/p>\n The first-place winner will have their artwork featured on official 2027 Florida Farm to School Month campaign materials and be recognized at the 2027 Florida Farm to School Conference (travel stipend). Honorable mentions in the art competition will have their work featured across digital channels, including the Farm to School website and the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness social media channels.<\/p>\n For both contests, students may submit only one entry through FarmToSchoolFL.com\/Contests during the official window.<\/p>\n Good luck!<\/p>\n \u2014 Family affair \u2014<\/p>\n Mess with the cow, you get the udders.<\/p>\n This week, CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced seven additional arrests after a $1.7 million scheme to defraud the state.<\/p>\n Briana McCarthy, a former state employee arrested in February by the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID), processed fraudulent claims for several family members and acquaintances totaling more than $1.7 million.<\/p>\n Since then, investigators have made 30 arrests in this case, including 14 former state employees.<\/p>\n \u201cDefrauding the state and abusing taxpayer dollars is dead on arrival in Florida. As my investigators continue to pull the threads on this scheme, there is no safe haven for these criminals and every person involved will be brought to justice. We have already made arrests of more than 30 individuals in this case, and we will not stop until justice is served,\u201d said CFO Ingoglia.<\/p>\n D\u2019Andrea Campbell-Frison, Deidra Campbell, Khadijah Campbell and Mona Wood could face up to 10 years in prison. Tyler Frison and Jennifer Young could face up to 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n Each of these individuals was arrested and booked into the Leon County Jail on Aug. 19.<\/p>\n Additionally, Jacoby Wood has been charged with grand theft, cashing an item with intent to defraud, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. He was booked into the Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n A video about the arrests was released on the CFO\u2019s social media accounts and is available to watch here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 Instagram of the week \u2014<\/p>\n \u2014 New IDs \u2014<\/p>\n A new look for your mug.<\/p>\n This week, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that, starting Wednesday, Florida drivers will receive newly designed driver license and identification cards.<\/p>\n The updated cards will be available at service centers statewide and for online orders through MyDMVPortal.flhsmv.gov by early November.<\/p>\n Gov. DeSantis helped announce the rollout at the Florida Capitol on Sept. 29.<\/p>\n The new credentials will provide Floridians with one of the most secure over-the-counter identification options available today while incorporating imagery and designs reminiscent of the state. They also include an enhanced security feature and a \u201cTemporary Non-Domiciled\u201d marking for Commercial Driver Licenses and Commercial Learner\u2019s Permits.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida continues to set the standard for secure credentialing. Our last major redesign introduced high\u2011security features that nearly doubled fraud protection, significantly strengthening the integrity of Florida\u2019s credentials. Since then, we\u2019ve enhanced our credentialing practices to anticipate emerging fraud trends and strengthen identity verification across agencies. This latest redesign further solidifies Florida\u2019s leadership in secure identification technology and REAL ID compliance,\u201d said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner.<\/p>\n The new design features Castillo de San Marcos as the background image on the front of the card. Located in St. Augustine, it is the oldest masonry fortress in the continental United States. And if you look closely, the \u201cO\u201d in Florida is an orange, one of our most iconic associations and products.<\/p>\n And the UF fans will be happy to see an alligator incorporated into the REAL ID star in the top right-hand corner of each card.<\/p>\n And if you are wondering, no, you aren\u2019t required to replace your existing driver\u2019s license or identification card. Just know this is what your new one will look like after your current one expires or you lose it.<\/p>\n \u2014 License to lie \u2014<\/p>\n Popped on policies.<\/p>\n On Monday, Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky ordered an immediate suspension against Hydrogen Deep, LLC, d\/b\/a the Wave Insurance, after a market conduct examination found that the company operated without the required licenses.<\/p>\n OIR reminds Florida consumers to research businesses and make sure they are properly licensed before entering into a contract or conducting business with an entity.<\/p>\n \u201cOperating without a required license and soliciting consumers is not only unacceptable, but it can also cause immediate danger to public health and safety. My office works hard to alert consumers of unlicensed activity and will aggressively investigate any report of insurance companies operating without a proper license,\u201d Yaworsky said.<\/p>\n Back in June, the Okaloosa County Sheriff\u2019s Office arrested Christopher Jason Brossett, owner of Hydrogen Deep, for grand theft while acting as an insurer and transacting insurance without a certificate of authority or license. In July, the office arrested Brady Allen Howard, owner of The Wave Insurance, for conspiring with Brossett to commit grand theft and operate a business without a proper certificate of authority.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Florida, we have zero tolerance for insurance companies defrauding innocent consumers and operating without a license. As CFO, it is my promise that we will continue to go after bad actors that try to take advantage of hardworking people who are just trying to find insurance coverage. My team is proud of our work with the Office of Insurance Regulation and Commissioner Yaworsky to protect Florida consumers,\u201d added CFO Ingoglia.<\/p>\n The Florida DFS and OIR\u2019s Market Conduct team discovered that Brossett and Howard operated under aliases and provided insurance policy quotes, collected premiums, issued insurance binders, failed to pay claims, solicited business and provided certificates of insurance.<\/p>\n Brossett and Howard misrepresented or concealed the true nature and legitimacy of the insurance products being sold, collected more than $100,000 in premiums, and permanently diverted the funds for personal use.<\/p>\n \u2014 Picture this \u2014<\/p>\n Help add to our history.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Secretary of State Byrd announced that the State Archives of Florida is seeking photographs to commemorate and remember America\u2019s 250th anniversary celebration here in Florida.<\/p>\n This request corresponds with National American Archives Month, which began on Oct. 1.<\/p>\n The State Archives of Florida holds over 48,000 cubic feet of records and one of the nation\u2019s largest photographic collections, with more than 1.5 million still images and over 7,000 videos.<\/p>\n \u201cBy donating your photos, you can preserve your community\u2019s place in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Consider contributing to our state\u2019s history by donating your photographs and leave your mark on America\u2019s and Florida\u2019s shared legacy,\u201d Byrd said.<\/p>\n Those who are interested in helping are asked to email the State Archives of Florida at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> to discuss donating original photographs showcasing America250FL community events and celebrations.<\/p>\n And before you ask, yes, photos taken on your phone are fine (as long as you took them). iPhones (4 and newer), iPads (3 and newer), and many Android devices by Samsung, Motorola and Sony take photographs at or above the archives\u2019 minimum resolution of 5 megapixels.<\/p>\n If you send in photos, you\u2019ll receive a Deed of Gift form to complete and return. All senders must sign the form to transfer image ownership and usage rights to the State Archives of Florida. This ensures that you and others can access and use the image now and in the future.<\/p>\n TIFF and RAW are preferred file formats, but JPEG is accepted.<\/p>\n There is no guarantee your submission will be put on Florida Memory, but all donated photos are included in the Florida Photographic Collection at the State Archives of Florida and will be accessible to researchers.<\/p>\n \u2014 Server and protect \u2014<\/p>\n Amid growing scrutiny over data centers\u2019 impact on local communities, a new Florida TaxWatch<\/a> report finds the facilities could deliver significant fiscal benefits to the state\u2019s tax base.<\/p>\n But the government watchdog group is urging caution, warning that safeguards should be implemented to protect taxpayers and natural resources.<\/p>\n The report, \u201cData Centers and Florida\u2019s Tax Base: Balancing Fiscal Opportunity, Responsible Development, and Taxpayer Protection<\/a>,\u201d concludes that more data centers will benefit local tax bases<\/a>. The independent analysis examined how the facilities\u2019 taxable value would affect local tax rates as data center development accelerates nationwide to meet rising demand from digital services and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n TaxWatch acknowledged that\u00a0conce<\/a>rns about<\/a>\u00a0the facilities<\/a> are legitimate. \u201cFlorida taxpayers have genuine concerns about how data centers may affect their water supply, electric utility costs, and overall quality of life,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n The data center issue has drawn intense scrutiny in recent months, with support extending from the White House to the Governor\u2019s race in Florida. Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Donalds has said he supports them,<\/a> while his Democratic opponent Jolly has criticized the facilities.<\/p>\n Still, Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp<\/a> said the potential benefits warrant a closer look.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why Florida TaxWatch led this independent research project to analyze the fiscal and taxpayer impacts associated with hyperscale data center development in Florida,\u201d Kottkamp said. \u201cIt is critical that Florida establish a data-driven policy framework within which to approve or reject proposed data center development.\u201d<\/p>\n Using a hypothetical 500-megawatt data center costing $16.05 billion to build, the analysis projected about $10.02 billion in average annual taxable value, generating roughly $1.11 billion in tax revenue in incorporated areas and $1.04 billion in unincorporated areas. About 94.2% of that revenue would flow to local taxing entities, with the remainder going to the state.<\/p>\n Despite the projected upside, TaxWatch recommended state and local governments set firm conditions before approving new facilities. The report suggests developers \u2014 not taxpayers \u2014 should bear the costs of building out utility infrastructure, and that municipalities develop site-specific plans for reclaimed and reused water to meet data centers\u2019 cooling needs.<\/p>\n \u2014 Red, yellow, orange & green \u2014<\/p>\n I-10 to I-75 to the Turnpike won\u2019t be the only major connection from Tallahassee to Orlando anymore.<\/p>\n This week, down in the 407, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Valencia College have strengthened their bond by formalizing a new articulation agreement specifically designed to create a more seamless pathway for Valencia students to earn bachelor\u2019s degrees at FAMU.<\/p>\n The \u201c2+2 pathway\u201d will guarantee admission to FAMU for eligible Valencia College Associate in Arts (AA) graduates and selected Associate in Science (AS) graduates into designated FAMU baccalaureate programs consistent with university policies.<\/p>\n \u201cAt Florida A&M University, we believe access and excellence must go hand in hand. By working with Valencia College, we can help more students understand their pathway to a four-year degree, connect with FAMU earlier in their academic journey, and ultimately position themselves for success in Florida\u2019s workforce and beyond. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together around a shared goal: helping students successfully move forward, complete their degrees and contribute to the communities they serve,\u201d said FAMU President Marva B. Johnson.<\/p>\n Valencia students participating in the FAMU IGNITE Transfer Program under the agreement must complete an AA degree or an identified AS degree and submit an IGNITE Transfer Program inquiry form before earning 30 credits to declare their intent to participate in the 2+2 pathway.<\/p>\n The agreement runs for three years and will help establish a collaborative framework to increase access to public higher education, expand transfer opportunities, and reduce the time required for students to complete associate and bachelor\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that many students in Central Florida dream of attending FAMU, and we are thrilled to offer them a clear pathway to make that dream a reality,\u201d added Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough this partnership, students can begin their college journey at Valencia and know that they have a guaranteed pathway to continue their education at FAMU. That kind of certainty is incredibly powerful for students and their families as they plan for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n And this partnership isn\u2019t just about credits. It\u2019s about supporting students who need it. Under the newly penned deal, eligible Valencia IGNITE students may receive FAMU scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, based on GPA and available funding.<\/p>\n Students who have a 3.3 FAMU-recalculated GPA may receive $1,000, while students with a 3.6 GPA or higher may receive $4,000.<\/p>\n \u201cTransfer success is not simply about moving credits from one institution to another; it is about creating a coordinated student experience,\u201d said FAMU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Allyson Watson.<\/p>\n \u2014 No. 1 In motion \u2014<\/p>\n Bodies in motion stay in motion \u2014 and get national rankings.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Florida State University (FSU) announced that its doctoral program in kinesiology \u2014 which explores human movement and physical activity \u2014 earned the No. 1 spot in the National Academy of Kinesiology\u2019s (NAK) 2026 rankings, up from No. 3 in the 2023 rankings.<\/p>\n Released every three years, the rankings draw on data spanning 2023-2025 across 39 participating universities. They factor in research expenditures, faculty productivity and research impact, leadership roles in the field, doctoral student support, student research productivity, graduate employment, and the number of NAK Fellows on the faculty.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are incredibly proud to be recognized as the nation\u2019s top kinesiology doctoral program. This ranking reflects the outstanding work of our faculty and students and the culture of excellence that defines our program. Together, they are advancing research, shaping the future of the field and strengthening the FSU Health initiative through leadership in the field of kinesiology,\u201d said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne\u2019s College).<\/p>\n This is the first No. 1 overall ranking for an FSU Health-associated program since its launch in 2022. The NAK evaluation also highlighted the program\u2019s strength in student success and research productivity and ranked FSU in the 100th percentile nationally for doctoral student publications, students receiving full financial support, graduates securing tenure-track faculty positions and faculty-authored books.<\/p>\n \u201cThis recognition reflects the strength of the people who make our program exceptional,\u201d Andrew continued.<\/p>\n \u201cOur faculty attract talented students who want to work alongside leaders in the field, and those students go on to make meaningful contributions through their research, scholarship and professional success. That cycle continues to strengthen our program.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 Proper fire fits \u2014<\/p>\n On Thursday, the Florida State University Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship moved forward with plans to conduct a first-of-its-kind study exploring the link between proper fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and occupational cancer risk for women in the fire service.<\/p>\n In a partnership with the University of Arizona, FSU\u2019s very own Carol Avery Professor Meredith McQuerry, who is the lab Director of the Wearable Advancements in Research and Performance (WARP) group, received a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to further examine the relationship between gear fit and occupational cancer.<\/p>\n The findings will be applicable to approximately 1.1 million members of the United States Fire Service.<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to be part of this award, partnering with colleagues at the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, to study how gear fit directly impacts occupational cancer for the first time,\u201d McQuerry said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope this work will inform standard sizing improvements for increased firefighter health and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n McQuerry\u2019s team will compare female firefighters\u2019 gear fit with cancer biomarkers measured before and after live-fire training burns at four structural fire departments across the United States\u2014in Florida, California, Arizona, and Virginia.<\/p>\n Currently, occupational cancer is the leading cause of long-term line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.<\/p>\n McQuerry also recently chaired a research team that concluded a five-year multi-state project titled \u201cProtective Clothing for Wildland Firefighters,\u201d which provided recommendations to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on improving methods for cleaning and safeguarding PPE for wildland firefighters.<\/p>\n \u2014 Gold for 2026 \u2014<\/p>\n Third time\u2019s the charm.<\/p>\n On Monday, Tallahassee State College (TSC) announced its student-produced literary and arts magazine \u2014 The Eyrie \u2014 has earned a Gold Medalist rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). One of the nation\u2019s leading organizations recognizing excellence in collegiate publications, CSPA annually critiques and evaluates magazines for their writing, editing, design and visual presentation.<\/p>\n This is the third time The Eyrie has received this prestigious recognition. On a scale of 1,000 points, TSC received 863 in a comprehensive evaluation.<\/p>\n \u201cI am incredibly proud of this team and what they have accomplished together. Every page reflects their vision, collaboration, problem-solving, and care,\u201d said Nicolette Costantino, The Eyrie\u2019s faculty adviser.<\/p>\n \u201cThis recognition affirms the extraordinary work they put into creating a publication that gives our students\u2019 voices a place in the world. I\u2019m excited to see how future teams continue to learn from what came before them and make The Eyrie their own.\u201d<\/p>\n CSPA judges praised The Eyrie for its organization, visual consistency, and thematic cohesion, highlighting its \u201cstrong elements\u201d and describing the magazine as \u201ca very good collegiate publication with amazing growth potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Judges were also impressed with the editorial team and its ability to create a cohesive publication while encouraging submissions from across the TSC community.<\/p>\n This is the third time The Eyrie has placed gold, following previous recognitions in 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n The team is already gearing up for its 2027 edition, which will be unveiled in April.<\/p>\n \u2014 National Night Out \u2014<\/p>\n This week, the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) announced it is inviting the entire 850 to join local first responders for an evening of food, fun and community for \u201cNational Night Out\u201d on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Cascades Park.<\/p>\n Held annually in towns and cities across the country, \u201cNational Night Out\u201d strengthens relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve while bringing neighbors together in a fun, family-friendly environment featuring music, activities, and food\u2014while supplies last.<\/p>\n Meet the people behind the uniforms outside of an emergency setting.<\/p>\n \u201cNational Night Out gives us an opportunity to simply spend time with the people we serve,\u201d said TPD Chief Lawrence Revell.<\/p>\n \u201cThe relationships we build during events like this matter. We want our community to know the men and women behind the badge, ask questions, learn more about what we do and, most importantly, know that we are HERE for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Local and state public safety agencies and community partners will join TPD for National Night Out. Participating TPD units include its Community Relations Unit, Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving Squad (COPPS), Motor Unit, Tactical Apprehension and Control (TAC) Team, and other specialty units.<\/p>\n For more information, visit Talgov.com\/Police<\/a> or follow @TallyPD on social media.<\/p>\n \u2014 State of play \u2014<\/p>\n The Florida Gators look to continue an undefeated start under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall when they travel to Missouri to face the Tigers on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).<\/p>\n Florida is the second-highest-scoring team in the country, averaging 53.5 points per game in victories over Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Auburn, and Ole Miss.<\/p>\n Running back Jadan Baugh is second in the nation in rushing yards with 600 yards in four games. Florida has not started a season with five straight wins since opening the 2019 season 6-0.<\/p>\n Florida State tries to dig out of a tumultuous start as the Seminoles host Virginia on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).<\/p>\n FSU opened the season with a win over New Mexico State before dropping games to ranked teams SMU and Alabama. Last Saturday, the Noles topped Central Arkansas 34-7. On Sept. 14, a week after the loss to SMU, the university fired athletics Director Michael Alford.<\/p>\n Another high-scoring team also plays on Saturday as No. 4 Miami travels to Clemson (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The Hurricanes are third in the nation in scoring, averaging 51.8 points per game in wins over Stanford, Florida A&M, Wake Forest and Central Michigan.<\/p>\n Miami sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney is third in the nation in receiving yards and one behind the national leaders with six touchdown catches.<\/p>\n \u2014 Rays the stakes \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cHow can you not be romantic about baseball?\u201d<\/p>\n Baseball fans, rejoice, especially if you rock the TB hat, as the Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series (ALDS) playoffs.<\/p>\n The Rays this year won the AL East pennant and had a record of 98-64, which was also good enough to secure the No. 1 seed in a historically weak AL (look no further than the 81-81 Houston Astros, who got their butt kicked by the Pope\u2019s own Chicago White Sox), which gave the boys in St. Pete \u2014 for not much longer \u2014 the bye week.<\/p>\n The Yankees earned their matchup with Tampa Bay after defeating their bitter rival, the Boston Red Sox, in the AL Wild Card Series earlier this week, as they did last year. Ouch, Red Sox fans.<\/p>\n But instead of facing the Blue Jays like in 2025, they have a different AL East foe. Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n This year, the Rays barely have the edge over the Yankees after going 7-6 against them in the regular season. The Rays\u2019 strengths? \u201cSmallball,\u201d if you will \u2014 aka great pitching, defense, base stealing, and bunting. With excellent aces such as Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, Griffin Jax, and Ian Seymour, the Rays are feeling confident in their ability to take 3 out of 5 games in the series and advance to the AL Championship Series, something they\u2019ve only done twice in their history since 1998, but both times they won those pennants and went on to the World Series, in 2008 and 2020. They lost the World Series both times.<\/p>\n But here come the Bronx Bombers with a 93-68 record. With a Cy Young-worthy season from pitcher Cam Schlittler, noteworthy play from Ben Rice, and the return (maybe?) of 3-time MVP winner Aaron Judge, the series looks exciting for Florida baseball fans.<\/p>\n Game 1 is tonight at 6:30 p.m. on TBS\/truTV. There\u2019s truly nothing like October baseball.<\/p>\n \u2014 Not So Endgame, Cruise-ing for a flop, and Anne\u2019s back \u2014<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a moment, but we are heading back to the movies.<\/p>\n Did you get some 2019 nostalgia this past weekend? Well, you\u2019re not alone. In preparation for Doomsday coming this December, \u201cAvengers: Endgame\u201d was re-released to theaters with additional retcon scenes and new material to better fit the timeline for 2026 audiences, and it topped the domestic box office with $26 million, followed by the critically acclaimed video-game adaptation \u201cResident Evil\u201d in its second weekend at $23 million, and the Brad Pitt-led dog movie \u201cHeart of the Beast\u201d took third place with $20 million.<\/p>\n From the visionary four-time Academy Award winner Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu, the man who brought us \u201cBirdman\u201d and \u201cThe Revenant,\u201d and the face of the 21st-century blockbuster, Oscar nominee Tom Cruise, comes their $125 million Warner Bros. movie \u201cDigger\u201d \u2014 a dark comedy\/satire about the most powerful man in the world who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity\u2019s savior before the disaster he\u2019s unleashed destroys everything. The film is rounded out by impressive talents such as Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, Oscar nominees Sandra H\u00fcller and Jesse Plemons and Emmy winner John Goodman.<\/p>\n<\/a>Funds are flowing to one of Florida\u2019s top thoroughfares.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>The AG and Governor rounded up a score of suspected illegal voters.<\/p>\n<\/a>James Uthmeier is on the case.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Blandford Farm & Ranch in Lake County. Image via Lauren Yoho\/Wildpath.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>The winner will harvest a whopping $3K.<\/p>\n<\/a>This doesn\u2019t fit the typical definition of a family bonding experience.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>We\u2019ll take any excuse to update our awful photos, thanks.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Listen up, insurers: This man has zero tolerance for funny business. You\u2019ve been warned.<\/p>\n<\/a>They\u2019re looking for more gems like this one from 1976. Image via Florida Department of State.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>FTW says the calculations warrant a closer look.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>The new articulation agreement creates guaranteed-admission pathways, transfer scholarships and enhanced student support. Image via FAMU.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u2018We\u2019re No. 1, we\u2019re No. 1!\u2019<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Meredith McQuerry is a co-recipient of a $1.5 million FEMA grant exploring the link between proper PPE fit and occupational cancer risk for women in the fire service. Photo via FSU.<\/p>\n<\/a>The sun kind of looks like a gold medal if you squint.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Clear your Tuesday night schedule.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>It\u2019s a big weekend for the Big Three.<\/p>\n<\/a>The Big Show continues tonight.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n