Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Florida Chamber of Commerce will join chambers across the country on Wednesday to recognize National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, a nationwide celebration of organizations that advocate for businesses.[1]
Observed annually on the third Wednesday in October, the day highlights the role local chambers play in making their areas more competitive. From rural counties to major metros, more than 200 local and regional chambers make up the Florida Chamber’s statewide network.
“Local chambers are the heartbeat of Florida’s communities. They give businesses a voice, champion entrepreneurship, and bring the Florida 2030 Blueprint to life at the local level,” said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber.
“We’re proud to work to ensure Florida remains the best place in the world to live, work, learn, and do business with Florida’s local chamber network. As I’ve said many times, show me a strong community and I’ll show you a strong chamber.”
Throughout the day, the Florida Chamber will spotlight local chambers that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in workforce development, infrastructure planning, and community partnerships.
Businesses and residents are encouraged to participate by sharing stories about their local chambers and tagging them online using #SupportYourLocalChamber, #FloridaChamber, and #FloridaBusiness.
Evening Reads
—”Monday was the single best day of Donald Trump’s presidency” via Chris Cillizza of So What[2]
—”The Gaza peace deal’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness” via Joshua Keating of Vox[3]
—“Trump complains about ‘really weird’ Time magazine photo” via Maegan Vazquez of The Washington Post[4]
—”Trump to award posthumous Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk” via Jonathan Wolfe of The New York Times[5]
—”Satellites are leaking the world’s secrets: Calls, texts, military and corporate data” via Andy Greenberg and Matt Burgess of WIRED[6]
—”America is sliding toward illiteracy” via Idrees Kahloon of The Atlantic[7]
—”Missing state vehicles identified, agency chief tells lawmakers” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel[8]
—”Florida Attorney General alleges Roku sold kids’ information” via Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix[9]
—”Florida officials didn’t disclose funding request for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility, lawsuit says” via The Associated Press[10]
—”State enters plea agreement with Tiffany Carr in domestic violence coalition mismanagement scandal” via Florida Politics[11]
Quote of the Day
“Trailblazing is not always about clearing paths through the wilderness. Sometimes, it is about building a vision where others only see empty space.”
— Senate President-designate Jim Boyd, in his designation speech.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Pour U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody a Golden Phone for joining her Republican colleagues in trying to get records of Senators’ phone data they say the Biden administration wrongfully obtained.[12][13]
Serve Sen. Don Gaetz a Welcome Home for refiling a bill aimed at expanding access to affordable housing.[14][15]
Mix a Full Stop for Tampa International Airport, which is refusing to show a controversial video provided by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, blaming Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown.[16][17]
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Lightning visit Capitals
The Tampa Bay Lightning try for consecutive wins as they face the Capitals in Washington tonight (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Tampa Bay, which finished last season as the second-place team in the Atlantic Division, is off to a slow start. After losing at home to the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils, the Lightning earned the first victory of the season in a 4-3 win over the Bruins in Boston on Monday.
Anthony Cirelli scored a pair of first-period goals, and Yanni Gourde and Pontus Holmberg each scored in the second period to help Tampa Bay to victory.
Washington has started well this season, winning two of the first three games. After losing on opening night to Boston, the Caps won both games in New York against the Islanders and Rangers to draw even atop the Metropolitan Division standings.
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, playing this season at the age of 40, has yet to find the net. Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky last season and has 897 career goals. Through three games, Ovechkin is averaging under 17 minutes of ice time per game, fifth most among forwards on the team, and a clear sign that the Capitals are being judicious in his minutes early in the season.
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
References
- ^ Florida Chamber of Commerce (www.flchamber.com)
- ^ Monday was the single best day of Donald Trump’s presidency (chriscillizza.substack.com)
- ^ The Gaza peace deal’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness (www.vox.com)
- ^ Trump complains about ‘really weird’ Time magazine photo (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Trump to award posthumous Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ Satellites are leaking the world’s secrets: Calls, texts, military and corporate data (www.wired.com)
- ^ America is sliding toward illiteracy (www.theatlantic.com)
- ^ Missing state vehicles identified, agency chief tells lawmakers (www.sun-sentinel.com)
- ^ Florida Attorney General alleges Roku sold kids’ information (floridaphoenix.com)
- ^ Florida officials didn’t disclose funding request for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility, lawsuit says (www.tampabay.com)
- ^ State enters plea agreement with Tiffany Carr in domestic violence coalition mismanagement scandal (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Golden Phone (punchdrink.com)
- ^ get records of Senators’ phone data (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Welcome Home (www.diffordsguide.com)
- ^ expanding access to affordable housing (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Full Stop (www.reddit.com)
- ^ refusing to show (floridapolitics.com)