How Ron DeSantis became a presidential candidate and what could happen next
A little over four years ago, Ron DeSantis took the reins of the nation’s third-largest state as a young governor with no executive experience who benefited greatly from the acceptance of Donald Trump in Florida. His narrow victory came after a campaign that, in its early stages, drew only a few dozen people for in-person rallies. On Wednesday, DeSantis announced his candidacy for president. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Technical issues mar DeSantis’ presidential Twitter announcement with Elon Musk
» 55 things you should know about Ron DeSantis
» DeSantis signs bill allowing him to run for president without resigning
Registration is now open for the Florida Python Challenge 2023
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that although Burmese pythons are large animals, they are notoriously hard to find and pose a threat to native wildlife. Because these snakes require specific handling guidelines and are difficult to spot, all challenge participants are required to complete an online training course. The course is designed to help hunters more effectively find snakes and remove them from the wild. According to event organizers, during the 2022 challenge, a record 231 pythons were gathered in the Everglades. [Source: WPLG]
Federal court to hold hearing May 31 in Florida prescription drug lawsuit
Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration are currently locked in an ongoing legal battle with the US Food and Drug Administration after the agency halted Florida’s efforts to obtain cheaper prescription drugs abroad. The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida will hold a hearing in the lawsuit on May 31 to hear arguments on the state’s challenge to an order by Magistrate Judge Julie Sneed that reduced the 42 requests for information. of the state through the discovery process. [Source: The Center Square]
Florida DEO announces $40 million in loans through State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced this week that more than $40 million in loans have already been committed to 14 Florida small businesses through the State of Florida Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0), stimulating more than $137 million in private capital lending and creating or retaining more than 340 jobs for Floridians. SSBCI 2.0 is a reauthorization and expansion of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which was originally created through the Small Business Jobs Act in 2010 to help states strengthen and/or create new capital programs that support the financing of small businesses. [Source: Florida Daily]
What is happening? Groups Challenge Florida’s Medicaid Redetermination Process
Fifty-two organizations are asking Governor Ron DeSantis to “pause” the state’s Medicaid disenrollment efforts long enough to review the process and ensure Florida families are aware that they need to apply for the Medicaid health care program. safety net. The request comes after data showed about 250,000 people were disenrolled from Medicaid in April, most of whom were removed from the program for procedural reasons. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
> Hungry? Five Florida Restaurants Ranked in Yelp’s ‘100 Best Burgers in America’
Five Florida restaurants made Yelp’s “America’s 100 Best Burgers” list, just in time for National Burger Day on May 28. Unfortunately, none of them are located in Northeast Florida. The site based the rankings on Yelp user reviews. According to Yelp, you’ll have to travel to Georgia to try the best burger in the country. Fox Bros. Bar-BQ in Atlanta topped the list with nearly 2,500 5-star reviews on the site.
› Reopening of the USS Orleck ‘Grey Ghost’ naval museum in a permanent home in downtown Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s resident warship is once again ready for visitors. The USS Orleck, which earned the nickname “The Gray Ghost of the Vietnam Coast” by firing more rounds in support of ground troops than any other Navy ship, will officially open to visitors Friday at its permanent berth on the St. Johns River. , just off Bay Street across from the Duval County Jail. A “soft opening” is planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
› Developer paid Miami mayor $170,000 to jump-start his project, company records show
A developer quietly paid Miami Mayor Francis Suarez at least $170,000 over the past two years to help cut red tape and obtain critical permits for his stalled Coconut Grove real estate project, according to internal corporate records obtained exclusively by the Miami Herald.
> Red tide? drop of algae? No, scientists are looking at a different kind of algae in Tampa Bay.
Florida researchers are observing an algae bloom drifting off the coast of the Tampa Bay area, and no, it’s not a red tide or kelp mass coming up. Scientists are monitoring a patchy cloud of “marine sawdust” that has ebbed and flowed in the Gulf of Mexico for nearly a week, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. The blue-green algae species, known as Trichodesmium, is often found in tropical waters, flourishing in southwestern Florida.
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