Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 8.26.26 — Burnin’ today: Donalds & Ávila, DeSantis, Jolly, Amendment 3, data centers, Moskowitz & Dolly

Sunburn — Your first look at the players and power moves in Florida politics ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

From: Extensive Media Enterprises Good Wednesday morning. It's been a tough night, what with Dolly Parton leaving this Earth. Dolly Parton leaves a rhinestone-bright legacy that still makes Florida mornings feel a little less sparkly. Here are two items for your radar: 🏆 — Morning must-read: The candidates got their headlines. Now it's the consultants' turn. Winners and losers emerging from the 2026 Primaries: who came out ahead, and who took the L. 🗺️ — Mapping the backlash: The latest from FloridAI, by Fabrizio Downey: A 21-year-old Palm Beach County web developer has built the state's most comprehensive tracker of AI data center proposals, complete with a moratorium countdown and a risk score for all 67 counties. James Boger talks Project Tango, Meta and why he won't run for office here. ___ Lights, camera, Aron — The keynote speaker who opens BHCon2026 on Wednesday morning in Orlando once cut off his own arm to get out of a canyon. Aron Ralston, the mountaineer whose 2003 accident became the movie 127 Hours, will address about 1,800 attendees at the Florida Behavioral Health Association's annual conference. The audience is made up of the state's community mental health and substance use providers, who serve more than half a million Floridians a year, most of them uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid. Aron Ralston brings a survival story with real cut-through to BHCon2026 in Orlando. Image via X/@RalstonSpeaks. "This year's 'Lights, Camera, Action!' theme shines a spotlight on the dedicated individuals who are the real stars of behavioral health," FBHA President and CEO Melanie Brown Woofter said. "Every role matters, and each contribution moves our story forward." FBHA calls BHCon the largest behavioral health conference in the Southeast. This year's edition has 197 speakers, 119 training sessions, 156 exhibitors and 13 sponsors, with up to 14.5 continuing education credits available per attendee. Boxer Cam Awesome and musician Gregory Offner deliver keynotes later in the week. The conference also includes the Awards of Excellence. This year's winners are Dr. Susana Montalvo of Citrus Health Network, Thomas Green of Agency for Community Treatment Services, Skye Larabee of Aspire Health Partners, Charles Owens of Directions for Living, Patricia Clark of Peace River Center and Sharon Mitchell of Gateway Community Services. BHCon runs through Friday, Aug. 28. More information is at BHCon.org, and a list of FBHA's member providers is at Floridabha.org. ___ The Association of Florida Community Developers is keeping its next leader close to home. Brian Hall has been named executive director of the statewide organization, becoming just the third person to hold the role in AFCD’s 42-year history. Hall joined the association in 2023 and has already been deeply involved in its advocacy, member engagement, and daily operations. Now, he will lead AFCD’s strategic initiatives, legislative advocacy, and member services as Florida’s continued growth keeps development policy front and center in Tallahassee. Brian Hall takes the helm at AFCD, proving the next chapter can come from inside the building. Laura Cole, Chair of the AFCD Board of Directors and senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch, said Hall brings a collaborative style and a strong understanding of members’ priorities at a time when community development issues are becoming increasingly complex. She expects AFCD to expand its reach and strengthen its advocacy under his leadership. Hall brings an unconventional résumé to the development world. Before joining AFCD, he spent more than six years working in corporate security and human resources for two Fortune 500 companies. He also served as a law enforcement officer in Florida and Georgia, giving him experience in leadership, management, and public service before moving into association work. Hall said his focus will be on advancing responsible community development, building stronger relationships with policymakers, and keeping AFCD responsive to the issues its members face. It is a consequential assignment. Founded in 1984, AFCD represents the professionals and organizations behind many of Florida’s large-scale communities. Hall takes the helm as growth, infrastructure, and long-term planning remain some of the state’s biggest policy conversations.

Situational awareness   Tweet, tweet: —@BillClinton: Dolly Parton was one of a kind—a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart. She rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from. And she always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy. Hillary and I were big fans and first saw her in 1974, and will always be grateful for the music and the memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legion of fans, and everyone who loved her. Tweet, tweet: —@Interior: Dolly Parton carried the music, stories and spirit of her Tennessee mountain home wherever she went. She was a lifelong champion of the Great Smoky Mountains and proudly shared her love for them with the world. While we may no longer see her working 9-to-5, we will always love her. Here’s to Dolly, who made our world a little more beautiful. Tweet, tweet: —@RealJamesWoods: Heaven has found its voice. Rest in His arms, angel. —@MikeDrucker: I know this sounds corny and cringey and naive and whatever, but Dolly Parton felt like America when it was trying to be the place it promised to be. Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: Tweet, tweet: —@USRepKathyCastor: I loved singer-songwriter Dolly Parton! She donated millions of books to kids through her Imagination Library & spearheaded a literacy campaign w/ @librarycongress. She gifted over 100 million books to children in 🇦🇺, 🇨🇦, 🇬🇧, & 🇺🇸 — a national treasure whose legacy will live on. —@GwenGraham: Very sad news today on the passing of Dolly Parton. In her memory, may we all strive to be more like her. She was simply a good person who led with kindness, acceptance and love. Dolly, we will always love you too. —@ErikaDonalds: Dolly Parton was an angel on earth. Always positive, never a harsh word. Her passion was loving people. Dolly put over 200 million books into children’s hands because her own father couldn’t read. That’s a legacy worth imitating. Rest well, Dolly. —@TimBuckley: The next name on the hurricane season list is Dolly :(

Days until   ‘The Dog Stars,’ directed by Ridley Scott, premieres — 2; Florida TaxWatch Government Productivity Awards — 6; NFL regular season kicks off — 14; Republican National Midterm Convention — 14; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia — 15; Yankees host the Mets for the 9/11 anniversary — 16; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 20; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 24; Tampa Bay Buccaneers home opener against the Cleveland Browns — 25; General Election domestic ballot send window begins — 29; General Election domestic ballot send deadline — 36; ‘Digger,’ with Tom Cruise, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, premieres — 37; General Election voter registration deadline — 40; ‘The Social Network’ sequel, with Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison, premieres — 44; Associated Industries of Florida one-on-one conversations with five top-of-ticket Republicans — 47; 'VisionQuest' premieres — 49; Optional General early voting begins — 54; 'Six Kings Slam' on Netflix — 56; Florida TaxWatch Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit begins — 56; General Election ballot request deadline — 57; Mandatory General early voting begins — 59; General Election — 69; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 72; ‘Wild Horse Nine’ premieres — 72; Florida Automated Vehicles Summit — 77; 'Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol' starring Johnny Depp premieres — 79; 'Paper Tiger' starring Adam Driver premieres — 79; Joe Biden’s memoir, ‘Promise Me, America’ is released — 83; New legislator training sessions — 83; Senate convenes for general organization and selection of officers — 83; ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ premieres — 86; ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ with Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, premieres — 91; ‘Madden’ premieres — 92; Committee Week #1 — 96; Untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 114; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 114; ‘Dune: Part 3,’ directed by Denis Villeneuve, premieres — 114; Committee Week #2 — 131; Committee Week #3 — 138; 'Ahsoka' season 2 premieres — 147; College Football Playoff national championship game in Las Vegas — 152; Committee Week #4 — 159; Grammys — 165; Committee Week #5 — 166; Super Bowl LXI — 172; Committee Week #6 — 173; Opening day of the 2027 Regular Legislative Session — 188; Tampa Mayoral Election — 188; ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan premieres — 191; Oscars — 200; Jacksonville First Election — 209; Miami Marlins Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. New York Mets — 211; Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. Baltimore Orioles — 211; Democratic Mayors Association 2027 annual summit in Miami begins — 231; Jacksonville General Election — 265; 'Star Wars: Starfighter' premieres — 275; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ premieres — 283; Citrus Series — Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins — 324; 'The Bluey Movie' premieres — 345; ‘Miami Vice’ reboot premieres — 345; Citrus Series — Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays — 380; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 478; 2028 South Carolina Presidential Primary — 514; College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans — 516; 2028 Nevada Presidential Primary — 524; 2028 New Hampshire Presidential Primary — 531; 2028 New Mexico Presidential Primary — 538; ‘The Batman Part II’ premieres — 541; 2028 Michigan Presidential Primary — 545; 2028 Virginia Presidential Primary — 552; Oscars — 557; 'X-Men' premieres — 618; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 639; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 660; 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 688; 'Ghost Rider' premieres — 702; 2028 U.S. Presidential Election — 804; ‘Black Panther 3’ directed by Ryan Coogler premieres — 842; College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa — 880; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1,204; College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami — 1,244; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 1,935.

Top story   "Byron Donalds picks Bryan Ávila as running mate, leaning into anti-communist message" via Kimberly Leonard of POLITICO — Florida GOP gubernatorial nominee Donalds announced Tuesday he's tapping state Sen. Ávila as his running mate, a move that could help bolster the House lawmaker's support in the state's large and influential Hispanic community. Ávila, a Republican lawmaker who represents Hialeah — the epicenter of Florida's Cuban diaspora — has been leading the Donalds campaign "Latinos for Byron" coalition since May. Donalds' choice gives him a deputy with deep relationships in the Legislature that he'd need to help enact his agenda. And as a Florida Army National Guard captain, Ávila could also help shore up the state's sizable veteran vote. Byron Donalds and Bryan Ávila make the ticket official, with Miami’s Freedom Tower supplying the backdrop. Donalds made his announcement from Miami's Freedom Tower, an iconic part of the city's skyline that now serves as a museum but previously was used to process Cuban refugees who fled communism. Democrats have spent several election cycles playing defense among Latino voters in South Florida as the GOP tries to label them as socialists and communists. Though Donalds' actual opponent, former Rep. David Jolly, is a more moderate Democrat who only joined the party a little more than a year ago, Republicans up and down the ballot are planning to tie Democrats to the party's left wing. Ávila, 42, was in the Florida House before running for the state Senate. He sponsored legislation that gave some low-income seniors a bigger property tax break on their homes, a credential that could help him as a ballot amendment goes before voters in November to cut property taxes. Outside his work in the military and in the Legislature, Ávila is dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Doral College. Under Florida law, Donalds had until nine days after the Aug. 18 Primary to announce his running mate. Jolly made his pick of former Rep. Gwen Graham ahead of the Primary. Polling is scant, but several surveys show the General Election margin in the single digits. —"'Good dude': Ron DeSantis, other Republicans hail Ávila pick" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

2026   “Donalds, David Jolly agree insurance costs must fall” via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — Donalds and Jolly are clashing over how to lower Florida’s homeowners’ insurance costs, but both agree the state needs more action. Donalds wants changes to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to allow insurers to access cheaper state-backed reinsurance sooner, potentially reducing premiums. Jolly proposes shifting hurricane and storm coverage into a statewide “safe zone” fund while leaving other coverage with private carriers, a plan he says could cut premiums by up to 60%. Donalds has called Jolly’s proposal “socialist,” while Jolly dismisses that criticism as politics. The debate reflects how deeply insurance, property taxes, utilities and housing costs are shaping the Governor’s race. Byron Donalds and David Jolly find common ground on insurance costs, then return to arguing over the fix. Epilogue — "Democrats target GOP congressional candidate with 'ScammerStrada' website" via Annie Martin of Orlando Sentinel — Democrats have taken aim at the Republican nominee for an open Central Florida seat in Congress with a new website highlighting a lawsuit filed against the candidate's company and past claims that the home services firm didn't pay its employees properly. James Pericola, the Democratic nominee in the race to represent Florida’s 11th Congressional District, and his campaign unveiled the website, "ScammerStrada.com," after Joe Strada won the GOP Primary. The website says Strada, who owns Sanford-based Strada Services, "has some explaining to do," spelling out allegations that the billion-dollar home services company installed subpar electrical components in thousands of new homes that didn't meet state and federal safety codes. “Appeals Court rules for Democrats in TV ad case” via Shane Goldmacher of The New York Times — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that low-cost ad rates that candidates qualify for do not have to be made available to political parties. The ruling is a win for Democrats, whose candidates tend to raise more money than their committees. The opposite is true for Republicans. The ruling comes less than two months after the Supreme Court unshackled political parties from any limit on how much they could spend in coordination with candidates. Critics and supporters of the decision believed the ruling gave Republicans an advantage this year because of their committees’ financial edge. Republicans had planned to use that ruling to buy tens of millions of dollars' worth of television ads in coordination with their candidates, taking advantage of the lower rates the candidates were eligible for. The latest ruling blocks that. Both parties can still buy unlimited television ads, but no longer at the favorable rates. Across multiple races, the price difference could add up to tens of millions of dollars.

More elections   "Swing Left bets Dems can hold three Florida seats despite redistricting" via Ali Bianco of POLITICO Playbook — The grassroots action group Swing Left is expanding its Midterms map, adding 11 new House targets, three new Senate targets and two Governor's races to its "must-flip" and "must-hold" categories, moving into races Democrats hadn't considered competitive until this year. Among the ads: Swing Left bets that even with redistricting, Dems can hold Florida's 9th, 14th, and 25th Congressional Districts — the seats held by U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Kathy Castor, and the redrawn CD 25, where U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is running. Why now? Tariffs and the Iran war, the group argues, are putting a bigger map into play. The full list of targets is posted on Swing Left's strategy page. Jared Moskowitz and Kathy Castor get a little outside help defending Florida’s Democratic congressional turf.

Even more elections   "DeSantis controls clock on replacing Ávila in SD 39. How long until a Special Election?" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Ávila's resignation to join fellow Republican Donalds' gubernatorial ticket guarantees a Special Election in Senate District 39. As for when Gov. DeSantis will call one … that's up in the air, though the Governor's Office says soon. Florida law requires a Special Election whenever a Senate vacancy occurs. State statutes require the Governor to consult with the Secretary of State, currently Cord Byrd, and then issue an executive order declaring the date of the Special Election. What isn't clearly stated is the deadline for the Governor to act, and in the past, he hasn't done so in a timely fashion. Happening Saturday: Save the date: and

Statewide   “Florida, hard-hit by Obamacare drop-off, feels the squeeze of rising healthcare costs” via Ali Swenson and Jacquelyn Martin of the Orlando Sentinel — After Republicans in Congress let enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans expire in January, millions of Americans had to decide whether to keep insurance that often doubled or tripled in cost — or risk going without it. Florida, whose large population of gig workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners relies heavily on the federal health insurance marketplace, has become one of the nation’s most visible epicenters of that impact. Figures first reported by The Associated Press showed that about 440,000 Floridians dropped their Affordable Care Act plans this year — more than in any other state. Thousands more who kept coverage are struggling to get by, as prices of necessities like groceries and gasoline remain steep, and health insurers project another year of double-digit premium hikes. Florida’s ACA marketplace gets a painful affordability check after enhanced federal subsidies expire. Image via the Boston Globe. “Duke says data center plan shields customers from higher bills” via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida — Duke Energy Florida says its plan for serving large data centers complies with a new state law designed to prevent those projects from pushing costs onto other customers. Company officials told the Public Service Commission it is unlikely Duke will serve major data centers before the end of 2027, when its current rate settlement expires, and said shareholders would absorb any financial risk if service begins sooner. Consumer advocates disagree. State Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argues Duke failed to file the rate structure required by Senate Bill 484 and should be sent back to the drawing board. The case is the first major test of Florida’s new data center law. “Florida regulators let contractors accused of deception keep licenses” via Rhiannon Rashidi of The Florida Trib — Florida homeowners can hire state-licensed contractors believing the credential signals reliability, but consumer advocates say that confidence may be misplaced. Contractors with extensive complaint histories can obtain and retain licenses even while facing accusations of deceptive practices. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has authority to suspend licenses but has not done so for Lickety Split or Florida Roof Specialists. The Attorney General’s Office is investigating 92 complaints involving Lickety Split and sued Florida Roof Specialists after receiving nearly 200 complaints. Lawyers say regulatory gaps leave homeowners, particularly older Floridians, vulnerable to high-pressure sales, unexpected loans, liens and costly litigation. Both companies denied the allegations or did not respond. "'Operation Statewide Shield' recovers 163 children missing from Florida homes" via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Attorney General James Uthmeier and officials with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) held a joint news conference announcing the rescue and recovery of 163 missing Florida children. The victims ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years old and were recovered in a law enforcement investigation called Operation Statewide Shield. It was the largest missing child recovery operation in Florida history. There were localized investigations as part of the operation in the largest metropolitan areas in Florida, including Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and Miami. "Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable," Uthmeier said. James Uthmeier announces the recovery of 163 missing children in Florida’s largest operation of its kind. Image via Attorney General’s Office. “Florida colleges could impose new restrictions on student AI use” via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida — Florida’s 28 state colleges would have to adopt policies restricting how students use artificial intelligence under a proposed State Board of Education rule. Students generally could not use AI on graded assignments or assessments without explicit permission from their instructors. Colleges would also establish approved instructional and business AI tools while barring tools designed to simulate friendship, companionship, or emotional relationships with students. Policies would include an AI literacy framework and require parental notification when minor students use AI instructional tools directly. The proposal does not cover state universities. The Board of Education is scheduled to hold a public hearing Sept. 16 at Polk State College’s Winter Haven Campus.

D.C. matters   "Jared Moskowitz named ranking Democrat on House Middle East Subcommittee" via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Moskowitz now serves as the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee tackling foreign policy in the Middle East. U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the full House Foreign Affairs Committee, just announced key assignments on the minority side. That included naming Moskowitz as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, where he immediately succeeds U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat. "At a moment of enormous change and instability across the region, America needs a clear and serious strategy," Moskowitz said. "I am honored to take on this responsibility and ready to get to work." Jared Moskowitz adds Middle East policy leadership to an already busy congressional résumé. “Donald Trump scoffs at ‘affordability’ issues. The White House knows it’s a big deal.” via Myah Ward and Grace Yarrow of POLITICO — President Trump often dismisses “affordability” as a political attack line from Democrats. He’s still worried about it. The President’s latest bid to lower beef prices is a last-ditch effort to ease consumer strain at the grocery store, a key driver of negative sentiment. A recent Associated Press-NORC poll found that 80% of Americans had changed their grocery habits due to high prices, and 41% were worried about affording food over the next few months. “The White House understands prices are too high, and we’ve got to do everything in our power to make it look like, ‘Hey, we understand your problem, and we’re out there, and we’re going to do everything we can to bring prices down between now and Election Day,’” the person said. “Trump mulls renaming Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America.’ Canadians balk at the idea” via Bill Barrow, Mike Householder and Rob Gilles of The Associated Press — With his trade war with Canada intensifying, Trump floated the idea of renaming Lake Ontario to become “Lake America.” America’s northern neighbors quickly panned the idea. “He can blow out his hole as much as he wants to, but it’s never going to happen, because Canadians are strong,” said Patricia Wiseman, an Ontario resident, as she walked along the waterfront of Lake Erie. Trump has wide latitude over how the U.S. government recognizes geographic places and landmarks. But he cannot force Canada or individual citizens on either side of the border to follow his preferred naming conventions. And his latest branding idea — reminiscent of his move to rechristen the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” "Kennedy Center revenue plunged after Trump's name went on the building" via Jonathan Edwards of The Washington Post — Ticket sales and fundraising collapsed after Trump's name was added to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, even as the center's leaders publicly touted a financial turnaround. The documents show that leaders knew both were cratering even as they publicly portrayed Trump's takeover as a financial rescue. The revenue miss was projected to leave the center with a $23 million deficit. Andrew Taylor, director of American University's arts management program, described the declines as "a nosedive." Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center makeover meets a less celebratory box-office review. Image via The Washington Post. “Trump administration threatens Kennedy Center demolition without renovations” via Devan Cole and Sunlen Serfaty of CNN — Lawyers for the Kennedy Center say the historic venue may eventually need to be demolished if extensive renovations backed by Trump are blocked. In a federal court filing, they warned the building could deteriorate into an unsafe structure and raised the possibility of replacing it with an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River. The filing comes after the Trump-aligned Board again voted to close the center for renovations, despite a judge previously finding earlier closure efforts unlawful. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty is separately challenging plans to add Trump’s name to the building. Center officials say the aging facility has water intrusion, corrosion, failing fireproofing and decades-old mechanical systems. “RFK Jr. promotes $1B regenerative farming push in Clearwater” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — HHS Secretary Kennedy visited a Clearwater farm to promote regenerative agriculture as part of his broader health agenda. Kennedy said a $1 billion federal pilot program aimed at helping farms adopt regenerative practices drew more than 60,000 applications. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who joined Kennedy at Life Farms, praised Florida’s Healthy Florida First campaign and HHS involvement in defeating legislation she said would have shielded companies using glyphosate from liability. Luna said officials were willing to absorb political criticism to pursue the effort. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo had been expected to attend but did not join Kennedy and Luna for the post-event media availability.

Local: S. FL   "These Miami-Dade schools face 'review' or 'reassessment.' Could closure be next?" via Austin Horn of Miami Herald — The Miami-Dade School District's Attendance Boundary Committee is closely monitoring 27 more public schools for potential closure, according to a released list. The Committee released a list of 12 "reassessed" schools and 15 "under review" schools, possibly indicating that the schools could close. This Summer, the Board approved the closure or consolidation of nine different public school campuses as the District continues to face declining enrollment at traditional public schools. Given lower enrollment, the District has had to tighten its budget because fewer students mean less per-pupil funding from the state. Both the current Superintendent, Jose Dotres, and his incoming replacement, South Region Superintendent Rafael Villalobos, have indicated that a faster pace of closures is necessary. Miami-Dade schools face another enrollment math problem, and some campuses may not like the answer. "Palm Beach County could be next local government to temporarily ban data centers" via Abigail Hasebroock of South Florida Sun Sentinel — Palm Beach County officials may soon decide to implement a yearlong moratorium on large-scale data center developments in the county. Palm Beach County could become one of more than a dozen local governments in the state to enact a moratorium, with other counties imposing temporary bans, including Bay, Citrus, Clay, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Nassau, Pasco, and Walton. The proposal came after the rejection of Project Tango, a large-scale data center project proposed west of Loxahatchee, with Commissioners citing incompatibility with the area, concerns about noise and water usage, and outdated county rules. County Commissioners are set to review the moratorium language through a first reading. "Joe Gómez is appointed as Coral Gables' next City Manager" via Michelle Marchante of Miami Herald — Outgoing Coral Gables City Manager Peter Iglesias' right-hand man Gómez will take over and lead day-to-day operations in the city starting in 2027. Gables Commissioners voted 3-1 to promote Gómez, currently Deputy City Manager, to be the city's top administrator once Iglesias steps down, opting to avoid a national search for one of the most important jobs in the Gables. "I will listen, communicate openly and approach every decision with the best interest of Coral Gables in mind," Gómez told the Commission. The new job comes with a starting salary of $305,324, a monthly car allowance and an annual cost-of-living adjustment. "Joe Abruzzo: 'No place for antisemitism' as county employee suspended" via Mike Diamond of Palm Beach Post — A Palm Beach County building inspector has been suspended after allegedly shouting "Heil Hitler" and making a Nazi salute toward another motorist during an apparent road-rage incident. The allegation surfaced after StopAntisemitism, a national advocacy group that monitors antisemitic incidents, posted a photograph showing the county employee making what appeared to be a Nazi salute toward a Jewish driver. County Administrator Abruzzo said the county immediately launched an investigation. "There is no place for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination in Palm Beach County government," Abruzzo said. U.S. Rep. Moskowitz and his Republican challenger, former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, both called for swift action.

Local: C. FL   "School Board to discuss search for new OCPS superintendent" via Emma Delamo of Spectrum News 13 — Orange County School Board members are set to meet at a work session Tuesday to discuss the District's search for a new superintendent. This comes nearly one month after Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez announced her retirement. Angie Gallo, who is taking over as School Board Chair, said she is looking for a candidate with an innovative business mindset who can create school environments students want to be in. "Kids don't want to be in school six and a half hours a day anymore. That's just not who they are," Gallo said. "We have to meet them where they're to bring them back. So, it's really going to need to be someone who's innovative." Maria Vazquez is preparing to leave OCPS, putting the School Board back into superintendent-search mode. "Citizen's Advisory Board makes recommendations on how to spend Tourism Development Tax dollars" via Marie Edinger of FOX 35 Orlando — A group of volunteers from the public, appointed by Orange County Commissioners, listened to presentations from entities asking for tourism development tax funding, and made a report about their recommendations. The Board of County Commissioners had some reservations about how the report was developed, but ultimately accepted it and its recommendations. The Board does not have to make its decisions based on the recommendations. "I think there's problems with the process. I think we move forward with the best that we got, but I don't accept this final report," said District 5 Commissioner Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad. “Orlando halts Leu Gardens expansion over Amendment 3 concerns” via Gail Paschall-Brown of WESH 2 — The city of Orlando has paused its multimillion-dollar, five-year strategic plan to expand Harry P. Leu Gardens, citing community feedback and concerns about the potential impact of Florida's Amendment 3 on property tax revenues. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical oasis located just north of downtown Orlando, was donated to the city in 1961 by Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. The lakefront estate, which includes a historic home, welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors annually and features diverse horticulture, a butterfly garden, and art programs for all ages. "Orange County battalion chief caught in prostitution sting, report says" via Staff of News 6 — An Orange County battalion chief was arrested last week as part of a prostitution sting out of Seminole County. In an arrest report, police said they were conducting an operation at a "confidential location" in Seminole County, targeting offenses related to prostitution. The battalion chief — identified as Steven Sherrill, 45 — reportedly got caught up in the sting, agreeing to a "quick visit for sexual services in exchange for $80," investigators revealed. Now, Sherrill faces a charge of soliciting prostitution. "Palm Bay brings back controversial Flock surveillance system for motorists" via J.D. Gallop of Florida Today — Two weeks after Palm Bay city officials suspended the use of the controversial Flock surveillance system, the automated license plate reading cameras are back online. The decision to make the system operational again was made after city officials verified that its 51 Flock cameras and tag readers had been properly installed. "The license plate readers were taken offline as an administrative action pending a permitting review," said City Manager Matthew Morton. "We have now verified each location, corrected the issue, and confirmed that the installations meet City requirements." At least three cameras were vandalized during the suspension, police confirmed. "Dolly Parton's lasting legacy in Central Florida" via News 6 — She was known for hits like "9 to 5″ and "Islands in the Stream," but Parton was also known for her efforts to boost literacy. In 2023, the singer's foundation celebrated giving away its 200 millionth book for free to more than 2.5 million kids through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Every month, hundreds of kids in Central Florida receive a book from the Imagination Library mailed to their homes. Parton says she started the library in 1995 in honor of her dad. "Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission," said Parton. "Before he passed away, my daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done."

Local: TB   “Dolly Parton leaves a glittering legacy across Tampa Bay” via Gabrielle Calise of the Tampa Bay Times — Parton’s decades-long relationship with Tampa Bay stretched from early country shows to sold-out arenas, local look-alike contests, college courses and mural tributes. Parton, who died Tuesday at 80, first performed locally in 1970 at Curtis Hixon Hall with Porter Wagoner and returned repeatedly as her fame grew. Eckerd College later devoted a class to her cultural impact and signature “Dollitics,” while Tampa artist Cam Parker recently raced to finish a mural celebrating her. Her final local concert came in 2016, when she performed more than 30 songs despite a cold, mixing hits with jokes and the homespun wisdom that made generations of fans feel like they knew her personally. Dolly Parton’s Tampa Bay memories stretch from Curtis Hixon Hall to one very timely mural tribute. "TGH Brooksville performs first open heart surgery, and Hernando County's heart patients can skip the drive down I-75" via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — For most of its 94 years, the hospital on Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Brooksville was where you went to get stabilized before somebody pointed the ambulance south. That changed this week: Tampa General Hospital (TGH) performed its first open-heart surgery at its Brooksville location, the latest clinical milestone for the Hernando County campus since TGH took it over. The procedure was a single-vessel coronary bypass graft with a mitral valve repair and an atrial appendage clipping. It was deemed a success, and the patient is recovering. "Bringing cardiothoracic surgery to TGH Brooksville required an extraordinary level of collaboration," said Robert "Bobby" Ginn Jr., senior vice president and president of TGH Brooksville and TGH Spring Hill.

Local: N. FL   “UNF eyes University of North Georgia leader as school's next president” via Steve Patterson of The Florida Times-Union — A Search Committee tapped North Georgia President Michael P. Shannon on August 25 as its pick to fill the post Interim President Angela Falconetti has held since February. Shannon is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel with a PhD from Georgia Tech who has led North Georgia since 2023. “Dr. Shannon is a strong leader with an impressive background in higher education and military service," UNF Trustee Jack Boyle, who chaired the search process, said in a release from the university. "He is passionate about student success, community engagement and the future of UNF." Shannon will be at UNF on Sept. 9 and 10 for campus forums and will be interviewed the following week by trustees, who are scheduled to vote on his selection on Sept. 23. Michael P. Shannon emerges as UNF’s presidential favorite, bringing military credentials and higher-ed experience north. “'Delay tactic' nearly stops Pensacola contractor's racketeering trial” via Benjamin Johnson of the Pensacola News Journal — A long-embattled Pensacola contractor facing decades in prison for racketeering and organized fraud began trial Monday, but not before presiding Judge John Simon was forced to admonish the handling of a pretrial matter, labeling it as a possible "delay tactic." … "Nobody advised this court that (Jesse LaCoste) was, in fact, going to get his own attorney until today," Simon exclaimed. "And now all of a sudden we're going to continue a case that I've set six days for because (LaCoste) may have an attorney or he may not. That is a waste of judicial resources." Despite LaCoste's claims that his attorney was failing to properly represent him in the case, Simon ordered the trial to begin after no new attorney had filed a notice of appearance with the court. “NAACP wants judge to end city of Tallahassee, FSU push to dismiss TMH lawsuit” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — A proposed order sent to a Tallahassee judge would deny the City of Tallahassee's and Florida State University's motions to dismiss the Tallahassee NAACP's lawsuit challenging the sale of the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare hospital to the university. The proposed language, provided to Circuit Judge Lee Marsh by the NAACP, would state that the NAACP has raised legal questions substantial enough to keep the lawsuit in play at this stage of the case. The filing comes a month after the judge asked each party to provide supplemental information that would help him determine whether the case should survive. He also specifically asked for information supporting the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP's standing to sue, as attorneys for FSU and the city contend that it's not registered as a legal entity with the state.

Local: SW. FL   “County Administrator warns of potential cuts to Sheriff's office, key services if Amendment 3 passes” via Christian Casale of Suncoast Searchlight — Sarasota County could see major cuts to critical services if Amendment 3 passes at the ballot box in November, with the Sheriff’s Office alone standing to lose more than $50 million of the property tax revenue it currently receives, new projections show. Those figures show what could happen within the first two years after Amendment 3 passes and follow months of concerns from local officials across the Suncoast who say the rollback would be devastating to the budgets that fund parks, libraries, and public safety. “I’m not saying cut $35 million out of the Sheriff’s office, but if you applied that same model we talk about so frequently, that’s what those numbers would look like to put it into perspective,” said County Administrator Jonathan Lewis. Sarasota County Commissioners confront Amendment 3 projections that could make budget season considerably less sunny. “Manatee Commissioners wrestle with Flock cameras, privacy concerns” via Ellie Davis of WWSB ABC7 — Manatee County Commissioners are divided over license plate-reading cameras used by the Sheriff’s Office, weighing their crime-fighting benefits against privacy concerns. Commissioner Mike Rahn pointed to cases where the technology helped authorities recover an abducted child, while Commissioner Jason Bearden questioned when surveillance of residents goes too far. Residents also urged the county to suspend the cameras and disclose their locations, data retention policies, and information-sharing practices. The county attorney said Commissioners can ban the technology only in unincorporated areas. Commissioner Amanda Ballard proposed barring license plate readers from county facilities, buildings and parks while requiring future camera applications to receive Commission approval. “Manatee County backs $7.5M scholarship fund for local students” via The Bradenton Times — Manatee County Commissioners approved a partnership with State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota to expand access to workforce training and higher education. Through the Suncoast Prosper Scholarship Fund, the county will invest up to $7.5 million over three years in “last dollar” aid for eligible students pursuing associate degrees and certificate programs, supporting an estimated 1,425 students. Beginning in Fall 2027, the program will cover eligible tuition and required costs remaining after other grants and scholarships are applied, and SCF will provide advice and financial aid support. Commissioners also approved historic landmark status for the Johnson Helm House, a $1.92 million Coquina Beach restoration project and nearly $1.89 million for Manatee River oyster restoration.

Top opinion   “Florida’s population boom slows as rising costs drive residents away” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s population boom is losing steam as rising costs push residents out and discourage newcomers. Annual growth fell below 1% last year, still faster than most states but unusually weak by Florida standards. Only twice in the past century has growth been slower. The slowdown carries economic consequences. The Florida Chamber of Commerce warns that younger residents, particularly those ages 20 to 29, are leaving in significant numbers, even as retirees continue to arrive, creating an imbalance for a state whose economy has long depended on population growth. Affordability appears central. Housing is expensive, insurance costs have soared, and jobs in Florida generally pay less than in other states. National outlets have taken notice, with The Wall Street Journal examining Florida’s fading population boom and CNBC ranking it among America’s 10 most expensive states. The trend complicates DeSantis’ argument that Florida’s growth validates his policies. The latest numbers come from sources not easily dismissed as partisan critics, including the Florida Chamber and The Wall Street Journal, while Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott blames higher living costs. Florida remains attractive to wealthy newcomers and retirees, but that presents another challenge. Some affluent arrivals bring personal wealth without relocating companies or creating jobs, while their spending can drive up housing prices, particularly in South Florida, worsening affordability for working families. The larger concern is structural. Florida relies heavily on construction and development but trails other large states in the number of Fortune 500 headquarters and high-wage employers. With migration providing less economic fuel, the state faces an increasingly urgent challenge: building an economy that works for workers, not just newcomers with money.

More opinions   "Florida laws ignore inflation. Taxpayers pay the price" via Graham Brink of Tampa Bay Times — In 1985, Hillsborough County set a $388 development fee on every new home to fund parks. The fee stayed the same for 35 years. By 2020, county leaders called park funding a crisis and agreed to raise the fee to an average of $3,300. If the county had tied the fee to inflation, the increase would have arrived gradually rather than landing all at once as a 750% shock three decades later. Florida's homestead exemption offers another example. The state set the exemption at $25,000 in 1980 and left it untouched as home prices and the cost of living soared. For decades, inflation chewed away at the exemption. Homeowners paid the price. Lesson learned? Not really.

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Aloe   "Retailers hope upcoming tax holiday can boost sales" via Jim Turner of The News Service of Florida — An upcoming four-month sales tax "holiday" on certain camping and hunting gear, including guns and ammunition, is back to round out the year. The retail industry is hoping people are becoming more conscious of the discount period that begins Sept 1 and ends Dec. 31. Unlike the month-long back-to-school holiday discount period that included personal computers valued at $1,500 or less, there is no ceiling on the price of firearms, bows and accessories to receive the discount during the "Hunting, Fishing, and Camping" holiday period. "It's certainly not the same as the back-to-school or disaster relief (sales tax holidays) because all the holidays come down to awareness," said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. Florida’s hunting tax holiday takes aim at retail spending, with firearms and camping gear joining the discount list.

Happy birthday   Celebrating today are former Sen. George Gainer, our friend Joy Friedman, Doug Adkins, Christian Camara, Jonathan Rees, Kayleigh Sagonowsky, and Jared Willis. ___ Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.

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