| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Presented by The Great Courses Plus | Good Monday morning. The daily rundown — Between Saturday and Sunday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 8,436 (0.8 percent), to 1,058,074; active hospitalizations went up 104 since Friday (nearly 2.4 percent), to 4,440; deaths rose by 93 (nearly 0.5 percent), to 19,177. The waiting — So, is Joe Gruters about to get his endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis? Silence — The Republican state senator and Republican Party of Florida chairman is coming off a very successful election cycle, and a bid for a second two-year term was seen as an easy lift. But DeSantis has refused to publicly back Gruters so far even though Gruters maintains the governor supports him. This past weekend, DeSantis hosted top GOP officials at the governor's mansion for a reception and appeared very much at ease with Gruters, according to video the chairman posted online. A good sign? — Gruters told Zac Anderson of the Herald-Tribune that he's planning on meeting with the governor this week. Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been a top ally of the governor, also told Anderson he assumes the governor will back Gruters. DeSantis world — Look, let's understand the dynamics here. DeSantis and Gruters had several tense moments over the past two years, including clashing over Gruters salary as well as a dust-up over an on-again, off-again major fundraiser featuring President Donald Trump. DeSantis has a very tight inner circle and the way it works within his own administration is that he and his top lieutenants are very cautious about anyone with links to former Gov. Rick Scott or Susie Wiles. Gruters has a long-running good relationship with Wiles, who has now helmed two successful campaigns for Trump. We will see where this lands. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to be in Tallahassee. | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Don't be stagnant, keep your mind active with The Great Courses Plus . Learn at your own pace with the ability to stream lectures like the Art of Investing anytime, anywhere. Tap into an expansive selection of over 13,000 video streaming lectures from some of the world's greatest minds. Learning should be enjoyable, so start learning today with The Great Courses Plus! | | |
|  | TRAIL MIX | | DRAMA AHEAD? — "Florida GOP chair Joe Gruters may face reelection hurdles despite leading red wave," by Herald Tribune's Zac Anderson: "But one of the governor's closest allies believes that DeSantis will get behind Gruters's candidacy. 'I'm with Governor DeSantis on whomever he wants as Party Chairman,' U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz said in a text message. 'My assumption is that he still wants Joe Gruters.' Gaetz said his assumption is based on three things, including the fact that 'Governor DeSantis and I personally asked Joe to run for Chairman' in 2018 and that DeSantis 'hasn't said otherwise – and he has even traveled to my district with Joe to build joint fundraising relationships.'" — "The Miami-Dade GOP will choose a new leader next week. Will Democrats stand pat?" by Miami Herald's David Smiley YOU SURE ABOUT THIS? — "New combative Ivanka Trump sparks questions about her future," by CNN's Kate Bennett and Betsy Klein : "'Ivanka definitely has political ambitions, no question about it," a source who has been working closely with the Trump family told CNN. 'She wants to run for something, but that still needs to be figured out.' Talk of an Ivanka Trump run for Florida governor in the near future has come up, as has a possible run for Congress in New Jersey, both states where Trump has vacation homes. The Trump-Kushner family currently rents a home in DC's tony Kalorama neighborhood two miles from the White House." Here's some free campaign advice — As entertaining as a Trump-DeSantis contest for governor would be, it's not going to happen. Ivanka Trump isn't qualified to run anytime soon under Florida law. Florida's constitution clearly states that candidates for governor must have been a resident of the state for seven years prior to their election. | 
Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to President Donald Trump, visits the Pizza By Fuscos during a campaign stop on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, in Acworth, Ga. | (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo) | HMMM — "After leaving GOP, David Jolly weighs his political future in Florida as an independent," by Tampa Bay Times' Steve Contorno: "There's no cell phone service in the central Pennsylvania mountains where David Jolly is waiting out the pandemic with his young family. He spends most days walking the woods or adding another beam to the the two-story pole barn he's determined to build by hand. 'Good thinking time,' Jolly called it. Lately, Jolly has a lot to think about. The former Florida congressman is itching to run for public office in 2022 — possibly for U.S. Senate, though governor isn't out of the question, either. The state needs leaders willing to compromise, he said, who put people over partisanship." | | | | TRACK THE TRANSITION & NEW ADMINISTRATION HEADING INTO 2021: President-elect Biden is pushing full steam ahead on putting together his Cabinet and White House staff. These appointments and staffing decisions send clear-cut signals about Biden's priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, it tracks the appointments, people, and the emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | GOV. VS. REP. — "Murphy lashes out at Gaetz for appearance at Young Republican gala," by POLITICO's Nick Niedzwiadek: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy admonished Florida congressman Matt Gaetz on Friday for attending a large gala event in the state after it was forced out of its original location in New York City under pressure from local officials. "What a fool," the Democratic governor told reporters during a press briefing. "You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don't ever want you back in this state." Pictures of the event show dozens of attendees, including Gaetz, milling about in close proximity to one another and scarce mask wearing. Unsocial media — Murphy posted almost identical statements on his Twitter account Friday alongside a photo of Gaetz in a gas mask, which he wore on the House floor earlier this year while the chamber was debating coronavirus relief legislation. "You're gonna regret this tweet when you move to Florida like the rest of New Jersey," Gaetz retorted on the social media platform, while thanking Murphy for sardonically praising the congressman's looks. "I'm only considered handsome in New Jersey, though," Gaetz added. WORD OF MOUTH? — "DeSantis not planning statewide campaign in Florida to urge coronavirus vaccine use," by Herald-Tribune's John Kennedy: "With Florida recently passing the 1 million mark for Covid-19 cases, the prospect of a vaccine being available in coming weeks looms as a potential bright spot in the state's troubled battle with the coronavirus. But Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration has no plans for a widescale campaign encouraging Floridians to be vaccinated, even as public health officials worry that many people will shun the shot for a variety of reasons. 'We've seen all along that mixed messaging or confusing messaging is at best, dangerous, and at worse deadly,' said Dr. Marissa Levine, a public health expert at the University of South Florida-Health, and a former Virginia state health commissioner. 'We need clear messaging, and we haven't had that yet.'" NO. 1 — "'It's nonstop.' During pandemic, Florida once again leads in Obamacare signups," by Miami Herald's Ben Conarck: "From November 1 to November 28, more than 870,000 Floridians signed up on the federal marketplace, leading the country among the 36 states with exchanges on HealthCare.gov. That outpaces the record year Florida had last year, when nearly 797,000 people signed up between November 1 and November 30. Steven Ullmann, a healthcare policy expert with the University of Miami, said he's not surprised to see that increase in enrollments, given the pandemic and the fact that Florida usually leads in enrollment due to a heavy concentration of workers in the service industries." — "COVID-19 hospitalizations surge over the weekend in Sarasota and Manatee counties," by Herald-Tribune's Zac Anderson REVERBERATIONS — "The 'COVID' slide': More South Florida students are failing," by Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis: "More students are failing at their schoolwork as they learn at home during the COVID-19 crisis, according to new school district data. The percentage of students getting F's has more than doubled, with more skipping school and performing poorly on assessments. 'We're in a crisis,' said Rosalind Osgood, chairwoman of the Broward School Board. 'Parents have to connect kids to school. It's not optional. If our kids are going to make it in this extremely difficult time, students must log on or come to school face to face. Students must be engaged in learning.'" SUPER SPREADERS? — "Crowded events are stoking fears as COVID-19 spikes," by Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan: "With the Brazilian Festival moving from Pompano Beach to Fort Lauderdale, critics are painting the city as the irresponsible host of yet another public event while COVID-19 cases are surging. The switch of venues came after Pompano blocked the plans and the festival went looking elsewhere — in a city that has already allowed thousands of people to gather at other public events." PLEASE HELP — "'Months before we can restore normalcy.' Miami-Dade officials plead for federal COVID aid," by Miami Herald's Howard Cohen: "South Florida elected officials, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, spent part of Saturday morning at a food distribution site on Miami Beach pleading, 'praying and beseeching the federal government to come to our aid' as the COVID-19 pandemic surges through the state. Levine Cava's pleas were echoed by Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami Beach Commissioner David Richardson at the food distribution site at 22nd Street and Collins Avenue." | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus:   | | |
| | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | IT'S TIME — "President Trump signs bill allowing Oviedo veteran to receive Medal of Honor," by Orlando Sentinel's Grace Toohey: "President Donald Trump on Friday gave the final approval on bill that gives his administration the authority to award Oviedo army veteran the Medal of Honor, a decision previously blocked by time constraints. With the bill now signed — which waived the five-year limit for Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe to receive the military's most prestigious award for personal valor — the Central Florida native is one step closer to receiving the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Cashe, 35, died in 2005 after risking his life to save other soldiers deployed in Iraq, when their armored vehicle caught fire from a roadside bomb that detonated. Cashe crawled out from the wreckage, then repeatedly returned to the burning vehicle to pull six other soldiers and a translator out, all while he was on fire and dodging enemy fire." AMONG THE FEW — "Gaetz votes for landmark federal bill to decriminalize marijuana," by Northwest Florida Daily News' Kevin Robinson: "U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz was among a handful of Republican congressmen who supported new federal legislation to decriminalize marijuana. On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the MORE (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement) Act by a vote of 228-164. The bill would remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminate criminal penalties for individuals who manufacture, distribute or possess marijuana. Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City, were among just five Republicans who crossed party lines to vote in favor of the measure." | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | NEW MEANING FOR TAKEOUT — "Florida Senate offers double shot of 'alcohol to go,'" by News Service of Florida's Jim Turner and Tom Urban: "Two state senators have uncorked proposals to make permanent a coronavirus emergency order that allowed restaurants and other food establishments with liquor licenses to include alcohol with 'to-go' orders. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, separately filed measures that would allow a business holding a state alcohol license to sell or deliver spirited beverages by the package for off-site consumption." WEIGHING IN — "End 'corporate socialism' in Florida so free markets can thrive," by Rep. Anna Eskamani for the Orlando Sentinel: "Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican politicians in Tallahassee love to attack Democrats as 'socialists,' simply because Democrats believe that everyone deserves a good education and that no one should go broke just because they become sick. These attacks are blatant lies that are meant to scare voters. If DeSantis and Republican lawmakers want to find socialists, they should look in the mirror. Our governor and his enablers are proud corporate socialists, the creators and defenders of a system that uses public taxpayer money to pad private corporate profits — particularly for those corporations with the most lobbyists or the biggest campaign contributions." | | | | JOIN TUESDAY TO POWER FORWARD WITH WOMEN RULE: Americans have endured multiple crises in 2020, from the pandemic to the economic recession, racial injustices, and a highly contentious presidential election. Women have often led the way in helping the country navigate these crises and will continue to in the new year. Join us for the conclusion of "Powering Forward," a series of virtual conversations that has brought the Women Rule community together during a year that changed how women live, work, and lead. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | TRYING TO SOLVE A MYSTERY — "Report finds microwave energy likely made US diplomats ill," by Associated Press: "A new report by a National Academy of Sciences committee has found that 'directed' microwave radiation is the likely cause of illnesses among American diplomats in Cuba and China. The study commissioned by the State Department and released Saturday is the latest attempt to find a cause for the mysterious illnesses that started to emerge in late 2016 among U.S. personnel in Havana. The study found that "directed, pulsed radio frequency energy appears to be the most plausible" explanation for symptoms that included intense head pressure, dizziness and cognitive difficulties." IN MEMORIAM — "'Never forget': Candlelight vigil held at Blue Wahoos Stadium for NAS Pensacola attack," by News Journal's Jim Little : "The families of those killed and wounded in the attack on NAS Pensacola one year ago were joined Sunday night by their friends and members of the community who wanted to show their support for a candlelight vigil at Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola. More than 150 people held candles in silence for 15 minutes, marking the timing of the attack from the first shot of gunfire to the last, exactly one year and 12 hours after the attack." — 'New perspective on life': NAS Pensacola shooting survivor opens Gulf Breeze wrestling gym," by News Journal's Colin Warren-Hicks FOR YOUR RADAR — "Jack Campbell files Bar complaint over lawyer's YouTube channel, raising free speech concerns," by Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew: "State Attorney Jack Campbell has asked The Florida Bar to take action against a Tallahassee attorney over his YouTube channel, which features videos and running commentaries on some of the biggest criminal prosecutions in town. Campbell filed a Bar complaint Nov. 5 against attorney James P. Waczewski, a prolific YouTuber whose Mentour Law channel features nearly 600 videos. His posts on high-profile cases, including the murders of Mike Williams and Dan Markel, include raw video from trials and police interrogations along with some of his own interviews." 'THINGS NEVER WORK PERFECTLY' — "A flooded Everglades: Boon for birds but high waters threaten some species," by Miami Herald's Adriana Brasileiro: "A record-breaking rainy season has left the River of Grass looking like a real river. Shark Valley, a popular Everglades National Park tourist stop off Tamiami Trail, is temporarily closed and mostly underwater. The looping road leading to its signature observation tower looks like a canal in an aerial image taken by a staffer. Farther south, on the road to Flamingo on the southern mainland coast of Florida Bay, marshes normally draining down in South Florida's dry season shimmer like lakes in the sun. At least one water gauge in the park reached its highest level since 1962." UP IN SPACE — "Double Dragons: SpaceX launches space station supplies," by Associated Press's Marcia Dunn: "SpaceX launched a newer, bigger version of its Dragon supply ship to the International Space Station on Sunday, marking the first time the company has two capsules in orbit at the same time. The Dragon — packed with Christmas treats and presents — should reach the space station on Monday, joining the Dragon that delivered four astronauts last month." | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Are you an inquisitively curious individual that loves learning? Join a community of life-long learners, and learn more about any topic with The Great Courses Plus. Stream thousands of videos by some of this world's brightest minds. From the Art of Investing to the Theory of Everything, quench your thirst for knowledge with courses designed for the endlessly curious cat. With The Great Courses Plus, you'll enjoy being able to learn anytime, anywhere at your own pace. Now there's nothing keeping you from starting your educational journey. Learn now with The Great Courses Plus! | | |
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | | — "Nabbed for street racing, Florida man blasts 'Bad Boys,'" by The Associated Press: "Florida authorities say that when two young men were pulled over for street racing, one of the drivers blasted the song 'Bad Boys,' the opening theme to the TV show 'Cops.' The Collier County Sheriff's Office said Oscar Llera Iturralde, 19, and Jose Ramirez-Sanchez, 20, were arrested and charged with racing on a public highway. A third man, Joel Aguilar Hernandez, 20, was charged with riding as a passenger in a race competition. The arrest report said he coordinated the race between the two vehicles." BIRTHDAYS: Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey … Progress Florida's Mark Ferrulo … (Was Sunday) Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and co-founder of Promise Fund of Florida
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