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☆ Cane toads: This warty, toxic pest threatens entire ecosystems. These scientists have a secret weapon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

For the most part, the battle against cane toads has been mounted by local ecological warriors wearing rubber gloves who scan the streets for adult toads. But the Australians have a secret weapon not yet available worldwide – a lure that attracts cane toad tadpoles so thousands can be killed in one hit. To prove the theory, and try to mimic it, they’d first need a heap of dead cane toads. “In Florida, cane toads are mainly a socio-economic issue. Northern quolls – small carnivorous marsupials – get a cane toad sausage, goannas are fed tiny live toads and freshwater crocodiles receive cane toad legs with a dose of lithium chloride.

Persons: Australia CNN —, Gary King, “ Who’s, ”, King, Australia’s, Cane, Luke, Austin Rogers, “, “ There’s, we’re, Rob Capon, Rick Shine, Capon, ” Capon, they’d, it’s, you’ve, Jacob LaFond, Steve Johnson, that’s, ” LaFond, That’s, Nikki Tomsett, ” Tomsett, they’re, Sara McAllister, Connor, John Holmes, Hilary Whiteman, Connor Holmes, John, ” John, ” Connor Organizations: Australia CNN, University of Queensland, Macquarie University . Shine, Macquarie University, University of Tampa, University of Florida, Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, CNN Locations: Brisbane, Australia, South, Central America, Queensland, United States, Japan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Pacific, Caribbean, United Kingdom, koalas, North Queensland, Florida, Miami, “, South Florida, Australian, Hawaii, Derby, Western Australia, Northern

Ron DeSantis warned in a CNN town hall Tuesday night that Republicans are “going to lose” the 2024 election if they nominate former President Donald Trump. Nikki Haley – in Iowa’s caucuses, the Florida governor fielded questions in New Hampshire at a town hall moderated by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. Here are five takeaways from DeSantis’ town hall:Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, participates in a CNN Republican presidential town hall moderated by Wolf Blitzer, right, at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire, on January 16, 2024. DeSantis answers a question during the town hall in New Hampshire on January 16, 2024.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley –, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Haley, Trump, “, ” DeSantis, “ We’re, ”, Wolf Blitzer, Will Lanzoni, CNN DeSantis, won’t, DeSantis, Ryan Binkley, it’s, DeSantis ’, That’s, Republicans DeSantis, lumping, Joe Biden, hadn’t, we’ve, Scott, –, MSNBC’s Joy Reid, “ We’ve, — that’s Organizations: CNN, Florida Gov, Trump, South Carolina Gov, Republican, CNN Republican, New England College, ABC News, New, GOP, Nevada Republican, Republicans, Trump voters, College Board, Republican Party, defund, Fox, Disney Locations: Iowa’s, Florida, New Hampshire, DeSantis ’, Henniker , New Hampshire, South Carolina, Granite State, Nevada, Dallas, Iowa, DeSantis, United States, Covid, Orlando

☆ In Florida, Affordable Housing Joins Luxury Complexes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Deborah Acosta | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Bal Harbour complex is home to about 100 luxury retailers. Photo: Scott McIntyre for The Wall Street JournalBal Harbour Shops in Miami-Dade County, a premier luxury mall featuring swanky brands such as Chanel, Gucci and Tiffany, is getting into the affordable-housing business. Whitman Family Development , the shopping center’s owner, filed plans with the city on Tuesday to build a roughly 20-story luxury hotel and three residential towers with 600 units within the complex. One building with about 240 units will be reserved for workforce housing, as part of Florida’s new housing law known as the Live Local Act.

Persons: Scott McIntyre, Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany Organizations: Wall, Whitman Locations: Miami, Dade County

☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

Persons: you’d, Tengguo Wu, Gabriele Thielmann, Turkey's, Gary Ennis, Matevz, Bill Bachman, Christian Kober, Gonzalo Azumendi, David ChiaFF, Pavel Tochinsky, Terry Kelly, Raul Rodriguez, iStock, Anton Petrus, –, — Karla Cripps Turkey’s, — Barry Neild, Mana Kaasik, — Maureen O’Hare, — Maggie Hiufu Wong, Deb Snelson, Glen Arbor, Marnie Hunter, — Forrest Brown, — Forrest Brown Angola Cristo, Eric Lafforgue, it’s, King, Eric Carr, John’s, Saint John, New Brunswick —, —, Tuul, Bruno Morandi, — Julia Buckley, Groenewald, Alamy, — Lilit Marcus, Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon, — JB, Bogdan Lazar, — Tamara Hardingham, Gill, Hercules, Francesca, Lazarus, ”, David Casanova, Megan Sequeira Casanova, “, Kuka y Naranjo, medina, Gordon Sinclair, Yvette Cardozo, — FB, Pierce Ingram, Stefan Tomic, Fujairah, who’ve, Samarkand —, It’s Organizations: CNN, United, CNN Travel, Getty Images, Town, Getty, Northwest, Saint, New Brunswick Tourism, UNESCO, Heritage, Alamy, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, Galicia, Tercera Orden, Parque, Bank, Wakulla Springs, Texas, United Arab Emirates, AP, Rock, of Culture, Estonian National Museum, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest Michigan, Bear, Farm, Riders, Lubango, — BN Saint John, Canada Tourists, St, Saint John City Market, Historic, Saint John Arts Centre, Carnegie, Carnegie Library, — KC, Korea, Folk, Netflix, South Korea, Adriatic, Nacional Glaciares, Australian Sea Lions, Panama, Spain Santiago de, Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Islas, Camino, Mexico People, YouTube, US State Department, Morocco, Regis Hotels, Resorts, — FB Texas, Travel Texas, Krause, Gruene, Fujairah, Icefjord, FS, Tuul, ” Locations: United States, Sumba, Indonesia Sumba, Indonesia, Bali, Getty Images Tartu, Estonia, Tartu —, European, Tainan, Taiwan, Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Lake Michigan, iStockphoto, Western Balkans, Culebra , Puerto Rico, Flamenco, Culebra, cdwheatley, Angola, Luanda, , New Brunswick, Fundy, New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tourism South Korea, Korea Albania, Albania, Chile, mauritius, Western Australia, Greece, Macedonia, American, Panama, Spain, Camino, Santiago, St, John's, Mexico, Parque Hidalgo, Morocco, Meknes, Florida, Spicewood, Anton, Greenland, Denmark, AP Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Indonesian, Sumela, Turkey's, — Barry Neild Tartu, Estonia Tartu, of Culture Tartu, Tartu, “, Baltics, — Maureen O’Hare Tainan, Taiwan Tainan, Taipei, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest, Lake, Traverse, Leland, Glen, perusing, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, transdinarica.com, —, Puerto Rico, It’s, — Forrest Brown Angola, Lubango, Barra, Cabo Ledo, — BN Saint John , New Brunswick, Canada, Hopewell, Newfoundland, Saint, Canada’s, Korea Andong, South Korea, Sanga, Korea, Seoul, Busan, Andong, Albania Albania, Berat, Montenegro, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, — Julia Buckley Chile, Atacama, Patagonia, Coral Coast, Geraldton, — Lilit Marcus Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece's, Hemis, Athens, Vergina, Veria, Naousa, Greece’s, Thrace, Philippi, Kavala, Panama . Panama City, Gill Galicia, Spain Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Galicia’s, Santiago de Compostela, Cabo, Fisterra, Galicia —, Singapore, John’s, Paseo, Montejo, Mérida, Yucatán, getaways, there’s, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Resorts Morocco, Wakulla, Ginnie, Fredericksburg, Texas, Marble Falls, Meanderers, New Braunfels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Wadi, Nuuk, Ilulissat, West, FS Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, China, India, Khiva, Uzbek, Sentob, Tashkent

☆ The minimum wage is increasing in more than 20 states in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-06 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The highest state minimum wage in 2024 will be Washington state, at $16.28, up from $15.74. The state with the biggest jump in its minimum wage this year will be Hawaii, which is hiking it by $2. The push to raise it has gone on for years because minimum wage workers stuck at $7.25 have lost substantial buying power. But advocates for a higher minimum wage, including Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, would rather see it adjusted for inflation from where it was in 1968. “People replace tires they couldn’t replace or get their kids clothes.”For businesses, she said, consumer spending goes up because minimum wage workers will spend their additional earnings quickly.

Persons: Jana Bjorklund, won’t, Holly Sklar, Sklar, …, ” Sklar Organizations: New York CNN, District, Columbia, New York State, Seattle, Uber, Business, “, Washington, of Columbia Locations: New York, Maryland , New Jersey, New, New York City, Westchester, Long, Washington, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Cities, Tukwila , Washington, Seattle, GovDocs, Flagstaff , Arizona, View , California, Denver , Colorado, Portland , Maine, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire , Alabama, Mississippi, Pike County, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, York, Ohio, Rhode, Dakota, Vermont

☆ Real-Estate Developers Chase Outer Space Business in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Konrad Putzier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Cape Canaveral in Florida. Photo: Miguel RodrÃGuez/Zuma PressHines is developing a sprawling industrial park near Florida’s Cape Canaveral, aiming to cash in on the booming aerospace industry. The giant Texas real-estate firm is betting that companies such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX and their suppliers will pay high rents for warehouses and manufacturing space close to launch sites that can store rockets, space shuttles, satellites and any parts used to build and maintain them.

Persons: Miguel RodrÃGuez, Zuma Press Hines, Jeff Bezos Organizations: Zuma Press, Origin, Elon, SpaceX Locations: Cape Canaveral in Florida, Florida’s Cape Canaveral, Texas

That sort of approach resonated in conservative strongholds like Alabama long before Trump. Alabama Democrats, especially, cite deep historical roots involving racism, class and urban-rural divides when explaining Wallace, Trump and the decades between them. Moderate to progressive “national Democrats” were concentrated in north Alabama, Baxley explained, while reactionary “states-rights Dixiecrats” cohered in south Alabama. Wallace won four Deep South states as an independent in 1968. Wallace won his fourth term as governor in 1982 after disavowing segregation and winning over enough Black voters.

Persons: George Wallace, Wallace, Donald Trump, Trump, “ Alabamians, ”, Terry Lathan, ” Trump, Barack Obama, Brent Buchanan, Wayne Flynt, “, Lathan, Ron DeSantis, Reagan, Trump's, ” Wallace, Lyndon Johnson, Bill Baxley, Baxley, Lincoln ”, ” Baxley, Franklin Roosevelt’s, “ Wallace, Johnson, Barry Goldwater, Flynt, Alabama “, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Wallace’s, Jimmy Carter, Carter, Alabama's, Democratic pollster Zac McCrary, Hillary Clinton’s, Joe Biden’s, ” McCrary, Sen, Richard Shelby's, Shelby, Newt Gingrich, Dan Carter, Jeff Sessions, Trump’s, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, dealmaker, Britt, Buchanan, Republican pollster, Donald Trump’s, Kim Chandler Organizations: ATLANTA, — Republican, University of Alabama, Civil Rights Movement, Republicans, Party of Lincoln, Party of Trump, Trump, America, GOP, Alabama Republicans, Democratic, Alabama Democrats, “ Party, Democrats ”, Politics, National Democrats, Franklin Roosevelt’s New, Civil, Act, Republican, Reconstruction, Klux Klan, Birmingham's, Baptist Church, Washington, Democrat, “, Democrats, U.S, Senate, Sessions, Alabama, Alabama Legislature, Southern Democrats, Capitol, Shelby, Associated Press Locations: Tuscaloosa, Washington, Alabama, lockstep, Florida, Southern, U.S, Texas, New York, Trump, Jan, Montgomery , Alabama

☆ In Florida’s Hot Political Climate, Some Faculty Have Had Enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Stephanie Saul | More About Stephanie Saul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ron DeSantis had just taken office in 2019 when the University of Florida lured Neil H. Buchanan, a prominent economist and tax law scholar, from George Washington University. Now, just four years after he started at the university, Dr. Buchanan has given up his tenured job and headed north to teach in Toronto. In a recent column on a legal commentary website, he accused Florida of “open hostility to professors and to higher education more generally.”He is not the only liberal-leaning professor to leave one of Florida’s highly regarded public universities. The Times interviewed a dozen academics — in fields ranging from law to psychology to agronomy — who have left Florida public universities or given their notice, many headed to blue states. While emphasizing that hundreds of top academics remain in Florida, a state known for its solid and affordable public university system, they raised concerns that the governor’s policies have become increasingly untenable for scholars and students.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Neil H, Buchanan, DeSantis, — Organizations: University of Florida, George Washington University, Times Locations: Toronto, Florida

☆ Florida GOP chair defies DeSantis, won’t step down as new details of sexual assault allegation emerge
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Steve Contorno | Carlos Suarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Ziegler admitted to having sex with the alleged victim, but said the sex was consensual and that he recorded the encounter. In one alleged exchange on October 27, the alleged victim wrote: “I’m not okay with what happened the other day between us”. “Yeah I know but that was not cool and you didn’t bring her [Bridget] and then did that to me,” the alleged victim responded. In one call, the alleged victim allegedly told Ziegler “he sexually assault her” and Ziegler replied, “Those are big words, please don’t, no I didn’t. Christian Ziegler, 40, has also fiercely defended DeSantis’ agenda against national backlash from LGTBQ groups.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Christian Ziegler, –, ”, Ziegler, Bridget, “, Christian, Christian “, Bridget Ziegler, “ Christian, That’s, Lol, ” Ziegler, Ziegler “, Derek Byrd, ” Byrd, DeSantis, Walt Disney, ” DeSantis, I’ve, They’ve Organizations: CNN, Florida’s Republican Party, Florida Gov, GOP, Sarasota Police Department, Florida Center, Government, Christian, Police, Google, ” CNN, Sarasota County, Liberty, Walt, Washington Examiner Locations: that’s, Florida, Central Florida

☆ 2023 Hurricane Season Ends, Marked by Storms That ‘Really Rapidly Intensified’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( William B. Davis | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

During the Atlantic hurricane season, 20 storms formed, seven of which reached hurricane strength, meaning sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Storms that experienced rapid intensification Rapid intensification Atlantic storms Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. wind speed Hilary Lidia 100 50 0 4 0 6 8 2 10 12 14 16 Days since start of storm Atlantic storms Rapid intensification Extremely rapid intensification Lee 150 m.p.h. Despite its strength, the slightly cooler waters near Mexico’s Baja Peninsula would rapidly weaken Hilary to a tropical storm. The background graphic shows the storm moving from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall on Oct. 25.

Persons: El Niño, ” James P, ”, Kossin, Otis, Hilary Lidia 100, Philip Klotzbach, Klotzbach, Hurricanes Lee, Idalia, Hilary, Hurricane Hilary, “, Eric Blake Organizations: Canada New York United States Houston, Canada New York United States, Houston, Canada New York United, Canada New York United States Los, PACIFIC, ATLANTIC, Eastern, OCEAN United, OCEAN United States Los, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico City, Atlantic, University of Wisconsin, El, Pacific, National, Colorado State University, East, Hurricanes, Hurricane, U.S, National Hurricane Center Locations: Canada, Canada New York United States Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Houston Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Canada New York United States, PACIFIC OCEAN, Miami mexico Cuba Mexico, Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, OCEAN United States, OCEAN United States Los Angeles Houston mexico Mexico, Eastern, North America, Pacific, Madison, Florida, United States, Florida’s Big Bend, Cuba, Caribbean, Cancun, Gulf, Mexico, Bend, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida , Georgia, North Carolina, California, Peninsula, Baja California, Southern California, Death, Acapulco

☆ To Combat Climate Change, Builders Create Greener—and Tougher—Homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Arian Campo-Flores | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

CORTEZ, Fla.— William Fulford ’s home in a new development here didn’t lose power when Hurricane Idalia struck Florida’s Gulf Coast in August, leading to many outages in the area. It also escaped with no damage or water intrusion. The trick to its survival: The $1.3 million home built last year to be energy efficient is also great at withstanding major storms.

Persons: — William Fulford ’, Hurricane Idalia Locations: CORTEZ, Fla, —, Florida’s Gulf Coast

☆ For Republican Governors, Civics Is the Latest Education Battleground
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Dana Goldstein | More About Dana Goldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lisa Phillip, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at an Orlando charter school, appreciates many of Florida’s new guidelines for teaching civics. And she doesn’t mind teaching about “the influence of the Judeo-Christian tradition” on the nation’s founding documents. The subject prompted her students at Central Florida Leadership Academy to reflect on how the country’s politics, they believed, fell short of the basic morality in the Ten Commandments. This fall, Ms. Phillip is one of thousands of social studies teachers adjusting to a hotly debated overhaul of civics in several conservative states. The revamp is led by Republican governors — Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia — who have also restricted how race and gender are discussed in schools.

Persons: Lisa Phillip, innately, Phillip, — Ron DeSantis, Kristi Noem, Glenn Youngkin, Virginia — Organizations: Central Florida Leadership Academy, Republican Locations: Orlando, Florida, South Dakota

☆ Senate committee investigating Florida’s state-backed home insurance company as private insurers flee
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US Senate Budget Committee is launching an investigation into whether Florida’s state-backed home and property insurance company has enough money in the bank to withstand future disasters, as scientists warn warming oceans and sea level rise are making storms more destructive. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation exists as a so-called insurer of last resort - if owners cannot convince a private insurance company to cover their property, Citizens will step in. If that were to happen, the Senate Budget Committee is worried Florida might turn to the federal government looking for a bailout, Whitehouse said. State insurers of last resort were originally intended as a stopgap for consumers, ensuring their coverage wouldn’t be interrupted. Florida isn’t alone; some major private insurers have either pulled out or stopped writing new policies in wildfire-prone California.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, “, Sen, Sheldon Whitehouse, ” Whitehouse, Michael Peltier, Whitehouse, ”, Benjamin Keys, ” Keys, ’, Keys, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Republican Gov, Citizens, Democrat, ”, Munich Re, Swiss, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Senate, FAIR, Florida’s Citizens, Budget Locations: After Florida, Rhode Island, Florida, Miami, Tampa, “ Florida, Munich, riskiest, California

☆ Criminal Investigation Roils Florida Republican Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Patricia Mazzei | More About Patricia Mazzei | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Florida’s Republican Party found itself roiled on Thursday after the police said they were investigating an accusation made two months ago that the party’s chairman had engaged in sexual battery. The chairman, Christian Ziegler, was elected to the post this year as top Florida Republicans were fretting over whether to support Gov. Mr. Ziegler was seen as the choice of Mr. Trump’s allies. No charges have been filed against Mr. Ziegler, who denied wrongdoing through his lawyer, Derek Byrd. Mr. Ziegler responded to a request for comment by sending the same statement from his lawyer.

Persons: Christian Ziegler, Ron DeSantis, Donald J, Trump, Mr, Ziegler, Trump’s, Derek Byrd, “, ” Mr, Byrd Organizations: Republican Party, Florida Republicans, Gov, Mr

☆ Students are lawyering up in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Hafez, who CNN has reached out to for comment, is now suing Accuracy in Media for defamation and emotional distress, and the violation of his civil rights. Hafez is among the politically and ethnically diverse students across the country who are filing lawsuits in the wake of October 7. Some are invoking the Civil Rights Act, claiming their schools aren’t protecting them from religious discrimination. “We believe that a number of universities are violating Title VI in this moment. “We have had a massive and unprecedented spike since October 7.”The legal standard for Title VI cases is high, Cron said.

Persons: Yusuf Hafez, “ Columbia’s, ” Hafez, Hafez, Minouche Shafik, “, ” John Beckman, ” Beckman, Beckman, Justin Sadowsky, ” Sadowsky, Sadowsky, Dylan Saba, State University of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, DeSantis, ”, Brittany Wise, ” Adam Steinbaugh, ” Steinbaugh, you’re, Matthew Cron, Donald Trump, ” Saba, Kenneth Marcus, Wellesley, ” “ Wellesley, UPenn, Magill, “ We’ve, Marcus, George W, Bush, Cron, ” Cron, Yusuf Hafez’s, SWATTING, ” – CNN’s Matt Egan, Celina Tebor Organizations: New, New York CNN — Columbia University, Media, CNN, Civil, Columbia, Columbia University, New York University, Jewish, gaslighting, NYU, New York police, Islamic, Civil Rights, Department of Education, Palestine, American Civil Liberties Union, Palestine Legal, University of Florida, UF, Justice, State University of Florida, ACLU, ” CNN, State University System of, University of Florida’s, “, Governors, Foundation, Rights, Florida, DOE, of Education Office, Legal, University of Illinois Chicago, UIC, Brandeis Center, University of Pennsylvania, ”, University, Trump, Ivy League, Private, AIM, U.S . Locations: New York, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Florida, State University System of Florida, Colorado, “, Penn, Chicago

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier began a much-needed defensive makeover by firing two assistants Monday. Napier parted with cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond and defensive line coach Sean Spencer two days after a season-ending, 24-15 loss to rival and then-No. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the coach nor the assistants had made the moves public. Napier hired Raymond and Spencer before his first season. But with Spencer in charge, Florida’s run defense ranked 12th in the SEC in 2022 and 11th in 2023.

Persons: Billy Napier, Napier, Corey Raymond, Sean Spencer, Jordan Travis, Raymond, Spencer, ” Organizations: —, Florida State, Associated Press, The Gators, Defense, Seminoles, LSU, Southeastern Conference, Gators, New York Giants, Penn State, SEC, AP Locations: GAINESVILLE, Fla, — Florida, Florida, Gainesville

☆ DeSantis Faces Critical Decision on Cruise Ships in Key West
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Frances Robles | More About Frances Robles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, when cruise ships filled with sickened passengers were blocked from U.S. ports, residents in Key West, Fla., have been trying to limit the size and number of vacation vessels on the tiny island, using the momentum created during the pandemic to argue for continuing restrictions on cruise vessels. Ron DeSantis, void the new restrictions the following year. Now the wealthy hotelier who operates Key West’s cruise ship port is doubling down, asking the state for permission to expand, which would allow bigger ships with more passengers to operate legally out of the port. The issue will soon land on the desk of Mr. DeSantis, who has received nearly $1 million in campaign donations from the pier’s owner. It represents a tough balancing act for the Republican governor, a 2024 presidential candidate who has touted his environmental record but has also been a booster of Florida’s tourism industry.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis Organizations: Republican Locations: U.S, Key West, Fla, City

☆ A Left Turn for Democrats in New Hampshire?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Louis Jacobson | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Since their narrow victories in 2016, Democrats have won every federal race in New Hampshire – and have done so by widening margins. But Sununu, the scion of a New Hampshire Republican dynasty, decided not to run for a new term in 2024. Depending on vacancies and special elections, the Democrats might be able to flip control of the chamber even before the 2024 election. Under Biden, Democrats changed the order of their primaries to place New Hampshire tied for second, rather than first. Regardless, the unusual nature of the 2024 primary could have negative consequences for Democrats, Galdieri said.

Persons: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Maggie Hassan, Republican Sen, Kelly Ayotte, Trump, Republican Party –, Joe Biden, Louis Jacobson, It’s, Kenneth M, Johnson, Dante Scala, Andrew Smith, Smith, ”, Chris Galdieri, Karoline Leavitt, Bob Burns, Don Bolduc, ” Galdieri, Biden, Biden’s, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Cornel West, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Chris Sununu, Republicans ’, Sununu, “ Donald Trump, ” Sununu, “, He’s, there’s, Dean Phillips, Phillips, Galdieri, Barack Obama Organizations: MANCHESTER, Republicans, Republican, Republican Party, GOP, New Hampshire –, Democrats, Democratic, U.S . News, New, University of New, Anselm College in, Biden, Trump, CNN, Emerson College, South Carolina Gov, New Hampshire Republican, New Hampshire, New Hampshire Democratic Locations: N.H, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, University of New Hampshire, Anselm College in Manchester, New England, Hampshire, Israel, Gaza, New, Minnesota

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The statewide battles over abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a constitutional right to abortion have exposed another fault line: the commitment to democracy. "We spoke.”Gross told Jackson she wasn't ignoring voters but rather was reflecting opponents' concerns that Ohio voters were led astray. Anti-abortion lawmakers and advocates already have pushed back in a handful of states where voters sided generally with abortion rights. Republican state legislative leaders initially pledged that the fight to restrict abortion rights wasn't over after voters had spoken. Florida’s Republican attorney general is attempting to keep a proposed abortion rights amendment off the 2024 ballot.

Persons: We.Are.Not.Done, Jennifer Gross, Gross, Dobbs, Roe, Wade, Douglas Keith, Brennan, “, ” Keith, Emily Jackson, Jackson, ” Gross, ”, Rick Santorum, Brandon Prichard, Ohio, Sophia Jordán Wallace, Myrna Perez, Andrew Whitehead, God, ” Whitehead, Mike DeWine, Dave Yost, Jason Stephens, Matt Huffman, Stephens, Huffman, State Jay Ashcroft, Kara Gross Organizations: Supreme, Justice’s, AP VoteCast, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Republican, Rep, University of Washington, Ohio University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Kentucky Republicans, “, Ohio, State, AP Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, U.S, ” Ohio, Ohio, Montana and Utah, Alaska and Kansas, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Montana, ”, In Missouri, Michigan, Florida

MIAMI—On a barrier island off the coast of Florida, Ian Enochs runs a high-tech “coral gym” where he trains the colorful invertebrates to be survivors. Enochs and his colleagues are looking for individuals strong enough to withstand the kind of marine heat wave that threatened to wipe out Florida’s 360-mile-long coral reef this summer—an ecological disaster that also put the state’s fishing, tourism and beaches at risk.

Persons: Ian Enochs, Enochs Organizations: MIAMI Locations: Florida

Persons: Ian Enochs, Enochs Organizations: MIAMI Locations: Florida

The request for documents and communications was made Thursday by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, now controlled by DeSantis appointees. The district wants all Disney communications about DeSantis, as well as communications dealing with laws passed by the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature that switched control of the district from Disney supporters to the governors’ appointees and nullified deals the company made with the Disney-controlled district before the state takeover. Before control of the district changed hands from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the “eleventh-hour deals” neutered their powers, and the district sued the company in state court to have the contracts voided. Political Cartoons View All 1253 ImagesDisney has filed counterclaims which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable.

Persons: Ron DeSantis ’, “, ”, DeSantis, Mike Schneider Organizations: —, — Florida Gov, Disney, Walt Disney World, Central, Republican, Florida Legislature, The Central, Improvement Locations: ORLANDO, Fla, — Florida, Central Florida, Florida, The Central Florida, Tallahassee

☆ Supreme Court says Florida can’t enforce anti-drag law
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ariane De Vogue | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Florida law that limits drag shows in the state will remain blocked, the Supreme Court said Thursday, dealing a blow to a key initiative championed by Republican Gov. Florida had asked the high court to narrow a lower court’s injunction that stopped the law from being enforced statewide. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined Florida’s emergency application for a stay of the district court’s injunction, triggering the state’s ask to the Supreme Court for relief. Since the district court temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, the restaurant has returned to normal operations. The challenge to the law continues at lower courts, and Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law, cautioned against drawing broader implications from Thursday’s order.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ashley Moody, –, ”, ” Moody, Moody, Hamburger, Hamburger Mary’s, Steve Vladeck, Kavanaugh, Barrett, ” Vladeck, “ Organizations: CNN, Republican Gov, Conservative, University of Texas School of Law Locations: Florida, Ron DeSantis . Florida, ”, Orlando, “ Florida

The suit - against DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential hopeful, and several state university system officials - seeks a preliminary injunction to a state order blocking SJP from receiving school funds and using campus facilities. At least two Florida universities - the University of Florida and the University of South Florida - have SJP chapters. Brandeis University has also banned SJP indefinitely, and Columbia University and George Washington University have suspended the group. The schools have cited the national organization's support for the Hamas attack and said their campus chapters violated school policies. Brian Hauss, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology project and counsel in the case, said the student plaintiffs in the state university system were victims of "guilt by association" in this case.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Florida's, Ron DeSantis, SJP, George Washington, Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Brian Hauss, Hauss, Israel, Gabriella Borter, Colleen Jenkins, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, Columbia University, REUTERS, American Civil Liberties Union, Palestinian, Justice, University of Florida, University of South, U.S, ACLU, Brandeis University, George Washington University, Columbia, State University System, Florida, Technology, Students for Justice, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, New York, U.S, Florida’s, Palestine, Florida, University of South Florida, Gaza

☆ Supreme Court Refuses to Revive Florida Law Restricting Drag Shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Adam Liptak | More About Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court refused on Thursday to revive a Florida law that banned children from “adult live performances” such as drag shows. The court’s brief order gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications, and a First Amendment challenge to the law will continue in the lower courts. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, issued a statement stressing that the court’s order was addressed to an issue unrelated to the constitutionality of the law. The order, he wrote, “indicates nothing about our view on whether Florida’s new law violates the First Amendment.”

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Neil M, Gorsuch, Brett M, Kavanaugh, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, ” Organizations: Justice Locations: Florida

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