Corcoran’s back — Nuñez’s moment — Red tide rolls on — Low wage, high growth: Orlando

Good Tuesday morning. Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis got his man. The State Board of Education has given the keys of the Department of Education building to former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran. It might not be, “Luke, I am your father,” but DeSantis tapping Corcoran as his education chief is a notable plot twist. A year ago, Corcoran and DeSantis were softening each other up as they jockeyed for position in the GOP gubernatorial primary Corcoran ultimately never joined. And when you need a job, primary politics are easily forgotten. Corcoran is likely to be a more political presence than outgoing commissioner Pam Stewart, and the move will almost certainly put state teachers’ unions even further in the Tallahassee desert. Corcoran has been a vocal proponent of everything they hate, and in his opening speech as state House speaker called teachers’ unions’ political efforts “downright evil.” Merry Christmas, FEA.

... TRANSITIONS ...

APPOINTED — “The Corcoran era begins at the Department of Education,” by POLITICO Florida’s Andrew Atterbury: “Former House Speaker Richard Corcoran got the keys to the Department of Education Monday as he was officially appointed commissioner following weeks of speculation and objection from a state teacher’s union that fears being shut out by the fierce school choice advocate. As he navigated questions from the Board of Education during the public portion of his job interview, Corcoran defended his platform, his family’s stake in education and Florida’s ever-expanding school choice policies. He signaled his willingness to toe the line for the ‘bold vision’ Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis has for education in Florida to expand charter schools and vocational programs.” Read more here

TRIGGERED — “Far-Right Anti-Climate Change, Anti-‘Islam’ Group Adivising DeSantis on Education,” by Miami New Times’ Jerry Iannelli: “The Florida Citizens’ Alliance regularly rails against what it calls ‘cultural Marxism,’ ‘LGBTQ values,’ and ‘Islam’ in Florida’s public schools. If a teacher happens to mention that the Founding Fathers were all white men and that many owned slaves, you bet the Alliance would get angry. The group also loses its collective mind when America’s obvious history of racism or climate change comes up in the classroom. Two group members, naturally, are now ‘advising’ Ron DeSantis, Florida’s newly elected governor.” Read more

FL’S T.R.? — “DeSantis vows to focus on environment,” by Gainesville Sun’s John Kennedy: “Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis calls himself a ‘Teddy Roosevelt conservationist’ and allies say he is genuine when he vows to make the environment a top priority of the incoming administration. But some in the environmental community are skeptical — recalling how DeSantis in Congress drew bottom-scraping grades from them on a range of issues considered vital to water and land oversight.” Read more

NÚÑEZ ROLE — “Florida’s first Latina lieutenant governor to play an active role in an obscure post,” by Miami Herald’s David Smiley: “When Ron DeSantis’ campaign first contacted Jeanette Nuñez about joining the Republican ticket for Florida governor, the veteran state lawmaker wanted a little more information and some time to think. On the verge of leaving the Florida House of Representatives, Nuñez needed to know she could commit to the campaign. She also wanted to be sure she’d fit with DeSantis, a Palm Coast congressman with little experience in state politics. And then there was the issue of her responsibilities in what historically has been an obscure post with no job description and little function.” Read more

RIGHTING WRONGS — “Democrat Nikki Fried will move to pardon Groveland Four, victims of Florida’s racist past,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “Incoming Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says she’ll move to pardon members of the Groveland Four during the first meeting of Florida’s Cabinet next year, correcting one of the worst abuses of the state’s racist past. ‘The families have suffered, the legislature has spoken, and history shows that this was an undeniable injustice — racially motivated and a stain on the history of our state,’ she said in a statement. ‘We must look to correct this grave injustice and denounce the abuses of the past.’” Read more

...HURRICANE HOLE...

THE AFTERMATH — “‘Salvage Santa’ redoubles holiday efforts to help storm-ravaged Panama City,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Kathryn Varn: “Two months after one of the strongest hurricanes on record passed over Mike Jones’ house, half the structure sits mangled and exposed to the cool north Florida temperatures. Like the rest of the people who live in and around this port town, Jones is trudging toward recovery from Hurricane Michael. The October storm left in its wake blue-tarped roofs and piles of debris lining nearly every city block.” Read more

— “Slow rollout of FEMA trailers frustrates Bay County officials, residents after Hurricane Michael,” by News Herald’s Patrick McCreless: Read more

— “Bay County happy F-35s likely coming to Tyndall Air Force Base after Hurricane Michael,” by News Herald’s Collin Breaux: Read more

— “Florida’s deadline to apply for a SBA disaster loan is today,” by WTVY: Read more

TRAIL MIX

COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA — “Gwen Graham on loss: ‘It’s painful.’ But she ponders wide-open political future,” by News Service of Florida’s Dara Kam:“Gwen Graham’s glass is half full. The former congresswoman’s optimism might seem hard to believe to those who don’t know the Tallahassee Democrat, who lost a crowded gubernatorial primary to Andrew Gillum in August and then watched Republican Ron DeSantis win the general election. The former congresswoman spent much of her childhood in the public eye as the daughter of Bob Graham, a former Florida governor and U.S. senator.” Read more

TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

THE STONE ZONE — “Exclusive video: Former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone passes lie detector test on Russia probe,” by WSVN-Miami’s Brian Entin and Daniel Cohen: “A South Florida man with close ties to President Donald Trump is being investigated as part of the Russia probe ... Stone paid for a lie detector test to prove he did not collude with Russia during the presidential campaign. And for the first time, we’re seeing Stone in the hot seat, and he passed the test.” Read more

ON THE OTHER HAND — “Roger Stone Admits Spreading Lies on InfoWars,” by WSJ’s Cezary Podkul and Shelby Holliday: “As questions swirl about his credibility, former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone settled a defamation suit seeking $100 million in damages on Monday for publishing false and misleading statements on InfoWars.com, a far-right website known for promoting conspiracy theories. The agreement requires Mr. Stone to run ads in national newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, apologizing for making defamatory statements about a Chinese businessman who is a vocal critic of Beijing.

— “It also requires Mr. Stone to publish a retraction of the false statements on social media. Doing so exempts him from paying any of the damages. In a text message, Mr. Stone described his conduct as ‘irresponsible’ and added that “I am solely responsible for fulfilling the terms of the settlement.’” WSJ

GROUND CONTROL TO DONALD TRUMP — “Trump plans to create unified U.S. Space Command,” by AP’s Zeke Miller and Lolita Baldor: “President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order before the end of the year creating a U.S. Space Command as a major military command. Vice President Mike Pence will make the announcement Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, two U.S. officials said, and Trump could sign the order as soon as Tuesday.” Read more

GUNSHINE STATE

UNFRIENDLY FIRE — “Escambia County superintendent wary of arming teachers after safety panel backs proposal,” by News Journal’s Kevin Robinson:“Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the school district has already implemented many of the security improvements recommended by a state public safety commission. Still, Thomas has reservations about one of the body’s proposals: arming teachers. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission was formed in the wake of a Feb. 14 mass shooting that left 17 people dead at a Parkland high school, and the body has spent the past eight months identifying what went wrong at Parkland and determining how similar tragedies can be mitigated in the future.” Read more

THE SLIME

WORDS MATTER — “DeSantis transition hears about red tide, threats to coral reefs,” by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ transition committee on natural resources heard concerns about harmful algae blooms and coral reef die-offs as Rep. Brian J. Mast (R-Fla.), the committee chairman, asked for suggestions to make DeSantis the “best governor” on the environment in Florida’s history. DeSantis won in November with backing from business groups while some environmentalists backed his opponent, Democrat Andrew Gillum. But Mast says DeSantis will be a strong environmental governor. “What we’re working on for Gov.-elect DeSantis is how can he achieve more now — immediately — as he steps into office on our environment?” Mast on Monday told the Transition Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture. “How he can go out there and be the best governor for Florida’s environment in the history of the state of Florida?” Read more here

RED TIDE RALLY — “Red Tide: Rallies at six sites call for clean water,” by Herald-Tribune’s Earle Kimel: “With homemade signs pleading for help to clean up the Gulf of Mexico, mourning the loss of fish, fowl and mammals, or just asking motorists to honk if they cared about clean water, about 150 people packed the southern intersection of U.S. 41 Business and Bypass Saturday, asking for environmental change. That turnout, despite early morning rain, heartened Samantha Gentrup, director of the grassroots environmental group Hands Along the Water, which organized rallies dubbed ‘We Won’t Be Silent,’ in Venice and five other locations along the Gulf Coast.” Read more

WHAT YOU CAN DO — “Here are some way you can help fight red tide in Sarasota Bay, Gulf of Mexico,” by Bradenton Herald’s Mark Alderson: “We have evidence of the positive impacts of nutrient reduction based on over thirty years of water quality management in the Sarasota-Manatee area. This region has invested millions of dollars in numerous clean-water projects including upgrading wastewater treatment facilities to eliminate discharge, consolidating small ineffective treatment facilities, connecting thousands of homes to central sewer service, and restoring valuable wetlands for nutrient uptake. These smart investments have reduced nitrogen pollution to Sarasota Bay by over 65 percent since the 1980s despite significant population growth.” Read more

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

MICKEY MOUSE MONEY — “Orlando has grown faster than most cities in the U.S. — but it’s also growing poorer,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Chabeli Herrera: “The metro area’s population has grown 51 percent over the past 17 years — nearly three times the national average — but wages have only increased by 5 percent. That’s compared with the 17.9 percent increase in wages that is the average for most cities across the nation, Stateline found. The same is the case in some other Florida cities, including Lakeland, Ocala and Sarasota, and in other major tourism towns such as Las Vegas.” Read more

IVORY TOWER BATTLE — “Times Publishing Co. faces lawsuit from Nelson Poynter’s widow,” by Tampa Bay Times: “The charitable trust benefitting the 92-year-old widow of Nelson Poynter has sued Times Publishing Co. in federal court, claiming it is owed millions of dollars. The suit on behalf of Marion K. Poynter’s trust names her late husband’s former newspaper company as a defendant. It was filed last week in U.S. District Court in Virginia and seeks $7.8 million plus interest. Mrs. Poynter lives in Fauquier County, Va.” Read more

EYESORE — “Naples City Council applauds removal of stormwater beach pipes,” by Naples Daily News’ Lisa Conley: “Naples council members favor removing the majority of stormwater outfalls — large pipes that stretch from the sand into the water. And they plan to implement a new and better system that experts say will improve water quality, reduce flooding and improve the environment.” Read more

PARENTS WHO FAIL — “Child abuse climbs after Friday report cards, study says,” by AP’s Lindsey Tanner: “Child abuse increases the day after school report cards are released — but only when kids get their grades on a Friday, a study in Florida suggests. The curious finding startled researchers, who had figured abuse might go up regardless of the specific day kids got their grades. But their study of reports to a child abuse hotline that included broken bones, burns and other confirmed abuse found otherwise.” Read more

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Rachael Kobb, government affairs and public policy manager for Orlando Health, and Eric Kobb, the owner of Rolling Green Landscape Solutions, last week welcomed Levon James Kobb, who came in at 9 lbs., 5 oz. and 22 inches long. Pic

ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN

— “Father shot dead one son to save his other son, sheriff says,” by Sun Sentinel’s Doug Phillips: Read more

— “Former Sarasota CEO pleads guilty to export law violations,” by Herald Tribune’s Terry Galvin: Read more

— “MTV’s ‘Siesta Key’ announces second season,” by Herald-Tribune’s Jimmy Geurts: Read more

— “Former Venice City Council member Deborah Anderson to amend complaint in defamation suit,” by Herald Tribune’s Earle Kimel: Read more

— “Feuding Cape Coral neighbors exchanged gunfire over mailbox, police say,” by News-Press’ Stacy Henson: Read more

— “FBI: Florida man posted bomb instructions for extremists,” by AP’s Curt Anderson: Read more

— “U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels revving up for first Fort Lauderdale performance since 2006,” by Sun Sentinel’s Linda Trischitta: Read more

— “7th Group soldier tied to international drug trafficking organization,” by Daily News’ Jim Thompson: Read more

— “Disney pays $23 million for ranch land near Celebration. See what the Mouse might do with it,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Laura Kinsler: Read more

— “Greater Gainesville chamber names Eric Godet as CEO,” by Gainesville Sun’s Daniel Smithson: Read more

— “Heat’s Dwyane Wade explains why he got involved in high school expulsion dispute,” by Sun Sentinel’s David Furones: Read more

BUTTERFLIES! — “The Miami blue was fluttering toward extinction. Then the scientists showed up,” by Miami Herald’s Jenny Staletovich: “One crisp, sunny afternoon this month, grad student Sarah Steele Cabrera headed down a sandy path at Long Key State Park carrying two nylon bug containers. Cabrera had scouted out the park, a former fishing camp fashioned into an early version of glamping by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler and now a tangle of gumbo limbo, poisonwood and prickly nickerbean, and found a perfect spot to release the contents of the boxes: 60 newly hatched Miami blue butterflies, among the rarest insects in North America, and maybe the world.” Read more

FRIES WITH THAT? — “Florida man tries to trade marijuana for food at McDonald’s, police say,” by The Palm Beach Post’s Sandra Nortunen: “A 23-year-old Florida man was arrested this week after police said he tried to pay for McDonald’s with a bag of marijuana. Anthony Andrew Gallagher was driving a four-door Pontiac when he pulled into the fast-food drive-thru in Post St. Lucie around 2 a.m. Sunday, according to Port St. Lucie police. As he drove up to the window to pay, an employee said he was offered a bag of pot instead of cash, police said. He was refused his order and then drove off.” Read more

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