* Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, hardly a “sanctuary city” proponent, is urging politicians to rethink mass deportations and consider a “path forward” for those with no criminal history who are actually bettering their communities. “All we’re doing is setting priorities and giving an exit ramp to those who came here inappropriately and illegally, but to enjoy the American dream,” explained Judd, who chairs the State Immigration Enforcement Council. No, that didn’t sit well with the DeSantis Administration.
* Governor DeSantis did, however, see the merits of protecting the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve from plans to build a cruise port in Manatee County. “There’s not really a need to add another port in the middle of a conserved area and an aquatic preserve, especially given that Tampa Bay is already home to three deep-water ports,” pointed out the governor.
* Only Florida and Alabama have school districts where superintendents are elected. In short, the overwhelming majority of states still don’t think it’s a good idea to introduce more money and politics into the role of the county’s top education officer.
* Dr. John Littell was appointed by the governor to the state’s Board of Medicine. Normally, this is not newsworthy. But this is now Flori-duh, and Dr. Littell is strongly opposed to abortion, hormonal birth control and vaccine requirements. The BOM is responsible for disciplining Florida doctors when they violate state law.
Dr. Littell has some familiarity with BOM and its oversight role. It accused him of spreading misinformation about COVID-19, and he temporarily lost his American Board of Family Medicine certification in 2023. He was later recertified. Good to go.
* “This bill protects us from those who want Western civilization to fall.” That was State Rep. Hillary Cassel, Dania Beach Republican, on a bill that gives the governor ever more powers to name “terrorist” organizations.