Mike Mazzei, a Tulsa businessman and former state senator, was selected as the Republican nominee for Oklahoma governor in the June 25 runoff primary after state Attorney General Gentner Drummond conceded the race. The Republican primary was held after nine candidates advanced to a runoff following the June 16 initial round, in which Mazzei and Drummond each received roughly 26% of the vote. Trump endorsed Mazzei in May and, on June 24, posted on his Truth Social platform that Drummond was a 'FAKE Republican.' The endorsement was followed by more than $14 million in advertising during the 10‑week runoff, most of it from independent groups, according to AdImpact. Mazzei thanked Trump for his support, saying the president's remarks helped him reach a Monday evening virtual rally attended by about 38,000 people. At the rally, Mazzei referenced his 2008 automobile accident and said his faith guides his decision‑making, adding that he would let the Bible inform his governance. Mazzei, 61, is the founder of an investment management firm and served 12 years in the Oklahoma Senate. Drummond, 62, is a rancher, attorney and former Air Force pilot who was elected attorney general in 2022. Drummond praised Mazzei as a 'fierce competitor' and thanked him for his military and political service, while stating he would not abandon his convictions. In a statement to supporters, Drummond said the governor must serve all Oklahomans, not just those who contribute large campaign funds. Trump criticized Drummond for saying he had no opinion on the 2021 impeachment of Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Trump described Drummond as a disaster and said he does not represent Oklahoma values. Drummond also expressed respect for Trump, noting that the former president won more than 65% of the vote in Oklahoma in each of his three presidential campaigns. Campaign finance records show that Mazzei funded his campaign with personal loans of at least $11.9 million, while Drummond raised $4.8 million in contributions and loaned his campaign $3.5 million. Both Trump and Drummond have criticized Governor Kevin Stitt, whom Trump labeled a 'RINO' earlier in the year, and Drummond described Stitt's eight years in office as marked by 'mediocrity and flipping.' Drummond alleged that Mazzei's campaign paid a consulting firm operated by longtime Trump associate Roger Stone $67,500, according to finance filings. Stitt had endorsed Mazzei, but his relationship with Trump soured after a dispute over White House event invitations. Drummond is expected to face Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma House Minority Leader, in the November general election, a race that has not been won by a Democrat since 2006. The runoff result underscores Trump's continued influence in Oklahoma politics as Mazzei prepares to challenge Munson for the governorship.
Congress, the White House, elections, and the policies shaping the country.
Lindsay Clancy stood trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for the January 2023 killings of her three children. The case attracted national attention. The courtroom featured testimony about the children's injuries and Clancy's mental health history. The defense argued that she was not competent to stand trial, while prosecutors maintained she understood the wrongfulness of her actions. Family members, including her mother and sister, testified to her declining mental health before the killings. Her former husband, who publicly forgave her, testified amid social media discussions suggesting he was responsible. Hundreds of supporters, mostly women, gathered outside the courtroom to express solidarity. Clinical psychologist Leslie Dobson and Yale Law School professor Marisol Orihuela said the prosecution could have pursued a plea agreement or civil commitment instead of a murder trial. Experts explained that sentencing justifications such as retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation influence prosecutorial decisions. Even if acquitted on mental health grounds, Clancy would remain committed to a psychiatric facility for the rest of her life. The trial raises questions about the adequacy of postpartum mental health services and the challenges of applying mental health evaluations within the criminal justice system.
Brandon Herrera, a firearms content creator, is contesting a congressional runoff in South Texas’s 23rd district, leading his Democratic opponent by six points as of mid‑August, according to recent polling. Herrera operates a YouTube channel with 4.2 million subscribers that features gun reviews, historical analysis, and engineering demonstrations; his videos include ballistic testing and discussions of firearms technology. The campaign finances are dominated by contributions from donors outside the district, with nearly all spending directed through a single entity, Texas Strategy Group, which is not listed in public business registries. The Federal Election Commission has received a complaint alleging that the entity functions as a shell to conceal the source of the funds. Herrera has secured endorsements from several media figures and organizations, while the National Rifle Association has not endorsed him. He has been criticized for past statements that have drawn criticism, and a recent incident linked his name to a shooter who expressed admiration for him, prompting Herrera to say he is “sickened and angry” about the attack. The runoff is scheduled for later this month, and the outcome will determine whether a candidate whose primary base is an online audience can translate digital support into electoral victory.
Organizers plan a rally Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the corner of South University Drive and Nova Drive in Davie to demand that the Davie Town Council and its Community Redevelopment Agency board dismantle the town’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) program. The program, which uses pole‑mounted cameras supplied by Flock Safety, has been in place without a separate vote of the town council, according to the groups. Axios reported that more than 800 ALPR cameras operate in Broward County, and Flock Safety says it serves over 120,000 locations nationally. The Florida Digital Rights Association, 50501, Occupy Florida and Hope & Action, together with local residents, are calling for a public report on data access, retention limits, and an independent audit of privacy and civil liberties impacts. They also request that future spending on surveillance technology be subject to public hearings rather than included in consent agenda items. A press release from the organizers described the system as mosaic surveillance that raises Fourth Amendment concerns, and said taxpayers are being asked to fund a tool that monitors individuals. Police in Fort Lauderdale discovered two damaged cameras in Croissant Park last month, and several other South Florida agencies, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Margate, Coconut Creek and Boynton Beach, are using the technology, though many have declined to disclose the number or locations. Governor Ron DeSantis said at Florida International University that the devices have gotten out of control and urged legislative action, citing New Hampshire’s ban on roadside installations as a possible model. Republican candidate Byron Donalds has proposed working with law‑enforcement leaders to set limits, while Democrat David Jolly argues that police should require a warrant before accessing ALPR data. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is investigating Flock’s data collection, storage and sharing practices, and the company announced new guardrails on August 13 that shorten default data retention and add misuse detection mechanisms; activists say these steps are insufficient. The outcome of the rally and any subsequent council action remain undecided, and it is unclear whether the town will adopt the proposed transparency measures or pause the program entirely.
Republican congressional candidate Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida governor, said he will not support the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Florida Voting Rights Act, stating that Florida's election laws are already adequate and secure. He said the proposal would make Florida’s elections resemble California’s and extend ballot counting periods, which he argued is unnecessary. The legislation would make vote‑by‑mail requests permanent, establish a public database for voters seeking to restore their rights, designate Election Day as a paid holiday, and eliminate the Office of Election Crimes and Security, while leaving the requirement that ballots be received by election officials by the close of polls unchanged. Equal Ground, a group advocating for expanded Black voting power, called on Donalds to take a position on the bill, arguing it would address long‑standing inequities for voters of color. Donalds, who could become Florida’s first Black governor if elected, noted his opposition to specific provisions of the bill. Democratic candidate David Jolly has signed a petition pledging to pass and sign the legislation if elected governor. Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the Florida Legislature.
Dolly Parton, the singer‑songwriter who died on August 25, 2026 at age 80, was remembered for her union membership, a $1 million donation that helped fund a COVID‑19 vaccine, and a literacy program that has distributed hundreds of millions of books.
Parton held membership in the Nashville Association of Musicians (AFM Local 257) for 58 years, filing union contracts for gigs, sessions and tours in a state with one of the lowest union participation rates. The American Federation of Musicians issued a tribute, noting her consistent filing of union contracts and her commitment to working musicians.
In 2020 she contributed $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which collaborated with Moderna on early vaccine research. Dr. Mark Denison, who led the research, said the donation supported critical early stages. Parton posted a tweet urging vaccination and called hesitant individuals “chicken squat,” a phrase she used in a video of herself receiving the shot.
The Imagination Library, founded in 1995 in East Tennessee, provides free books to enrolled children worldwide. As of 2026 the program supported 50,000 children in Australia, with ten percent of books focusing on Indigenous authors and seventy percent on Australian titles. Dr. Lyndsey McKee, CEO of United Way Australia, said children in the program are nine times more likely to show interest in reading. Lisa Rennie of the Tamworth Imagination Library noted that the program has helped Indigenous youth improve literacy, a challenge in the region.
Parton has long advocated for LGBTQ rights, stating in a 2016 interview with Larry King that she accepts all people regardless of sexual orientation. She said, “We are who we are. If you’re gay you’re gay, if you’re straight you’re straight.”
The Imagination Library continues to operate in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and other regions, and Parton’s philanthropic work remains a reference point for celebrity‑driven charitable initiatives.
He said he believes a successful campaign must address the specific concerns of Iowa residents, including agricultural policy and health care access. He plans to travel throughout the state, holding town hall meetings and listening sessions to understand local priorities. The Democrat noted that Iowa’s electorate has alternated between parties in recent elections, making it essential to tailor his message to regional interests. He emphasized that his strategy will rely on grassroots organizing and direct engagement rather than national campaign slogans. He added that building coalitions with independent voters and moderates will be a key component of his effort to win in areas that traditionally support Republican candidates.
DeSantis' office criticized the unauthorized release of a grand jury report concerning the Hope Florida Medicaid scandal, while Senate Democrats called for legislative changes t...
DeSantis' office criticized the unauthorized release of a grand jury report concerning the Hope Florida Medicaid scandal, while Senate Democrats called for legislative changes to curb alleged corruption. The grand jury report, which remains sealed, found that $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was redirected to campaigns opposing two Florida ballot measures and labeled the expenditure as misappropriated. The report did not recommend criminal charges and did not identify any individual responsible for directing the funds. CBS News Miami reported details from the sealed document, prompting a statement from Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for DeSantis' office, who said the disclosure was described as a smear and that any unauthorized release of a confidential grand jury document constitutes a crime. Senate Democratic Caucus leader Tracie Davis said she intends to introduce legislation in the upcoming session to close loopholes that could allow similar misuse of public funds, emphasizing the need for stronger transparency requirements. The investigation has heightened tensions between the executive branch and the Florida House during recent Legislative Sessions. Whether new statutes will be enacted before the next election remains to be seen.
Federal appeals court declined to dismiss criminal charges against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver of New Jersey. The decision, issued by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, means she will face trial on two of three counts relating to an incident at Delaney Hall in May 2025. McIver, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 10th congressional district, was charged with interfering with an arrest after a congressional oversight visit to the immigration detention facility. The alleged incident occurred on May 9, 2025, when she joined other elected officials in inspecting the facility, a task authorized for members of Congress. The three‑judge panel concluded that her actions were non‑legislative and therefore not protected by the Constitution’s speech‑and‑debate clause. The court upheld two of the three charges while returning a broader count to the district court for additional fact‑finding. Judge Cindy Chung wrote that McIver’s conduct did not constitute a legislative act. McIver, who has pleaded not guilty, argues she is immune under the speech‑and‑debate clause because she was performing her official duties. She said the decision limits the ability of elected representatives to conduct oversight of the executive branch and that she will continue her work and examine all legal options. Paul Fishman, her attorney, said the ruling could hinder congressional oversight of immigration facilities. The case may set precedent for how Congress interacts with immigration enforcement agencies and is expected to proceed to trial later this year.
David Jolly, a Democratic candidate for Florida governor, said he would support a special legislative session to address the use of Flock safety cameras and suggested that substantial reforms or elimination of the technology should be considered. He called for search warrants before law enforcement may use data collected by the cameras.
The cameras, which number more than 7,500 statewide and are used by at least 100 agencies, have drawn bipartisan criticism for privacy concerns, though police say they aid public safety. Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed opposition, saying the cameras operate without sufficient oversight.
Jolly said that, in the absence of a judicial warrant or an active crime, government cameras should not collect individual data, and that substantial reforms or removal should be considered. He emphasized the need for warrants before data can be accessed.
Republican candidate Byron Donalds, who previously called for a pause on Flock adoption and proposed penalties for misuse, said he would work with law enforcement to set parameters if elected, after discussing the issue with the Florida Sheriffs Association. Donalds did not respond to a request for comment after DeSantis' remarks. The debate occurs as the candidates position themselves on a topic that also involves federal scrutiny from senators such as Josh Hawley and Bernie Sanders, who have questioned the creation of a national database from the camera data.
Law enforcement agencies in cities including Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami and others use the cameras to track stolen tags, narcotics and immigration status, while critics argue the technology may violate constitutional rights.
The candidates' differing approaches highlight the growing national debate over automated license‑plate readers, and the outcome of the Florida gubernatorial race may influence future state policy on the surveillance technology.
The Supreme Court said it will replace the U.S. Marshals Service with an expanded in-house police force to protect its justices.
The Marshals Service, part of the Department of Justice, has historically provided security for the justices and federal judges. Under Chief Justice John Roberts, the court adopted the unitary executive theory, giving the president direct authority over the DOJ. A 2024 decision in Trump v. United States affirmed that the attorney general acts as the president’s chief law enforcement officer, prompting the court to seek independent security.
The court intends to more than double the size of its police department, increasing staff from about 200 officers to over 400. Its 2027 budget request includes funds for a new command center, threat assessment, and 24-hour protection. Starting salaries for Supreme Court police range from $86,530 to $147,928, with bonuses up to $60,000 under three-year contracts.
Gabe Roth, director of the nonpartisan group Fix the Court, said the security request is necessary to avoid reliance on a politically influenced branch. He estimated that about 10 to 20 percent of the transition aims to give the justices greater control over their protection.
Threats against judges have risen, partly in response to rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and his administration. The Marshals Service has been assigned to other duties, such as immigration enforcement and security for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, reducing its capacity for judicial protection.
In March 2025, the Marshals Service assisted the Department of Government Efficiency in gaining access to an agency slated for dissolution, raising questions about the appropriate use of its authority. The Justice Department later informed the Supreme Court that it would end residential security before the new police force was ready, leading the court to contract outside firms for protection.
Security at the Court has increased in recent years, with justices now traveling in armored vehicles and receiving round-the-clock protection. Public records indicate that Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Elena Kagan, and Justice Clarence Thomas have used the Court police for travel for several years.
The Court’s rulings on firearm rights, including District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), have expanded individual gun access, which the justices say influences their security concerns. Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that her child observed she wore a bulletproof vest, illustrating the personal impact of broader gun availability.
Barrett also described harassment directed at her and her family, including swatting hoaxes and threatening pizza deliveries, which she linked to the political climate after Trump’s return to office.
The Marshals Service continues to provide security to Kennedy, while its 2027 budget request includes $34 million for judicial security and $228 million for immigration enforcement and local crime operations. Kagan testified that the court’s growing isolation from the public contrasts with historical practices when justices served on regional circuits and interacted directly with community members.
The expansion of the Supreme Court’s security force reflects concerns about judicial independence and rising threats to judges, and it awaits congressional review as the court requests additional funding for its protective mission.
Former St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Maria Scruggs endorsed Charlie Crist for mayor after the primary election. Crist finished first with 35% of the vote, while incumbent Ken Welch placed second with less than 21%; the two will face each other in the November 3 general election. Scruggs said she had talked with Crist about opportunity hubs in recreation centers, a discussion on earnings for working people, and investment in neighborhoods that have waited longest for services. Crist said Scruggs asked him a question about affordable housing that has shaped his thinking, and he pledged to address who benefits from such policies and how they affect families. Crist noted that Scruggs had earned the endorsement after forty years of service to the city. St. Pete Polls data from late July showed Crist ahead of Welch 45% to 30% with 25% of respondents undecided. Crist had more than $366,000 in cash on hand as of August 13, compared with Welch’s less than $56,000. A Tampa Bay Times analysis found that in 70% of precincts Welch finished no higher than third, while Crist placed no lower than second in any of the city’s 84 precincts. Scruggs joins former mayors Bill Foster and Bob Ulrich, and former mayor Rick Baker, in supporting Crist; three of the four living former mayors have now backed him. Jim Large, the former fire chief who placed third, said he will not endorse a candidate. City Council member Brandi Gabbard has not said whether she will endorse a candidate.
Eric Hafner, a Democrat serving a federal prison sentence in New York, advanced in the primary for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Wednesday.
Hafner, who is scheduled for release in 2036, also ran for the seat in 2024 and secured a spot on the general election ballot that November.
The Alaska Democratic Party challenged his candidacy, according to court filings.
He will appear on the November ballot unless a court overturns the primary result.
A Maryland state court on Wednesday ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw congressional districts cannot appear on the November 2026 ballot, though it stayed the decision to permit an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
The amendment, introduced by Democratic legislators, would amend the state constitution to exempt congressional districts from a requirement that they be compact and based on natural boundaries, a provision that currently applies only to legislative districts. That change could alter the composition of the district that includes Republican Representative Andy Harris, chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
Judge Robert Thompson of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court found that the legislature missed a July 1 deadline for the secretary of state to certify ballot summaries to the Maryland State Board of Elections. While the attorney general argued that the deadline did not apply because legislators drafted the summary, the judge sided with the Oversight Project and Republican lawmakers who contended the deadline was violated. He also said the ballot question used misleading language by describing the measure as merely clarifying constitutional standards.
Thompson further ruled that the amendment violated a single‑issue requirement by including a provision that would grant the state Supreme Court original jurisdiction over congressional redistricting lawsuits. Earlier this year, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated a similar ballot measure for procedural violations. Democrats hope the amendment could create additional seats in Maryland and California, while Republicans seek similar gains in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. Redistricting normally occurs after each decennial census, but a mid‑decade dispute emerged after former President Donald Trump encouraged Republican‑led states to redraw districts to aid House Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
The appeal of the Maryland ruling remains pending, and the ultimate effect on the 2028 congressional map is yet to be determined.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will hold its free Frontyard Holiday Festival in downtown Orlando from November 27 to December 31, the center announced. Located on a three‑acre grassy area adjacent to Orlando City Hall, the Frontyard will feature Christmas lights, food vendors, fire pits, nightly snow effects and a stage with free movies and performances. The inaugural festival, held last year, attracted more than 150,000 visitors. Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center, said the event supports the center’s goal of offering free community experiences as part of its master plan. Sharon Line Clary, senior vice president of community impact and partnership engagement at AdventHealth, said the festival provides an opportunity for the community to connect during the holidays and promotes health and wellbeing. The event is supported by the city of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board, the Main Law Firm, OUC, Massey Services Inc., Neal and Jan Dempsey, and Orange County Government’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Program. Since opening in 2014, Dr. Phillips Center has generated $227.6 million in revenue and $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue, according to a summer report. Additional details about the 2026 holiday lineup will be released later this year on the center’s website.
The Trump administration redirected a $500 million Department of Energy grant originally earmarked for steel decarbonization to upgrade a coal‑fired blast furnace at Cleveland‑Cliffs’ Middletown steel mill in southern Ohio, a move announced on Friday after a visit by Vice President JD Vance and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The $500 million grant was part of a $6.3 billion Department of Energy program launched under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to decarbonize key manufacturing sectors, with a target of reducing roughly 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually from the steel industry.
Cleveland‑Cliffs confirmed that the Department of Energy had altered the scope of the grant to permit refurbishment of the 73‑year‑old blast furnace and installation of a cogeneration plant that captures waste gases to generate steam and electricity for the mill.
The company said it would invest $500 million of its own capital to match the grant, and Chief Executive Officer Lourenco Goncalves stated that the upgrade reflects a commitment to maintaining the production of automotive‑grade steel in the United States.
The original plan had called for replacing the coal furnace with hydrogen‑ready technology and electric furnaces, which would have reduced annual CO2 emissions by roughly 1 million tons, a reduction intended to support broader climate objectives.
After President Donald Trump took office in 2025, Cleveland‑Cliffs announced it would continue using coal and proceed with the furnace refurbishment, a decision announced during an earnings call in July.
The Department of Energy said the revised scope resulted from customers’ unwillingness to pay a “green premium” for steel, and that, working with the agency, Cleveland‑Cliffs identified an alternative that upgrades and improves the efficiency of the existing coal‑fired furnace while capturing waste gas.
A former DOE official noted that the Inflation Reduction Act mandated that grant funding be used for “advanced industrial technology” defined as technology designed to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reduction toward net‑zero, and that the Middletown project’s revised scope moves away from achieving net‑zero goals.
Cliffs said the upgrades constitute the most advanced technology available, including the cogeneration plant and other energy‑efficiency measures, and described the investment as a decisive step for the future of American steelmaking and manufacturing.
Critics, including green‑steel advocates and several Middletown residents, expressed concern that the change could increase local air pollution, with Donna Ballinger of the Sierra Club stating that the funding should be used to clean up the air and improve health.
The project is expected to keep the blast furnace operational for potentially another two decades, raising questions about whether the grant aligns with its original statutory purpose of accelerating emission reductions.
Meta announced a settlement with 52 state attorneys general on Wednesday, agreeing to pay roughly $18 billion over ten years and to implement features that limit teenage usage and restrict notifications during designated times. The settlement follows two earlier New Mexico trial phases in which juries determined that Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms and that its design enabled child sexual exploitation. Under the agreement, Meta will enforce a default two‑hour daily limit for users under 18 and will activate “night” and “school” modes that suppress notifications or block access during specified hours for five years, with an option to extend the commitment to ten years if other platforms adopt comparable policies. The company also urged rivals such as YouTube and TikTok to adopt the same measures. Meta reported $200.97 billion in revenue for the prior year, suggesting the financial obligation will have modest impact on its overall budget. The company has signaled a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence, noting that employee compensation will increase to support AI talent and that new data‑center projects are planned to meet water‑efficiency standards and create jobs. Internal communications revealed employee concerns about a proposal to replace up to 60 % of staff with AI, leading to anger and alarm in internal forums. Meta also disclosed a 40 % increase in major technical and security incidents and a 70 % rise in the time staff spend addressing those issues compared with the previous year. Privacy concerns have also emerged regarding Meta’s AI‑enabled glasses, which have been restricted by UK cinemas, U.S. immigration authorities, and a German digital advocacy group that filed a criminal complaint. The settlement aims to mitigate past harms, while Meta’s ongoing focus on AI and related product rollouts leaves questions about the durability of the agreed protections and the response of competing platforms.
City Council member Lynn Hurtak released a Facebook video on Wednesday questioning the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal ahead of a council vote scheduled for Thursday.
Academic research has long shown that publicly subsidized sports stadiums often generate limited local economic returns relative to their public costs.
Hurtak cited decades of studies and a University of Chicago survey indicating broader skepticism among economists about stadium subsidies, but the research examines stadium projects with varying financing structures, development plans, and economic conditions and does not specifically assess Tampa’s proposal.
Details of the Rays proposal include a $80 million contribution from the City of Tampa, which the agreement classifies as a contribution rather than a loan. Future property tax growth captured through a tax increment financing (TIF) structure would be used to repay the City’s contribution, plus interest.
The Hillsborough County Commission is expected to consider the deal on Friday, with the county’s potential contribution capped at about $796 million, broken down into several funding sources including a community investment tax, tourist development tax, county reserves, and federal disaster‑recovery funds.
Revisions released this week altered the TIF terms, allowing the City and County to retain a larger share of future tax growth than in an earlier version of the agreement.
Hurtak warned that taxpayers could face additional costs for stadium repairs and maintenance, noting that a future TIF agreement may specify further capital commitments. The current agreement refers only to funding certain capital maintenance and repairs, not an unlimited obligation.
She also raised concerns that the deal could restrict public‑records requests. The agreement requires StadCo to comply with Florida’s public‑records law, outlines a process for claiming exemptions, and states that any disputes will be governed by state law. While the text does not prohibit public‑records access, it allows for potential legal challenges over exemption claims.
After the stadium is substantially completed, Hillsborough County would own the roughly 21.5‑acre parcel and the public project improvements. Whether the City should receive a share of that asset and the associated responsibilities is a matter for policymakers.
Hurtak’s criticisms reflect broader resident concerns about the size of the public commitment, but several of her specific claims do not align with the documented financing terms.
To view Hurtak’s video, follow the link provided by Floridapolitics.
Florida will experience a partial lunar eclipse Thursday night into Friday, with 93% of the Moon passing through Earth’s umbra at the peak. NASA notes the partial phase begins at 10:34 p.m. Eastern, reaches maximum at 12:13 a.m., ends the partial phase at 1:52 a.m., and leaves Earth’s outer shadow at 3:02 a.m. The event is visible across the Americas and parts of Europe and Africa, and observers can watch without special glasses.
Governor Ron DeSantis said automated license plate readers are out of control and could create a surveillance state, according to Florida Politics. He also noted a ban on Jelly Roll in the Panhandle covers nearly 2,500 miles of interstate, as stated by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis.
Donald Trump told The New York Times that he loves to pick winners and plays it safe, and The Atlantic reported he plans to buy Midterm ads highlighting his own record. Vox covered the roots of his trade war with Canada, and The Washington Post noted a general was advised to drop a Kid Rock probe before firing. The Wall Street Journal described the rise of a teen who became known as the ‘Nostradamus of AI,’ while WIRED reported that OpenAI’s Hugging Face hack raised more questions than answers.
Meta settled lawsuits with 47 states over social media legislation, though Florida was not included, according to Florida Politics.
Duke Energy Florida was approached about constructing some of the world’s largest data centers, reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The Florida Marlins lost the first two games of a series to the Boston Red Sox, 4-2 and 7-3, with the second game ending in 11 innings after Jarren Duran’s grand slam. Miami trails four games for the final National League wild‑card spot with 29 games remaining. Pitcher Ryan Gusto, acquired from the Houston Astros, has lost all six decisions since joining the Marlins and will start in the series finale.
The article is compiled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, and Drew Wilson, with contributions from Florida Politics staff.
DeSantis has not indicated whether the license‑plate reader restrictions will change before the upcoming election, leaving the issue unresolved.
Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America in August 2026 after a seven‑year lapse in her membership. DSA announced that she is a member in good standing, having renewed her membership this month. The organization said it disclosed her membership status amid reports that she might run for president in the 2028 election cycle. DSA noted that membership had cost $60 annually in 2018 and that it now uses automatic renewals with options ranging from $5 to $50 per month. Ocasio‑Cortez told ABC host Jonathan Karl that she remained a member of the New York City chapter and not the national chapter, explaining that chapters are locally formed. DSA withdrew its endorsement of Ocasio‑Cortez in July 2024 after she voted for a House resolution describing denial of Israel’s right to exist as antisemitism and participated in a panel on antisemitism. The organization said the endorsement required a commitment to the movement for Palestine and criticized her for conflating anti‑Zionism with antisemitism and for condemning boycotts of Zionist institutions. Previously DSA had praised her 2020 re‑election to Congress and in March 2024 for voting against a TikTok ban. Membership renewal means she may be eligible to participate in DSA national activities, though she has not indicated a formal candidacy for president.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow on Tuesday, a rare visit amid strained U.S.-Russia relations over the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin said the talks occurred without a meeting between Ratcliffe and President Vladimir Putin, who was informed of the contacts, according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov. A U.S. military aircraft landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on Tuesday and departed later that day. President Donald Trump described the visit as “sort of semi‑routine” during a radio interview. A senior Ukrainian official told The Associated Press that Washington asked Kyiv to suspend strikes in Moscow, St. Petersburg and some northern regions while the delegation was in Russia, though strikes continued elsewhere. CBS News first reported the visit. Peskov said intelligence‑agency contacts are a positive development but that overall U.S.-Russia relations remain in a profound crisis, and he said it was too early to determine any impact on the broader relationship. Analyst Andrei Soldatov noted that such meetings typically occur only when there is pressing national‑security relevance and American interest. Previous contacts included a 2021 meeting between Nikolai Patrushev and CIA Director William Burns in Moscow and a 2022 meeting between Burns and Russia’s foreign intelligence chief in Turkey. Relations deteriorated after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine but have warmed since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, during which he has sought a swift end to the Ukraine war. Negotiations for a peace settlement have stalled, and both Moscow and Kyiv have intensified long‑range attacks. Russia has offered to mediate in the U.S.-Israel conflict over Iran, a partnership complicated by Moscow’s strategic ties with Iran and its complex relationship with Israel. Russian officials have said they have not provided military assistance to Iran, and analysts suggest the Moscow visit may aim to address protection of U.S. assets in the Middle East.
Actor Ben McKenzie, known for roles in The O.C. and Gotham, is producing a documentary titled Everyone Is Lying to You for Money that examines the cryptocurrency market.
The film follows McKenzie’s effort to understand why investors continue to allocate money to digital assets despite regulatory uncertainty. In an interview on the More To The Story podcast, he described the investment climate as resembling a cult‑like phenomenon and said he interviewed Sam Bankman‑Fried shortly before the former FTX CEO’s arrest.
McKenzie also spoke with individuals who reported losing savings after investing in crypto and said they remain convinced of its potential. He noted that his documentary seeks to present these perspectives without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
The segment aired as part of the More To The Story series and is available on major podcast platforms.