Bruce Ritchie

DEP says proposal does not remove protections.

"What is being considered is an amendment that would allow the land to be restored from its historical use as a timber operation back into a functioning wetland system, which would increase the ecological value of the property," DEP spokesperson said.

DEP blesses major modification to St. Johns River conservation easement.

"This amendment is not in the public interest, sets an alarming precedent and will cause harm to the St. Johns River," Lisa Rinaman of St. Johns Riverkeeper said.

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Gil Smart, who tracks the state budget for VoteWater, said the price of more than $80 million seems "insane" and that an independent appraisal is needed.

"In the era of DOGE, there's no excuse for not trying to get the best deal for the taxpayer," Smart said.

UPDATE: Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M.

DEP recommends the purchase based on the budget language while including a pair of appraisals submitted by the landowner that sets value compared to a high-rise condominium.

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POLITICO Pro: Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M The Department of Environmental Protection is recommending the 3.9-acre purchase after the Legislature promoted the deal in last-minute budget language.

Florida Cabinet asked to buy Destin waterfront parcel for more than $80M.

DEP recommends purchase based on the budget language while including a pair of appraisals submitted by the landowner that sets value compared to a high-rise condo + marina.

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‘We can’t delay any longer’: Trump urges Bondi to prosecute his rivals In a Truth Social post Saturday, the president specifically called out Sen. Adam Schiff, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James for prosecution.

On Saturday, Trump publicly urged AG Bondi to prosecute his rivals and said the lack of charges was “killing our reputation and credibility.”

“We can’t delay any longer,” the president wrote on Truth Social.

Here’s what happens when big-time lobbyists become big-name Trump officials Attorney General Pam Bondi, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were lobbyists in their past lives. Their former firms are reaping the benefits.

Here’s what happens when big-time lobbyists become big-name Trump officials

POLITICO Pro: DeSantis says electrical grid capacity for data centers 'isn’t even close' to what's needed "Consumers will see electricity rates spike — and to what end?" said the governor.

FL Gov. Ron DeSantis says electrical grid capacity for data centers 'isn’t even close' to what's needed.

"Consumers will see electricity rates spike — and to what end?" DeSantis continued on X.

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Ohio won the national parks gold medal award this year at
@NRPA_news annual conference in Orlando. Florida was up for an unprecedented fifth award this year.

aapra.org/Portals/0/Go...

FL DEP is requesting $100M for its signature FL Forever land-buying program.

"The properties on the Florida Forever list need to be acquired but that's not going to happen without significantly more funding for Florida Forever," said Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council.

Florida agencies request nearly $500M for land conservation but face headwinds.

"This industry relies on available agricultural lands to grow and remain strong," Ag Comm Wilton Simpson said.

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Sotomayor rebukes calls to ‘criminalize free speech’ in apparent swipe at Pam Bondi The justice, in public remarks, didn’t name the attorney general, who has come under fire for comments to target people over “hate speech.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor appeared to rebuke calls to target “hate speech” in an apparent swipe at Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Every time I listen to a lawyer-trained representative saying we should criminalize free speech in some way, I think to myself, that law school failed,” said Sotomayor.

Florida Constitution:
SECTION 24. Access to public records and meetings.—
(a) Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, ...

Florida PSC hearing officer rejects public counsel's counter-settlement in FL Power & Light rate case.

Chair Mike La Rosa wrote in an order that the alternative proposal, backed by energy justice groups but opposed by FPL, won't resolve the case.

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POLITICO Pro: Local governments plan challenge to regulatory restrictions in new hurricane emergencies law Seventeen local governments have agreed to join a lawsuit filed after the 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

Florida local governments plan challenge to regulatory restrictions in new hurricane emergencies law.

"It is the worst growth management legislation I've seen in my career," land use lawyer Richard Grosso said.

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Chassahowitzka River campground will likely stay in public hands After public apprehension over a potential sale, the campground appears slated to stay open.

After public outrage at #Florida water agency's talk of selling it, Chassahowitzka River campground will likely stay in public hands. www.tampabay.com/news/environ... via @maxchesnes.bsky.social

Florida may soon allow open carry of guns after court strikes down ban The decision by the 1st District Court of Appeal comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis clamors for open carry despite wide resistance from local sheriffs

DeSantis has been clamoring for open carry despite pushback from local sheriffs.

Now, a Florida appeals court has thrown out the state's nearly 40-year-old prohibition on openly carrying guns, saying that it is unconstitutional due to recent Supreme Court rulings.

Farmers' loyalty to Trump is about to be tested The agriculture industry has stuck by the president even as his trade wars have hit their bottom lines. This fall harvest may see the limits of the their patience.

Farmers have a record harvest.

But with Trump’s tariff war, they may have nowhere to sell it.

Smart new piece from my colleagues Daniel Desrochers and Grace Yarrow for @politico.com.

www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

POLITICO Pro: Federal appeals court blocks judge’s order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz In response to the ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X that the "mission will continue" at Alligator Alcatraz.

You missed the latest:

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Earthjustice specifically asked the FL Retail Federation if
Publix is a member. So I asked too.

"The Federation's membership covers the gamut," FRF lawyer James Brew told me. "Whether a particular business is a member really isn't the point."

"Our issue is, do they represent the diverse body of customers they say they do?" Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said. "When we've asked those questions, they objected and said it's privileged and protected."

Florida Power & Light allies, opponents spar over business groups' membership questions

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POLITICO Pro: More than 20 years after it stopped, feds evaluate resumption of Apalachicola River dredging A coalition of the six Florida counties along the river is urging federal officials not to return to past practices they say destroyed or smothered floodplain habitat and choked creeks with dredged sa...

More than 20 years after it stopped, feds evaluate resumption of Apalachicola River dredging in Florida.

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Federal appeals court blocks judge's order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz In response to the ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X that the "mission will continue" at Alligator Alcatraz.

A federal appeals panel blocks a judge’s ruling requiring state and federal agencies to shut down the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center.

Federal appeals court blocks judge's order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz In response to the ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X that the "mission will continue" at Alligator Alcatraz.

www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

POLITICO Pro: Federal appeals court blocks judge's order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz In response to the ruling, Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X that the "mission will continue" at Alligator Alcatraz.

Federal appeals court blocks judge's order shutting down Alligator Alcatraz.

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NEW: Lawmakers unwilling to battle Trump directly have been quietly hopeful the courts would resolve President Trump's bid to commandeer their power of the purse.

It hasn't happened, and now the hour of reckoning has arrived.

w/ Jen Scholtes

www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Graham Greene (actor) - Wikipedia

Aww, actor Graham Greene of "Dances with Wolves" and many other films passed away on Monday.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_...

7 State Parks That You Really Love. You Told Us So.

Aww -- none in Florida. What state park would you nominate? www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/t...

‘His inexperience shines through’: Steve Witkoff struggles to manage Russia as Trump peace envoy Witkoff’s solo approach has led to repeated miscues with Russia, leaving Trump’s pledge to quickly end the war between Russia and Ukraine adrift.

Putin has been hard to bargain with, but many familiar with peace negotiations say Trump fixer Steve Witkoff has made talks even more difficult.