Category: Florida
Charity Care Costs Jump $33.5 Million Locally as Medicaid Rolls Shrink
Escambia & Santa Rosa charity care costs jumped $33.5M in 3 years—Baptist’s new hospital absorbed 45% of it. The reason traces back to a Florida policy choice.
New Poll: Donalds and Jolly Deadlocked
Poll: Donalds & Jolly tied at 44-43%, but independents break for Jolly by 12 pts in a sample weighted 42% GOP. What that means for November.
Report: DeSantis’ “Alligator Alcatraz” Locked Detainees in Metal Boxes
DHS’s own watchdog confirms it: “Alligator Alcatraz” locked detainees in 18-sq-ft metal boxes and never nailed down what rules applied.
Lumon May Named to Jolly Leadership Team
Commissioner Lumon May just joined David Jolly’s new Black leaders coalition for governor, so if Pam Childers wants Jolly’s number, she knows who to call.
Pensacola Beach: Third Most Instagrammable Florida Beach
Florida’s most Instagrammable beach revealed — and Pensacola Beach cracks the state’s top 3! See the full rankings here.
Gaetz, Pizzo Vow DCF Overhaul; Contractors Under Review
DCF investigated one family 14 times before a child was murdered. Sen. Don Gaetz says it took 4 senators to save Kenley — and it shouldn’t have.
Will Attorney General Uthmeier Be Impeached?
Grand jury: $10M misappropriated. House Dems say impeach AG Uthmeier. DeSantis’ team calls it politics. Here’s what’s really going on.
Team Hofberger Continues to Target NPA Vinson
Team Hofberger’s “poll” isn’t measuring opinion—it’s manipulating it. Same playbook as the library smear. Here’s the pattern.
What Does Meta’s $17 Billion Wake Up Call Mean for Your Teens
Meta’s paying $18B for harming kids online—but attorney Ned McWilliams says the fine is a joke. The real fix? New limits on minors’ screen time.
David Jolly: “Florida Tonight Would Elect a Democratic Governor”
Jolly says Florida would elect a Dem governor tonight — and he’s promising to ban data centers statewide, same fight Escambia’s fighting now.
Hope Florida Grand Jury Report Leaked
Leaked grand jury report: DeSantis admin misused $10M in Medicaid settlement cash to fight pot legalization. No charges. Read the money trail.
Inside DeSantis Presser: The Boy Ain’t Right
DeSantis brought $9M for Pensacola’s Port—but the crowd waited through Fauci, ‘woke’ politics and robo-taxis before he got to why it matters.
Spotify: Full “Rick’s Live Blog” Shows
Weekend listening: Police Chief Winstrom, Pensacola FC’s Witkin, mayoral candidates, the Billings case & ECAT chaos. Catch up on Rick’s Blog Live.
From Capitol Hill to the Gridiron
UWF’s Lumpy DeWeese interned in Congress this summer, met Saban and Gingrich, and now he’s back preparing for the Argonauts’ first D1 football season.
Rodríguez Brings “Crime, Cost, Corruption” Campaign to Pensacola
He calls the AG “the root of” corruption in Tallahassee. Democrat José Javier Rodríguez brings his “Crime, Cost, Corruption” campaign to Pensacola
Back-to-School Tax Holiday Begins Today
Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday starts today—a full month off clothes, supplies & computers up to $1,500. Here’s what qualifies.
The Staggering Cost of James Uthmeier
Alligator Alcatraz cost taxpayers $1B. Then came a secret Trump library land deal & a $10M Medicaid scandal. Uthmeier’s pattern, exposed.
DCF Secretary Resigned Last Week
Nearly four months after a long-delayed confirmation by the state Senate, Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch left the office last week.
Vouchers, Florida Tax Questions Change School Bond Outlook to Negative
Fitch just put Escambia schools on Negative Outlook—reserves below the safe line. It’s the preview of what the property tax amendment could do countywide.
DeSantis Administration Far Surpasses SNAP Error Rate
Florida’s SNAP error rate hits 12.97%—nearly double the federal threshold. Rep. Andrade says DeSantis “checked out” while waste piled up.
