Gov. Ron DeSantis and his staff’s obession with remaking the University of West Florida gave a several stories, all of which led to the ambush of the UWF President Martha Saunders. It dominated the news, obsuring stories about DOGE’s impact on VA clinic, Mayor Reeve’s childcare initiative, Budget deal blowing up, and the PNJ’s tales of food trucks and rodent droppings.
Part of the problem for our once-daily newspaper is it declared the UWF trustee controversy a week ago, which SAVE UWF, Sen. Don Gaetz and this newspaper knew wasn’t true.
One surprise is my Walker Holmes short story—“The Plot to Fire Martha Saunders”—made the Top 10, even though was on the blog less than 24 hours. I may let Holmes become a regular guest writer.
RICK’S BLOG
1. AMBUSH: UWF trustees clash over past programs and DEI grants in explosive meeting; new board member ‘ambushes’ president as students’ education hang in balance. https://bit.ly/4jEJt14
2. BUCKLE UP: DeSantis tells UWF to refund $800K of an NSF grant for teacher training on “social justice” in STEM education. Scott Yenor gloats as UWF “buckles up.” https://bit.ly/4m13Wib
3. BEST OF COAST VOTING: The most prestigious “Best of” voting has begun. Don’t be fooled by imitators. There is “no pay to play.” Whoever our readers vote for wins! Tell your friends! https://bit.ly/3Yp5454
4. ZACH WHO? Heritage Foundation’s Zach Smith now shapes Florida education as UWF trustee while Trump implements the Project 2025 blueprint nationwide. https://bit.ly/3GUFmzm
5. FLORIDA’S NURSING CRISIS: As lawmakers target poor exam scores statewide, UWF stands out with top-tier nursing education and higher pass rates. https://bit.ly/43utWKD
6. OOPS: DeSantis’ DOGE barks at UWF grant—demanding $800K refund for “social justice” projects that never existed. Projects: water quality sampling, aspirin synthesis https://bit.ly/4d7qolF
7. UWF POWER STRUGGLE: DeSantis appointees blocked, two trustees resign under pressure, and State Sen. Gaetz warns ‘this story is nowhere near ending.’ https://bit.ly/3GXjcwn
8. MUST READ: Walker Holmes uncovers @DeSantis plot to fire @UWF president. Follow the clues from DOGE to Zach Smith to Ambush. Fiction can sometimes reveal truths. https://bit.ly/3RYvR4M
9. BELLE OF THE HALL: Community champion Belle Bear transforms Northwest Florida through visionary leadership, earning prestigious Hall of Fame honor for decades of service. https://bit.ly/3SgxjiK
10. WELL DONE: After 31 years of compassionate care, Dr. George Smith—described as ‘the calm in the storm’—retires from Community Health. Celebrate his legacy May 9, 4-6 p.m. https://bit.ly/43iDx8b
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