AI and Medical Freedom Bills Rejected

State lawmakers reconvened on Tuesday in Tallahassee for a special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis to redraw the state’s congressional map. Legislators were also tasked with revisiting the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights and the “medical freedom” bill, but the House refused to take up either.

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said the House remains “fairly clear on our position” against the proposals to expand vaccine exemptions for public K-12 students and to protect consumers’ interactions with artificial intelligence.

Gov. DeSantis criticized the House, posting on X that “voters elected Republicans to protect freedom against both the Big Tech cartel and the medical industrial complex.” The governor noted that no member of the House filed a bill on either issue.

After the House move, the Senate opted not to advance the vaccine exemption proposal. The Senate voted 37-1 in support of the AI bill, with Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, being the only no vote.

Florida Lawmaker Moves to Stop Animal Testing

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, is working across the aisle to limit animal testing, mainly due to concerns about pathogens that have entered testing facilities with the animals.

Steube and Nevada Democratic U.S. Rep. Dina Titus co-introduced the Preventing Risky Importation of Monkeys to Avoid Toxic Exposures (PRIMATE) Act, which would prohibit the importation of most primates into the U.S.

Strains of tuberculosis, herpes B, salmonella, and other infectious diseases have been brought to the U.S. through animals used for testing. The animals are often part of illegal trafficking.

“This bill is about protecting public health, strengthening accountability, and terminating an outdated trade practice that risks safety at the expense of the American taxpayer,” Steube said in a statement.

Florida Council of 100 to Reshape State’s Economy

The Florida Council of 100, a private, nonpartisan organization of influential business leaders, announced an expansion of its Ambition Accelerated platform to draw more healthcare and infrastructure businesses to the state.

The move signals a strategic shift in how the Sunshine State competes for the next generation of high-growth companies. The council and its partners aim to move beyond organic growth toward an “intentional” economic development model.

Ambition Accelerated is an offshoot of the Council’s Gold Coast Tech Accelerator, designed to support financial technology (fintech) companies in the state. Gold Coast integrates fintech and dual-use defense startups into Florida’s enterprise ecosystem.

In the fall, two new specialized tracks will launch. Tampa Bay will focus on healthcare delivery, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. Southwest Florida will focus on infrastructure resilience, water systems, energy, and climate adaptation.

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➤ Statewide: Federal health officials said 34 people in 13 states, including Florida, have been sickened with salmonella poisoning traced to contact with backyard birds, including some with infections resistant to common antibiotics. (See Details)

➤ St. Petersburg: Former Gov. Charlie Crist has filed to run for St. Petersburg mayor. Crist served as governor from 2007 to 2011, then in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2022. The election will be held on Aug. 18. (More)

➤ Riviera Beach: Officials will not renew the contract of City Manager Jonathan Evans when it expires on July 13, exploring options to remove him sooner amid various allegations of improper conduct. (More)

➤ Osceola County: Leaders advanced a $50 million project in partnership with Orlando City Soccer to transform Heritage Park. The plan includes stadium renovations, new training facilities, team headquarters, a fitness and rehab center, and a hotel. (More)

➤ Lake Worth Beach: Officials canceled plans to build a new fitness court in Bryant Park amid concerns about the cost, maintenance, and impact on the view of the waterfront. (More)

➤ Martin County: The sheriff’s office is targeting illegal use of e-bikes within the county amid a rise in crashes and complaints. (More)

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➤ The Orlando Magic beat the top-seeded Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 series lead in Round 1 of the playoffs. A win tonight would mark their first playoff series victory since 2010. (More)

➤ Miami Heat president Pat Riley said at his end-of-season press conference that he has no plans to retire and will not trade Bam Adebayo, adding he would quit before tanking. (More)

➤ Florida landed a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Peyton Miller, the No. 1 center in the class of 2027. He’s the second top-ranked offensive line recruit to commit to the Gators this cycle. (More)

➤ Federal prosecutors plan to bring new bribery and fraud charges against former Heat guard Terry Rozier in connection with a federal gambling probe. He already faces conspiracy charges involving wire fraud and money laundering. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Miami-based Real Brokerage is buying RE/MAX in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $880 million. The deal will create a new holding company, Real REMAX Group, based in Florida. The combined group will have over 180,000 real estate agents across 120 countries. (More)

➤ The Pegasus barge arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on Monday, delivering the Artemis III’s core stage, the biggest portion of the Space Launch System moon rocket. (More)

➤ West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James announced that the proposed redevelopment of the city’s downtown waterfront is on hold amid backlash from residents. Concerns include the potential loss of ER Bradley’s Saloon and the potential impacts on Woodlawn Cemetery. (More)

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➤ Sloth World, a planned Orlando attraction, will not open and will file for bankruptcy following 31 animal deaths. The 13 remaining sloths were placed in the care of animal experts at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford. (See Details)

➤ Florida agriculture officials tightened animal import rules as the threat of New World screwworm edges closer to the U.S., placing temporary restrictions on importing animals from certain South Texas counties. (More)

➤ Students and faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University in Lee County got to sample a new virtual reality experience that transformed underwater research into something anyone can explore. (See Video)

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Have you seen a sloth in person?

1. Yes
2. No

Tuesday’s Results:

Do you have a shed in your yard?

1. Yes: 42%
2. No: 58%

In which part of Florida can you find Tate’s Hell?

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