Rural Communities Awarded $168M

The state awarded nearly $168 million to 34 small and rural communities, primarily to improve infrastructure in areas hit by hurricanes Idalia, Debby, and Helene between 2023 and 2024.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the funding will support water treatment facilities, emergency shelters, drainage systems, and other critical infrastructure projects across North Florida’s Big Bend region.

One of the largest recipients was Taylor County, which will receive $36 million from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and the Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Port St. Joe was awarded $25 million to rebuild and strengthen its wastewater treatment facility, while Cross City received $32 million for a new wastewater treatment plant and $5.7 million for stormwater drainage improvements.

Judge: Rights of Medicaid Recipients Violated

This week, a federal judge ruled that Florida has violated the constitutional rights of people who were dropped from the Medicaid program because it sent notices to them that “border on the incomprehensible.”

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard, in a 273-page ruling in a class-action lawsuit, also barred the state from terminating benefits of people for financial-eligibility reasons unless it provides adequate notices.

Attorneys representing individuals who had lost benefits filed the lawsuit in 2023 in Jacksonville, and it was certified as a class-action suit in 2024.

As part of the ruling, families who lost Medicaid after March 2023 due to income changes and are still without Medicaid coverage will have a new opportunity to appeal their termination through a hearing and to have past medical bills paid.

NASCAR Commissioner Resigns

NASCAR’s first commissioner, Steve Phelps, announced his resignation this week after 20 years with the racing series. Effective at the end of the month, his decision follows backlash to inflammatory text messages he sent that were disclosed during a federal antitrust trial.

In communications he exchanged with top leadership, Phelps referred to Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress as “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.” He later expressed regret and apologized.

Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, an ardent supporter of both NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, wrote a letter demanding Phelps’ removal as commissioner.

NASCAR has not announced any additional leadership or personnel changes. The 2026 season opens Feb. 15 with the Daytona 500.

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➤ Statewide: Senate Democrat leader Lori Berman, who represents central Palm Beach County, criticized Gov. DeSantis’ plan to pursue mid-decade redistricting, arguing it violates Florida’s voter-approved Fair Districts Amendment. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Proposed bills by two Jacksonville Republicans to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in local governments gained strong backing from Gov. DeSantis, who said Florida should eradicate DEI at every level. (More)

➤ Duval County: The school board voted Tuesday to add a charter school law to its list of legislative priorities for the state’s upcoming session. The Schools of Hope law currently gives a handful of charter school operators wide latitude to move into public school buildings without paying operational costs. (More)

➤ Palm Beach County: The county has reached a new milestone of $1 billion in its record investment in Israel bonds, according to Clerk Mike Caruso, who announced the most recent $350 million bond purchase. (More)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: Commissioners approved an urban forestry master plan that challenges the city to plant up to 276,000 trees by 2040 to achieve a tree canopy covering one-third of the city. (More)

➤ Fernandina Beach: The city council approved paid parking downtown starting in April. Visitors will pay between $2 and $4 per hour to park on Centre Street. Annual permits will be available to city residents for $24 and to nonresidents for $124. (More)

➤ Manatee County: A man known as Lectern Guy for his role in the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, filed to run for the Tampa Bay-area commission on Tuesday, exactly five years after the event. (More)

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➤ Miami football beat Ole Miss 31-27 last night in the Fiesta Bowl, advancing to the National Championship on January 19. Quarterback Carson Beck ran in the game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left. (See Highlight)

➤ The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel yesterday despite a mid-season rally to bring the team to seven wins after a 1-6 start. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis yesterday. Head coach Todd Bowles was told he’ll return to the team in 2026. (More)

➤ Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-103. (See Highlight)

➤ South Florida landed Luke Kromenhoek in the transfer portal this week, the No. 6 quarterback on the market. Kromenhoek started his college career at Florida State before transferring to Mississippi State last season. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Miami-based Oceania Cruises announced the line will exclusively welcome guests aged 18 and older for all new reservations for future voyages as of Jan. 7. (More)

➤ Jacksonville’s unemployment rate jumped to 5.1% in November from 4.3% in September, its highest level since the pandemic. (More)

➤ The cost to build a long-planned heavy rail line from downtown Miami to Hard Rock Stadium has nearly doubled in the past year, with the Florida Department of Transportation now estimating a price tag of $4.2 billion. (More)

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➤ Lawmakers are considering creating a specialty license plate to aid the Florida film industry, while gauging residents’ appetite for film incentive tax credits. (More)

➤ South Florida law enforcement officer Joseph “Joe” Alu Jr., recognized three decades ago for his heroism during a hostage standoff in Plantation, has died. (See Photo)

➤ A Jacksonville Jaguars fan’s social media went viral after she squatted quarterback Trevor Lawrence at Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach. (See Video)

➤ The Rolling Loud Festival, founded in Miami 11 years ago, announced its 2026 edition will take place May 8-10 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Presales begin today. (More)

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Would you rather go on an adults-only cruise?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t cruise

Thursday’s Results:

Do you prefer fireworks or drone light shows?

1. Fireworks: 41%
2. Drone light shows: 31%
3. Neither: 28%

What famous boy band got its start in Orlando in 1995?

Show me the answer