Florida Creating State DOGE 

Florida will create a state DOGE task force to “eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and to continue to ensure tax dollars are used in the most efficient way possible,” Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.

The initiative aims to sunset 70 state boards and commissions, cut 900 positions, and require independent reviews and audits of universities.

The governor said the Sunshine State “has never been in better fiscal health,” but “we always want to get better, and so we looked to see what (Elon) Musk is doing with the DOGE in Washington, D.C.“

State Rep. Tiffany Esposito, R-Deltona, is spearheading a similar effort by a group of state lawmakers. The group introduced a bill to create a Florida DOGE, called “FLOGE,” to pursue limits on regulations and other bureaucracy.

DeSantis Promotes Wife Over Donalds

Gov. Ron DeSantis signaled a lack of support for U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ potential run for governor while praising his wife, Casey DeSantis, as a possible successor.

Donalds, R-Naples, recently gained the endorsement of President Trump.

DeSantis, asked about a possible Donalds candidacy, said he wants members of Congress to focus on passing Trump’s legislative agenda, and that it isn’t “advisable” to begin a campaign that takes them away from Washington.

He then touted First Lady Casey DeSantis as a staunch conservative who would build on his legacy and pull in more voters than he did.

St. Pete Set to Host IndyCar Opener

Horsepower and high drama return to the streets of downtown St. Petersburg on Friday through Sunday with the kickoff race to the 2025 IndyCar Racing Series.

Practice for the 21st annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg begins Friday with the 180-mile race set for Sunday. You can see the full schedule here.

The 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit incorporates the streets of downtown St. Petersburg and a section of the runway of Albert Whitted Airport.

The first Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was in 2005, won by the late Dan Wheldon, a local resident and two-time Indianapolis 500 champion. See past winners here.

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➤ Tallahassee: State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hills, proposed legislation to increase Florida’s homestead exemption limit to $75,000, saying the change would create the largest tax cut in state history. (See Details)

➤ North Florida: Federal prosecutors detailed the case against five people convicted of stealing over $1 million from the 401(k) accounts of 25 retired school employees. (More)

➤ Key West: Heavy rain soaked the Lower Florida Keys on Monday, leading to record rainfall at the airport and localized flooding across the city. (See Video)

➤ Miami International Airport set a new record last year by serving 56 million passengers and receiving more than 3 million tons of cargo. (More)

➤ Orlando: City leaders shared design proposals for the permanent Pulse memorial honoring the 49 people who died at the nightclub in 2016. (See Video)

➤ Jacksonville: The port authority approved its share of funding to cover the higher-than-expected costs of raising power lines to accommodate large cargo ships. (More)

➤ Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he does not expect star offensive tackle Terron Armstead to return in 2025. (More)

➤ Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. received the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for January. (More)

➤ Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice said he does not expect Matthew Tkachuk’s injury to keep him out for the rest of the season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer 

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➤ Bankrupt retailer Joann Fabrics announced Monday it is closing all stores, including 36 in Florida. (See Locations)

➤ Tampa-based Mosaic Co. won approval for a pilot study on building roads with phosphogypsum, a fertilizer byproduct. (See Details)

➤ Riviera Beach plans to start building a new $400 million water treatment plant in June, following years of project delays and water quality complaints. (More)

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➤ Pensacola’s Grand Mardi Gras Parade will take place on March 1 this year, part of an annual two-month celebration that draws more than 100,000 visitors. (More)

➤ Tampa’s Glazer Children’s Museum was chosen for the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards list of best children’s museums in the U.S. (See List)

➤ Franky Venegas, a member of the musical group Island Boys, was arrested in Naples on gun and drug charges. (See Photo)

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Do you enjoy going to the theater for plays?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Depends on the play
4. Prefer a movie

Tuesday’s Results:

Which type of clam chowder do you prefer?

1. New England: 47%
2. I don’t eat clam chowder: 25%
3. Manhattan: 18%
4. Other: 10%

What theater in Daytona Beach was the summer home to the London Symphony Orchestra for 40 years?

Show me the answer