Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Florida’s $67M gift to Trump library: Were taxpayers consulted? Of course not | Opinion

1 4

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 7d

#DefendDemocracy

Miami Herald @miamiherald.com · 8d

Unfortunately, how this took place only reflects Trump’s own approach to governing. | Editorial

Unfortunately, how this took place only reflects Trump’s own approach to governing. | Editorial

bit.ly

1

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 7d

More than two years into a conservative takeover of New College of Florida, spending has soared and rankings have plummeted, raising questions about the efficacy of the overhaul. #DefendDemocracy www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...

Spending Soars, Rankings Fall at New College of Florida

Student outcomes and rankings are slipping at the liberal arts college while spending is up. Critics believe the college is at risk of implosion, and some are calling for privatization.

www.insidehighered.com

1 1

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 8d

Sen. Gaetz wants to protect government workers who file ethics complaints (paywall) #DefendDemocracy

POLITICO Pro: Sen. Gaetz wants to protect government workers who file ethics complaints

subscriber.politicopro.com

Push to build Trump library on Miami Dade College land shrouded in secrecy

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 8d

Push to build Trump library on Miami Dade College land shrouded in secrecy #DefendDemocracy www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...

One historian who studies presidential libraries said the state’s move to give public land to the cause so early in the process is “unusually fast.”

www.miamiherald.com

1

Reposted by The Florida Trident

Orlando Sentinel @orlandosentinel.com · 12d

Maxwell: Florida’s laughable DOGE team ignores Seminole’s $60 million tax hike trib.al/HhyJPKN

Maxwell: Florida’s laughable DOGE team ignores Seminole’s $60 million tax hike

Maxwell: Florida’s DOGE has targeted Orlando and Orange County – neither of which raised tax rates – while largely ignoring Seminole County, which just hiked taxes by more than $6…

trib.al

1 3 3

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 13d

LifeScience Logistics received $132.6 mil. after the state awarded the company a no-bid contract to manage the importation of prescription medications from Canada -- yet several years later, their warehouse in Lakeland seems to have minimal activity. #DefendDemocracy

Lakeland warehouse appears quiet even after company receives $132 million from state

LifeScience Logistics built the Lakeland warehouse after receiving a contract to manage Florida's importation of prescription medications from Canada.

www.theledger.com

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 14d

FAFO: Gov DeSantis’ hand-picked new CFO Blaise Ingoglia is seeking over $600,000 to permanently establish the Florida Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Office to “uncover the truth about how these government entities are using taxpayer funds, especially property taxes." #DefendDemocracy

Government Gone Wild Goes Wilder

DeSantis’ CFO on mission to cut government spending, wants more than $600,000 to beef up his own bureaucracy. A top state official spearheading the

2024 Annual Impact Report

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 21d

We’re excited to share our 2024 Annual Impact Report! FLCGA has continued shining a light on government actions across Florida, holding public officials accountable and empowering citizens with the information they need. #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident flcga.org/2024report/

flcga.org

3

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 26d

Clay County schools have cut teaching jobs and busing due to budget deficits—yet County Tax Collector Diane Hutchings’ private firm quietly took in over $2.5M in “management consultant” fees from a single public charter school. #DefendDemocracy

Charter School Queen: How an elected official is cashing in big on a publicly funded school

Clay County’s public schools have eliminated teaching positions and cut student busing services due to a budget deficit. School officials are now

Florida congressman and governor candidate Byron Donalds faces rampant ridicule after Epstein birthday book gaffe

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 28d

“From what I see, it’s not his signature,” said Byron Donalds, the Trump-endorsed frontrunner for Florida governor. “I’ve seen Donald Trump sign a million things.” Unfortunately for Donalds, the “signature doesn’t match” talking point was discredited in lightning speed. #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident

After a Congressional committee released Jeffrey Epstein’s “birthday book” that included a cryptic and lewd homemade card allegedly sent to the notorious

Florida surgeon general begins striking school vaccine mandates, offers parents ‘freedom’ but no guidance

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · 29d

If people get legacy diseases from unvaccinated children, “That is part of the experience of life," says Florida Surgeon General Joseph Lapado on his pledge to remove vaccine mandates -- a plan condemned by the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident

Wasting no time to start on his pledge last week to remove all vaccine mandates in Florida, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo quickly removed four of them

Byron Donalds skirts campaign finance laws in dual bids for Congress, Governor

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Sep 8

When U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced he was running for Florida governor, donations poured in, totaling over $22 mil. But donations for Byron Donalds for Congress didn’t stop--and the FEC has an issue with that. #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident floridatrident.org/byron-donald...

In February, after an endorsement by President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced he was running for Florida’s next governor. Donations

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Sep 7

Congratulations to Michael Barfield on his first place Sunshine State Award for reporting on the Zieglers! Read the winning series: floridatrident.org?s=Ziegler #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident

Sarasota County seeks stormwater rate increase. But audit finds millions available

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Sep 5

Sarasota County administrators are stiff-arming recommendations from a stormwater consultant and plan to push another rate hike on residents despite a new audit showing the utility could have more than $70 million over the next five years without raising rates. #DefendDemocracy

Sarasota County administrators are stiff-arming recommendations from a stormwater consultant and plan to push another rate hike on residents despite a new

Safety Deferred: FPL has delayed core enclosure tests at nuclear plant for nearly 20 years

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Aug 8

Safety Deferred: FPL has delayed core enclosure tests at nuclear plant for nearly 20 years #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/safety-defer...

Shortly after Florida Power & Light brought the Turkey Point nuclear power plant online 53 years ago in south Miami-Dade County, a detailed safety

Back on track: Scientists restart work on next-gen rainfall project to defend against worsening flooding

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 25

Unclean Hands: DeSantis gave company accused of ripping off Hurricane Ian victims $200 million in “emergency” state business #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/unclean-hand...

1 3 5

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 22

Back on track: Scientists restart work on next-gen rainfall project to defend against worsening flooding #DefendDemocracy #TeamTrident floridatrident.org/back-on-trac...

A suspended federal project that promised to be a game-changer in protecting the public from worsening flooding is back in business today, with a team of

Extreme rainfall: Modernized database may be saved from budget cuts after public outcry and deadly Texas flooding

1 3

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 22

Extreme rainfall: Modernized database may be saved from budget cuts after public outcry and deadly Texas flooding #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/extreme-rain...

A next-gen federal database designed to predict extreme rainfall that leads to dangerous flooding may be safe from federal budget cuts after all,

BREAKING: Sarasota Assistant County Administrator Resigns Amid Stormwater Fallout

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 10

BREAKING: Sarasota Assistant County Administrator Mark Cunningham resigned on Wednesday, becoming the highest-ranking official to step down in the wake of revelations about widespread failures in the county’s stormwater management system. #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/breaking-sar...

Sarasota Assistant County Administrator Mark Cunningham resigned on Wednesday, becoming the highest-ranking official to step down in the wake of

Florida’s higher ed makeover: Attacks, resistance and all-out war -- with DeSantis leading the charge

1 3

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 7

Florida’s higher ed makeover: Attacks, resistance and all-out war -- with DeSantis leading the charge #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/floridas-hig...

In Florida, and across America, higher education is facing unprecedented attacks — affecting what subjects can be taught, how university presidents

Governor DeSantis is building “Alligator Alcatraz” with little oversight – and this big campaign donor is set to reap millions from it

1 1

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 2

Governor DeSantis is building “Alligator Alcatraz” with little oversight – and this big campaign donor is set to reap millions from it #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/governor-des...

As the large commercial trucks roar one after another onto the airfield property in the Everglades where a massive detention camp for immigrants is being

Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes

7 16 32

The Florida Trident @floridatrident.bsky.social · Jul 1

Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes #DefendDemocracy floridatrident.org/sarasota-cou...

Sarasota County leaders voted Tuesday to create a separate stormwater department — breaking it off from Public Works — just days after a joint