Monthly Archives: February 2022

Like many people from the Chesapeake Bay Area, Dr. Marla Valentine loves eating crabs that have pulled from the cold water by local crabbers. Maryland crab is so famous that people travel from all over the world just to eat it. Oprah Winfrey has it shipped directly to her. By any culinary metric worth heeding, there are no acceptable substitutes to authentic crab.

This, as she told Salon, helps make the issue of fish fraud "very personal" for her.

"I buy blue crabs straight off the boat from my local fishermen," Valentine told Salon. "It's a part of the community and the history here. Yet blue swimming crabs from the Philippines are entering the US, and they're being labeled as the more expensive domestic varieties that we get here in the bay and along the Atlantic Coast."

The crustacean chicanery is more than a bait-and-switch on unsuspecting customers: "This can be really devastating to our local fishermen, who are relying on people to buy their high valued product but who may be unknowingly buying this cheaper import that is not actually blue crab," Valentine says.

RELATED:Fish fraud is rampant and Subway's tuna scandal is just the tip of the iceberg

This is just one of the many findings included in a new report that Valentine co-authored for Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation group that has consistently covered fish fraud for over a decade. In their latest study, they describe how the presence of Filipino blue swimming crab masquerading as American varieties drives overfishing andfools unsuspecting crab aficionados. The imported crab tends to cost less than domestic catches, which is why back in 2015 Oceana found that almost half of the Maryland area crabs labeled as coming from local waters actually derived from the Indo-Pacific region.

"Seafood fraud ultimately deceives consumers who fall victim to a bait and switch, disguises conservation and health risks, and hurts honest fishermen and seafood businesses," Beth Lowell, acting vice president for the United States at Oceana, told Salon in a statement."President Biden can implement seafood traceabilityfrom boat to plateto ensure that all seafood sold in the U.S. is safe, legally caught and honestly labeled."

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The report also details examples of seafood industries flouting the law and furthering damaging the ocean's ecosystems. The problem is what is known asillegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which increases profits for those in the seafood industry yet tends to be both unsustainable and extremely harmful to the environment. In their report, Oceana discusses how the Caribbean spiny lobster industry in Belize is threatened by illegal fishing; in Mexico's Yucatn peninsula theMaya octopus which is highly valued by locals in dishes like ceviche is being fished to the point of overexploitation; and a majority of Peruvian squid fishers lack valid permits, with their catches being offloaded to third-party vessels which then misleadingly label it as having been legally caught. This makes it very difficult to monitor whether long-distance vessels (predominantly from China) are overfishing.

"Depleted squid populations could potentially lead to a decline in other fisheries and disruptions in the marine ecosystem, leading to losses of fishing jobs in local communities," the report pointed out.

To address these and other related issues, Oceana recommends improving methods for documenting every catch and making them traceable from boat to plate, as well as creating mechanisms to protect labor and human rights within the industry.

The issue of fish fraud made headlines last year when a controversial report claimed that Subway, the popular fast food chain, was not using authentic tuna in their tuna sandwiches. Yet fish fraud predates the Subway incident. On an international level, studies released since 2014 have found thatAsian catfish, hake and escolar were most likely to be substituted with other types of fish; it also found that, on more than half of the occasions when a different fish was used (58 percent), it came from a species that might get certain consumers sick.

"On Subway specifically, I would say that they are probably better than average, as far as companies of their size," John Hocevar, marine biologist and director of Greenpeace's oceans campaign, told Salon at the time. "There are so many problems with the tuna industry that it is very difficult for companies sourcing as much tuna as Subway to be confident that they know their fish wasn't caught with forced labor, or in ways that are very harmful to our oceans." He explained that the underlying issue is that the industry is insufficiently regulated, making illegal fishing very common. Notably, the fraud is not always due to intentional deceit.

"Your average person would assume that a boat goes out, catches fish, and then comes back into port, sells those fish, and then goes back out, catches more fish," Hocevar explained when discussing the tuna scandal. "Instead, tuna vessels often handover their catch to another boat at sea and just keep fishing."

As offloading to third-parties and other practices make it easy for accidental mix-ups to occur, reform advocates have argued that this process needs stronger oversight. They also call for stronger enforcement against illegal vessels, which heavily fuel the prevalence of mislabeled fish.

More from Salon on seafood:

More:

Enjoying that expensive crab? It might be fake - Salon

The following article was published on October 28, 2021, authored by Maanasi Shyno 23, Ana Noriega Olaz 24, Sophie Williams 23.

The original article was taken down alongside their website at the time of publishing this article.

About two weeks ago, flyers for The Future of the Republican Party event featuring U.S. Representative Madison Cawthorn, congressional candidate Karoline Leavitt, and political media advisor Alex Bruesewitz began to appear around campus. Flyers were seen all around campus, including in the library, on common room walls,, and slipped under dorm room doors.

Soon after, parody flyers titled Facist Faces in the Republican Party were put up by an anonymous individual.

Cawthorns conduct of unrepentant white supremacy, his decisions to align himself with the Jan. 6 insurrection, his voting against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and against ending the United States role in the genocide in Yemen, and his reputation of predatory behavior display his goals in advancing nativism and fasicsm. Leavitts anti-abortion, anti-immigrant, pro-carceral-state policies and Bruesewitzs campaign and consulting work with X Strategies also further these goals.

On Oct. 17, the Dartmouth Democrats released a statement attributing the upcoming panel to the Dartmouth College Republicans (whose name did not appear on the original event flyers). They denounced Cawthorns invitation to campus, stating, Any benefit these speakers words could bring to the diversity of thought and pool of intellectual ideas at Dartmouth would be more than exceeded by the damage of their fear mongering and lies.

On Oct. 21, the College Republicans released a statement in response, claiming that the Democrats follow a dangerous trend of intolerance for controversial positions (a claim that consistently neglects to acknowledge that these positions enforce, not contradict, existing systems). They stated that freedom of speech is meant to protect dissenting ideas and allow people to express their beliefs even if those opinions are controversial or hurt someone elses feelings. The Republicans invited the Dartmouth Democrats to attend the event to listen and challenge the speakers instead of petitioning for its cancellation (although the Democrats did not call for cancelation or silencing, but simply expressed their disapproval of the panelists).

On Oct. 22, Leavitt tweeted out about the spoof flyer, falsely attributing it to the Dartmouth Democrats. In a later tweet she claimed this to be unsurprising given the Radical Lefts mission to turn colleges into breeding grounds for socialism and groupthink. This falls in line with the theatrical conservative tradition of owning the libs.

The same day, the Dartmouth Radical published the Statement on the College Republicans Event on behalf of Dartmouth United Against Hate, a coalition including the Dartmouth Young Democratic Socialists of America, CoFIRED, Sunrise Movement Dartmouth, the Afro-American Society, Black Praxis, the Dartmouth Student Union, and the Radical itself. The statement argued that the Republicans bastardize this principle and make it into a tool of censor itself, while they defame, doxx and jail activists fighting for justice at home and abroad. This tactic vilifies the (equally free, in theory) practices of protest and dissent. The coalition asked supporters to sign the statement and join their protest in front of Moore Hall,for which they had obtained a permit from Dartmouth College.

The protest began at 6:30 p.m., and the panel took place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 in Filene Auditorium in Moore Hall.

Around 6 p.m., the coalition organized a pre-protest meeting for coalition members to coordinate prior to the event at the LALACS House. Members of the YDSA, the Radical, the DSU, CoFIRED, and Spare Rib were present, with some crossover membership between the groups. After designating people to speak and lead chants, the group congregated at Moore at 6:30 p.m. as other protesters began to arrive, numbering around 60 or 70 throughout the night.

A stanchion crowd divider split the small courtyard outside Moore in half, with protesters relegated behind it. The sidewalk was chalked by Dartmouth Democrat members earlier in the day with messages likefreedom of speech, not freedom from responsibility, and one officer from each SNS and the Hanover Police were stationed outside.

Throughout the event Kayao (YDSA, the Radical) and Ian Scott (YDSA, Black Praxis, and the Afro-American Society) spoke out against the speakers facism, noting their organizations dedication to workers, a decolonial future, and Upper Valley issues. They described alternative futures, not blighted by the harmful views of the speakers. Other speakers included Melissa Barales-Lopez 22 (CoFIRED) who detailed the speakers racism, xenophobia, anti-immigrant rhetoric. Katherine Arrington (YDSA, Spare Rib) and Hayden El Rafei (the Radical, Spare Rib), shared their perspectives as well, bringing up the speakers anti-abortion stances andCawthorns predatory behavior which 150 of his former peers attested to.

Between speeches, protestors led each other in chants includingWhose campus? Our campus!Fascists go home!and These racist cops have got to go!(Conservatives were confused about this one, failing to see any relevance to the continued struggles against systemic brutality in policing.) Two men in semi-formal clothing filmed protestors on their phones.

The protest crowd and the line of attendees grew, with some students in line joining in with protest chants, others looking concerned or amused. A few minutes before 7 p.m., the line of event attendees was quickly ushered into Moore.

The protest continued outside, beginning to disperse around 7:20 p.m.. Some individual students who attended the panel to listen and ask questions returned to outside, leaving early out of boredom or irritation.

A first-year student who walked out of the event following an impassioned speech by Cawthorn commented on his dog whistling tactics. One thing that stood out to me was the coded language, the student said. Theyre taking our culture well, whos they,whats our culture its coded forwhite cultureand it looks like racism, sexism, homophobia.

The student described her involvement inside: We left loudly, saying this is lame I yelled out that its college policy to wear masks inside; why doesnt that apply to them? In reference to the protest the coordinator at the door told her that he hoped thatrules can be followed.The student continued, Theres a room full of maskless people this protest has a permit how is that not following rules?

At 7:37 PM, CoFIRED members who had gone inside emerged from the building together and headed out, signaling the protests conclusion. Others followed, due to the cold, weariness, and other obligations. Around 7:45 p.m., about 30 people went to the LALACs house for a space to debrief and recollect.

At past 8:30 p.m., the last panel attendees were leaving Moore. Jack Cocchiarella 25 (student and digital director for congressional candidate Marcus Flowers attended the event with friends because they felt that it was their responsibility to show up and ask [the panelists] questions that hold them accountable. Avideo of Cocchiarellaquestioning Cawthorns undemocratic support for the Jan.6 insurrection and stolen election rhetoricgarnered over fifty thousand likeson Twitter.

Early on Oct. 26,The Dartmouthreleased an articlerecounting the topics covered and ideology spread during the panel, as well as a few student statements.

Vice president of the College Republicans, Chloe Ezzo 22, moderated the event, pointedly asking the audience to remain polite, respectful, and mature throughout the event and show a proper Dartmouth welcome.

The temperature inside the auditorium was mixed. Much of the audience met the panel with muted disapproval. At least half of the 150 or so attendees seemed to sit with a skeptical eye, murmur with discontent, or laugh in disbelief when certain points were made.

Many supporters were also in attendance: there was appreciative clapping and generous acceptance from the remaining forty percent or so, who generally sat towards the front, some wearing masks partially or not at all, and laughed along with the panelists.

The first question asked for the panelists positions on whether Dr. Anthony Fauci committed perjury, and led to a discussion about Faucis involvement with tax-payer-funded research that allows African flies to eat away the faces of beagles and puppies.

The panelists referred to COVID-19 as the Wuhan China Virus and insinuated that the pandemic was an intentional plot by China, or at the least that China was responsible for every cause and effect. Cawthorn said, The only reason you would want to make a pig virus or a bat virus more transmissible by manipulating the spike protein in the mutation is to use it as a bioweapon. Whether or not it was intentionally or accidentally released by China, I believe they need to be held accountable. I believe we should seize every Chinese asset on American soil as a downpayment on the reparations that they owe us.

These remarks play ona history of racist fearmongeringthat links Asians with disease. They are also nativist proclamations, creating a frame where any treatment of groups characterized as non-national can be deemed acceptable no matter how senseless, misguided, or dangerous. They also shift any blame for pandemic hardships felt in America scapegoating another country (and by extension, all people painted as non-American) in lieu of their own government, politicians and ruling class.

Cawthorn and Leavitt spoke of their plans to begin an investigation following Leavitts hopeful election to congress. The topic ended jovially, with Bruesewitz calling Anthony Fauci indisputably the sexiest man alive GQ said so. These exchanges questionable facts, colored with nativist or fascist ideology, followed with offhand jokes were repeated throughout the event.

When the panelists spoke about Afghanistan, it was with the narrative that they supported the withdrawal, but that it was done wrong by Biden. Cawthorn said that any 15 year old that played Call of Duty for a number of days couldve pulled the US military out of Afghanistan more effectively. Besides the fact that opposing the withdrawal method is nothing like opposing the invasion, this type of brash, matter-of-fact statement is a blood-chillingly casual and playful way to approach war. Each speaker mentioned the 13 marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice at least once. Focusing so strongly on the loss of thirteen lives equates the intentional occupation and suffering of an entire country with the death of 13 Americans who chose to help occupy. When Cawthorn did mention other casualties, it was in the phrase thousands ofours dead, clearly demarcating the difference between the value of American and Afghan lives to the Republican (and, judging by their actions, Democratic) party.

After Cawthorn delivered a building speech riddled with reactionary dog whistles, CoFIRED got up from where they filled the back row of the auditorium and left together, sharing verbal dissent and criticizing the panelists and participants for failing to wear masks. One of the coordinators responded with, Thank you for coming. God bless you. Cawthorn turned back to his support in the front to announce, Man, what inspiring people! Seriously, they just tore down the patriarchy. Still, these belittling comments only undercut the impact of CoFIREDs disruption to people who already scoff along with Cawthron.

Bruesewitz said of the Democrats, Apparently they want child brides in their communities, apparently they want rapists in their communities in reference to the United States accepting refugees from Afghanistan. While Leavitt began to speak about the crisis at the Southern border and illegal immigrants flooding through on our dime, a student stood up and booed.

Another student stood up and left while calling to Cawthorn, Youre accused of sexual assault 150 times! As if the student was already out of hearing range, Cawthron responded, Huh? How many times are you accused of sexual assault? When the student responded 150, he jabbed with, You are? 150? and said to the audience, He should be kicked off campus, thats a lot of times!

Leavitt chimed in with, We should pray for him.

Or her, interjected Alex Bruesewitz, apparently making another new genders jab at the students longer hairstyle, leading Leavitt to laugh and agree.

You never know these days, she said.

Leavitt continued with the anti-immigration tirade: Your tax dollars are going to go to flying these people into our communities! We are letting millions of undocumented, untested, unvaccinated[people] come over our borders, [in the middle of] what Joe Biden says is a public health crisis. Here Leavitt signaled that immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere are unwanted and unhealthy for our culture, before connecting immigration to the opioid epidemic, to suffering small businesses, and the pandemic.

Another student sitting in the mid-front spoke aloud, telling Cawthorn he barely won the election and nobody in his district likes him. However, media consultant Bruesewitz responded with Cawthorns electoral success, winning by thousands of votes and 12% in a R1 district, where he was projected to win by only one percent. The student was from Cawthorns district, and the exchange ended with thorny but diffused pleasantries about hometown rivalries.

These disruptive departures arent exactly unsuccessful. The trouble is, as the auditorium door closes, Madison Cawthorn can crack a joke and immediately control the room again.

Generally, speaker events hosted at Dartmouth are about evenly split between presentation and a question and answer period. When Chloe Ezzo took the microphone to announce that there was no time for questions, since it was 8:00 PM, the purposeful refusal to engage with the audience on a more level footing even in the smallest expected manner became glaringly obvious. The noise level rose with discontent, leading Ezzo to reluctantly allow questions for ten minutes and go slightly overtime.

Several people moved to fill a line behind the microphone, but barely three questions were answered before the event was formally disbanded. Even during this time, the most pointed question was only an invitation to the speaker to reiterate previous points. There was no debate; there was no broad exposure. Furthermore, any kind of disruption was met with personal, ad-hominem attacks that were ultimately meant to make the Republican side appear to be the most witty, logical, and collected side. There was no way to meaningfully challenge the Republicans and it was designed to be this way by the organizers, despite running entirely on the high of being a free speech event.

Ultimately, the entire panel was extremely disconcerting, not just because of the content, but the format. The range of student group reactions to the event were varied and interesting, stemming from different political ideologies. However, we claim that student protest was necessary and highlighted Dartmouths complicity in emboldening bigotry.

Continue reading here:

Spare Rib: The Future the Right Wants - Dartmouth Review

On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast:

It's the year of the tiger in the Lunar New Year. Earlier this week people celebrated withdancing, colorful costumes and drums. For many it's a new idea, but for billions it's a way to celebrate their culture. USA Todays Eve Chen and Jordan Mendoza discuss how the holiday is celebrated, itsimportance, and why it endures. Well also get a few hints about what Asian Americans are going through today. For more on the Lunar New Year clickhere. For more on the year of the Tiger clickhere. Catch up with James Brown on twitter by clickinghere, Eve Chen by clickinghereand Jordan Mendoza by clickinghere.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here.

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

James Brown: Hi. I'm James Brown and welcome to Five Things. Thanks for joining me. On Sundays, we do things a bit differently, focusing on one topic instead of five. In this week, we're throwing a party. That's the sound of New York City's Chinatown from just a few days ago. The thousands there are celebrating the Lunar New Year. There's dancing, colorful costumes, and of course drums. For me, it's a pretty new idea. I thought it was just one day.

But for about a billion people around the world, the celebrations go on and take different forms and have different meanings. This year is the year of the tiger, and as Stephen Tin of Better Chinatown's Society USA told the associated press

Steven Tin: The tiger represents energy. Okay? Besides the dragon, the tiger is one of the strongest year health wise for the [inaudible 00:01:05]. So hopefully, we have the tiger help us get rid of the pandemic.

James Brown: In this episode, USA Today's Eve Chen and Jordan Mendoza will teach me a few things about this holiday, its importance, and why it endures. We'll also get a few hints about what Asian Americans are going through today. First, we'll get the basics with Jordan Mendoza.

I've heard of the Year of the Rat. I've heard of the Year of the Pig, the Year of the Ox. As I understand, these different years, these different symbols, have different meanings?

Jordan Mendoza: So, there's a 12 year cycle of animals associated with the Lunar New Year. There's the rat, the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. And so, these 12 year cycles ... So this year, 2022, is the Year of the Tiger. And using math, the last time that this happened was in 2010, and you go back every 12 years for the cycle to repeat and things like that.

So this year is the Year of the Tiger, and with each year that is associated with an animal, it kind of gives off a personality trait if you will, and it usually is indicative of if you were born in that year, then these character traits are probably going to be associated with you, or this is the year where these traits will be associated and this is what it means for you.

So the tiger, it's meant to be a sign of bravery. It's supposed to be a sign of courage and strength. People take it as a way to do something that is out of your comfort zone or do something that you wouldn't normally have done. And what's really cool about these symbols is they commonly associate them to things that are going on in today's world.

So if you look back at last year, last year was the Year of the Ox, and the Year of the Ox is somewhat similar to a tiger where it's being diligent, being determined, and things like that. And a lot of people associated that with the arrival of COVID vaccines. A pandemic has been affecting this world in such a negative way, and COVID vaccines offered a way of hope. And so, they associated that with the Year of the Ox, whereas this year, if you're looking at the Year of the Tiger with bravery, courage, and strength, some people can interpret it as we are using this year to get ourselves out of the pandemic.

Now, there's no saying that the pandemic is going to end this year, obviously, but people use it as a symbol like we are almost at the end of this. We are almost at the finish line and we are going to use the strength of the tiger and the year of the tiger to get us out of these hard times.

James Brown: I'm getting a bit of an astrology vibe.

Jordan Mendoza: Yeah. So they are zodiac signs. That's what it is. And these signs, they come from tales. They come from old very ancient Chinese tales of what they're associated with.

James Brown: For those who may not know, how different are lunar year celebrations than other new year celebrations?

Jordan Mendoza: So when you think of New Year's, like with our typical calendar with December 31st and January 1st, you picture a big party the night of December 31st and waiting until midnight, and then there's a huge thing at midnight, and then you party for the rest of the night, and you go to sleep. The next day is January 1st. Then normal life kind of carries on, right?

With Lunar New Year, it's much more than just one night and one day or even two days. Depending on where you're at in the world or your background, it's a multi day event. It's something that you reserve time for. I know in China, this is a 15 day celebration, so it really is something that people recognize. And when they say it's 15 days of celebration, they really mean it by it's 15 days of celebration in honor and to bringing in the new lunar year.

James Brown: 15 days. I'm just trying to imagine anything I celebrate over a two week period. Do you know any more about how that 15 day celebration goes down?

Jordan Mendoza: Yeah. So, this holiday, it's really centered around family. It's really centered around seeing your loved ones, seeing the ones that you're close to, and this is really a time where a lot of people will congregate in one house together and they'll have a grand feast, a grand dinner if you will, and they just sit there, and they'll enjoy each other's company and just spend time together.

And then perhaps the next day, you'll do it at someone else's house or you'll do it somewhere else. And so, this is really a time where a lot of people reserve the chance to see each other. So if you live super far away and your work gets in the way and life gets in the way to where you can't see your family members all the time, this is the one time of year where you really make the effort to go see people and come together as one and ring in a new year where you try to get out the bad spirits of the past year and bad things that happened, and you do these traditions to give yourself a hopeful and optimistic new year.

James Brown: Well Jordan, thank you for your time. You've been generous.

Jordan Mendoza: Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.

James Brown: Now that we know that Lunar New Year celebrations are a time for family, food, and fun with a dash of travel and a sprinkle of hope, USA Today's Eve Chen tell us about her experience with the holiday and what she and [inaudible 00:06:13] Brad captured in a recent piece about Asian Americans.

One of the things that came to mind as I was researching this piece and even prior to researching this piece, I noticed that there was all sorts of acknowledgement of the Lunar New Year this time around that I hadn't seen in prior years. The President had a message. Where I live, our Mayor spoke up, as did our Governor.

I don't recall that. It's something that seemed pretty surprising. Is it surprising to you?

Eve Chen: I think there is usually some sort of statement around Lunar New Year from the President. I can't remember when that would have started, but I certainly remember there being some during the Obama administration. I don't know for sure when that would have started. Maybe it's been for decades. But as far as being widely recognized, I think after the last year and a half too of AAPI hate, I think people are more in tune a little bit to the Asian Americans within their own communities and wanting to acknowledge and support them and celebrate their heritage when it's something that's been attacked over the last pandemic.

And so, I think maybe that's more of an intentional effort by some people who may not have always said, "Happy Lunar New Year." But I think in recent years, I think it's been acknowledged by a number of people in recent years. I don't know if it's been as widely. I can't say if this year is more than last year or the year before that. But it does feel like there's quite a bit of visibility because of the past year of attacks.

James Brown: All right. So there's all of this sort of raw emotional outpouring AAPI, Asian American Pacific Islander, if I'm getting the acronym correct, hate, talk, actions. It becomes a huge thing, especially in the Spring of last year. It's quite possible that this could be sort of a ... What I'm noticing, if it's a real thing, I could be totally wrong. Right? It's sort of this waves crest, flapping on the shore of something that's big that happened already. It's like an after shock, for lack of a better term.

Eve Chen: I actually asked my colleague India, who I wrote the story with, if she recalled whether or not this was the first Lunar New Year since the attacks on our community, on the Asian American community, because she had covered it last year as well when there had been a lot of violence. It turns out the attacks actually happened in the lead up to last Lunar New Year.

So, this isn't the first one, but it's the first one since it really blew up. So they were happening last year. They were starting to happen, but they continued, as we know, all the way through May, and then beyond that. There have been instances all year long. There continue to be incidents. But the most high profile ones were in last Spring.

So this is the first Lunar New Year since it kind of blew up as ... I don't want to say a movement. Stop AAPI Hate is a movement, but I don't want to call AAPI hate a movement. I think that prejudice and stereotypes and discrimination have been part of the treatment of Asian Americans since they first arrived on these shores. So not to say everyone by any means, but there was a history of that, right? There's a documented history. The first exclusion act against immigrants was against people from China.

And so, it's not like AAPI hate is necessarily new, but this is the first Lunar New Year since there were so many incidents concentrated last year, and so I think that may be why there are more people kind of standing up and celebrating. Some of the people that I spoke to for my story are Asian American, but not necessarily from communities or heritages that would celebrate Lunar New Year before.

So like for instance, Filipinos don't celebrate Lunar New Year. Japanese people don't celebrate Lunar New Year. Their new year is just like everyone else's new year on January 1st. They don't follow the lunar calendar. However, some of them really saw Lunar New Year as a time for the larger Asian American community to coalesce and celebrate our heritage.

So, Lunar New Year is celebrated by the Chinese culture. It's celebrated in Korea. It's celebrated in Vietnam, Singapore, and several other countries in Asia, of course, by the diaspora. But I think regardless of where your or anyone's individual family may be from, I think a lot of people are able to see the holiday as a cultural one to just take pride in, not necessarily that they celebrate Lunar New Year themselves, but it's just an opportunity for them to celebrate their heritage loudly and proudly as one of the women I spoke to said.

James Brown: When it comes to your story, are there elements of it that you would like to hammer home? Things that you want to make sure that the reader does not miss?

Eve Chen: So we spoke to a variety of Asian Americans for this story. The one through line for them is, yes, it's been a hard year. This last year was very hard emotionally, mentally, for some people, physically. I spoke to a woman whose mother was punched while grocery shopping near Chinatown in New York. It's been a hard year. And so, they're looking toward this new year as a new chapter, hopefully, but also a time to really take pride in who they are as Asian Americans, both Asian and American.

They all expressed resilience. They all expressed belonging, that they, like all of us, deserve to be here and take pride in their culture and they share it with the world through Lunar New Year.

James Brown: Man, it's got to be a brutal moment to just be attacked for who you are.

Eve Chen: One of the women I spoke with, she came out of retirement as a doctor. She'd retired as a doctor, but she specialized in end of life care. And so when COVID began, that first wave of COVID in New York, she came out of retirement to volunteer as a doctor and she would take the subway and she would be scared riding the subway to go help save other people's lives or help people as a physician. She'd be scared for her own life possibly being attacked on the subway, but she did it anyways, and she did it scared, but she did it.

James Brown: Wow. And I'm glad she did because obviously we need as many healthcare professionals as we can get our hands on. So, where can our listeners find you online and perhaps in social media?

Eve Chen: My Twitter handle is @chenwilliams. That's the best place to find me on social media. Otherwise, you'll find me in USA Today.

James Brown: If you like the show, write us a review on Apple Podcasts of wherever you're listening and do me a favor. Share it with a friend. Let us know what you think on social media at USA Today, and you can find me at James Brown TV. Thanks to Alexis [Davies 00:13:32] for editing this episode and to Jordan and Eve for joining me. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with Five Things You Need to Know for Monday. For all of us at USA Today, thanks for listening. I'm James Brown, and as always, be well.

Original post:

It's the year of the tiger: How a billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year - USA TODAY

New York, February 2, 2022 Rock Mountain Capital, The Olayan Group and funds managed by global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that a group led by Rock Mountain and Olayan has acquired a 48% stake in PurposeBuilt Brands, the proceeds of which were used to redeem Carlyles position. TA Associates, an investor since 2019, and company management are rolling 100% of their equity and will hold a 52% ownership stake.

PurposeBuilt Brands is a portfolio of leading specialty cleaning products for the consumer and commercial markets. In 2021, the company celebrated its 41st consecutive year of year-on-year growth, operating with a strong consumer- and customer-centric approach, combined with distinguished chemical and manufacturing expertise.

PurposeBuilt Brands has an outstanding collection of brands serving consumer and commercial customers, and a proven history of growth, said David Scharf, Managing Director, Rock Mountain Capital. As a PurposeBuilt Board member for the past three years I have seen first-hand how Chris Bauder, Carlyle and TA have been able to expand the companys portfolio and strong customer relationships. We look forward to building on this success and to supporting PurposeBuilts future growth with TA and with Chris and his team.

What is exciting about this investment is the strength and resilience of PurposeBuilts portfolio, the depth of talent of the management team, and the relationships with their customers, said David Syriani, Managing Director, Head of Private Equity Directs, Americas, at The Olayan Group.PurposeBuilt fits perfectly with Olayans long-term investing strategy, and is very well positioned for even greater success.

Over the course of our partnership, PurposeBuilt has experienced significant growth through three strategic acquisitions, investing in more eco-friendly and green products as an EPA safer-choice partner two years in a row, and significantly expanding its e-commerce business, said David Basto, Managing Director at Carlyle. We are proud of PurposeBuilts unwavering commitment to innovation and intentional focus on sustainable and safe-to-use products and are pleased to see the company continue on its long-term growth journey with new partners Rock Mountain Capital and Olayan, and continuing investor TA.

TheCarlyleGroupand TAhave been excellent partners over the past three years, helping us to deliver meaningful growth, increase our ESG credentials and improve our environmental stewardship, said Chris Bauder, President and CEO, PurposeBuilt Brands. We are excited to welcome Rock Mountain Capital and The OlayanGroup as partners, and we look forward to working with them and TA to continue to innovate and add to our portfolio of specialty cleaning products, both domestically and internationallyand to continue our 41 consecutive years of organic growth.

Since our initial investment in 2019, we have been fortunate to support PurposeBuilt Brands in scaling its business, expanding on a long history of growth, innovation and exceptional customer service, said Bill Christ, Managing Director, TA. We welcome Rock Mountain Capital and Olayan, and are excited to further our partnership with Chris and the entire management team as we help drive continued growth for the company.

Goodwin Procter acted as legal advisor to Rock Mountain Capital and Shearman and Sterling LLP acted as legal advisor to The Olayan Group. Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to PurposeBuilt Brands. Barclays (Lead Advisor), Morgan Stanley & Co., and Baird acted as financial advisor to PurposeBuilt Brands.

Rock Mountain Capital

Rock Mountain Capital is a private equity firm founded by industry veteran David Stonehill, who brings over 25 years of experience investing in and growing middle market companies. Rock Mountain focuses on working with entrepreneurs and management teams in the consumer goods & services, technology, media & telecom (TMT), and consumer-facing healthcare services sectors to accelerate organizational development, execute on organic growth opportunities, and pursue strategic M&A and roll-up/consolidation strategies.

The Olayan Group

Originating in 1947, The Olayan Group is a multinational enterprise with an actively managed portfolio of diversified global investments across all asset classes. The Groups international headquarters is in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Olayan also has offices in New York, London, Luxembourg, Vienna, Athens, Singapore and Riyadh, where its MENA investments and commercial operations are based. The Group is a private concern with single-family ownership, a multigenerational outlook, and enduring partnerships.

Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $293 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2021, Carlyles purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 1,800 people in 26 offices across five continents.

PurposeBuilt Brands

PurposeBuilt Brands is a high-growth portfolio of category-leading, efficacy-driven specialty cleaning and disinfection brands. PurposeBuilt creates products that can be trusted to perform optimally on peoples valued surfaces, spaces and equipment and are formulated to be better for them, their families, their businesses, and the environment. Consumer brands include Weiman, Green Gobbler, Goo Gone, Gonzo Natural Magic, biokleen, Magic, Wrights and Stone Care International. Commercial brands include Urnex, Five Star and Opti-Cide, which are focused on the growing specialty beverage and healthcare industries.

TA Associates

TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 550 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968. The firms more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at http://www.ta.com.

###

Media Contacts:

Rock Mountain Capital

Abbe Serphos

917.699.9661

aserphos@ppbcomms.com

Carlyle

Brittany Berliner

212.813.4839

Brittany.berliner@carlyle.com

Read more:

Group Led By Rock Mountain Capital and The Olayan Group Acquires 48% Stake in PurposeBuilt Brands from Carlyle - Carlyle

Good Monday morning.

Susie Wiles is now co-chair of the global public strategy firm Mercury.

The veteran GOP strategist is best known for masterminding former President Donald Trumps two electoral wins in the Sunshine State. She also managed now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scotts first gubernatorial campaign when he a virtual unknown in state politics.

She was also key in helping Ron DeSantis overcome deficits in polling and momentum in his successful 2018 campaign for Governor.

In addition to her campaign work, Wiles has lobbied on behalf of companies ranging from local businesses to multinational corporations at the state and federal levels.

I am excited to join the bipartisan team of experts and established public strategists at Mercury, Wiles said. I look forward to working hard to provide successful outcomes on behalf of our world-class roster of clients in both Florida and D.C.

In her new role, Wiles will serve as co-chair of the firms Florida and Washington offices. Wiles will also launch Public Strategy Advisors, a new company focused on electing Republicans nationwide.

Susie is a veteran campaign strategist with an expert ability to put her finger on the pulse of any issue and effectively use her insight and perception to yield winning results, said Ashley Walker, a partner at Mercury. We are thrilled for Susie to join the Mercury family, as she will undoubtedly be an invaluable leader to those working alongside her at the firm and will elevate the work we deliver to our clients.

Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney added, Susie, and her ability to successfully navigate any political landscape, is an extraordinary addition to our team.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

@AnnieGrayerCNN: Former Chief of Staff to Mike Pence, Marc Short, who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6: from my front-row seat, I did not see a lot of legitimate political discourse.

@GovRonDeSantis: Floridians should not have their data used by Big Tech without providing affirmative consent, and I urge the Legislature to protect the data privacy of all Floridians.

@JeanetteNunez: The same @gofundme that supported Antifa, BLM, and CHAZ/CHOP just shut down fundraisers for the Canadian truckers protesting against vaccine mandate. Florida stands with the Freedom Convoy.

@MattRinaldiTX: What @gofundme is doing now, your bank will be doing in 5 years.

@SatinRussell: My nephew insists on wearing his mask, no matter where he is even when we assure him that the family is safe. Hes four and can hardly remember a time when he didnt mask around people he doesnt live with.

@AnnaforFlorida: Not only is book banning just a dangerous practice, but there is so much irony among those who make fun of cancel culture as they try to cancel things

Tweet, tweet:

@BSFarrington: I was this close to giving up Twitter, and a Republican legislator called me and said, You may not know it, but your message of kindness makes a difference. I decided then I wouldnt be silenced by hate. Ill keep speaking about love and kindness, even if it subjects me to hate.

@MDixon55: People who will wait in those quarter-mile long @Starbucks lines that spill out into the street are wild, man.

DAYS UNTIL

Super Bowl LVI 6; Will Smiths Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot premieres 6; Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show begins 9; season four of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel begins 9; Spring Training report dates begin 10; Synapse Florida tech summit begins 10; The Walking Dead final season part two begins 13; Daytona 500 13; Special Election for Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 16; Suits For Session 16; CPAC begins 17; St. Pete Grand Prix 18; Joe Biden to give the State of the Union address 22; The Batman premieres 25; Miami Film Festival begins 25; the 2022 Players begins 29; Sarasota County votes to renew the special 1-mill property tax for the school district 29; the third season of Atlanta begins 44; season two of Bridgerton begins 46; The Oscars 48; Macbeth with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga begin performances on Broadway 50; Grammys rescheduled in Las Vegas 55; Magic Johnsons Apple TV+ docuseries They Call Me Magic begins 74; The Godfather TV series The Offer premieres 80; federal student loan payments will resume 83; Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres 88; Top Gun: Maverick premieres 109; Platinum Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II 115; Thor: Love and Thunder premieres 152; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 165; Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner novel Heat 2 publishes 183; The Lord of the Rings premieres on Amazon Prime 207; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel premieres 242; Black Panther 2 premieres 277; The Flash premieres 280; Avatar 2 premieres 312; Captain Marvel 2 premieres 375; John Wick: Chapter 4 premieres 410; Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania premieres 536; Dune: Part Two premieres 620; Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games 900.

TOP STORY

Great schism The Republican National Committees decision to censure U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger and denounce the House investigation into Jan. 6 has spawned an internecine war within the GOP, with trad conservatives blasting the decision and Trumpists sticking to the line that the Capitol attack was merely a protest, not a riot or an insurrection.

United front? Much of the controversy stems from the statement going out on RNC letterhead. Law-and-order Republicans say it reads a tacit endorsement of the Jan. 6 rioters, which are described as ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.

Half and half Still, some top GOP officials are playing both sides of the issue. Count Sen. Joe Gruters among them. The Republican Party of Florida Chair co-sponsored the resolution and gave it a yay vote in absentia but insists he believes all who broke the law should be held accountable.

Care to explain? I was in Session in Tallahassee so did not vote in person but gave my proxy to Florida (National Committeewoman) Kathleen King. Prior to the meeting, I discussed with both the Florida NCW and (National Committeeman Peter Feaman), and we all signed on as co-sponsors to the resolution.

Muddy waters Florida Politics asked him point-blank whether he thought the events of Jan. 6 were legitimate political discourse. His answer: I understand why people were so upset, but there is no justification for breaking the law, especially those who damage property or attack law enforcement officers. Justice should prevail, and people that committed these acts should be held accountable. Many more people came to D.C. to peacefully protest what they thought was an injustice. Those ordinary citizens should not be harassed or targeted in any way.

Broken record When asked to clarify why he co-sponsored the resolution, he stuck to the script: There is no justification for breaking the law, especially those who damage property or attack law enforcement officers. Justice should prevail, and people that committed these acts should be held accountable. Many people came to D.C. to peacefully protest what they thought was an injustice. Those ordinary citizens should not be harassed or targeted in any way.

DATELINE TALLY

House budgets $105.3 billion in spending plan via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics The Florida House unveiled its proposed spending plan for the coming fiscal year on Friday, clocking in at $105.3 billion. While the number is about $4 billion larger than what the state is spending in the current fiscal year, the amount falls shy of the $108.6 billion budget plan the Senate published earlier Friday. Together, both are north of DeSantis $99.7 billion proposal, but DeSantis total dollar amount is near the Houses top figure when considering the federal spending that helped balloon the Legislatures budget beyond past marks. In a statement, House Speaker Chris Sprowls said the Houses budget proposal builds on last years plan by investing state dollars in a strategic, intentional way.

Senate unveils $108.6 billion budget with pay hikes for state workers via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics Low-paid state workers would see raises and K-12 schools would get a funding boost, as would nearly every portion of the state budget under a spending plan released Friday by the Senate. The $108.6 billion proposal would be a more than $7 billion increase on the current years budget, thanks largely to an infusion of federal stimulus dollars given to states to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate President Wilton Simpson has pushed to increase the pay for low-paid state workers by raising the minimum wage to $15. A constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2020 will push the minimum wage for all workers to $15 by 2026, but Simpson says the early increase is needed to recruit and retain workers in needed areas.

Senate, House snub Ron DeSantis push to increase cancer research to $100 million via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics There are plenty of differences between the proposed $47 billion-plus health care spending proposals the Senate and House rolled out this week. But the chambers are in lockstep in deciding not to include an additional $37 million to increase cancer research and treatment, as advocated by DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. The Governor and the First Lady have already noticed the snub, both of whom took to social media after the House released its proposed spending plan late Thursday afternoon. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Florida. I have recommended to the Legislature $100 million for cancer research so we can fight this terrible disease, DeSantis said in a Twitter post.

Senate pitches cash for new state planes via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics The Senate unveiled plans this week to add two new planes to the states aviation fleet. The buy would cost taxpayers $26.5 million and fill a void left by former Republican Gov. Scott. Scott in 2011 sold off two state planes as part of a campaign promise to limit abuses by government officials. A multimillionaire, he instead traveled aboard his private jet. While the sale made good on the campaign promise, it left future Governors and cabinet members without wings. Sen. Ben Albritton said the buy is a move to replenish the fleet. He serves as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government.

Is DeSantis getting what he wants in Floridas early budget proposals? via Kirby Wilson and Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times DeSantis and top Republican leaders in the House and Senate have put their cards on the table. This week, legislators unveiled the first round of proposed House and Senate budgets. The Governor included nearly $310 million to hospitals that serve the most Medicaid patients. Neither the House nor the Senate included that money in their initial health care budgets this week. One of DeSantis recent talking points has been his proposal to cut the gas tax for several months this year. This idea isnt included in the Senates budget.

Meanwhile Seminole Tribe says its gaming rights, Floridas revenue payments are at risk again via Scott Powers of Florida Politics The Seminole Tribe of Florida has charged in a court filing that if a judge breathes new life into a North Florida casino initiative, and it gets on the ballot and wins approval, that could infringe on the Tribes exclusive rights. If that happens, the Tribe cautioned, then the Seminoles hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue sharing payments to Florida, only recently resumed after a three-year dispute, could be disrupted again. Based on those arguments, Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper accepted the Tribe and its political committee, Standing Up For Florida, as interveners in a lawsuit filed earlier this week by Florida Voters In Charge, which is trying to resurrect its North Florida casino campaign.TALLY 2

A recipe for disaster? Florida GOP wants to add new requirements to vote by mail via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel A GOP-led voting overhaul would add new requirements for casting a mail ballot that one Central Florida election supervisor is warning could be a recipe for disaster. Starting in 2024, voters would have to provide the last four digits of their drivers license or state ID number on their ballot. If they dont have a state ID, the last four digits of their Social Security number could be submitted. Ballots wont be counted if those identifying digits arent provided or dont match the numbers on file with the elections office. Election supervisors must contact people whose ballots arent correctly completed and allow them to fix problems. The deadline to complete that process, known in political jargon as curing a ballot, is two days after Election Day.

Nursing homes struggle with staffing; Legislature considers loosening standard of care via Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson of Florida Politics A bill to loosen staffing standards at Florida nursing homes was initially drafted with the help of one of the states most powerful long-term care lobbying interests. Under the measure, Senate Bill 804, nursing homes that fail to meet state-mandated staff requirements would no longer be barred from admitting new residents. It would also broaden which kinds of employees can be counted in these mandatory staffing minimums intended to keep residents safe.

Bill changing Florida nursing home standards was written by the industry, emails show via Hannah Critchfield and Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times

Senate property insurance package takes aim at Carlos Beruff A Senate property insurance bill (SB 1728) would change the qualifications to serve on the board of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., potentially making current Chair Beruff ineligible for reappointment. Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida reported that the language would require board members to have at least 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. The current requirements require members to have insurance experience, but there is no explicit definition for how much or what kind of experience. The change comes after Beruff proposed selling policies directly to consumers to avoid paying commissions to insurance agents.

House virtual school plan riles choice advocates The House K-12 budget proposal would block school districts from contracting with Florida Virtual School for online education and prevent virtual charter schools from enrolling out-of-county students. As reported by Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO Florida, opponents of the plan say it is counteractive to school choice. About half of Floridas 103,000 online K-12 students are currently enrolled in FLVS, and about a fifth are enrolled in FLVS franchises, where district teachers assist students in working through FLVS curricula. About 40 districts operate FLVS franchises and school choice advocates say it is a good option for parents who want their children to have access to clubs and counseling that are not available with a purely online school.

Senate passes bills on addiction, child hearing loss via Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press While Democratic and Republican lawmakers have had a contentious debate on issues like abortion and immigration this year, the two sides came together Thursday to pass 20 bills quickly, almost all unanimously. The legislation included approving new state legislative districts, authorizing schools to stock and use medicines to counteract an opioid overdose and requiring insurance companies to provide hearing aid coverage for children. Democrats and Republicans praised a bill that would expand the use of overdose-reversing drugs, including allowing schools to stock naloxone, which could be administered by staff trained to recognize an opioid overdose.

Jason Shoaf backs bill to end concealed weapons licensure via David Adlerstein of The Apalachicola Times A bill in the Florida House that would do away with Floridas concealed weapons permitting process has the strong support of State Rep. Shoaf, and while a companion bill in the Florida Senate has yet to be filed, State Sen. Loranne Ausley does not share his enthusiasm. House Bill 103, a measure filed as it has in years past by Rep. Anthony Sabatini, would remove laws that require a concealed-weapons permit in Florida. Since the end product has yet to be marked up in committee, it is as yet unclear the extent to which the bill would allow the public display of firearms, with no restrictions, and Shoaf has some reservations about unfettered open carry.

Sizzling housing market in Florida hurts many, but help slow to come from Legislature via John Kennedy of the Tallahassee Democrat Floridas white-hot housing market is setting new pricing records almost daily, but thousands of homeowners and renters are being scorched, unable to find anything they can afford. Now, talk of the unfolding crisis is coursing through the Florida Legislature, with calls for lawmakers to do something. The bottom line is the American dream is slipping away for more and more people every day, Sen. Gary Farmer said. A lack of apartment supply, less land available for new construction, and pandemic-driven changes like the arrival of remote workers from even costlier states have powered up the price of available homes and rentals.

Florida Chamber political tool identifies swing seats on latest legislative maps via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics The Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its exclusive 2022 Florida Partisan Performance Index map during a special webcast to its members Friday. Applying the tools to Floridas just-approved redrawn legislative maps, Chamber analysts said there are few swing seats but plenty of drama in store this year. The Chamber tool studies precinct-level data on voter performance based on the past five years. That includes how voters in the district cast ballots in the last two presidential elections and the 2018 gubernatorial race. In this case, the new district came out as R+1, closer, actually, and its trended more purple over time. Overall, the new maps result in fewer swing districts where both Democrats and Republicans can play. Based on Chamber election analysis, the new House map has 15 true swing districts; the Senate map (S 8058) has just three.

MORE TALLY

Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is unfit to serve via Lauren Book for the Orlando Sentinel I can think of no more important time than during a multi-year pandemic for our state to be guided by a physician who not only understands pandemic science but is willing and able to explain his plan for keeping all of us as safe as possible. Sadly, Dr. Ladapo is not that person. When Dr. Ladapo was asked clear questions about his departments role in addressing the pandemic, he offered non-answers, obfuscations and demonstrations of verbal jiu-jitsu. For starters, he has supported and had publicly promoted widely debunked theories of how to deal with this virus. This is unacceptable and disrespectful to the institution of the Florida Senate and to the people of this great state.

Rocky Hanna blasts GOP lawmaker as bully for retaliatory state budget item after masks fight via Ana Goi-Lessan of the Tallahassee Democrat Leon County Schools Superintendent Hanna is once again at odds with the states Republican leaders who, with a new proposed line item in the next state budget, are targeting school districts who defied the Governors ban of mask mandates last year. House Republicans introduced legislation this week that would slash salaries from school districts, of which Leon was one, that implemented mandatory mask rules after DeSantis prohibited them in schools. In a K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee meeting, state Rep. Randy Fine proposed a line item in the budget that would take away $200 million from a dozen school districts that defied the Governors emergency rule that banned mask mandates and give that money to other districts.

Before even passing, the Dont Say Gay bill is already hurting Floridas children via Fabiola Santiago of the Miami Herald Oh, Florida legislators, the harm you do from your ivory tower up there in Tallahassee. Elaine Acosta Gonzlez, a concerned parent who reached out to me after reading my column about the wrong-headed Dont Say Gay bill moving through the Legislature, says her 15-year-old daughter has been talking about the topic at home. The bill would silence gay children, their teachers and education advocates by banning the discussion of sexuality and gender identification in Floridas public schools. Indeed, youth should have a prominent voice in the discussion of the bill and so should the science- and data-oriented experts who know the place of sexuality in education. Like parents, these experts also are concerned about the damage lawmakers who introduced the bill already are doing to set back the lives of gay and trans children in Florida.

Why put more limits on public petition campaigns? via Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat Theres a proposal ready for a vote in the Florida House (HJR 1127) that would limit the subject matter of petition campaigns to procedural matters, the structure of state government and the Constitution itself. A companion measure in the Senate hasnt moved, at the midway point of the Legislative Session, but maybe Republicans who run both chambers are just waiting for the House version to cross the rotunda.

Keith Truenow defends bill disbanding Lake County Water Authority via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics Rep. Truenow responded to a recent article criticizing his bill (HB 1105) to disband the Lake County Water Authority, pitching it as an attempt to eliminate duplicitous government. The Feb. 4 article by Kevin Spear, casts the Lake County Water Authority as a venerable and independent guardian of Central Florida waters and asserts that Truenows bill is motivated by contentious dealings he has had with the water authority. Truenow and the Lake County Water Authority often sparred over pollution flowing from ditches at Truenows large, turf-grass growing operation north of Lake Apopka.

Food fight: Time to scrape Floridas strawberry shortcake bill down the garbage disposal via Brian Burgess of The Capitolist Sen. Danny Burgess wants to have his cake and eat it too. Burgess represents Plant City, the heart of Floridas strawberry industry. So, he cant be blamed for sponsoring a bill that would promote fresh, Florida-grown strawberries, but he must bear responsibility for trying to make strawberry shortcake, which is barely a dessert at all, the official state dessert when better options could have been chosen. The Legislatures desire to acknowledge Floridas robust strawberry industry is admirable. But choosing strawberry shortcake as the method for doing so is not. Lawmakers could have just as easily nominated Florida-based Publix brand strawberry shortcake ice cream as the official dessert.

SKED

Happening today BioFlorida Day at the Capitol, to demonstrate the strength of the states life sciences and advocate for funding and policies necessary to facilitate continued growth; the two-day event starts at 7 a.m., Room 110 of the Senate Office Building. BioFlorida Day reception begins at 5 p.m. Register here.

Happening today House Minority Leader Evan Jenne will host a media availability, 10 a.m. Zoom link here.

The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee meets to consider HB 7047, from Rep. Sam Garrison, to enact changes in the states Medicaid managed-care program, including consolidating 11 regions into eight, 11 a.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.

The House Public Integrity and Elections Committee meets to consider constitutional amendment (HJR 663), from Rep. Jayer Williamson, to allow the recall of County Commissioners and county officers, 11 a.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee meets to consider HB 1233, from Rep. Fine, to allow specific online training for private security officers, 1:30 p.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.

The House Early Learning and Elementary Education Subcommittee meets for an update on the New Worlds Reading Initiative, which lawmakers passed last year, 1:30 p.m., Reed Hall of the House Office Building.

The House Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee meets to consider HJR 1 and HB 1563, from Rep. Josie Tomkow, to increase homestead property-tax exemptions to classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, child-welfare services professionals and people in the U.S. armed forces or the Florida National Guard, 1:30 p.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee meets to consider SB 1316, from Chair Ed Hooper, to revamp a law dealing with the resale of tickets, 2:30 p.m., Room 110 of the Senate Office Building.

The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee meets to consider SB 224, from Sen. Gruters, to allow local governments to restrict smoking on beaches and in public parks, 2:30 p.m., Room 37 of the Senate Office Building.

The Senate Judiciary Committee meets to consider SB 796, from Sen. Jennifer Bradley, to increase criminal penalties for evidence tampering in capital cases or cases involving deaths, 2:30 p.m., Room 412 of the Knott Building.

The House Infrastructure and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee meets to consider HB 907, from Rep. Bobby Payne, to begin the process of establishing a port along the St. Johns River in Putnam County, 4 p.m., Reed Hall of the House Office Building.

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee meets to consider HB 425, from Rep. Jason Fischer, to extend post-traumatic stress disorder benefits in the workers compensation insurance system to correctional officers, 4 p.m., Morris Hall of the House Office Building.

The House Secondary Education and Career Development Subcommittee meets to consider HB 1115, from Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, to require high school students to earn a half-credit in financial literacy and money management to graduate, 4 p.m., Room 212 of the Knott Building.

The House Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee meets to consider HB 1525, from Rep. Grall, to repeal the states no-fault auto insurance system and the requirement that motorists carry personal-injury protection, or PIP, coverage, 4 p.m., Room 404 of the House Office Building.

The Senate Special Order Calendar Group will set a special-order calendar, 15 minutes after the Senate committee meetings, Room 401 of the Senate Office Building.

Assignment editors U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Frederica Wilson will participate in a Committee on House Administration discussion about election misinformation campaigns in Spanish-speaking communities. Also on hand will be former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 9 a.m., Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami.

Assignment editors NBA legend Magic Johnson and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller will join a discussion about HIV and AIDS prevention and care, hosted by Clear Health Alliance, 11:30 a.m., Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.

STATEWIDE

Voting fraud conspiracy group has pipeline to Governor as election changes considered via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Started by the Lakewood Ranch leader of a pro-Trump womens organization, Defend Florida has mobilized an army of volunteers to collect affidavits that raise questions about whether voters cast legal 2020 ballots. The group has collected more than 5,000 affidavits in 34 counties, implying each is a possible instance of voter fraud. The claims appear to be getting serious consideration from GOP officials. Defend Florida co-founder Caroline Wetherington said the group met with DeSantis top staff on six occasions while also securing meetings with Secretary of State Laurel Lee and top GOP legislators. However, local elections and law enforcement officials have dismissed Defend Floridas claims. Despite being rebuffed by local authorities, Defend Florida still is highly active.

Truck Yeah slogan keeps rolling for DeSantis via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics DeSantis continues to calibrate messaging around commercial drivers, closing out the week with a campaign email predicated around a slogan his policy team broke out two weeks ago. The same Truck Yeah slogan seen on signs at a January news conference in Bowling Green resurfaced in an email Friday from his re-election campaign to political supporters. In the email, DeSantis concerns were somewhat more global than the commercial drivers license training money doled out to state colleges in January. People across the world are finally standing up and fighting back, DeSantis asserted.

Possibly illegal behavior: Ashley Moody blasts GoFundMe after Freedom Convoy flip-flop via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics Moody stood with supporters of the Canadian anti-vax Freedom Convoy against the GoFundMe service, suggesting that what the fundraising platform contemplated this weekend could have been illegal. Moody told a Fox News audience that she and DeSantis will not tolerate threats, such as that made by GoFundMe, not to distribute funds to causes it doesnt support, such as the Freedom Convoy, a group of Canadian truckers protesting the countrys COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The service threatened to redistribute the donations made to the truckers, freezing them on Friday, before deciding Saturday to reverse course and refund all contributions. Moody was incensed Sunday regardless.

Joel Greenberg wants federal judge to delay his sentencing again via Jeff Weiner of the Orlando Sentinel Greenberg plans to ask again to delay his sentencing for sex trafficking and other crimes, despite a federal judge having previously said his current sentencing date was final. Greenbergs sentencing is currently slated for March 29. In May, he pleaded guilty to six federal crimes and was originally scheduled to face sentencing in August, before twice being granted delays. The latest delay request, which Greenbergs defense attorney, Fritz Scheller, said is not opposed by the government, will include confidential information about Greenbergs work with federal authorities as well as the nature and extent of Mr. Greenbergs cooperation, the defense attorneys Friday court filing states.

Daniella Levine Cava asks for probe after voters say party registrations were changed to GOP via Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald editorial board Levine Cava is asking prosecutors to investigate claims of voter fraud after elderly residents in Little Havana said their party affiliations were changed without their knowledge. A county spokeswoman wrote in an email late Friday that Levine Cava sent an official request to the State Attorney to investigate recent reports of voter registration fraud to ensure the integrity of the elections process. Levine Cava, who made the request in an email to State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, joined other Florida Democrats in calling for an investigation following complaints from residents of Haley Sofge Towers, a county-managed public housing complex in Little Havana. State Sen. Annette Taddeo and Nikki Fried also called for an investigation.

Jacksonville attorney tied to FPL consultants billed JEA for privatization work via Nate Monroe of The Florida Times-Union A Jacksonville attorney at Foley & Lardner who advised consultants to Florida Power & Light, while those consultants were devising strategies to conceal the utilitys campaign contributions, was also among the firms lawyers who billed JEA ratepayers during the contentious privatization campaign that same year. The Times-Union previously reported that Erika Alba, Foleys director of public affairs, had been advising employees at Matrix LLC, an Alabama consulting firm that was working with FPL in 2019, at the same time that Albas Jacksonville colleagues at Foley were billing hundreds of hours helping JEA executives sell the city agency to a private operator. A review of Foleys billing records shows that Alba herself billed JEA ratepayers for work related to the privatization process on two occasions.

Florida assessing damage to crops caused by January freeze via The Associated Press The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is assessing the impact recent freezing temperatures had on the states agricultural industry. According to a news release, the agency activated a survey on Friday to gather data and evaluate resources that affected businesses may need to recover from the freeze that occurred during the last weekend in January. The agriculture business in Florida is an integral part of the states economy, and we are going to do everything we can to help the farmers who were impacted by freezing temperatures this past weekend, DeSantis said in a news release.

CORONA FLORIDA

DeSantis touts Florida COVID-19 response, criticizes justices without backbone via Mark Harper of The Daytona Beach News-Journal DeSantis spoke to a friendly crowd, touting his default pandemic position, freedom, during an appearance at a convention of the conservative legal advocacy group the Federalist Society. In what was dubbed a fireside chat without a fire, DeSantis sat with former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, also a Floridian, and presented his record as Florida Governor, all the while punching upward at Biden. DeSantis followed Pence. Both men are considered top-tier possible Republican nominees for President in 2024, especially if Trump decides against running again. The Governor also faces his own re-election campaign later this year.

Ladapo fires back at former UCLA supervisor who refused recommendation via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO Ladapo said that criticism from his former UCLA supervisor was a sign that differing scientific opinions have turned into personal attacks. Ladapo said in a phone interview that good science requires respect for all perspectives. Its OK to disagree, and Ive had no problem with disagreement, but what has been really disappointing is how disagreement has become a ticket or a passport to activate personal attacks, Ladapo said. The unidentified supervisor provided his assessment as part of a routine background check performed by the Senate during a confirmation process.

Florida reports 1,324 deaths, 132,622 cases this week via Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel The Florida Department of Health reported 132,622 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 5,610,370. With 1,324 more fatalities on record, 66,279 Florida residents have died. This weeks 1,324 deaths reflect an increase from the 1,192 reported last week, but deaths can take several days or weeks to be reported. The majority of the newly reported deaths are people who died before this week. The death count had not reached anywhere near September levels when nearly 2,500 new deaths were reported multiple weeks in a row.

Four stealth omicron cases found in Florida via Chris Persaud of The Palm Beach Post At least four cases of the so-called stealth omicron variant have been discovered in Florida as the states death toll increased by 1,000 for the second time in as many weeks. Two peoples test results in Miami-Dade County confirmed the presence of a new mutation of omicron. The lab did not immediately provide more information about the infected people. Helix Laboratories confirmed two cases earlier this week discovered in Florida. Two people, a 69-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, caught the mutation in January, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday.

The weekly number of COVID-19 cases in Alachua County is declining, as is the positivity rate via Gershon Harrell of The Gainesville Sun

Floridas fourth COVID-19 surge came fast and strong. Heres what the omicron wave tells us about whats ahead. via Cindy Krischer Goodman of the Orlando Sentinel By now, scientists expected the omicron surge in Florida to be nearly over. The new forecast projects about four more weeks before the omicron wave diminishes to give Floridians a respite. Most experts see hope in the much larger immune population in the state. Between those who caught the virus during the omicron surge and the increasing number of vaccinated and boosted people, much of Florida should have some protection against future variants. We wont know the exact toll of omicron for several weeks, notes Scott Herr, a computer scientist who tracks COVID-19 in Florida. My guesstimate would be somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 deaths, possibly more. The biggest unknown is how long the tail will be from the peak until the wave ends.

USF, Tampa General studies ivermectin, other drugs to treat COVID-19 via Rose Wong of the Tampa Bay Times Tampa Bay is part of a nationwide study to examine the efficacy of three drugs to treat COVID-19, including ivermectin, the antiparasitic medication that some believe can cure the virus. Instead, it sent people to the emergency room. The University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital are participating in the National Institutes of Healths Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Intervention and Vaccines public-private partnership, which brings together organizations and companies to study new COVID-19 treatments and variants. The double-blind study expects to enroll 15,000 participants nationwide.

2022

Brady Duke says CD 7 voters are hungry for his candidacy via Scott Powers of Florida Politics Duke, a former Navy SEAL, close-combat consultant and Christian ministry adviser, believes the voters in Floridas 7th Congressional District are itching for a Republican like him to represent them. I see a lot of people that are hungry for fair and honest representation. I have talked to a number of people who are happy to have seen the announcement that (Democratic U.S. Rep.) Stephanie Murphy is not running for re-election, Duke said. The political newcomer has his platform shaped by his convictions as a battlefield veteran, a conservative Christian seeking to end abortion, a passionate believer in the need for border security, and a staunch defender of capitalism seeking to oppose and rollback tax hikes.

Matt Gaetz is in a safe GOP seat, but can he keep it? via Jim Little of the USA Today Network-Florida Gaetzs potential legal troubles are shifting whats possible in Northwest Florida. Gaetz could be facing his biggest re-election battle since he first won the seat. In the last month, pressure from the investigation has intensified as news outlets reported more witnesses agreeing to testify in the case., including an ex-girlfriend of Gaetz. Jacob Shively, a professor at the University of West Floridas Askew Department of Government, said that Gaetzs outspoken support of Trump in previous election cycles gave Democratic challengers a boost.

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Sunburn The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics 2.7.22 - Florida Politics