Craig Pittman
@craigtimes.bsky.social
WELCOME TO FLORIDA now available! Other books: NYT bestseller OH, FLORIDA! & CAT TALE. Columnist, Florida Phoenix. Florida man.
And not the hog kind, either.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 16, 2025 at 3:10 AM
And not the hog kind, either.
Reposted by Craig Pittman
From Opinion: A Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald investigation found that the DeSantis administration diverted at least $35 million from vital health care programs to fight two constitutional amendments — marijuana legalization and abortion rights. The administration must answer for it.
DeSantis must answer for illicitly diverting millions | Editorial
An explosive investigation by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times shows Gov. Ron DeSantis diverted more than $35 million in public funds to his private wars against abortion and recreational marij…
www.sun-sentinel.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
From Opinion: A Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald investigation found that the DeSantis administration diverted at least $35 million from vital health care programs to fight two constitutional amendments — marijuana legalization and abortion rights. The administration must answer for it.
Reposted by Craig Pittman
Good people of Ocala, Florida: it is your opportunity — nay, your civic duty —tomorrow night, December 16, to push the city council to approve an awesome marker of Tom Petty and Elvis movie history.
A #Florida city will vote on a request from the Ocala Sunset Rotary Club to designate a historic marker commemorating the day that 10-year-old Tom Petty visited Ocala and met Elvis Presley on the set of "Follow That Dream." www.ocala-news.com/2025/12/14/f...
Final decision upcoming on historic landmark where Tom Petty met Elvis in Ocala
City officials will vote on a request from the Ocala Sunset Rotary Club to designate a historic marker commemorating the day that 10-year-old Tom Petty visited Ocala and met Elvis Presley on the set o...
www.ocala-news.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Good people of Ocala, Florida: it is your opportunity — nay, your civic duty —tomorrow night, December 16, to push the city council to approve an awesome marker of Tom Petty and Elvis movie history.
RIP honkytonk hotshot Joy Ely, 78. He musta notta gotta lotta fame, but he suuuure had a lotta talent. youtu.be/1Miszhec_tk?...
Joe Ely "Musta Notta Gotta"
YouTube video by jimmydacat
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 2:11 AM
RIP honkytonk hotshot Joy Ely, 78. He musta notta gotta lotta fame, but he suuuure had a lotta talent. youtu.be/1Miszhec_tk?...
Out of the blue today, a former co-worker emailed me a series of videos about an iguana that invaded his bathroom in South #Florida, showing how a professional trapper he hired captured it. In other words, it was pretty much a typical Monday for me. How was yours?
December 16, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Out of the blue today, a former co-worker emailed me a series of videos about an iguana that invaded his bathroom in South #Florida, showing how a professional trapper he hired captured it. In other words, it was pretty much a typical Monday for me. How was yours?
“It’s very hard to tell what’s real or what’s not real anymore." #Florida Gov. Ron DeSastrous calls for state to regulate AI, insists President Convicted Felon's executive order won't interfere. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/15/d... via @browardpolitics.bsky.social
DeSantis warns of dangers of AI, calls for Florida to regulate the technology
Gov. DeSantis repeated calls for Florida to regulate AI. He also said President Trump’s executive order aimed to block states from crafting AI regulations wouldn’t get in Florida’s way.
www.sun-sentinel.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“It’s very hard to tell what’s real or what’s not real anymore." #Florida Gov. Ron DeSastrous calls for state to regulate AI, insists President Convicted Felon's executive order won't interfere. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/15/d... via @browardpolitics.bsky.social
Even the replies from the cultists on Truth Social are overwhelmingly negative about Trump’s Reiner post. Of course, as usual, some are blaming his advisers for it - like this one blaming Susie Wiles.
December 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
#Florida jury recommends life in prison, not death penalty, for man who pleaded guilty to killing cop. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/15/l... via @sun-sentinel.com
Jury rejects death penalty for confessed Hollywood cop killer
A jury rejected the death penalty for Jason Banegas, who pleaded guilty two months ago to the 2021 murder of Hollywood Police officer Yandy Chirino.
www.sun-sentinel.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:35 PM
#Florida jury recommends life in prison, not death penalty, for man who pleaded guilty to killing cop. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/15/l... via @sun-sentinel.com
"One of the most circulated photos of the year happened when Tallahassee police arrested a Chuck E. Cheese employee for credit card fraud—while he was dressed as the restaurant’s rodent mascot. I wonder if anyone yelled, 'You dirty rat!'”
Here's my annual roundup of the year’s wildest #Florida headlines. 2025 was a year of costumed criminals, silly string weapons, scuba-diving thieves, kangaroos on the loose and more things that could happen ONLY in Florida. flamingomag.com/2025/12/15/w...
Wildest Florida Headlines of 2025 | Culture
Costumed criminals, silly string weapons, scuba-diving thieves, kangaroos on the loose and more things that could only happen this year in Florida.
flamingomag.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
"One of the most circulated photos of the year happened when Tallahassee police arrested a Chuck E. Cheese employee for credit card fraud—while he was dressed as the restaurant’s rodent mascot. I wonder if anyone yelled, 'You dirty rat!'”
Here's my annual roundup of the year’s wildest #Florida headlines. 2025 was a year of costumed criminals, silly string weapons, scuba-diving thieves, kangaroos on the loose and more things that could happen ONLY in Florida. flamingomag.com/2025/12/15/w...
Wildest Florida Headlines of 2025 | Culture
Costumed criminals, silly string weapons, scuba-diving thieves, kangaroos on the loose and more things that could only happen this year in Florida.
flamingomag.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Here's my annual roundup of the year’s wildest #Florida headlines. 2025 was a year of costumed criminals, silly string weapons, scuba-diving thieves, kangaroos on the loose and more things that could happen ONLY in Florida. flamingomag.com/2025/12/15/w...
In a blow to legal immigration from Latin America, President Convicted Felon ends family-reunification program for Cubans and Haitians -- both of which have large populations in #Florida. www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/14/t... via @orlandosentinel.com
Trump ends family-reunification program for Cubans and Haitians
The Department of Homeland Security “is terminating all categorical family reunification parole programs for aliens from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, and the…
www.orlandosentinel.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
In a blow to legal immigration from Latin America, President Convicted Felon ends family-reunification program for Cubans and Haitians -- both of which have large populations in #Florida. www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/14/t... via @orlandosentinel.com
During protest at #Florida immigration concentration camp, detainees were pepper-sprayed www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
a group of people are kneeling down in front of a police line
ALT: a group of people are kneeling down in front of a police line
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
During protest at #Florida immigration concentration camp, detainees were pepper-sprayed www.theledger.com/story/news/l...
"I don't know how to continue living here": Health care costs force difficult choices for #Florida residents www.wptv.com/money/consum... via @wptv.com
'I don't know how to continue living here': Health care costs force difficult choices for Florida residents
The reality of health care subsidies not being renewed by Congress to start 2026 is now setting in for many who rely on them for health insurance.
www.wptv.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"I don't know how to continue living here": Health care costs force difficult choices for #Florida residents www.wptv.com/money/consum... via @wptv.com
Column: #Florida property tax overhaul proposal comes with dubious methodology www.palmbeachpost.com/story/opinio...
Florida property tax overhaul comes with dubious methodology | Opinion
Florida seems to be leaning heavily on consumer inflation that measures household goods, like eggs, gas, housing costs, denim jeans and other items.
www.palmbeachpost.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Column: #Florida property tax overhaul proposal comes with dubious methodology www.palmbeachpost.com/story/opinio...
President Convicted Felon delays decision on endangered species protections for declining monarch butterflies apnews.com/article/mona... via @apnews.com
Trump administration delays decision on federal protections for monarch butterflies
The Trump administration has delayed a decision on whether to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies indefinitely. The U.S.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
President Convicted Felon delays decision on endangered species protections for declining monarch butterflies apnews.com/article/mona... via @apnews.com
Op-ed: Standing up for #Florida means opposing all offshore drilling that would taint the FL coastline. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/14/s... via @biologicaldiversity.org
Standing up for Florida means opposing all offshore drilling | Opinion
Florida Republicans commendably stood against President Trump’s plan to open the eastern Gulf to oil drilling, writes the Center for Biological Diversity’s Florida and Caribbean directo…
www.sun-sentinel.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Op-ed: Standing up for #Florida means opposing all offshore drilling that would taint the FL coastline. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/14/s... via @biologicaldiversity.org
After the homophobic #Florida DOT paints over its rainbow crosswalks, one FL city debuts 11 rainbow bike racks. floridapolitics.com/archives/769...
After mural crackdown, St. Pete installs 11 Pride-inspired bike racks
There is a little more Pride on the streets of St. Pete, following the installation of 11 Pride-inspired bike racks in honor of Pride street murals that
floridapolitics.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM
After the homophobic #Florida DOT paints over its rainbow crosswalks, one FL city debuts 11 rainbow bike racks. floridapolitics.com/archives/769...
How one #Florida barrier island fought off developers to maintain a pristine beach setting. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
How this Florida barrier island community pushed back against overdevelopment
Residents of southern Brevard lobbied lawmakers to limit development, protect sea turtles and secure an Area of Critical State Concern for their island.
www.miamiherald.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
How one #Florida barrier island fought off developers to maintain a pristine beach setting. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
My answer to the @MuckRack Daily trivia question: Ne Zha 2
December 15, 2025 at 6:18 PM
My answer to the @MuckRack Daily trivia question: Ne Zha 2
#Florida Gov. Ron DeSastrous names the legislator who sponsored a bill striking the words "climate change" from most of state law to the board that oversees the state's utilities. www.tampabay.com/news/environ... via @tampabaytimes.bsky.social
DeSantis names sponsor of bill striking ‘climate change’ from Florida law to utility board
Former state Rep. Bobby Payne has said that initiatives combatting climate change are “unfitting for our country.”
www.tampabay.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
#Florida Gov. Ron DeSastrous names the legislator who sponsored a bill striking the words "climate change" from most of state law to the board that oversees the state's utilities. www.tampabay.com/news/environ... via @tampabaytimes.bsky.social
#Florida keeps packing people and buildings on fragile barrier islands. It comes at a high cost
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
Florida keeps packing people and buildings on barrier islands. It comes at a high cost
Florida barrier islands host 765,000+ residents as development raises hurricane, erosion and insurance risks while taxpayers fund repeated beach restorations.
www.miamiherald.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
#Florida keeps packing people and buildings on fragile barrier islands. It comes at a high cost
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e... via @miamiherald.com
Gee, maybe immigrants are NOT the despicable villains that some U.S. politicians claim they are.
Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago.
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
December 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Gee, maybe immigrants are NOT the despicable villains that some U.S. politicians claim they are.
The Miami Herald & Tampa Bay Times have blown the lid off scheme in which Gov. Ron DeSastrous funneled more than $35M from child welfare & medical funds toward falsehood-riddled TV ads to defeat pro-abortion & legal weed ballot measures. www.jezebel.com/ron-desantis... via @jezebeldotcom.bsky.social
DeSantis Administration Diverted Medical Funding for Anti-Abortion and Cannabis Ads, Investigation Finds
A huge Miami Herald investigation found $35 million the DeSantis administration allegedly diverted to fight Florida's abortion amendment.
www.jezebel.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The Miami Herald & Tampa Bay Times have blown the lid off scheme in which Gov. Ron DeSastrous funneled more than $35M from child welfare & medical funds toward falsehood-riddled TV ads to defeat pro-abortion & legal weed ballot measures. www.jezebel.com/ron-desantis... via @jezebeldotcom.bsky.social
#Florida will be hit harder than any other state if ObamaCare subsidies expire at the end of the year, which is looking increasingly likely under the current GOP-controlled Congress. thehill.com/policy/healt...
america needs the affordable care act with an american flag
ALT: america needs the affordable care act with an american flag
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
#Florida will be hit harder than any other state if ObamaCare subsidies expire at the end of the year, which is looking increasingly likely under the current GOP-controlled Congress. thehill.com/policy/healt...
A new study from the #Florida League of Cities details how eliminating or sharply reducing homestead property taxes, as Gov. Ron DeSastrous wants, would create sweeping fiscal disruptions and weaken essential services in local govts. floridapolitics.com/archives/769...
Study: Eliminating or slashing property taxes would deeply undermine city services in Florida
Municipalities already rely heavily on other revenues — sales taxes, state-shared revenues, utility funds, charges — to just maintain baseline public safety levels, researchers found.
floridapolitics.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
A new study from the #Florida League of Cities details how eliminating or sharply reducing homestead property taxes, as Gov. Ron DeSastrous wants, would create sweeping fiscal disruptions and weaken essential services in local govts. floridapolitics.com/archives/769...