Bruce Ritchie
@brucebritchie.bsky.social
Florida environment and energy reporter. I appreciate nature, healthy communities and agriculture..
After quiet 2025 hurricane season, Florida coastal counties seek beach funds for 2024 storm damage.
Local governments are facing $242 million in costs to replace sand eroded in 2024 by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, according to an FDEP report.
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Local governments are facing $242 million in costs to replace sand eroded in 2024 by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, according to an FDEP report.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: After quiet 2025 hurricane season, Florida coastal counties seek beach funds for 2024 storm damage
But even beach funding supporters warn requests to boost spending will face a challenging budget climate in the Florida Legislature.
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November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
After quiet 2025 hurricane season, Florida coastal counties seek beach funds for 2024 storm damage.
Local governments are facing $242 million in costs to replace sand eroded in 2024 by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, according to an FDEP report.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Local governments are facing $242 million in costs to replace sand eroded in 2024 by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, according to an FDEP report.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Judge rejects request to block Florida's December bear hunt
Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee said testimony by a state wildlife official about the hunt being conservative and based on the best available science was credible.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee said testimony by a state wildlife official about the hunt being conservative and based on the best available science was credible.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Judge rejects request to block Florida's December bear hunt
Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee said testimony by a state wildlife official about the hunt being conservative and based on the best available science was credible.
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November 25, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Judge rejects request to block Florida's December bear hunt
Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee said testimony by a state wildlife official about the hunt being conservative and based on the best available science was credible.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee said testimony by a state wildlife official about the hunt being conservative and based on the best available science was credible.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
A state court judge in Tallahassee has rejected Bear Warriors United's request for an injunction to block the December bear hunt, the first in 10 years.
November 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A state court judge in Tallahassee has rejected Bear Warriors United's request for an injunction to block the December bear hunt, the first in 10 years.
Very sad to lose this Florida Capitol journalist, friend and former fellow UPI reporter.
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
Veteran Tallahassee Democrat reporter, columnist Bill Cotterell dies
Florida's Capitol Press Corps has lost a legend: Retired Tallahassee Democrat reporter and columnist Bill Cotterell died Nov. 24.
www.tallahassee.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Very sad to lose this Florida Capitol journalist, friend and former fellow UPI reporter.
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Bruce Ritchie
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨: Judge rules Trump pick Lindsey Halligan illegally appointed to US Attorney post, dismisses Comey & James cases. But "without prejudice," so they could be refiled although Comey's attorneys say statute of limitations has run. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Comey, James cases dismissed as judge disqualifies interim US attorney Lindsey Halligan
A judge concluded Halligan’s appointment violated laws that limit the ability of DOJ to install top prosecutors without Senate confirmation.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
BREAKING🚨🚨🚨: Judge rules Trump pick Lindsey Halligan illegally appointed to US Attorney post, dismisses Comey & James cases. But "without prejudice," so they could be refiled although Comey's attorneys say statute of limitations has run. w/ @kyledcheney.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Bruce Ritchie
Pentagon to investigate Sen. Mark Kelly for anti-Trump video
Pentagon to investigate Sen. Mark Kelly for anti-Trump video
The unprecedented move comes after the retired Navy captain advised troops they don’t need to obey unlawful orders.
dlvr.it
November 24, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Pentagon to investigate Sen. Mark Kelly for anti-Trump video
Trump drilling proposal draws concerns from Florida Republicans.
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POLITICO Pro: Trump drilling proposal draws concerns from Florida Republicans
The Interior Department released a draft proposal to expand drilling to within 100 miles of the Florida coast.
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November 20, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Trump drilling proposal draws concerns from Florida Republicans.
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Trump administration proposes plan for offshore drilling off California and in eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida. How far? I can't say yet.
www.boem.gov/sites/defaul...
www.boem.gov/sites/defaul...
November 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Trump administration proposes plan for offshore drilling off California and in eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida. How far? I can't say yet.
www.boem.gov/sites/defaul...
www.boem.gov/sites/defaul...
PSC unanimously approves Florida Power & Light rate hike settlement
"Disappointed but not unexpected — I'll leave it at that," Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said after the vote.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"Disappointed but not unexpected — I'll leave it at that," Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said after the vote.
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POLITICO Pro: PSC unanimously approves Florida Power & Light rate hike settlement
Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler, asked if he will file a legal challenge, said he first must review the written order before deciding whether to ask the commission to reconsider.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
PSC unanimously approves Florida Power & Light rate hike settlement
"Disappointed but not unexpected — I'll leave it at that," Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said after the vote.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"Disappointed but not unexpected — I'll leave it at that," Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said after the vote.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Bills would require more transparency on Florida land swap proposals after Guana River deal was withdrawn earlier thisyear.
"Instead of seven days' notice, we want a 30-day notice," Rep. Kim Kendall (R) said Tuesday. "And we want an appraisal."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"Instead of seven days' notice, we want a 30-day notice," Rep. Kim Kendall (R) said Tuesday. "And we want an appraisal."
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POLITICO Pro: Bills would require more transparency on Florida land swap proposals
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November 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Bills would require more transparency on Florida land swap proposals after Guana River deal was withdrawn earlier thisyear.
"Instead of seven days' notice, we want a 30-day notice," Rep. Kim Kendall (R) said Tuesday. "And we want an appraisal."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"Instead of seven days' notice, we want a 30-day notice," Rep. Kim Kendall (R) said Tuesday. "And we want an appraisal."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
State utility customer advocate pans Florida Power & Light's solar plans ahead of PSC vote.
"FPL plans to cover at least 142,200 additional acres of our beautiful Florida land in solar panels over the next decade," Public Counsel Trierweiler wrote.
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"FPL plans to cover at least 142,200 additional acres of our beautiful Florida land in solar panels over the next decade," Public Counsel Trierweiler wrote.
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POLITICO Pro: Utility customer advocate pans FPL's solar plans ahead of commission vote
The filing comes ahead of a Thursday PSC vote on FPL's proposed rate hike settlement that would allow it to collect nearly $6 billion in additional revenue over the next four years.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:08 PM
State utility customer advocate pans Florida Power & Light's solar plans ahead of PSC vote.
"FPL plans to cover at least 142,200 additional acres of our beautiful Florida land in solar panels over the next decade," Public Counsel Trierweiler wrote.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"FPL plans to cover at least 142,200 additional acres of our beautiful Florida land in solar panels over the next decade," Public Counsel Trierweiler wrote.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Bear hunt opponents rally at FL Capitol, call on DeSantis to step in.
"This is pandering to special interests plain and simple," Bobbie Lee Davenport of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida said
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"This is pandering to special interests plain and simple," Bobbie Lee Davenport of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida said
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POLITICO Pro: Bear hunt opponents call on DeSantis to step in
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November 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Bear hunt opponents rally at FL Capitol, call on DeSantis to step in.
"This is pandering to special interests plain and simple," Bobbie Lee Davenport of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida said
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"This is pandering to special interests plain and simple," Bobbie Lee Davenport of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida said
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
With bear hunt looming, hunting advocacy group says Florida Constitution ‘compels’ state to move forward
International Order of T. Roosevelt tells court state wildlife officials "directly implemented the electorate's mandate" after 2024 ballot measure.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
International Order of T. Roosevelt tells court state wildlife officials "directly implemented the electorate's mandate" after 2024 ballot measure.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: With bear hunt looming, hunting advocacy group says Florida Constitution ‘compels’ state to move forward
State wildlife officials have argued the planned Dec. 6-18 hunt, allowing the killing of 172 bears, is "conservative" and will help manage the population.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
With bear hunt looming, hunting advocacy group says Florida Constitution ‘compels’ state to move forward
International Order of T. Roosevelt tells court state wildlife officials "directly implemented the electorate's mandate" after 2024 ballot measure.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
International Order of T. Roosevelt tells court state wildlife officials "directly implemented the electorate's mandate" after 2024 ballot measure.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Bruce Ritchie
The flip side of America's price crunch: Paltry paychecks
The flip side of America's price crunch: Paltry paychecks
Trump is starting to focus on high prices, but slow growth in take-home pay could pose a big risk to Republicans before next year's midterms.
dlvr.it
November 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The flip side of America's price crunch: Paltry paychecks
Happy US Marine Corps 250th birthday to my father and brothers. From the family black sheep journalist.
a man in a military uniform stands in front of a group of men
ALT: a man in a military uniform stands in front of a group of men
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Happy US Marine Corps 250th birthday to my father and brothers. From the family black sheep journalist.
Florida appeals court blocks Gainesville vote on utility transfer.
"We are prepared to continue to fight, in court, for the will of the people to be implemented," Mayor Harvey Ward said Thursday in response to the court action.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"We are prepared to continue to fight, in court, for the will of the people to be implemented," Mayor Harvey Ward said Thursday in response to the court action.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Florida appeals court blocks Gainesville vote on utility transfer.
"We are prepared to continue to fight, in court, for the will of the people to be implemented," Mayor Harvey Ward said Thursday in response to the court action.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
"We are prepared to continue to fight, in court, for the will of the people to be implemented," Mayor Harvey Ward said Thursday in response to the court action.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Gainesville, Fla. utility challenges election results dissolving DeSantis-appointed board.
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POLITICO Pro: Gainesville utility challenges election results dissolving DeSantis-appointed board
The Republican-led Legislature removed the century-old utility from city control in 2023 amid complaints from customers living outside Gainesville that they had no say in city operations.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Gainesville, Fla. utility challenges election results dissolving DeSantis-appointed board.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Bill would exempt 10,000-ac projects from local rezoning, votes
FL Rep. Lauren Melo filed bill designating “blue ribbon” projects with 10,000+ acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of land.
Enviros say it's a bad idea.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
FL Rep. Lauren Melo filed bill designating “blue ribbon” projects with 10,000+ acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of land.
Enviros say it's a bad idea.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Bill would exempt 10,000-acre ‘blue ribbon’ projects from local rezoning, votes
State Rep. Lauren Melo filed the bill that would designate “blue ribbon” projects with more than 10,000 acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of the property.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Bill would exempt 10,000-ac projects from local rezoning, votes
FL Rep. Lauren Melo filed bill designating “blue ribbon” projects with 10,000+ acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of land.
Enviros say it's a bad idea.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
FL Rep. Lauren Melo filed bill designating “blue ribbon” projects with 10,000+ acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of land.
Enviros say it's a bad idea.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
The PSC is set to approve rate adjustment for Tampa Electric Co. under review required by 2024 case.
November 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The PSC is set to approve rate adjustment for Tampa Electric Co. under review required by 2024 case.
"The plan’s latest iteration will also include a portion of the eastern Gulf of Mexico but provide a buffer around Florida..." of 100 miles.
White House removes Atlantic from oil lease consideration after political backlash
White House removes Atlantic from oil lease consideration after political backlash
The Trump administration could be days away from proposing a five-year drilling plan that would open new waters off the Pacific and eastern Gulf coasts to oil and gas rigs.
dlvr.it
October 31, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"The plan’s latest iteration will also include a portion of the eastern Gulf of Mexico but provide a buffer around Florida..." of 100 miles.
Data Centers "would not give Florida a sniff," TECO's Archie Collins told a FL Chamber forum. From POLITICO's Florida Playbook: www.politico.com/newsletters/...
October 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Data Centers "would not give Florida a sniff," TECO's Archie Collins told a FL Chamber forum. From POLITICO's Florida Playbook: www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Florida ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land — with restrictions against development.
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: State ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Florida ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land — with restrictions against development.
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Florida ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land — with restrictions against development.
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: State ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Florida ag department bill would allow for sale of conservation land — with restrictions against development.
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
The law change would not apply to state forests, parks or wildlife management areas. The bill section is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
ICYMI: Environmental challenge to Alligator Alcatraz paused by 11th Circuit due to fed government shutdown.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
October 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
ICYMI: Environmental challenge to Alligator Alcatraz paused by 11th Circuit due to fed government shutdown.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...