Here’s what you may have missed, and what you need to know as you start winding down:
The Senate has confirmed school choice activist Betsy DeVos as Education secretary, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie. The Senate historian says it was the first time a vice president had to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination. Two Republicans joined Democrats Tuesday to vote to derail DeVos’ nomination. Democrats cited her lack of public school experience and financial interests in organizations pushing charter schools. DeVos has said she would divest herself from those organizations.
Gov. Rick Scott lashed out at fellow Republicans in the Florida House today, accusing them of not caring about jobs and of trying to kill his beloved job incentives and tourism marketing programs just to help House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s political future. During a nearly 15-minute venting with reporters in Tallahassee, Scott ripped House Republicans for "lecturing" him about job incentives and for proposing legislation that would kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, two quasi-governmental agencies that are essential to Scott’s political agenda.
As you head out for your drive home, check out our live blog for the latest traffic updates and road conditions across Tampa Bay.
One of the more colorful business leaders in Florida, "Alligator Ron" Bergeron, tells the Buzz he is considering — "reasonably seriously" — running for governor in 2018. "I’ve had an awful lot of people approach me," said Bergeron, 73, a rodeo champ, alligator wrestler, and eighth generation Floridian who grew up swimming in the Everglades and made a fortune in the development, road construction and cattle business.
State senators today gave their first approval to legislation that First Amendment advocates say is a threat to open government in Florida. The bill (SB 80) would make it more difficult to collect legal fees from government agencies when they illegally block access to records that state law says are supposed to be available to the public.
After months of silence, a legal challenge to Florida’s third-grade retention law — a keystone in the state’s test-driven education system — resurfaced today in state appellate court. But unlike in August, when a Leon County judge put the law on trial, the First District Court of Appeal panel paid more attention to how the parents who filed the challenge pursued their objections.
Shelmar Pierre Roseman is being called the most honest saleman ever after a post on Facebook, advertising a rusty Oldsmobile Alero for sale at Journee Autos in Largo for $900, went viral. It worked, because the car sold on Monday. In the Facebook ad, which contains some profanity and very colorful language, he’s up front with potential buyers, saying the car "blows cold air and it has a cd player" and "it drives," but not much more. "You’re getting 900 dollars worth of car." We spoke to Roseman to see why he put out such a heartfelt plea. Check tampabay.com later today to read the story.
The New England Patriots did the impossible Sunday. No, it wasn’t coming back from a 28-3 deficit. No, it wasn’t winning the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. No, it wasn’t winning their fifth Super Bowl. As impressive as all of those things were, it doesn’t compare with this: They became likeable, sports columnist Tom Jones writes.
We can all agree flowers are fun to receive on Valentine’s Day. They’re a feast for the eyes. They freshen up your stale cubicle. Someone has to parade them through the office in front of all your spiteful co-workers. What could be better? Well, a few things, maybe. This year, we’re thinking outside the vase for the big, lovey-dovey day. We’ve got a giant list of date ideas that will hold up all year, from top-of-the-line fancy to a-few-bucks fun.
Feb. 14 marks the 25th anniversary of the day Wayne’s World hit theaters in 1992. Party time! Excellent! We don’t feel old at all. There are special showings of the movies in theaters this week, including in the Tampa Bay area today and Wednesday. You can see the showings here. The screening will have an introduction by Peter Travers from Rolling Stone magazine as well as a recorded discussion with director Penelope Spheeris and cast members.
Everything isn’t quite as awesome about The LEGO Batman Movie, after the first interlocking brick flick set a soaring standard. But Joker has a point: Batman is better when he isn’t so serious Pinning down why this movie works begins with Will Arnett’s voicing of Batman and alter ego Bruce Wayne, a gravelly spoof of every Caped Crusader cadence since Michael Keaton.
Melissa McCarthy drew plenty of praise after her animated portrayal of White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live, even prompting Spicer to tell Fox News it was "cute" before suggesting Fox focus on "the issues the president is so committed to helping Americans on." Now, McCarthy might have a little competition. Rosie O’Donnell tweeted that she would be available to play Trump adviser Steve Bannon … if asked.
The first responders who make up the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue typically spend days and nights fighting crime, helping those in danger and keeping the city safe. But starting this week, some may have to make time for signing autographs. Tampa’s first responder units are the stars of Season 3 of the A&E reality series Nightwatch, which chronicles the heroic work being done by police and fire rescue teams between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
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