Rat-borne diseases cause crisis in Sarajevo
Social media posts from residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital have shown an abundance of rodents swimming in the Miljacka river which flows through the centre of the city.
Sarajevans long accustomed to poor public services have also posted photos of overflowing rubbish containers and illegal dumping – along with complaints that the authorities have failed to clear away dead animals from public areas including children's playgrounds.
It all makes for a wonderful environment for rats to thrive. For humans, however, the picture is rather less rosy.
Health experts blame a failure to control Sarajevo's rodent population for an alarming rise in the number of cases of rat-borne diseases.
In just one 24 hour period this week, the country's largest hospital reported a dozen cases of leptospirosis. That follows a steady stream of other infections earlier in the month.
One of the disease's nicknames, rat fever, reflects its key vector of infection. It generally spreads to humans through water or soil contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
Symptoms can range from headaches and muscle pain to bleeding on the lungs. The acute form of the illness, Weil's disease, can cause jaundice and even kidney failure.
The local authorities in Sarajevo have declared an epidemic, allowing the imposition of emergency measures, including a long overdue clean-up.
Extra municipal workers armed with disinfectant sprays have been deployed to carry out an urban "spring clean" in public areas across the city, while additional rubbish collections are being arranged. Schools have been directed to clean their playgrounds, mow any grass areas and check their basements for rats.
The current all-action approach is a stark contrast to the laissez-faire situation of the past two years, during which there were no pest control measures in Sarajevo at all. Officials blame a botched tender process for extermination and sanitation work, which has allowed the city to go to the rats – and, for that matter, the dogs, as packs of strays are also a common sight around the capital.
Sarajevo Canton Health Minister Enis Hasanovic described the situation as "not a health crisis, but a communal crisis", due to local authorities failing to fulfil essential municipal hygiene requirements.
But a former director of the Sarajevo's University Clinical Centre, Sebija Izetbegović, believes the health situation could deteriorate further. Now a member of Sarajevo Canton Assembly, she points out that "well-fed rats" are currently so numerous in the city that "we can also expect hantavirus".
In one respect at least, Sarajevo has been lucky. Left untreated, leptospirosis can be deadly, with a mortality rate of more than 50% for people who suffer from severe bleeding of the lungs.
But so far none of the cases reported in the current epidemic have been serious.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
08-07-2025
- Politico
Weil in motion
Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. When Democrat JOSH WEIL talked to Sen. BERNIE SANDERS about his Florida Senate campaign, the Vermont independent's advice to him was to 'go big.' What Sanders meant by that, Weil said in a recent interview with Playbook, was for him to 'hold nothing back' and 'go after every last voter.' Weil said Sanders told him not to moderate his progressive messages on health care or housing. It's just one of the theories Weil will test as he works to challenge GOP Sen. ASHLEY MOODY, who was appointed by Gov. RON DESANTIS in a state where Republicans have outregistered Democrats by 1.3 million active voters. He'll also test his fundraising prowess anew. Weil got plenty of national attention in April after raising $14 million for an ultimately unsuccessful House special election campaign. So far, he's a far cry from that figure: Campaign finance documents filed early show Weil raised roughly $124,400 during the second quarter and spent $90,000, with just less than $222,000 cash on hand. The total reflects 13 days of being a candidate, given that Weil made his run official June 18. Campaign spokesperson TJ HELMSTETTER said the fundraising represented more than 5,000 small-dollar donors, with an average donation of $18.68. Campaign manager GABRIELLE ADEKUNLE said donors to Weil were attracted to how he was 'a regular person who is taking on the establishment' and predicted the campaign would be able to assemble a 'grassroots army' rather than donations from billionaires. Weil, a teacher who's taking a leave of absence to run for office, is the only major Democratic candidate to file to run for Senate thus far, though ALEXANDER VINDMAN — the whistleblower who reported President DONALD TRUMP's 2019 call with Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY — told CBS Miami's Jim DeFede a couple of months ago that he was also considering a bid. Moody hasn't yet released second quarter fundraising numbers. Most candidates release their filings right on deadline, which isn't until next week. Her campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Weil's candidacy or fundraising total, but records show Moody is already far ahead. She brought in $1.2 million through her joint fundraising committee and raised roughly $400,000 in her campaign account during the first three months of this year for the 2026 election. Moody has yet to attract a major GOP challenger. Weil told Playbook he'd received a 'fantastic' reception since launching his campaign and wouldn't be taking donations from corporations or lobbyists. But because Moody seems poised not to face a Trump-endorsed challenger, any candidate she faces would need a massive war chest to run competitively. When Florida was still a purple state, it was typical for elections to surpass $100 million. 'We built a really great fundraising financial infrastructure during the last campaign,' Weil said, referring to the special election in April. 'I keep hearing people use this term like 'fundraising magic' … but it was acquiring really good data, building a really strong system that can push out great messages at a high volume and a high frequency. And all of that still exists. So we feel really good about our ability to fundraise here in Florida, and to be able to fund the type of operation we need to push deep and go out to where the voters are in all 67 counties.' The fundraising documents from Weil's campaign show one of the largest expenses the operation made was in June for nearly $20,000 to a video production company to create his campaign launch video. He recently joined protestors in the Everglades at the 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention facility, and told Playbook one of the biggest disappointments he had about Secretary of State MARCO RUBIO — who used to hold the Senate seat Weil is vying for — was how he stepped away from sweeping bipartisan immigration reform. 'He got so close,' he said. 'I was really disappointed to see him back off from that during the first Trump administration, and even now, with the role that he has as secretary of State and being a prominent Cabinet member.' Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... A NEW FIRST FOR DESANTIS — In his seventh year as governor, DeSantis has now done something that he had never done before: Late last week, he allowed three bills to become law without his signature. The Florida Constitution gives the governor a timeline to act on legislation once it is formally presented. The governor can either sign a bill into law, veto it or take no action. But if the governor does nothing, the bill becomes law without his signature. DeSantis had never gone this route until now. The three bills he allowed to become law included a measure (HB 1219) dealing with non-compete agreements that was supported by Citadel, the hedge fund created by billionaire KEN GRIFFIN. Griffin has been a big Republican donor and last year was a major backer of the effort against recreational marijuana. The two other bills that became law included one (HB 677) that extends fertility benefits to state workers who have been diagnosed with cancer and one (HB 6503) that allows a payment to a victim in a Sarasota accident. With these final bills resolved, DeSantis has now acted on all 2025 legislation. In the end, he signed 248 bills into law and vetoed 11. — Gary Fineout PROPERTY INSURANCE PULLBACK — 'As Florida lawmakers in 2022 tried to bolster the troubled property-insurance system, they drew attention for setting aside $3 billion in state money to help insurers with critical backup coverage,' reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. 'But last week, DeSantis signed a bill that pulled back $2.1 billion of that money, which was expected to go unused. The bill essentially put the money back in the state's coffers, where it can be used for other things or saved.' — '30-day public comment period underway for new Medicaid managed care program,' reports Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. — 'Millions in compensation claims approved for Florida victims,' reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. PENINSULA AND BEYOND CHECKING IN ON NEW HOMELESSNESS LAW — 'It's been about six months since a new, controversial state law banning unauthorized camping or sleeping on public or private properties went into full effect. But just how effective the law has been at curbing homelessness is uncertain — it depends on who you ask,' reports Lillian Hernández Caraballo of Central Florida Public Media. — 'State abruptly drops sex case against friend of Alexander brothers due to lack evidence,' by Charles Rabin of the Miami Herald. CAMPAIGN MODE GOV ON MUSK, 3RD PARTY — 'DeSantis has a message for Elon Musk: Forget starting a new party,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'Instead, Florida's GOP leader said Musk should either primary Republicans or help pass constitutional amendments dealing with term limits and a balanced budget. … DeSantis, who offered up his commentary with no prodding or questioning from reporters, praised Musk for his past efforts, including helping Republicans in 2024 and his bid to curb government spending. But he said creating a third party would likely just end with Democrats winning elections.' NEW MESSAGING AFTER BBB — House Democrats' campaign arm is out with new Facebook and Instagram ads that'll run this week to message around the midterms. The ads target House Republicans for voting for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' that reduces taxes and cuts spending on safety-net programs, specifically bringing attention to how the bill could cause rural hospitals to close. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is working to flip seats in Florida held by Republican Reps. ANNA PAULINA LUNA, CORY MILLS and MARÍA ELVIRA SALAZAR. The provision they're targeting in the ads — without going into specifics — would obligate adults on Medicaid to work or otherwise get dropped from the government health care program. Nonpartisan estimates project nearly 12 million people nationwide would be dropped from coverage, though it would be less salient in Florida because the state already has a huge uninsured population and limits Medicaid largely to the most vulnerable groups that wouldn't be forced to work. Plus, the provision won't take effect until 2027, after the 2026 midterms. The Democrats' messaging specifically focuses on threats to rural hospitals that could come as a result of more people receiving health care they can't afford to pay for. The group didn't specify how much they were spending on the ads, except to say that it was 'four figures.' — 'Heidi Brandt raises $40K in 45 days for Bridget Ziegler's School Board seat,' reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP FEMA'S FUTURE TBD — 'The White House on Monday opened the door to salvaging the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which President Donald Trump last month suggested should be phased out,' reports POLITICO's Irie Sentner. 'The about-face follows devastating flooding that ravaged Texas over the weekend and claimed the lives of at least 80 people, including more than two dozen children.' MORE TPS ENDING — 'The Trump administration is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans and Nicaraguans,' reports Churchill Ndonwie of the Miami Herald. 'In a document posted in the Federal Register on Monday, the notice from the Department of Homeland Security said that, after reviewing conditions in those countries, Secretary Kristi Noem concluded that conditions in Honduras and Nicaragua no longer support the designation for protection from deportation.' ANOTHER IMMIGRATION CRACK DOWN — 'According to a recent memo, the [Justice] department plans to focus not only on individuals who may have lied about a crime or having done something illegal during the naturalization process,' reports Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald. 'But authorities also plan to focus on others who may have committed a crime after becoming citizens — a generally untested legal frontier.' YOU'RE FIRED — 'U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the lead prosecutor handling the federal fraud case against St. Petersburg businessperson Leo Govoni, ostensibly in retaliation for his role in prosecuting Jan. 6 rioters,' reports Christopher O'Donnell and Dan Sullivan of the Tampa Bay Times. 'A Department of Justice memo dated June 27 and obtained by the Tampa Bay Times informed Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon that he'd been removed from federal service. The memo bore Bondi's signature. Her action removes Gordon from a high-profile Tampa case involving the embezzlement of $100 million from medical trust funds taking place in Bondi's home community. It came a day after Gordon successfully argued in court that Govoni should be denied bail.' DATELINE D.C. HAPPENING NEXT WEEK — Former national security adviser MIKE WALTZ will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next Tuesday or Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to be UN Ambassador, Axios' Hans Nichols reports. Waltz is likely to be grilled by members over his use of Signal to discuss a strike in Yemen. NO MORE RECORDS COMING — 'The Justice Department announced on July 7 that it has no evidence that sex predator Jeffrey Epstein was murdered or had a client list. It also said it will not be releasing any more documents,' reports Holly Baltz of the Palm Beach Post. STOCK ACT VIOLATION — 'Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), one of the more powerful Democrats in the House of Representatives, has violated a federal conflicts of interest and financial transparency law for a fourth time, congressional records indicate,' reports Dave Levinthal for Open Secrets. She was 'more than 14 months late disclosing a purchase of up to $15,000 worth of stock in New Gold Inc., a Canadian gold mining company. The price of the stock has more than tripled since Feb. 28, 2024, when the congresswoman purchased the stock, according to a report she filed last week. … Wasserman Schultz's congressional office acknowledged a phone inquiry from OpenSecrets, but did not otherwise respond to questions by phone and email.' — 'U.S. Rep. Cammack's district offices in Gainesville, Ocala remain closed following threats,' reports Elliot Tritto of the Gainesville Sun. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: Former Miami Herald reporter Marty Merzer ... state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras ... former Department of Lottery spokesperson Connie Barnes … Douglas Mannheimer.
The Hill
23-06-2025
- The Hill
Supreme Court to consider if forcibly shaven inmate can seek damages
The Supreme Court took up Monday a case on whether a former Louisiana inmate can receive damages from prison officials for forcibly shaving his dreadlocks despite his Rastafari beliefs. A lower court 'emphatically' condemned Damon Landor's treatment but said the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) provided no pathway for him to sue the officials for damages in their individual capacities. Backed by the Trump administration, Landor hopes the Supreme Court will rule the other way, allowing him and other inmates to get compensation when their religious liberty rights are violated. The case is set to be considered during the Supreme Court's next annual term. Oral arguments are likely to be set during the late fall or winter, with a decision expected by next summer. It follows a unanimous 8-0 decision the court issued in 2020 finding that RLUIPA's sister statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), allows for damages suits. But RFRA only applies to the federal government. RLUIPA applies to state officials, and it is specifically aimed at protecting religious rights in land regulations and prisons. The statute only allows substantial burdens on someone's religious exercise if the government demonstrates it furthers a compelling governmental interest, and its action is the least restrictive means to do so. 'The denial of a damages remedy to vindicate RLUIPA's substantive protections would undermine that important purpose. And the circumstances precluding relief here are not unique,' Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in court filings. Landor's attorneys at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Casey Denson Law agreed, saying the widespread implications merit the court's review. 'More than one million people are incarcerated in state prisons and local jails. Under the prevailing rule in the circuit courts, those individuals are deprived of a key remedy crucial to obtaining meaningful relief,' the petition reads. The Republican-controlled Louisiana attorney general's office, however, takes the opposite view. In court papers, the state acknowledged Landor's story is 'antithetical to religious freedom and fair treatment of state prisoners' and insisted it has changed its prison grooming policy to ensure it doesn't happen again. But the state believes RLIUPA doesn't provide the damages pathway that Landor seeks, stressing that RLIUPA relies on a different part of the Constitution than the other statute. 'Serious consequences would flow from Petitioner's view, if adopted,' the state wrote. 'For example, the current staffing shortage in state prisons would only grow worse if current staff and potential job applicants learned that they would be personally liable for money damages.' The Supreme Court meanwhile declined to take up a second, near-identical case arising from a devout Hindu who was wrongfully convicted of sexual abuse. Sanjay Tripathy, whose lawyers also represent Landor, said New York officials violated his religious rights when assigning him to a counseling program for sex offenders. The program requires participants to accept responsibility, but since Tripathy is innocent of those charges, he said the program violated the core Hindu tenet against lying. The court appears to be holding Tripathy's case until it can decide Landor's appeal, as requested by their attorneys.
Politico
20-06-2025
- Politico
Democrats' Hollywood bash
Good morning and happy Friday. State Democrats are descending on Hollywood (the Broward County version) this weekend for their annual 'Leadership Blue' meeting and fundraiser. It all takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — the same spot where Gov. RON DESANTIS and the Republican Party of Florida often hold events. Not everyone in the party was happy to turn to a host who's given so generously to the GOP. But off to the electric guitar-shaped venue they'll go. NORA VIÑAS, the state party's new communications director, said more than 1,000 Democrats are attending, and that they can expect musical performances on top of the regular program of training and panels. The Florida Democratic Party will also preview their 2025 game plan, which they said involves a 'multimillion-dollar investment to hire local organizers, expand vote-by-mail, register new Democrats and recruit candidates.' The bash kicks off this afternoon with a welcome reception and a live podcast taping with Gen Zers SAM SCHWARTZ, an advocate against gun violence, and AARON PARNAS, a lawyer and TikTok political commentator. This particular part of the program showcases Democrats' own efforts to focus on platforms Republicans successfully used for outreach in 2024. Florida Democrats have struggled in recent cycles. They've fallen behind by 1.3 million active voter registrations, hold no statewide positions and are battling a GOP supermajority in the Legislature. But Viñas said they're feeling encouraged by their overperformance in the pair of special elections from April. 'Democrats showed up and it mattered,' she said. (To be clear: Despite the overperformance, Republicans won both seats.) This weekend, party leaders are hoping to take some lessons from Gov. ANDY BESHEAR of Kentucky, one of the gala's speakers, who knows a little something about winning in a red state as a Democrat. Incidentally, he's also someone who's considering running for president in 2028. Also speaking is Democratic Sen. CORY BOOKER of New Jersey, who caught nationwide attention when he gave a 25-hour, five-minute speech on the Senate floor in protest of the Trump administration. A karaoke after party will follow the VIP reception. Two candidates to watch this weekend are the Democrats who've already announced they're running statewide: former Rep. DAVID JOLLY and teacher JOSH WEIL (more on him below). The two are far apart on the political spectrum; Jolly was once a Republican and Weil is an unapologetic progressive. Still, they've already done events together as they geared up to run. 'We have to build back into every corner of the state and be a party for every Floridian,' Weil said when asked how he felt about the state of the party ahead of the weekend's events. 'And I think [Florida Democratic Party chair NIKKI FRIED] is the right person for the job, and I think she has a great message.' But others heading into town are feeling decidedly more … well, blue. 'No amount of cheerleading on Saturday will overcome the 1.3 million voter registration lead the GOP has in the state,' said one party organizer, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Playbook will be on the ground Saturday reporting on the happenings. Reach out to say hello at kleonard@ WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis held a press conference this morning at Tampa International Airport, after greeting a flight arriving from Israel. Fox News has more: '1,500 Jewish Americans evacuated from Israel as DeSantis sponsors rescue flights to Tampa.' ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... FLORIDA RIVER RESTORATION — 'A Republican state senator who represents north central Florida is already asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto millions approved by the Legislature to begin the eventual restoration of the Ocklawaha River,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for state Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach), confirmed Wednesday that Leek has been communicating with DeSantis' office to 'express his objections against this project, including asking for a veto.' 'In a move that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, the new state budget includes $6.25 million to draw up a plan to remove a section of a dam that now blocks the Ocklawaha River, a tributary of the St. Johns River with a rich history. At one point in time, steamboats would traverse the river and take visitors to Silver Springs.' THREE NEW UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, FINALLY — 'State university leaders granted final approval Wednesday to three new presidents with connections to the DeSantis administration: former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International University, Marva Johnson at Florida A&M University and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. as the University of West Florida's interim leader,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'The confirmation votes from the Board of Governors came without heavy deliberations, even as alumni opposition swells surrounding Johnson's hire and contract, which required special legislation to remedy. These approvals marked a sharp contrast with the state board rejecting former University of Michigan president Santa Ono earlier this month as the University of Florida's prospective president after grilling him for three hours.' SPEAKING OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES — 'The Board of Governors, which oversees the state's university system, voted Wednesday to allow Florida public universities to increase a fee out-of-state students pay,' reports Danielle Prieur of Central Florida Public Media. 'Out-of-state students in Florida don't just pay higher tuition, but also a special fee. It's the first time in over a decade these fees are being increased. With the Board of Governors vote, Florida's public universities will be allowed to increase that fee up to 10 percent this fall, and up to 15 percent by the fall of 2026.' RESHUFFLING MILLIONS TOWARD COLLEGE ATHLETICS — 'State leaders opened a new revenue stream Wednesday for Florida universities to reshuffle millions of dollars toward athletics in response to the landmark House v. NCAA settlement,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'An emergency rule approved by the university system Board of Governors allows schools to use up to $22.5 million generated by auxiliaries like housing and bookstores for paying student athletes as part of the landscape-altering, revenue-sharing model about to reshape college sports. The policy is meant to be a short-term bridge for Florida universities to get ahead of the anticipated July 1 start date and stay competitive with high-powered rivals.' CONSERVATION FUNDS SEE BIG CUT — 'Despite the vast display of bipartisan support for Florida's wild places, lawmakers on Monday night approved budget cuts to the state's flagship conservation land acquisition program that helps grow and create new state parks,' reports Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times. 'The Florida Forever program is slated to receive $18 million in the upcoming budget year, compared to at least $100 million in funding every year since 2021, according to state documents. The land-buying money falls well short of the additional $100 million DeSantis recommended for the new budget.' — 'Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds,' by Denise Hruby of the Miami Herald. BIG PRIORITY ULTIMATELY IGNORED THIS SESSION — 'Florida's legislative leaders ushered in this year's session vowing to investigate insurance company profits and holding the industry accountable if it wasn't paying claims,' reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times. 'A House committee held rare hearings to grill the state's current and former insurance regulators. Republicans and regulators proposed several pro-consumer bills. But 105 days later, it didn't amount to much.' One insurer recently asked for a big hike: 'Trusted Resource Underwriters Exchange, which goes by the acronym TRUE, asked state regulators at a June 17 rate hearing to allow the insurer to jack rates up by 31 percent for its multiperil homeowners' insurance for tens of thousands of policyholders when they renew this year,' reports Anne Geggis of the Palm Beach Post. JOB TRAINING CASH INFLUX — 'Five state colleges in Central Florida will receive nearly $10 million after Gov. Ron DeSantis recently handed out grants allowing them to expand career and technical training programs,' reports Gray Rohrer of USA Today Network — Florida. 'The money will go to Eastern Florida State College, Indian River State College, Polk State College, Valencia College and Seminole State College.' — 'How Florida's attempt to let teens sleep longer fell apart,' by Ted Alcorn and Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times. IN DEPTH LOOK AT LIVE LOCAL ACT — Many officials in Florida 'contend there are loopholes in the Live Local Act that enable developers to take advantage of the property-tax breaks and more flexible zoning rules that are part of the legislation — without doing enough to help low-to-moderate-income Floridians find a truly affordable place to live,' report Dave Berman Laura Layden of USA Today Network — Florida. AG PITCH — 'Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to set up an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades he is calling 'Alligator Alcatraz,'' reports Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel. 'Uthmeier touted his proposal for a 1,000-bed facility as 'the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda.' It would be positioned on a 'virtually abandoned' airstrip surrounded by wetlands, he said.' — '16 indicted for illegal reentry after sweeping Florida immigration crackdown,' reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. — 'Florida contractor cuts nursing care for 100 medically fragile children,' reports Christopher O'Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times. PENINSULA AND BEYOND — 'South Florida Jews face changing plans as they try to leave Israel for U.S.,' by David Lyons of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. ...HURRICANE HOLE... NEVER THE SAME — 'Panama City [Florida] and Paradise stand as vivid examples of an emerging cycle in this era of more-extreme weather in America: Communities struck by disasters often grow richer and more exclusive,' report of Arian Campo-Flores, Cameron McWhirter and Paul Overberg of The Wall Street Journal. '... Poor residents have a tougher time navigating bureaucratic procedures for disaster aid and weathering job losses. Renters often get evicted from damaged properties and face spiraling rents as the supply of units shrinks. Low-income homeowners frequently struggle to pay for repairs that must comply with stricter building codes and to buy sufficient insurance coverage.' CAMPAIGN MODE ICYMI: WEIL CHALLENGING MOODY — Florida Democrat JOSH WEIL, the once little-known progressive teacher who stunned the political world in March by raising nearly $14 million for a failed congressional special election bid, is now running to become the Sunshine State's next senator. Weil is the first major Democratic candidate to file for the 2026 Senate race to challenge incumbent Sen. ASHLEY MOODY. 'I'll be everywhere,' Weil said of his planned campaign tour across the state, which kicked off Wednesday at a veterans' center in conservative Clay County. DATELINE D.C. IMPLICATIONS FOR FLORIDA'S LAW — 'The Supreme Court has upheld a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors,' reports POLITICO's Josh Gerstein. 'In a 6-3 ruling Wednesday, the court's conservative majority rejected a challenge from transgender adolescents and their families who argued that the ban violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.' — 'Rick Scott, Byron Donalds, Greg Steube demand more transparency in next UF President pick,' reports Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics. — 'The price you pay for an Obamacare plan could surge next year in Florida,' reports Daniel Chang of the Orlando Sentinel. — 'Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' would kick nearly 8K rural Floridians off Medicaid,' reports Brandon Girod of the Pensacola News Journal. TRANSITION TIME — Blake Nolan has been promoted to be chief of staff for Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). — 'Former Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg has joined GrayRobinson as a shareholder in its Litigation practice,' per Florida Politics. — 'Matt Newton is rejoining Shumaker as a Partner in its Real Estate, Construction & Development Service Line,' per Florida Politics. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN — 'Better the second time around: South Florida celebrates Panthers' Stanley Cup encore victory,' by Ben Crandell and Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. BIRTHDAYS: Brad Howard of the Corcoran Street Group … Ed Miyagishima … (Saturday) state Rep. Linda Chaney … former state Rep. Chuck Clemons … former Rep. Jim Bacchus … (Sunday) Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady … state House Speaker Daniel Perez ... Drew Weatherford, partner at Weatherford Capital and Florida State University trustee.
