Latest news with #JimmyPatronis
New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Santa Ono Blocked From Becoming University of Florida's President
Florida officials on Tuesday rejected the candidacy of Santa Ono to lead the University of Florida, after he had been accused of leniency toward pro-Palestinian protesters while he served as president of the University of Michigan. The University of Florida's board unanimously approved Mr. Ono last week, but the state's Board of Governors, which oversees the sprawling State University of System of Florida, did not ratify his selection. Republicans celebrated the unexpected move. Mr. Ono had already given notice that he would be leaving his job in Michigan. But in recent weeks he had been criticized by some conservatives in the state over his past stances on diversity and inclusion programs, although he wrote an opinion essay disavowing them. 'There's too much smoke with Santa Ono,' Representative Jimmy Patronis, a Florida Republican, wrote on social media. 'We need a leader, not a DEI acolyte. Leave the Ann Arbor thinking in Ann Arbor.' Mr. Ono could not be immediately reached for comment. The University of Florida also did not immediately respond. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Fish & Wildlife confirm criminal investigation into Gulf World
Panama City, FLA (WMBB) – The Florida Fish & Wildlife commission confirmed for the first time in a post on Facebook that Gulf World Marine Park is under an 'active, ongoing criminal investigation in conjunction with local, state, and federal officials.' On Wednesday, State Senator Jay Trumbull confirmed that another dolphin had died at the park. Previously, state agencies such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed an investigation, but not that it was criminal in nature. Earlier in May, the FDEP served a search warrant on the property. As part of that warrant, officers appeared to be collecting water samples. In March, the FWC served a search warrant on the property to investigate the 'health and welfare of… marine mammals and those in captivity.' That search was conducted after the FWC was previously denied entry. The criminal investigation appears to be a result of what they found during the search. The parent company of Gulf World, the Dolphin Company, has filed for bankruptcy. During an April hearing as part of the bankruptcy, an animal welfare expert was hired to oversee the care of animals. A few weeks later, it appears the sea Lions and seals were removed. The dolphins, however, remained on the property. In a post on X, Bay County native Congressman Jimmy Patronis said he wants 'those responsible … held to account and to protect these amazing animals.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida home insurance: Reviewing the impact on state reforms
The Brief State lawmakers made it harder to sue insurance companies, to reduce frivolous lawsuits, and bring down insurance costs. Some lawmakers said, though, they did not have all the data they wanted or needed when they passed these reforms. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - State lawmakers made it harder to sue insurance companies, to reduce frivolous lawsuits, and bring down insurance costs, but some lawmakers said they did not have all the data they wanted or needed when they passed these reforms. The backstory In 2022, as some companies failed and our home insurance bills skyrocketed, state leaders blamed it on lawsuits. READ:Home insurance nightmares continue months after 2024 hurricanes "Somehow you have like one shingle off the roof and then some lawyer comes in and there's a big lawsuit," Governor Ron DeSantis said. "We are just a factory of litigation in the state of Florida, and we have got to change this culture," said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, who is now a U.S. representative. They revised the law to shift risk in litigation over claim disputes. Homeowners can no longer recoup their legal fees when they prevail. This can reduce frivolous lawsuits, but some homeowners said it limits their ability to pursue legal recourse over legitimate damage claims. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "And, it can prevent the insured from repairing the damage like they need to," said attorney Donnie Worrell. Dig deeper When legislators debated these reforms, they noted a lack of data regarding lawsuits against insurance companies. They emphasized one statistic — Florida had about 8% of the homeowners' claims nationwide. The state represents 78% of all the litigation. That statistic originated with former state insurance commissioner David Altmaier and an insurance group he led. It's based in part on information we can't see, because it is confidential. It is also based on data that excluded some markets, and former insurance regulator, economist and consumer watchdog Birny Birnbaum said it lacks context. "There certainly was more litigation among certain companies in Florida than other states, but over half the companies had little or no litigation," said Birnbaum, who leads the Center for Economic Justice. "Well, it tells you it is not an industry wide problem." Three years after the litigation reforms, state leaders cite a leveling off of rates (and in some cases a reduction in rates), as well as new property insurance companies entering the Florida market. They say that shows how the reforms are delivering some results. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Craig Patrick. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congressman Jimmy Patronis talks air traffic concerns and President Trump's tax cuts
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Congressman Jimmy Patronis was the keynote speaker at the Bay Builders Industry Scholarship Luncheon on Monday. Patronis was elected to Congress on April 1st. On Monday he talked about a variety of topics concerning Washington politics and Bay County. Patronis addressed air traffic concerns with the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy's plan to update the control systems. He said the House Transportation Committee has earmarked $12.5 billion to update an outdated system. Patronis also spoke of the need for the House and Senate to agree on a budget by Memorial Day weekend, with numbers that include all of Trump's tax cuts. 'If we do not get those passed by Memorial Day weekend, the average taxpayer is going to see a tax hike of about 22%. The average family of four will see about a $700 tax hike. There's a program that's a child tax credit, that will be cut in half so that money will affect about 20 million families as opposed to 40 million families. Nearly every taxpayer will see their guaranteed deductions slashed. About 26 million small businesses will be saddled with massive tax increases. So by not renewing them then automatically those new taxes, old taxes, get reinstated. So in addition to renewing those tax cuts and then no tax on tips, overtime on social security, all those things cost money,' Congressman Jimmy Patronis said. Patronis also claimed that the majority of President Trump's executive orders are in the best interest of taxpayers. He also warned of upcoming medicaid changes, but didn't elaborate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ahead of REAL ID deadline, TSA bans these common items from checked luggage
While you're making sure you have your REAL ID ready for the Wednesday deadline, better check your luggage for portable chargers and power banks. As of March 1, 2025, these common travel items are no longer allowed in checked luggage. You can still bring them in your carry-on bags, though. The TSA announced the new ban after an exploding power bank was blamed for a fire that burst out in a Russian airplane in South Korea in January and forced evacuation of all 179 passengers and six crew, according to Reuters. In November 2024, a Southwest flight from Denver was forced to evacuate after a passenger's cellphone caught fire. Another Southwest folight heading to miami in April 2024 was forced to land in Palm Beach after the crew noticed an overheated cellphone smoking. Lithium-ion battery fires, which are difficult to extinguish, have also made headlines around the country from cellphones, burning Teslas and other electric vehicles, andeven a battery plant. In 2024, former state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (now a U.S. congressman) warned about fires resulting from electric vehicles getting flooded during hurricanes and tropical storms. One Charlotte County man died from smoke inhalation after a golf cart lithium battery exploded from storm surge flooding during Hurricane Milton. The Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News in November that the number of lithium-ion battery fires increased by more than 42% in the last five years. According to FAA data, there has been an average of at least one lithium battery incident on a passenger plane in the U.S. every week since 2021. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that are commonly used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, watches and more. They can also pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged. The FAA banned spare, uninstalled lithium-ion metal batteries from checked-in luggage in 2020. That prohibition now also includes power banks and cell phone battery charging cases. This includes: Power banks Cellphone battery charging cases Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries Cellphone batteries Laptop batteries External batteries Portable rechargers To check which items are allowed or banned on board, check the TSA's online search function. "When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin," the FAA said in its guidance sheet. "The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit." As of May 7, a REAL ID-compliant ID or other authorized identification will be required to board a commercial flight in the United States, or to enter many federal facilities, military facilities and nuclear power plants. The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, established minimum security standards for getting a license anywhere across the country and prohibited some federal agencies from accepting anything less, following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Florida REAL ID: What if you can't get one by May 7? Can you still fly? Here are options If you've received a new or renewed Florida driver's license or ID since January 2010, you already have one. You can tell by looking for a gold circle with a white star in the middle at the upper right of the card. You'll need to make an appointment at a local driver's license service center or tax collector office to get a new card. Locations can be found here. A Class E license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to the card's expiration date. If you don't have one, you must appear in person to present identification documents. After that, you can renew online unless your name changes. Contributing: Alex Perry and Michelle Ganassi, USA TODAY Network This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lithium battery TSA ban includes phone chargers, power packs
