Does DeSantis have executive privilege?

Sarasota's New College gets new leader; national signing day arrives; St. Pete, Rays mull next Trop steps

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Happy Black History Month. Looks like today will bring mostly sunny skies after some foggy morning conditions, with highs in or around the low 80s.   In today's newsletter: Sarasota's New College has a new president; national signing day arrives; and St. Petersburg and the Rays figure out next steps for the Tropicana Field redevelopment project. [MARTA LAVANDIER | Associated Press] This under-the-radar court ruling could have big implications for Florida From Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton to Donald Trump, there’s a long and well-documented track record of presidents asserting executive privilege to try to shield certain information from the public.   But do governors have the same power?   In multiple lawsuits involving public records, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ lawyers have been arguing he does — and that it’s necessary for his behind-the-scenes deliberations to not receive public scrutiny.   Last month, a Tallahassee judge agreed with his administration.   The little-noticed lawsuit is being appealed and may lead to a major test of Florida’s government transparency laws, widely considered among the most open in the country.   Open government advocates warn about what could result from a precedent in DeSantis’ favor. Get the latest sports coverage from the Times For updates and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays, Florida college teams and more, follow the Tampa Bay Times sports crew on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram AROUND THE BAY Calling all elder emos: Fall Out Boy will return to Tampa this summer. Last time the Chicago band played here? In 2021, at Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s home.   Wine Exchange to close: After more than three decades, the restaurant will shutter at Tampa’s Hyde Park Village. “I just don’t get it,” general manager Elisa McGuire said. “We’re like a staple in the neighborhood.”   Trop redevelopment: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told us Tuesday that his organization is looking forward to working with St. Petersburg on a new Rays stadium. But Mayor Ken Welch’s decision is not a done deal. City staff and the Rays-Hines group are trying to figure out next steps.   Deputy resigns amid inquiry: A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy was accused of having inappropriate relationships with women he met on calls, an internal affairs report shows.   Victim count rises: Lakeland’s police chief offered more details about Monday’s drive-by shooting, including updating the number of people injured to 11.   Court battle: Hillsborough fronted $2.4 million to help CareerSource Tampa Bay cover misspending under its former chief executive officer. Now, the county is suing in an effort to get some of that money back.   Reducing accidental deaths: A program started for parents in Pinellas County to keep infants safe as they sleep is expanding to eight more Florida counties. BRIGHT SPOT [ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times] Largo exhibition uses artificial intelligence to create images of Blackness Husband-and-wife duo McArthur Freeman II and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman have brought “Imagine Blackness: Alternate Realities and Collective Dreaming” to the gallery at Creative Pinellas. Inspired by Afrofuturism and Black speculative fiction, the art explores alternate realities as a way to retell Black stories. But the couple’s intention for the exhibit is much more meaningful than the technology behind it. POLITICS $61,000 in back taxes: Tampa City Council candidate Mike Suarez said he’s sent a check to the federal government to pay off the income taxes he owes.   New College’s next president: The newly remade board made swift changes, leaving students stunned. They appointed former Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to lead DeSantis’ overhaul of the Sarasota school. Here’s a full rundown on the Tuesday trustees meeting.    Higher education reforms: On Tuesday, DeSantis outlined a plan that would bring sweeping changes to Florida’s university system. Among them: Prohibitions on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.   Proposal gains momentum: DeSantis said he wanted to ditch the requirement that juries unanimously decide on the death penalty. Florida lawmakers have filed bills for the upcoming legislative session to do just that. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Can a deal be done? St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch chose by far the best of the four proposals to redevelop Tropicana Field. Now, we're about to find out whether he has the political and negotiating skills to maintain the momentum, says the Times Editorial Board.   School boundary issues: Will the Hillsborough County district close campuses as part of its plan to redraw attendance boundaries? The Times Editorial Board has questions. SPORTS Top portal destination: FSU football enters today's traditional national signing day with the No. 2 transfer class in the country. Why have the 'Noles become such a hot spot? And speaking of signing day: Follow live updates.   History maker: Bulls women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez led the 25th-ranked team to his 118th career AAC win Tuesday, tying the conference record.   UCF football schedule released: It doesn't include USF or Texas. But a Big 12 opener at reigning champion Kansas State and a trip to mighty Oklahoma (to face a former Knights QB) are on there.   GOAT's playing future: Following Brock Purdy's injury, Tom Brady has to be a serious option for the 49ers. Rick Stroud considers some possible 2023 destinations for the pending free-agent QB.   Rays reach new deal: The team on Tuesday formally finalized an extension with Yandy Diaz, guaranteeing the infielder $24 million over three seasons.   Staying competitive: Who needs Aaron Judge when you have Yandy Diaz? Or something like that. The Rays are trying to keep pace in the AL East by tying up younger players to multi-year deals before they reach free agency, columnist John Romano writes.   All-Star, once again: After years of committing to an extensive preparation regimen that helped turn him into a top goaltender, the Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy realized he needed to pull back a bit this season. And it paid off. TODAY'S TALKER [Times (1997)] Pinellas County death row prisoner, who was the focus of a Netflix documentary, dies Twenty years ago, Franklin Delano Floyd was sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of Cheryl Commesso. He died last week of natural causes at 79. Floyd's twisted life of crime was featured in the film "Girl in the Picture."   "A better thing couldn't happen to a worse person," said the Pinellas-Pasco state attorney who prosecuted him. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Alexandra Urban and Amy Gehrt. Did someone forward this to you? Get DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2023 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. 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