Sunrise

The conservative majority on the state Supreme Court rejected a constitutional amendment that would have legalized the recreational use of marijuana in Florida. It's the second pro-pot amendment rejected by the high court in the past two months.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida's former chief science officer says the more than 200 million gallons of wastewater from Piney Point that ended up in Tampa Bay is NOT the cause of a red tide outbreak along the beaches of Pinellas County.

— It may not have been the cause, but Dr. Tom Frazer says the Piney Point discharge made the red tide worse.

— Once again, Ron DeSantis refuses to say whether he believes last year's election was rigged against Donald Trump. DeSantis answered, but it had nothing to do with the question.

— The woman who wants to replace DeSantis next year — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — is holding a news conference to talk about an investigation of a Texas charity involved in conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election.

— Another Democratic rival, Congressman Charlie Crist, is also holding a news conference where he will ask DeSantis to investigate Florida's ties to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

— One more week before the end of federal unemployment benefits that have helped Floridians during the COVID-19 crisis. The state is dropping out more than two months early because business leaders claim people won't work while those $300 per week federal benefits are available.

— And finally, there’s a Florida Man who stole from sick kids and a Florida couple busted after playing around at a playground.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is assembling a posse of Florida deputies to help patrol the Mexico border.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Governor says Mexican meth and fentanyl is flooding Florida, and he wants to cut it off at the source. But they haven't figured out how many officers will be making a run for the border … or when it will happen.

— Yep, enforcing a mask mandate is persecution. And DeSantis says they were victims of government overreach.

— Nikki Fried was the only Cabinet member to vote against the blanket pardon: She accuses the Governor of encouraging lawlessness and trying to turn Florida into a cradle for the insurrection.

— It's the end of an era as Florida Power and Light begins demolition of their last coal-fired power plant in the Sunshine State. The CEO of the state's largest power company says they're moving on from coal. FP&L is building a new solar plant near the site of the Indiantown Cogeneration Plant in Martin County that just blew up.

— It's been more than six weeks since the end of the Legislative Session, and we're still trying to figure out exactly what happened. A group of lawmakers describe it in just one word … “spaghetti politics.”

— OK. it’s not one word … but there's always one guy who breaks the rules.

— And finally, a Florida Man told police it was OK for him to go bottomless at the beach because he was still wearing a shirt. It was not.

Gov. Ron DeSantis claims he can ignore the state Cabinet when he picks a new boss at the Department of Environmental Protection. Agriculture Commissioner and Cabinet member Nikki Fried told DeSantis he's wrong.

Also on today’s Sunrise:

— Fried says she'll sue if DeSantis tries this power grab. They also clashed over the adoption of a new rule to implement House Bill 1 — the anti-protest law that allows the state to override any city or county's decision to reduce spending on law enforcement.

— Fried is also calling on the Governor to reverse his decision and order the Florida Department of Health to resume issuing daily reports on COVID-19 cases. They're only doing weekly summaries now.

— The Sierra Club of Florida issues a scorecard for the 2021 Session: it's not pretty. The club is concerned about assaults on the environment … and democracy. Deborah Foote with the Sierra Club is today’s Sunrise Interview.

— And finally, police arrested a Florida woman for going commando at a Circle K.

Another promising young lawmaker has decided to get out of town. Michele Rayner-Goolsby made history last year when she became the first openly LGBTQ+ Black woman to be elected to the state Legislature. Rayner is running for a congressional seat in Saint Petersburg being vacated by fellow Democrat Charlie Crist.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis travels to a Jewish School in Surfside to sign a bill mandating a moment of silence at the start of every day in public schools. It's a not-so-subtle effort to put prayer back in the classroom.

— DeSantis was also heckled by a free speech demonstrator who was hustled from the building by several officers before he could say much.

— Attorney General Ashley Moody is thanking law enforcement officers; she traveled to the bustling metropolis of Perry in Taylor County as part of her “Thin Line Tribute.”

— And finally, a Florida Man was busted not for a gun … but for the Samurai sword.

A federal judge has scheduled a hearing to discuss the legality of Florida's new law punishing social media companies that de-platform politicians for lying and spreading disinformation.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The lawsuit challenging Florida's new social media law was filed by the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice — two groups that stand for online companies.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a new law designed to limit the amount of money insurance companies have to pay for roof repairs and legal fees.

— DeSantis is right when he talks about the ups and downs of the insurance market. As in, your coverage going down and your premiums going up. This new law will not change that, but the insurance companies like it.

— The COVID-19 relief bill known as the American Rescue Act includes $4 billion in debt relief to help minority farmers. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says that could help as many as 17,000 minority farmers … but white farmers are trying to stop it.

— Fried says the best thing about that lawsuit is that it will create a national forum to air the grievances of Black farmers about discrimination, past and present.

— One bit of personal news for Fried… her fiancée is no longer married. She's been engaged to medical marijuana entrepreneur Jake Bergmann since December of 2019, but his divorce has just been finalized.

— And finally, a Florida Man signed over the deed for the water tower in Brooksville, after the city council sold it to him by accident.

“Critical race theory” can no longer be taught in Florida public schools. The Board of Education heard more than an hour of testimony where opponents said it was a Marxist plot to undermine America.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Supporters of CRT say the state's new rule to prohibit discussion of critical race theory is whitewashing history for political purposes.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed the ban and was the biggest supporter of the new rule. Expect to hear a lot more about this on the campaign trail.

— The Governor collected more than $7 million for his reelection campaign during the month of May and has almost $40 million in the bank.

— Congressman Charlie Crist — who is running for Governor — picks up the endorsements of seven Democrats in the Florida House.

— Today's the day the state will finally release an update on COVID-19 casualties. Thanks to the CDC, we have a pretty good idea how bad it will be because the feds are still releasing the numbers on a daily basis instead of releasing them once a week (like Florida).

— And finally, a Florida Man is back behind bars after breaking out of the Pinellas County jail.

Florida’s Board of Education is being asked to crack down on radical teachers who indoctrinate their students to “hate the U.S.A.” and “shame white kids for what their ancestors did.” Or is it politically motivated censorship to teach an idealized version of America that whitewashes our history and refuses to acknowledge the racial bias that permeates our society? This should be a fun meeting.

Also on today’s Sunrise:

— After weeks of dropping hints, Congresswoman Val Demings drops a video saying she's in the race to unseat Republican Sen. Marco Rubio … and the former police chief says she's the crime fighter.

— It won't lower your premiums, but Gov. Ron DeSantis says he's going to sign a bill that limits payouts for roof repairs … and attorneys.

— The Governor made those remarks during a video conference of the Enterprise Florida board, where the state's Chief Financial Officer got heckled.

— Pools are a fantastic way to beat the Florida heat, but Cassie McGovern says they can be deadly. McGovern manages the drowning prevention program for the Broward County Department of Health. Her daughter Em drowned when she was just 19 months old.

— And finally, two Florida Men risked their lives for Taco Tuesday.

The union representing Florida teachers objects to a new rule that would force them to whitewash or ignore the unpleasant truths of U.S. history.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar has more to say on that rule during the Sunrise interview.

— Gov. Ron DeSantis joins in what's described as an "Urgent Town Hall Meeting on Antisemitism."

— A Florida group trying to prevent sexual abuse of children is warning parents to keep better track of what their kids are doing online. One out of five kids who touch a digital device will receive some sort of sexual come-on and the number of reports of online enticements almost doubled last year during the pandemic.

— Congressman Greg Steube says delays at the Department of Veterans Affairs are killing veterans. He's trying to rally support for a bill allowing veterans to ditch the VA and get health care elsewhere.

— And finally, the stories of two Florida Men: One gets 30 years in the federal pen for drugs and dogfighting; the other used a sword to settle a fight over the TV.

Florida is taking a stand against the Chinese Communist Party. The Governor signed a bill to keep communist cash out of Florida research.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed a bill creating a new law prohibiting the theft of trade secrets from Florida companies and institutions. That's the sort of thing the feds usually prosecute, but the House Speaker says Florida Man deserves a shot at them.

— Road trip! Congressman and candidate for Governor Charlie Crist is spending the next four days in a statewide voting-rights tour.

— Later this week, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff visits Tallahassee to encourage more people to get vaccinated. Is it wrong to call him Mr. Kamala Harris?

— More than 80 years after it was founded, the League of Women of Florida finally has a Black president. Cecile Scoon is a civil rights lawyer and former JAG officer who ended up in Panama City — the Redneck Riviera — courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Scoon is our guest on today's Sunrise Interview.

— And finally, the stories of a Florida Man and a Florida Woman who are both in deep kimchi.

Florida’s Department of Health decided it will not release the daily COVID-19 casualty reports anymore. From now on, it’s only once a week.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Speaking of COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis has joined the latest GOP parlor game: “Let's Blame Fauci!”

— Sen. Marco Rubio is calling the President to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, but Joe Biden says that's not gonna happen.

— Florida courts have been working remotely since March 2020, but the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court says judicial circuits can reopen later this month and no later than August 2.

— The Governor signs three bills to help make life a bit easier for military personnel and their families stationed in Florida. Lawmakers say they have one goal.

— And finally, police are accusing a Florida Man of hurling his two-month-old son at officers as they tried to arrest him.