Sunrise

Reefer madness rears its head in the Tallahassee as lawmakers gather ammunition to fight efforts to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the Sunshine State.

 Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A House committee passes state Rep. Cary Pigman’s bill that would allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to work without a doctor’s supervision. He’s been trying to pass that bill since 2014, and because of term-limits, it’s his last shot.

— A deep dive into the state’s program to combat invasive aquatic plants. They’re trying to find some way to stop using herbicides that don’t break the bank.

— More Florida Man insanity: A 56-year-old Polk County resident — and Disney security guard — showed up in the nude to meet what he thought was a hooker. It wasn’t. It was Operation Santa’s Naughty List by the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, and the whole encounter is now on video.

Sen. Kelli Stargel’s bill to require minors to get permission from their parents before obtaining an abortion advances its first Senate committee … with a little help from the “God Squad.”

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— First Lady Casey DeSantis and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement say it’s time to tackle the problem of suicides by first responders.

— A Senate committee approves a bill creating incentives for TV, film and digital media producers who film projects in Florida.

— While the Florida Clemency Board gave the Groveland Four posthumous pardons, surviving family members say the Governor and Cabinet should go further and fully exonerate them.

— Don’t anger Florida Woman: A 28-year-old Miami woman ran down her ex and his current girlfriend.

A contentious bill requiring women under age 18 to get parental consent for an abortion is up for a vote in the Senate Health Policy Committee. Last month, opponents ran out the clock and delayed the bill … but that won’t happen this time.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Sadowski Coalition is backing bills that will force money in the state’s affordable housing trust fund to actually be spent on affordable housing. Lawmakers have been using the trust as a slush fund ever since the Great Recession.

— Veteran Tallahassee lobbyist Mac Stipanovich — who helped Republicans take control of state government in the 80s and 90s — just switched parties to vote in the Democratic presidential primary in March.

— A Senate committee will vote on a bill that creates financial incentives for TV and moviemakers to film in the Sunshine State. Film Florida’s John Lux stops by to dispute claims that this is nothing more than corporate welfare

— A pair of Florida Men are facing religious discrimination: Santeria and the Satanic Temple.

Florida lawmakers are back in The Capitol this week for one final round of committee hearings before the start of the Legislative Session next month.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Another Florida town is suffering through the aftermath of a mass shooting … this time it’s Pensacola, and the shooter was a Saudi officer in flight training at the Naval Air Station.

— Donald Trump raises big bucks for the Florida GOP, with the help of two former American soldiers accused of war crimes.

— A new report in the Tampa Bay Times says more Florida kids are being involuntarily committed for mental health treatment because they are autistic, disabled or simply misbehaving, thanks to the Baker Act.

— Newly named Senate President Wilton Simpson is hosting a joint fundraiser for Ray Rodrigues and Ana Maria Rodriguez.

— And a Florida man really shows a dog who’s boss.

No Roads to Ruin Coalition is launching a campaign to kill M-CORES — Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance — a plan for three proposed new toll roads in rural Florida.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— State Rep. Tina Polsky of Boca Raton is looking to change the law which mandates gun owners to lock guns or use trigger guards if there’s anyone in the home under the age of 16. She wants to raise the age to 18.

 — Just in time for the Miami Super Bowl, Gov. Ron DeSantis announces a “Python Bowl” as part of the festivities. Beginning Jan. 10, the Python Bowl will reward people for capturing the longest, heaviest and most Burmese pythons.

— The Governor is also putting the finishing touches on his education agenda, which could be released as early as next week.

— Mom and pop pharmacies in Florida say they’re being driven out of business by Pharmacy Benefit Managers; they are calling on lawmakers to balance the scales ASAP.

— Parents of a 9-month-old Florida baby get payback on a porch pirate by filling a decoy boy with dirty diapers.

The Christmas trees are up in the Capitol building and the Governor’s daughter had the honor of firing up the lights at her dad’s office.

Also on today's Sunrise:

— The Florida Supreme Court hears oral arguments as the Attorney General and both major political parties try to torpedo a constitutional amendment that would bring open primaries to the Sunshine State.

— Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner has some serious concerns about the hiring of a new commissioner at the Office of Financial Regulation.

— The Florida GOP’s biggest fundraiser of the year takes place in Miami Saturday.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to cast a ballot in primary elections regardless of party affiliation has enough signatures to make the 2020 ballot.

Also on today's Sunrise:

— The ACLU is suing the state to get access to public records on the prison system.

— What’s all this about a beefy bromance between Donald Trump and a shirtless Ron DeSantis?

We’ll also be talking with the woman behind the Little Black Dress Initiative… and this has nothing to do with the Level 8 Lounge at the Hotel Duval. I

Plus your calendar of events and your regular update on Florida man… including the Florida woman who single handedly changed the course of an airliner in a failed attempt to get a better seat.

President Donald Trump signed a new law providing harsh penalties for animal cruelty. The prime sponsors of the bipartisan bill are Florida men Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A new audit says the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is doing a bad job accounting for the people they fly around the state. But FDLE says that doesn’t really matter, they’re not doing anything improper.

— Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost the Governor’s race in 2018, is donating $150,000 to the Florida Democratic Party in an attempt to flip some House seats in districts he carried last year.

— A Miami lawmaker is filing the Florida Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, to have businesses make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees.

— Sunrise bids adios to the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. While it was the fourth worst on record, Florida dodged a bullet this year.

 — Two Florida women sue a strip club for discrimination after they were refused admission — because they were not with a man.