Sunrise

Florida may be known as the “Gunshine State,” but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from filing a battery of bills on gun safety. For the 2020 Session, a South Florida lawmaker filed two bills to close the loopholes that allow Floridians to buy guns without undergoing a criminal-background check.

Also, on today’s Sunshine:

—The Florida teachers’ union is bringing its big red bus to the courtyard of the State Capitol, as well as making plans for a massive rally in Tally the day before the legislature convenes for the Session on January 14.

— A political strategist from Orlando — who played a big part in Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012 — has signed on as Joe Biden’s top hire in the Sunshine State.

— Alia Faraj-Johnson, a former member of the Capitol Press Corps who worked with Jeb Bush during his time as Governor, has just set up her own PR shop in Tallahassee.

— The Florida Chamber Foundation continues its two-day Future of Florida Forum.

— In more Florida Man antics: A 27-year-old surfer was off the coast of New Smyrna Beach when he came off his board and landed on the back of the shark … which responded by chomping down.

Florida’s teachers’ union is coming to the Florida Capitol, part of a statewide bus tour with 50 stops in every corner of the state to talk about funding for public schools.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Another day ... another photo emerges showing the Gov. Ron DeSantis with the two South Florida businessmen indicted by federal prosecutors in New York on charges of funneling foreign money into U.S. political campaigns.

— The Florida Chamber Foundation starts its two-day “Future of Florida Forum” in Orlando, with a roster of high-profile state leaders on the dais.

— Two Republican Senators team up to file a bill requiring Florida employers to use the federal E-Verify system on all new hires. Big business doesn’t like it, and it’s a rare day when the Legislature does something they don’t like.

— The Governor and state lawmakers will spend a lot of time during the 2020 Legislative Session talking about the environment, but Sierra Club’s Frank Jackalone says it may already be too late to save Florida (as we know it). Sunrise takes a deep dive into some very gloomy predictions.

— A true Florida couple: A Pinellas County man and woman have been arrested on drug possession charges after deputies in Texas discovered methamphetamine disguised as laundry detergent during a traffic stop on Interstate 10.

Now the Florida Senate has decided to uphold Ron DeSantis’ suspension of the Broward County Sheriff, local officials statewide — especially sheriffs — are beginning to realize there is a major shift in the political landscape. You don’t have to commit a crime for the Governor to suspend you.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A new law in California allowing college athletes to make money off their own name and likeness has inspired a similar proposal in Florida, getting the support of the Governor.

— State attorneys are teaming up with Larry Keefe, the federal prosecutor for the Northern District of Florida, to concentrate on two areas: drugs and guns. But Keefe says he won’t be prosecuting anyone for using medical marijuana.

— A new University of North Florida poll puts DeSantis’ popularity at 72 percent, the highest in 10 years.

— More Florida Man shenanigans: A man in Pinellas Park had sex with two toys in a Target, including a unicorn and one of Olaf from “Frozen.”

Unsurprisingly, the Florida Senate voted to uphold Ron DeSantis’ removal of Scott Israel as the elected Broward County Sheriff. The decision brought relief to Parkland parents, but also set a troubling precedent of expanding the Governor’s executive powers.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Florida Department of Health is tracking 70 cases — with one death — of the mysterious illness caused by vaping. Surgeon General Scott Rivkees says the real culprit is still unknown.

— The state’s Silver Alert system is celebrating its 10th birthday, with over 2,000 alerts issued over the past decade.

— A conversation with Peter Schorsch, founder and publisher of FloridaPolitics.com.

— More Florida Women hijinks: A Pasco County woman is facing a variety of criminal charges, accused of trying to burn down a man’s tent while he was trapped inside. Another woman, 18, was arrested for handing out flyers for a homecoming party in Flagler County, offering $2 shots and $4 mixed drinks.

The Florida Senate will decide the fate of former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel — and it looks like a partisan vote, meaning he probably won’t be getting his job back.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As for those Ukrainian businessmen associated with Rudy Giuliani, who have been accused of funneling foreign money into U.S. elections — Ron DeSantis says one of them sought an appointment to his transition team.

— Several former death row inmates who were exonerated visited Tallahassee to ask the Governor to spare the next inmate scheduled to die in Florida.

— A contentious bill that, if passed, would force girls to get parental permission before getting an abortion has cleared its sole committee in the Florida House. Opponents claim its part of a campaign to roll back abortion rights for everyone, not just minors.

— The latest in Florida Man news: Investigators in Boynton Beach are searching for a man who managed to steal more than one thousand dollars’ worth of scotch from a liquor store — by smuggling the booze in his pants.

The Florida Senate meets in Special Session to decide whether Scott Israel should be reinstated as sheriff of Broward County. Ron DeSantis suspended Israel for the failures of his deputies during the killings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as well as a mass shooting at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, but a Special Master hired by the Senate says the Governor was wrong.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Attorney General Ashley Moody weighs in on the Special Session, supporting Israel’s removal.

— The union representing Florida teachers is taking its “big red bus” to six Panhandle counties in three days to campaign for public education.

— Veteran pollster Steve Vancore stops by to discuss the Senate Rules Committee meeting during the Special Session.

— And the further adventures of Florida Man, the superhero we don’t need, but richly deserve: Deputies in Polk County charged a man with driving under the influence after he was spotted weaving through traffic on a two-wheeled Segway. His blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Special Guest: Steve Vancore.

Ahead of next week’s Special Session on suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, the Senate issued a decorum advisory after the Special Master in the case received a death threat.

Also, on today's Sunrise with Jim Rosica, filling in for Rick Flagg:

— The House is already treading carefully on raising teacher pay.

— Florida could see an 18-day sales tax holiday for disaster preparation items in 2020. Maybe.

— Gwen Graham reflects on the legacy of Elijah Cummings.

— And more from Florida Man: Professional trapper Paul Bedard wrestled — or perhaps ‘rassled’ — an 8-foot, 8-inch alligator out of a swimming pool in Parkland this week.

Ron DeSantis lawyers up to press his case that former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel should go. The Governor brought on George Levesque, an attorney with GrayRobinson and was a finalist for one of two openings on the 1st District Court of Appeal as well as a former general counsel of the Senate.

Also, on today’s Sunrise with Jim Rosica, filling in for Rick Flagg:

— Lawmakers keep going in the first of two back-to-back committee weeks.

— A second House panel (in as many days) is contemplating legalized recreational cannabis.

— And two new judges were picked for the state’s premier appellate court.

— A talk with On3PR President Christina Johnson, who is the former Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of State, Communications Director for DBPR and Comms Director for then-Senate President John McKay.

— And the latest in Florida Man hijinks: The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has a message for one 911 caller: Stop calling. The man keeps calling the emergency line to complain about his roommate’s stealing his marijuana.

The Department of Children and Families wants its employees to “be well,” creating a state Office of Well-Being. The agency’s mission is to “...decrease employee trauma and burnout … increase employee physical (and) mental health, well-being, and retention … ensure that the DCF promotes a resilient, fulfilled, and balanced workforce …” Applications are being accepted through Tuesday on People First, the state job-website.

Also, on today’s Sunrise, hosted by Jim Rosica filling in for Rick Flagg:

— Lawmakers continue to grind it out in the latest committee week.

— First Amendment defender Barbara Petersen gets a big sendoff.

— Beth Matuga talks about candidates, causes and campaigns as well as her time in Carrabelle, where she works to save the oysters.

— A Florida man (with the same name as a famous actor) was booked on charges of drunk driving and threatening a public servant in Brevard County. Officers couldn’t perform any test because he started hollering profanity and threatened to shoot one of them.

Tonight’s fourth Democratic presidential debate will be the largest primary debate in American political history — featuring 12 candidates.

Also, on Sunrise, with Jim Rosica filling in for Rick Flagg:

— Wilton Simpson will be designated Senate President for the 2020-2022 term.

— It’s a committee week, which means the Legislature is back in town.

— Self-described Florida Man Steve Schale stops by to discuss Democratic politics, the debate and the issues that will undoubtedly be under discussion.

— In other Florida Man hijinks: Police said 29-year-old Corey Sapigao drove erratically on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, where he allegedly jumped the curb and drove on the sidewalk for a short distance. Sapigao told the cops he’s “never had a valid driver’s license,” like anywhere, ever.