Hello and welcome to Friday.

The daily rundown — While Florida stopped its daily reports on Covid-19 weeks ago, data maintained by federal health authorities show there were 12,647 new coronavirus cases on just Wednesday of this week.

Surge — That’s the highest daily count since late January and, when combined with the previous five days this month, climbs to a total of more than 46,000 cases — which is higher than the week before.

The governor’s response — But Gov. Ron DeSantis insisted on Thursday that he will not bend to the latest surge. He vowed — as he has done for months — that there will be no return to lockdowns. DeSantis also railed against any talk of mask mandates for school children, and even floated the idea of holding some sort of special session to adopt a law that would make it clear that school districts could not require compulsory mask-wearing.

Air — “We need our kids to breathe,” DeSantis told reporters. His comments quickly made it up to the White House where press secretary Jen Psaki said “if I were a parent in Florida, that would be greatly concerning to me because kids under the age of 12 are not vaccinated.”

Ramping it back up — Florida’s 10 Democrats in Congress on Thursday sent a letter to DeSantis criticizing him for his response to the surge and suggested he should do more. (The governor has ignored similar letters throughout the course of the pandemic.) But there are also doctors now taking aim at the governor, insisting that instead of railing against Dr. Anthony Fauci, he should take more aggressive steps in convincing Floridians to get vaccinated.

Back where we started? — This is what Dr. Bernard Ashby, a cardiologist based in Miami and the Florida leader of the Committee to Protect Health Care, said: “If DeSantis were as concerned about stopping Covid-19 spread as he was about coming up with these clever jabs at Dr. Fauci we might not be in this position." Ashby then added: “Doctors here feel like we are back at square one again.”

— WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis.

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THE DESANTIS DOCTRINE — “DeSantis vows no lockdowns as Florida Covid cases surge,” by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Yet the Republican governor insisted that Florida would have a “normal school year” and that the state would resist any campaigns or push by federal authorities to put in place mask mandates for school children. The American Academy of Pediatricians earlier this week recommended that all students two or older and school staff wear masks. “We’re not doing that in Florida. Ok? We need our kids to breathe,” said DeSantis during a press conference in Fort Pierce to acknowledge the signing of a bill that creates a statewide book distribution program. “Is it really healthy for them to be muzzled and having their breathing obstructed all day long in school? I don’t think it is.” DeSantis comments marked yet another round in his confrontational stance against federal health authorities.

RESPONSE — “Biden sanctions Cuban regime after crackdown on protesters,” by POLITICO’s Marc Caputo and Sabrina Rodriguez: President Joe Biden on Thursday announced plans to slap targeted individual sanctions on Cuba regime officials and entities, bucking the progressive voices in his own party who called for an end to the embargo. The sanctions target Alvaro Lopez Miera, the head of the armed forces in Cuba, and the Cuban Ministry of the Interior’s Special National Brigade, known as the "black berets," for their involvement in the crackdown after historic protests in more than 40 cities across the island. "This is just the beginning — the United States will continue to sanction individuals responsible for oppression of the Cuban people," Biden said in a statement.

Reactions — Democrats from Florida quickly praised Biden for his actions. “This step to directly strike at the autocrats is the right move to bring targeted pressure on the people most responsible for the suffering of the Cuban people,” Rep. Val Demings said in a statement. Florida Democratic Party chair Manny Diaz called it a “decisive and welcome step.” Republicans didn’t share the same level of enthusiasm. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart on Twitter called it a “start” and that more needs to be done. Sen. Marco Rubio — who went from Hannity one night to MSNBC the next day — called it a “welcome step” but noted many in the regime are already sanctioned. Rubio also wanted more concrete action to restore internet access to Cuban.

WARNING — “Coronavirus cases in Florida are rising ‘at an alarming rate,’ surgeon general warns,” by McClatchy’s Michael Wilner: “Coronavirus cases are rising at an alarming rate across Florida as the Delta variant races through the state, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned on Thursday. Murthy said that Florida has been left vulnerable to rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths due to pockets of the state with low vaccination rates. The surgeon general called it an “all-in moment” for the nation as the coronavirus pandemic becomes a more regional phenomenon. Just three states — Florida, Texas and Missouri — accounted for 40% of COVID-19 cases reported this week, officials said.”

CHANGE THE TOPIC — “Not all Republicans are embracing McConnell’s vaccine push. Read what some had to say when asked this week,” by CNN’s Annie Grayer, Lauren Fox and Sarah Fortinsky: “Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida told CNN 'that's very nosy of you,' when CNN started asking about his vaccination status, but the congressman cut off the question before it got to whether or not he was vaccinated. ‘I think we should be talking more about freeing Britney,’ he added.”

THE TOLL — “COVID-19 ran rampant in Florida prisons, killing hundreds. Their families say the state failed them,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Grace Toohey and Hannah Phillips: “He was the first of six men who died of the virus at Okeechobee Correctional Institution, all within the same month, public records show, but the agency’s death toll spread across 40 different facilities for 13 months. Yet despite the most recent COVID-19 prison death occurring in mid-May and more than 60% of the prison population still not vaccinated as the threat of the delta variant grows across the state, [Florida Department of Corrections] last month dropped its mask requirement and other emergency measures.”

— “FAMU puts up $1 million in cash, prizes to incentivize campus community to get vaccinated,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Byron Dobson

— “Florida not sharing which nursing homes have COVID-19 as overall cases rise,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Hannah Critchfield

BEHIND THE CURTAIN — “New group with secretive funding challenges FPL’s four-year, $2 billion rate increase,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “As Florida Power & Light prepares to ask state regulators for the largest rate increase in state history — expecting its customers to pay at least $6.2 billion more over four years — a mysterious adversary has emerged. Floridians Against Increased Rates was organized in March, shortly after FPL filed its request to raise rates before the Public Service Commission, the state agency that regulates utility rates. The case is scheduled to commence in August, unless the parties reach a settlement that appeases everyone, and, if approved, customer bills will increase starting in January.”

WAS THIS NECESSARY? — “Noisy neighbors? A new Florida law will no longer let you complain anonymously,” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos: “For years, Floridians have been filing anonymous complaints against their neighbors, whether it be a noisy party, grass that is too tall, tree limbs that are too low, or a leaf blower that is too loud. From now on, though, all complainers will need to tie their name and address to their grievance if they want a code enforcement officer to investigate it as a code violation of a local ordinance. Officers, however, will still have discretion over investigating anonymous complaints they deem to be an ‘imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.’”

THEN THERE’S THIS NEW LAW — “Privacy fears persist that officers will use drones to monitor people, especially at marches, under new Florida law,” by Spectrum News’ Lillian M. Hernández Caraballo: “Under the previous 2013 state law, law enforcement could not legally use a drone in Florida to conduct surveillance on an individual or property ‘in violation of such person’s reasonable expectation of privacy without his or her written consent.’ Any cases of search or investigation with a drone needed to come with a search warrant or be deemed terrorist or ‘imminent danger to life’ situations. The 2021 legislation deleted those warrant requirements, opening the door for drones to be used by law enforcement agencies to get an ‘aerial perspective of a crowd of 50 people or more,’ gather evidence from crime and traffic crash scenes, assist with traffic management and more.”

DESANTIS FOR VEEP? — “Trumpworld is already weighing veeps for 2024. Hint: It ain’t Pence,” by POLITICO’s Meredith McGraw: [Gov. Ron] is focusing on a run for reelection in 2022. But in a sign of his popularity — or, perhaps, an early attempt to claim alpha dog status — unofficial Trump merchandise stores have begun selling Trump-DeSantis 2024 shirts and flags. And if Trump decides not to run, already there is chatter among multiple former top Trump administration officials about helping out with a DeSantis campaign.

BACK IN COURT — “Florida felons renew challenge to voting law at 11th Circuit,” by Courthouse News Services’ Kayla Goggin: “In a new effort to challenge a Florida law requiring felons to pay fines, fees and restitution before they can regain their right to vote, an attorney for two Sunshine State felons told an 11th Circuit panel Thursday that the law violates the 19th Amendment by placing an undue burden on low-income Black women. A ruling last year by the Atlanta-based appeals court blocked most inroads to challenging the law, known as Senate Bill 7066. But attorneys for two Black women with felony records argued Thursday that a Florida federal judge applied the wrong legal standard in ruling against them on their claim that the payment requirement discriminates against women in violation of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause and the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote and provides that a citizen’s right to vote cannot be denied based on sex.”

LAWSON BACKS CRIST — Rep. Charlie Crist on Thursday picked up the endorsement of Rep. Al Lawson in his bid to become the Democratic nominee for governor. Lawson, a former state legislator from Tallahassee, said he has known Crist for years and “he’ll do as he does now, follow the Golden Rule and treat everyone with respect and dignity….I’ve watched him stand up to the powerful and do what’s right in Washington and in Florida. I know what’s in his heart, and I trust him to look out for all Floridians, not just some.” Lawson becomes the second Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to endorse Crist, who will square off against Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for the right to challenge incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis.

— “Lake County GOP House candidate gets boost from Richard Corcoran,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer

— “Nearly half of Ron DeSantis’ PAC money coming from outside Florida,” by Florida Politics’ Haley Brown

‘NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT’ — “Venezuelans in Orlando demand approval of Secure Act, a permanent path to residence,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio: “Those under the Temporary Protected Status or under DACA, which prevents the deportation of some immigrants brought to the United States as children, are urging Senator Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to co-sponsor the SECURE Act, which was introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and needs at least one Republican cosponsor and the support of 10 Republican senators to become law. ‘Ideally, that Republican co-sponsor should be from Florida,’ said William Díaz, a Venezuelan activist and founder of Casa de Venezuela. ‘They have always been very vocal, even I gave my support to Scott when he was in elections. Now is the time to act. Words without action are nothing.’”

TROUBLING — “Building safety audit: Few Broward cities completed 40-year safety checks,” by Sun Sentinel’s Brittany Wallman, Spencer Norris and Lisa J. Huriash: “Cities in Broward County largely ignored a program to check the safety of older buildings last year, a disturbing finding in the aftermath of the Surfside condo collapse. A first-ever audit of the building safety program elicited a round of nonchalant responses. Few cities in Broward completed a required check of older buildings to certify them safe, the audit uncovered. Many cities blamed the pandemic, but county officials dismissed that excuse.”

— “Unsafe condo building evacuated after years of safety violations,” by Sun Sentinel’s Lisa J. Huriash, Brittany Wallman and Angie Dimichele

TO COURT — “Jacksonville lawsuit calls taxpayer spending on Confederate memorials unconstitutional,” by Florida Times-Union Steve Patterson: “A Jacksonville civil rights activist asked a federal judge Thursday for an order barring the city and state from spending any money to maintain or preserve any public tribute to Confederates, from statues to street signs. ‘We want … to get the Confederacy off of welfare,’ said Earl M. Johnson Jr., who campaigns to remove memorials to the Confederacy through the website TakeItDownNow.org. The lawsuit argues that spending taxpayer money for tributes to the Confederacy violates the U.S. Constitution’s 13th and 14th Amendments, and says Johnson has ‘rights to be free of the badges, indicia and vestiges of slavery and to equal protection under the law.’”

THE MAN WITH THE BADGE — “‘Constitutional Sheriff’ Wayne Ivey says he’s a patriot. Others see something more menacing,” by Florida Today’s Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon: “[Brevard County Sheriff Wayne] Ivey is one of at least five Florida sheriffs with overt ties to the Constitutional Sheriffs movement. According to experts who follow groups like the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a foundational belief of the movement is the notion that sheriffs stand above the courts, above the president of United States and other authorities in interpreting the meaning of the many provisions of the U.S. Constitution.”

— “Six years ago Saturday, Austin and Perry went missing. A statue will honor all those lost at sea,” by Palm Beach Post’s Katherine Kokal

— “Florida homebuyers should rent and wait out housing boom, experts say,” by Sun Sentinel’s David Lyons

— “Asian-American Delray restaurant owner explains why he videoed racist tirade from 3 men,” by Palm Beach Post’s Victoria Villanueva-Marquez: “The men attempted to sit down in the restaurant's outdoor seats and eat pizza, but [Louis] Grayson told the men the restaurant was closing and they'd have to leave. The men did not want to leave and an argument escalated with several anti-Asian insults directed at Grayson, who felt uncomfortable enough to start recording a video. That further enraged the men, who continued on with an expletive-filled rant at Grayson. ‘Take your f***ing China flu and shove it up your a**,’ one man said, according to the video. ‘I hope you f***ing die of corona.’”

— “Hemingway Look-Alike Contest returns to the Florida Keys,” by The Associated Press: “The 40th edition of an Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest opened Thursday night at an iconic Key West bar once frequented by the author, marking the return of a contest canceled last year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some 70 stocky, bearded men resembling the late writer competed in the first of two preliminary rounds at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. The contest’s second preliminary round is set for Friday and the 2021 winner is to be chosen Saturday night. The three-night contest is a cornerstone of the island’s Hemingway Days festival, staged around the literary legend’s July 21 birthday to salute his writing talent, legacy and adventurous life.”

BIRTHDAYS: Fritz Brogan, co-founder and managing partner of Mission Group and national chairman of Maverick PAC … Charlie Justice, Pinellas County commissioner and former state representative ... Tracie Pough, chief of staff for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

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