Well, the first rule of Thursday night’s Democratic debate was a first in the history of the Republic: ABC asked Democrats to refrain from swearing during the three-hour event.

The network seemed particularly concerned about former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who has been dropping the F-bomb to express his anger about gun violence, but we think it was Bernie who got off the rails first. When speaking of his Medicare for All bill the old Socialist warhorse said, “I wrote the damn bill.”

Last week, Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee received almost $3.4 million in federal funds to continue studies on oceans and coastal communities. 

The $3.36 million in federal monies represents the fourth part of a five-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Educational Partnership Program to support FAMU’s Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME).

FAMU President Larry Robinson is the CCME’s director and principal investigator and he noted the Center has provided more than 75 scholarships since 2016. 

A congressman from the Sunshine State wants the federal government to change how it classifies marijuana. 

Freshman U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., brought out the “Marijuana 1-to-3 Act” last week. 

The bill will have the U.S. attorney general to change the Controlled Substances Act and reclassify marijuana from a schedule I controlled substance to a schedule III controlled substance. 

When he showcased the bill on Thursday, Steube insisted his legislation, if enacted, will ensure there is more research on marijuana. 

The program that has already eliminated more than 2,500 invasive pythons from Florida's Everglades is about to double down on its success.

With Gov. Ron DeSantis' encouragement and Thursday's vote by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board, the Python Elimination Program has been expanded.