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Florida elections officials seek flexibility on voting rules after hurricanes

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Florida elections officials seek flexibility on voting rules after hurricanes


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida’s recent hurricanes could make it difficult for voters in affected areas to cast their ballots in the upcoming election unless Gov. Ron DeSantis waives and modifies some rules, county election supervisors said in a letter to state officials.

In a six-page letter sent Tuesday by the supervisors’ association to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who oversees elections, the group said Hurricanes Helene and Milton have destroyed polling sites and left some of their employees, voters and poll workers homeless.

Most of the affected counties are on the Gulf Coast, where both storms caused major damage.

Association Executive Director David Ramba listed 10 modifications for DeSantis to consider including granting extra time for setting up early voting and drop box sites, giving voters flexibility in requesting mail-in ballots and waiving training for some poll workers. State law gives the governor authority to modify voting rules after hurricanes and other natural disasters.

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Florida is expecting a large turnout as voters will be casting ballots for not only president and Senate but ballot propositions that would legalize marijuana and overturn the state’s newly enacted ban on abortion six weeks after conception. Early voting starts Monday in some Florida counties and most mail-in ballots have already been sent. The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot is next week.

Ryan Cox, Ramba’s deputy, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the state’s election supervisors will be able get their polls open and ballots cast if given some flexibility. While Florida long had a reputation as a national laughingstock for its election problems, starting with the 2000 presidential recount, its 2020 and 2022 elections were conducted with almost no problems.

“These supervisors are very, very, very good at working through what they need,” Cox said. “They are very good at making decisions very quickly and modifying what their set plan was to make sure that every single person that wants to vote has an opportunity to do that.”

The group’s letter listed multiple Florida counties that experienced “significant damage” following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with repeated mentions to counties surrounding Tampa Bay: Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas and Pasco. The letter noted that multiple polling locations have been “destroyed or rendered inaccessible due to flooding and structural damage.”

Byrd’s office not respond to a request for comment Wednesday on whether the state would grant flexibility or accommodations. Byrd is appointed by DeSantis.

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Following Helene, DeSantis did issue an executive order allowing counties to make changes to early voting sites and ease mail-in ballot restrictions. But he rejected the supervisors’ request to extend the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline. They said an extension was needed as some areas were cleaning up from Helene while also preparing for Milton.

Amy Keith, Florida executive director for the voting advocacy group Common Cause, said it and other groups have also sent a letter to DeSantis and Byrd asking them to extend the registration deadline because of the storms and to make other voting accommodations in the affected counties.

“I am extremely concerned that during this election, things will prove a lot more complicated for voters and their families who are still recovering from the catastrophic damages from both of these record-breaking storms,” Keith said.



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Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators

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Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators


JAKARTA, Indonesia — Gator grad Leanne Wong soared to World Championships silver today at Indonesia Arena, matching her 2021 finish in a thrilling repeat showdown with Russia’s Angelina Melnikova. Just a tenth of a point separated the two all-around leaders in the final standings.
 
Wong, sitting fourth before the final rotation, delivered a clutch Cheng vault that earned the highest vault score of the day (14.466) and launched her into the lead—until Melnikova’s closing floor routine edged her out for gold.
 

 
The one-two all-around finish was a repeat of the 2021 World Championships, when Melnikova and Wong also went one-two.

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“Of course it’s disappointing to see your name go to second place, but overall I’m happy with the competition,” Wong said, according to the FIG. “I just take it a competition at a time, and I was happy to make it to the Worlds and to be winning a medal.”

 

U.S. teammate Dulcy Caylor took 13th in the final standings.

 

Another Gator looks for World Championships hardware tomorrow. Rising sophomore Skye Blakely earned a place in the uneven bars final after posting a score of 14.166 to qualify seventh. That final will take place Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 a.m. ET.

 

Coverage of the World Championships event finals streams live on Peacock.

 

 

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World Championships All-Around Final Scores

 

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World Championships All-Around Top 15
Place Name Nation Total
1 Angelina MELNIKOVA AIN 55.066
2 Leanne WONG USA 54.966
3 Qingying ZHANG CHN 54.633
4 Kaylia NEMOUR ALG 54.564
5 Asia D’AMATO ITA 53.532
6 Rina KISHI JPN 53.232
7 Aiko SUGIHARA JPN 53.132
8 Abigail MARTIN GBR 52.998
9 Naomi VISSER NED 52.299
10 Ruby EVANS GBR 52.066
11 Liudmila ROSHCHINA AIM 51.999
12 Breanna SCOTT AUS 51.798
13 Dulcy CAYLOR USA 51.532
14 Alba PETISCO ESP 51.399
15 Kaia TANSKANEN FIN 51.266

 
2025 FIG World Championships Schedule – Women
Senior women’s competition schedule:

  • Friday, Oct. 24 | 3 a.m. ET | Vault & Uneven Bars Final | Peacock
  • Saturday, Oct. 25 | 3 a.m. ET | Balance Beam & Floor Exercise Final | Peacock

 
Tape-Delay

  • Sunday, Oct. 26 | 12 p.m. ET | Women’s All-Around Final | NBC

 

 

 





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Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown

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Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown


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  • A potential federal government shutdown could delay November SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million Floridians.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has alerted states that funding will run out if the shutdown continues past Nov. 1.
  • October benefits will still be issued, and any existing balance on EBT cards can still be used.

Nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on food stamps to provide or supplement their food budget may see their benefits for November delayed if the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, earlier this month, alerting them that funding is running out and they won’t receive disbursements for November if the shutdown persists. SNAP provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food.

That will affect the 42 million Americans currently receiving SNAP benefits, including 2.8 million in Florida, the state Department of Children and Families confirmed. The program is funded by the federal government but administered by each state.

“If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored,” an alert on Florida’s SNAP website says. “You may receive notices about your eligible benefit amount, but you will not receive any benefits deposited to your EBT card during this time.”

SNAP benefits for October will continue and DCF is still processing initial applications and renewals, DCF spokeswoman Anna Archambault confirmed in an email. Newly approved recipients may receive notification about November eligibility, but will not get benefits yet.

Here’s what to know.

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What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Why aren’t SNAP benefits going out in November?

The federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Florida, SNAP is managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS).

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The federal government shutdown is affecting large areas of the federal government, including the Agriculture department. SNAP benefits were already obligated for October but further funding may be delayed.

How does SNAP work?

Once you are approved to receive SNAP benefits, you receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT), a physical, reloadable card like a debit card that can be used at participating retailers to buy approved items or to withdraw cash at specified locations.

Monthly benefits appear on the card’s balance. Sales tax cannot be charged on items you buy with an EBT card.

Can I still use the balance on my EBT card?

Yes, you still can use your existing SNAP benefits, which roll over every month if not used. You can check your EBT card’s balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling 888-356-3281.

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Who is eligible to receive SNAP benefits in Florida?

SNAP eligibility is based on income, resources, and the size of your household. Eligibility rules are set at the federal level but individual states may change them. In Florida:

  • You must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen and be able to prove your identity. You must have a Social Security number or proof you have applied for one.
  • Individuals aged 16 – 59 must meet General Work Requirements for SNAP unless exempt, such as being unable to work, caring for young children or incapacitated persons, or being a student. Additionally, adults aged 18 – 59, unless exempt, must work or participate in the SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T).
  • Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Some household expenses such as shelter expenses, dependent care, medical expenses, child support paid, utility deductions, earned income deduction may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget.
  • Households must report when their total monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for their household size and when work hours of able-bodied adults fall below 80 hours per month.  The household must report these changes within 10 days after the end of the month of the change.
  • Most food assistance households may have assets such as vehicles, bank accounts, or property and still get help. Households with a disqualified member must meet an asset limit of $2,500 ($3,750 if the household contains an elderly or disabled member.

Requirements for SNAP benefits became more restrictive since the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expanded the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for SNAP by increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54. The Florida Department of Children and Families expanded its own definition to include adults up through 59 years old and increased the mandatory employment and training program (SNAP E&T) from 80 hours every month to 120.

What can I buy with SNAP benefits in Florida?

Households can use food assistance benefits to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for their household to eat.

Households cannot use food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.

Who is ineligible for Florida SNAP benefits?

Reasons for SNAP ineligibility include:

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  • Conviction of drug trafficking
  • Fleeing a felony warrant
  • Breaking SNAP Program rules
  • Noncitizens without a qualified status
  • Students attending an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances

Contributing: Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida



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University of Florida Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan to Take Leave of Absence – Florida Gators

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University of Florida Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan to Take Leave of Absence – Florida Gators


GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Head Baseball Coach Kevin O’Sullivan will take a leave of absence from his coaching duties to address personal matters, effective immediately.

During O’Sullivan’s absence, Chuck Jeroloman will assume leadership of the baseball program on an interim basis.

“I appreciate the support of the University and athletic department, “said O’Sullivan. “I have some personal and family issues that need my full attention at this time.”

“Coach O’Sullivan has our full support as he takes the time he needs to focus on personal matters,” said Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. “We appreciate his openness in communicating this decision, and respect his need for privacy.”

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