Florida
Florida lawmakers sue for access to Alligator Alcatraz; DeSantis’ office calls suit “dumb”
Five Democratic Florida lawmakers filed a lawsuit Thursday against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), alleging they were unlawfully blocked from conducting an unannounced inspection of the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention facility in the Everglades.
The petition, filed with the Florida Supreme Court, argues that DeSantis and FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie exceeded their legal authority when they denied legislators entry on July 3.
Under Florida law, lawmakers are entitled to inspect detention facilities without notice.
Lawmakers cite urgent oversight concerns
The petitioners—State Senators Shevrin Jones and Carlos Guillermo Smith and State Representatives Anna Eskamani, Angie Nixon and Michele Rayner—are seeking a writ of quo warranto, a legal challenge to test whether public officials are acting within their lawful authority.
In a joint statement, the lawmakers said the governor’s refusal to allow the unannounced visit “was a deliberate obstruction meant to hide what’s really happening behind those gates.”
They described the facility as “tantamount to a modern-day concentration camp,” citing serious safety concerns, flooding and its remote location in the Everglades.
“This is not only about transparency; it’s about whether the governor can unilaterally block oversight from a co-equal branch of government,” the lawmakers said.
DeSantis’ office dismisses lawsuit as “dumb”
In a statement, Governor DeSantis’ Deputy Press Secretary Sierra Dean dismissed the lawsuit, calling it “frivolous” and saying the state “looks forward to quickly dispensing with this dumb lawsuit.”
Dean added that all Florida legislators had been invited to a scheduled tour of the facility this weekend.
The lawmakers say they plan to attend the FDEM’s prearranged 90-minute tour on Saturday but insist it does not meet the legal standard for independent legislative oversight.
“The law is unambiguous: We have the right to inspect detention facilities at any time, without prior notice,” the petitioners said in a statement.
“Oversight cannot be choreographed. This tour is not about transparency; it’s about containment.”
Tennessee has almost certainly played itself out of the College Football Playoff conversation, but it can still put itself into a decent bowl and end its season on a high note with a win here, combined with another against insurgent rival Vanderbilt.
Florida has no ability to get to a bowl at just 3-7, but can hand two of its rivals an ugly late-season loss with a good showing against the Vols this week and then against Florida State in the finale.
1. Tennessee’s Offensive Explosiveness
Tennessee enters the matchup with the No. 2 offense in the country, led by quarterback Joey Aguilar and a host of playmakers at the skill positions.
The Volunteers average 43.4 points per game and almost 500 total yards, frequently hitting explosive plays in the passing game and mixing in a solid running attack.
For Florida to have a chance, its defense must contain Tennessee’s high-powered offense and disrupt Aguilar’s rhythm early.
2. Florida’s Run Defense and Second-Half Play
A key storyline is Florida’s struggle against the run, giving up 470 rushing yards in its last two games, and its inability to play a full 60 minutes, particularly on offense.
Tennessee uses their run game to set up play action, and Florida’s defense must get set quickly against the Vols’ up-tempo approach.
The Gators also need to improve offensively in the second half, as scoring droughts and stalled drives have cost them winnable games.
3. Turnover Margin
Both teams have had turnover issues, but it has been particularly damaging for Florida, ranking near the bottom nationally in giveaways.
Tennessee is opportunistic, forcing 19 turnovers this season, and the Volunteers thrive when winning the turnover battle.
Key takeaways or lost possessions could swing momentum and prove decisive in a game that is expected to be close, with simulations and expert picks predicting a one-score outcome.
Bettors predictably are siding with the Vols, but expect a much closer game.
Tennessee is a 3.5 point favorite against Florida, according to the updates game lines posted to FanDuel Sportsbook.
FanDuel lists the total at 57.5 points for the matchup, and set the moneyline odds for Tennessee at -178 and for Florida at +150 to win outright.
Tennessee has not won a game at Florida since 2003, a streak of 10 straight losses, but if there is a year where the Gators can get got in the Swamp, this is it. Just ask USF.
Joey Aguilar leads a Vols offense that is among the most explosive and consistent in college football, but it has one major weakness, turning the ball over at the worst times. Still, the Gators are worse in that department, averaging 90th in FBS in turnover margin.
Florida has bodies on defense that can make this interesting. Consider close results against Georgia and Ole Miss, and a win against a then top-ten Texas at home.
And with nothing to lose, they could make this very close, especially against a Tennessee pass defense that is just 118th in the country.
College Football HQ picks…
When: Sat., Nov. 22
Where: Florida
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: ABC network
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Florida
The Florida Orchestra Launches Partnership with University of South Florida School of Music – Symphony
In Wednesday’s (11/19) WUSF (Tampa), Susan Giles Wantuck writes, “The Florida Orchestra’s music director and resident conductor will serve as ‘artists-in-residence’ this season at the University of South Florida’s School of Music. The Florida Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in the state, and a big part of what they do in the community is teaching. Now, they’ve established a partnership with the University of South Florida’s School of Music to work with students in the USF Symphony Orchestra. The goal is to provide students with the opportunity to gain professional-level experiences and build for the future. Chelsea Gallo, the Florida Orchestra’s resident conductor, said, ‘Both Michael Francis (the orchestra’s music director) and I are artists-in-residence for the University of South Florida, and it’s really cool…. These young musicians are so talented, they’re so eager.’… The 70 USF undergraduate and graduate students will also have the chance to work side-by-side with TFO musicians and attend masterclasses conducted by internationally renowned guest artists…. Chris Garvin, dean of USF College of Design, Art & Performance, which includes the School of Music said, ‘…This initiative … [creates] lasting bonds between the university, the orchestra and the community we serve.’ ”
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