Dirty money: How 'pay for play' helps special interests slant the story

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There's no shortage of hacks and flacks in the state capitol, would-be "journalists" who'll print anything for a buck.

That's why we were amused by National Public Radio's recent takedown of Florida Politics, a well-known source of political news, opinion — and bullsugar. The story alleged Florida Politics "distorted coverage at the behest of corporate interests and political campaigns" and prioritizes news coverage based on who pays to advertise. We've seen so much pro-Big Sugar propaganda out of Florida Politics over the years, the story rang true. And it's just one more example of how "dirty money" funds sophisticated attempts to skew news coverage in favor of deep-pocketed special interests, to the detriment of citizens and our environment.

For more, check out our latest blog post.

Lake O watch: 16.13 feet and rising

Gulp.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has warned damaging discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers will begin if and when Lake Okeechobee hits 16.5 feet.

As of Wednesday the lake stood at 16.13 feet, with more rain on the way.

Army Corps officials have been cautiously optimistic this wet season, and in recent weeks have been "banking" water — retaining it in the lake instead of releasing it to the estuaries. But the recent heavy rainfalls could break the bank as massive inflows from the north swell the lake.

We'll keep you updated — and you keep your fingers crossed!

VoteWater gave state legislators an earful last week, with board member Suzee Bailey speaking before the Broward County Legislative Delegation meeting Oct. 4, and Executive Director Gil Smart speaking at the Martin County meeting Oct. 5 and the St. Lucie County meeting Oct. 6. Both Bailey and Smart asked legislators to vote against any attempt in the upcoming session to weaken wetlands protections, or to undermine "strong" local fertilizer ordinances with summer blackout periods. VoteWater will also be heading to Tallahassee during the session (which runs from Jan. 9-March 8) to do additional lobbying on key proposals.

Our latest Deep Dive looks at the flawed research that may be the basis for new legislation on fertilizer bans. An upcoming report from the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Research (IFAS) is expected to conclude local fertilizer ordinances with summer "blackout" periods aren't effective; if so legislators may attempt to "ban the bans" — preempting local governments from passing a "strong" ordinance, or even retroactively pre-empting/repealing the bans already in place in 18 counties and more than 100 municipalities across Florida.

We break down the reasons why it's a terrible idea — and could make our dirty water even filthier.

P.S. Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signature by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. The petition can be printed out and signed here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/