Food safety

Florida's agriculture commissioner race is heating up as incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson seeks a second term against Democratic challenger Joey Mendoza Atkins, a trial attorney. Simpson touts his record protecting farmland from development, upgrading wildfire-fighting equipment, and building a new headquarters projected to save taxpayers money long-term. Atkins is campaigning on affordability, pledging to close a tax loophole that lets developers claim agricultural exemptions, push for gas and diesel tax relief for farmers, and oppose data center expansion. The low-profile but consequential cabinet post oversees food safety, firearm licensing, and wildfire response. No public polling is yet available on the contest.

California voters will decide in November on Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on the net worth of the state's roughly 250 billionaires. Supporters estimate the measure could raise about $100 billion, with 90% directed to healthcare and the rest split between food assistance and education. Backers argue the funds are urgently needed as federal budget cuts under the Trump administration have already stripped Medi-Cal coverage from more than 200,000 Los Angeles County residents, with researchers warning losses could exceed 1 million statewide by 2028. Advocates, including six Nobel-winning economists, say California billionaires' combined wealth has grown from $700 billion to roughly $2.3 trillion in a decade and that they can afford the tax.

Opponents, including Governor Gavin Newsom, argue such taxation should happen at the federal level and warn of legal and administrative challenges, with rival measures already placed on the ballot. Critics call the proposal's design complex, and a court challenge is considered likely if it passes. The measure's fate could set a precedent for other states weighing wealth taxes.

Westmoreland County officials say a state inspection of the Westmoreland County Prison conducted last fall found only minor, already-corrected infractions, and that the findings had no connection to the recent firing of Warden Steve Pelesky. Commissioner Doug Chew, chairman of the county's prison board, said the Nov. 5 inspection by the state Department of Corrections identified seven minor findings—three security issues (all inventory control related), two sanitation concerns, and one each involving housing and food safety—with no citations or major deficiencies.

Pelesky was terminated last week after two weeks on paid administrative leave, with officials citing only "employment issues." Deputy Warden Robert Fagan was also removed from his active role and placed on leave, while Deputy Warden Ben Carrillo, hired in March, is now acting top administrator. The prison, which holds up to 710 inmates, has undergone annual inspections since a 2023 review found multiple deficiencies that preceded former Warden Bryan Kline's resignation. It is not scheduled for inspection in 2026.