Sermon

A Florida appeals court sharply criticized a Tallahassee grand jury's report on the Hope Florida charity, ordering it expunged and finding that jurors improperly accused individuals of criminal conduct while violating confidentiality rules. Gov. Ron DeSantis responded by calling for prosecutions of whoever leaked the report, while Democrats continue pressing for investigations into his administration. The ruling has elevated Hope Florida as a campaign issue ahead of next month's election, with gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds (R) and David Jolly (D) both campaigning amid Hurricane Isaias recovery efforts that have left thousands without power.

Separately, Florida's attorney general race is drawing national attention after Democratic candidate José Javier Rodríguez received a $5 million injection from a national party group, the largest such donation to a statewide Florida candidate this cycle, aimed at unseating appointed Republican AG James Uthmeier. Uthmeier is also pushing for added restrictions on Meta after rejecting a multi-state settlement. Meanwhile, documents tied to a 2021 "ghost candidate" scandal are resurfacing in Florida Power & Light's merger talks with Dominion Energy.

Former New Jersey Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State Dale Caldwell, who resigned Sept. 25 after an independent investigation concluded he committed sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules, is now pushing back on the findings and exploring legal options to challenge them.

Caldwell told NJ.com the report only accuses him of "verbal harassment," not sexual harassment, and denies making a comment attributed to him about "young sperm." He argues the investigation, conducted by law firm Lowenstein Sandler, relied almost entirely on one staffer's testimony while he was interviewed only once. He also disputed claims he sought a promotion for his girlfriend, a state employee. Gov. Mifflin Sherrill's administration, through spokesperson Sean Higgins, stood by the investigation's conclusions, calling the misconduct findings substantiated and part of a pattern.

Caldwell, a Methodist pastor, returned to his pulpit Sunday with a sermon on false accusations without directly referencing the allegations, while continuing to maintain his innocence and reflect publicly on the controversy.