Your guide to understanding Newsom and DeSantis ahead of their Thursday debate — and how they are shaping life in California and Florida.

Emphasizing that they “want a real debate — not a circus,” Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click said in a statement, “We’ve agreed to the debate — provided there is no cheering section, no hype videos or any of the other crutches DeSantis requested.

A Thursday event moderated by Sean Hannity will feature two governors who aren’t rivals for office but have long sparred.

A report comparing speech and expression laws in California and Florida finds fault with both states but reserves its harshest judgment for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.