Category: State & National News
A cautious optimism prevails at child protection summit
By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA New money, a new leader and a sweeping new law had Florida’s child-welfare professionals and foster parents…
Florida will have $336 million surplus next year
State lawmakers will have about $336 million extra in the budget year that begins next July, according to a draft state report issued late Wednesday….
Poll shows Scott has a lead over Crist
TIMES/UF POLL SHOWS SCOTT WITH LEAD Little more than two months before Election Day, a new poll shows Republican Gov. Rick Scott with a 5-point…
Legislative panel questions proposed pot rule
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A legislative panel that plays a key role in overseeing state agencies has joined the chorus of…
Gay marriage case sent to Florida Supreme Court
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida’s ban on gay marriage is now in the hands of the state’s highest court after an…
State Capital Buzz: School Vouchers, Veterans dealing with PTSD
LAWSUIT SEEKS TO END SCHOOL VOUCHERS PROGRAM A coalition of groups and individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the constitutionality of a de facto…
State Capital Briefs: Primary results within a hour of polls close, victory for net fishermen
MORE THAN 1.1M VOTERS CAST ABSENTEE, EARLY BALLOTS More than 1.1 million votes were cast in Florida before Tuesday’s primary-election day began, with over 850,000…
Wife asks to reduce Mark Turner’s sentence
One of the strangest interviews I did while covering the Billings murders was with Mark Turner. He shared a lot of insights on the used…
Breaking News: Federal judge strikes down gay marriage ban
From The News Service of Florida U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Thursday struck down Florida’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The 33-page decision followed…
Scott talks climate change with scientists
By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Amid questions about his views on global warming, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday met with five Florida…
Panel to interview Murzin for Public Service Commisson spot, Aug. 28
A state panel is expected to nominate candidates for two spots on the Florida Public Service Commission after conducting interviews Aug. 28 in Miami. The…
Judge rules Democratic candidate for AG meets residency requirements
By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A legal move to disqualify one of two Democratic candidates for Florida attorney general failed Friday when…
Crist takes on Scott over pot plan
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA On the campaign trail in South Florida, former Gov. Charlie Crist blasted Gov. Rick Scott’s administration Friday…
Rubber ducks attack Congressman (video)
SaintPetersblog.com reports that Florida Democratic Party volunteers delivered on Wednesday more than five dozen rubber ducks to Panama City field office of Congressman Steve Southerland…
State sets six major road projects for 2015, closest is Bay County
Six large road projects throughout Florida, with a combined cost of $806.7 million, have been formally moved to the front of the state’s Five Year…
Bondi: FDA Cigar rules ‘Overboard’
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled as “overbroad” the federal government’s proposed regulations to link electronic cigarettes, cigars…
Redistricting session over, not everyone is happy
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The special redistricting session held by the Legislature lasted just five days, but the two-year battle over…
Crist bans Tampa Bay Times reporter from campaign bus
Politicians and their staffs attacking and “punishing” reporters who are critical is not just a city of Pensacola phenomenon. The Crist campaign has decided not…
Backroom Briefing: Looking for Charlie and taking out the cat boxes
Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida By DARA KAM AND BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Politicos often refer to campaign…
Third Florida judge strikes down gay-marriage ban
In the latest victory for same-sex couples, a Broward County judge has struck down Florida’s ban on gay marriage, but this time to open the…
