Category: State & National News
Prison health firm cancels contract with state
By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Saying a contract with the state is “too constraining,” a company that provides health care to 75,000…
Senate could drop Confederate flag from seal
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA State senators are scheduled next week to begin considering whether to keep the Confederate flag on the…
Miller is not considering a 2016 run for Senate
On Pensacola Speaks yesterday, Congressman Jeff Miller, who represents Northwest Florida, said that running for U.S. Senate next year is not up for discussion. “I…
Ingram chosen to chair House Transportation Subcommittee
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) today announced his choice of Representative Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola) to serve as Chairman of the House Transportation & Economic…
Video: Pam Bondi defends herself
The News Service of Florida posted this video of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi adamantly defending herself when questioned about news reports implying she has…
Jeb Bush, 2016 presidential candidate? It’s 50-50
In an interview Sunday on “Face the Nation,†former President George W. Bush put the chances of his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, running…
TaxWatch recommends paroling elderly prisoners
Florida’s prison population is rapidly increasing despite declining crime rates, and the latest report from Florida TaxWatch recommends options to prevent increasing costs from overwhelming…
Poll show Governor’s race too close to call
By DARA KAM and JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Less than two months before Election Day, Florida voters are split between their top…
Patronis selected for Public Service Commission
When Gov. Rick Scott visited Pensacola this summer for a rally at a VFW hall, Jimmy Patronis introduced him to the crowd. That relationship has…
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…
