State & National News - Rick's Blog

Breaking News: Judge orders revised Congressional map

From The News Service of Florida Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis on Friday ordered the Legislature to submit a revised map of congressional districts…

Miller speaks out for VA reform

Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veteransâ€™ Affairs: â€œThe Department of Veterans Affairs is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis caused by corruption,…

Gaetz defends his ethics reform laws

Dear Neighbor, We have a bit of good news for those who support holding our elected officials accountable through strong ethics laws. Earlier this week,…

Lawmaker files bill to get around sovereign immunity

Escambia County is hoping that the state’s sovereign immunity laws will limit how much it has to pay to victims hurt in the April jail…

NRA wins appeal, doctors can not ask patients if they own guns

The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has ruled that doctors do not have the right to ask patients if they own…

Smoke ’em if you got ’em: medical pot has huge support

By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Floridians really, really support the legalization of medical marijuana, according to a poll released Monday morning. The…

Net worth up for most Florida lawmakers

By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA For most state lawmakers, 2013 was another good year financially, regardless of party. Still, those with an…

Buzz: Crist will be in Pensacola this weekend

Charlie Crist will be in the Pensacola area this weekend. Fred Levin is hosting a big fundraiser for him, and he will be tour area…

Redistricting clash heats up as hearing approaches

By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Voting-rights advocates and the Legislature squabbled Wednesday about when the state’s congressional elections should be held as…

Poll: Governor’s race still tight, Crist has five-point lead

By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA With the campaign dominated by a barrage of back-and-forth attacks, Democrat Charlie Crist’s lead over Republican incumbent…

Health Department issues air quality alert for Wedgewood neighborhood

Health Alert: Wedgewood Air Quality Effective immediately, in response to air quality monitoring, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) is issuing a…

Circuit Judge declares marriage ban unconstitutional

Today, Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Luis M. Garcia issued a ruling declaring the state of Floridaâ€™s ban on marriage for same-sex couples unconstitutional. The…

Crist taps Annette Taddeo as Running Mate

Charlie Crist, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, today announced Miami businesswoman Annette Taddeo as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Taddeo is the…

Wild West Florida: Felons can use ‘Stand Your Ground’

An appeals court Wednesday said a convicted felon could use the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law to seek immunity from prosecution in the shooting…

Putnam: Beware of Giant Land Snails

With inspectors at Los Angeles International Airport confiscating 67 Giant African Land Snails, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam issued a warning Tuesday about the destructive…

Prison Captain fired for failing to report on criminal activity

With the Florida Department of Corrections under heavy scrutiny, Secretary Michael Crews on Tuesday ordered the firing of a Columbia Correctional Institution captain because of…

Breaking News: Legislature won’t appeal redistricting map ruling

House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz said this morning the Legislature does not plan to appeal a judge’s ruling that struck down…