Category: State & National News
D.C. teacher evaluation system
Washington Post: The District of Columbia’s new teacher evaluation system, IMPACT, is becoming a national model. Master educators observe, critique and evaluate teachers. Read more.
Senate proposes to suspend prepaid tuition
First it was reducing Bright Future scholarships. Now it’s the highly successful Florida Prepaid College program. What do Republicans have against college education? Read more.
Scott launches ugly website
It’s almost as bad as gulf1….not quite, but very close. Gov. Rick Scott brags he will give all the pension figures for state employees, but…
Nine more dead dolphins found
Mobile Press Register reports: Nine more dolphin carcasses have been recovered in Alabama and Mississippi since Saturday, bringing the total for the two states to…
Some GOP still fear ACORN, which doesn’t exist
According to the latest survey by Public Policy Polling: In November of 2009, 52 percent of Republicans thought ACORN had stolen the election for Barack…
Palin’s popularity slipping
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals a potentially troubling sign for the former Alaska governor. Read more.
Riding Moby Dick to Atlantis
Those are the chances that Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas gives on anyone ever riding the Sun Rail to downtown Orlando. Thomas fires off some…
Satellite photos of Japan, before and after
From Washington Post, aerial photos taken over Japan have revealed the scale of devastation across the country. See photos.
Surprise: O’Keefe NPR sting heavily edited
Quote of the Day: There are “two ways to lie,” Al Tompkins, a senior faculty member for broadcasting and online at the Poynter Institute, told…
Elected officials do very well under Florida pensions
From Sun-Sentinel: State and local officeholders are entitled by law to special treatment that allows them to accrue benefits faster and retire with bigger payments…
Year of the GOP Governor
From Miami Herald: Republicans now hold the governor’s office in 29 states. In addition to New Jersey’s Chris Christie, Florida’s Rick Scott, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker…
Carnival Cruises pulls out of Mobile
Last decade, cruise ships were seen as possible salvation for the Port of Pensacola. Of course, the City could get its act together and Mobile…
Escambia County Seeing a Reduction in Crime
PRESS RELEASE: A new proactive crime-fighting unit, more deputies on the street and a focus on gun related crimes has resulted in a reduction of…
Tsunami alert (video/photos)
Google: Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9…
Budget madness: does cutting taxes help
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities issued Wednesday its report on budget shortfalls. The upcoming fiscal year (FY2012) is shaping up as one of states’…
Muslim-phobia gets out hand in Tallahassee, France
The Miami Herald reports that two GOP lawmakers want to pass a law make sure Florida courts aren’t corrupted by Muslim Sharia law. Neither Sen….
Gov. Rick Scott – Job Creator Speech (with fact checking)
Here is the prepared text of his “State of the State” speech to the Florida Legislature at its opening session: President Haridopolos, Speaker Cannon, Chief…
For a Better Florida
The St. Petersburg Times has published every year since 1951 its preview of the annual legislative session, “For a Better Florida.” It gives an insightful…
Florida Chamber goes after teachers
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has begun running radio ads attacking teachers for opposing the so-called “merit pay” bills in the state legislature. Using fear…
Little Gaetz wants to cut off complusive gambling fee
Rep. Matt Gaetz has introduced legislation that would eliminate a $250,000 regulatory fee pari-mutuel gambling facilities with slot machines pay to help fund the Florida…
