Category: State & National News

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.

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 the spreadsheet only lists job titles, no…

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 62 since Jan. 1. Federal officials also…

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 Obama in 2008. Now only 25 percent…

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals a potentially troubling sign for the former Alaska governor. Read more.

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 great one-liners in this column about how…

From Washington Post, aerial photos taken over Japan have revealed the scale of devastation across the country. See photos.

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 NPR, “One is to tell me something…

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 than most other workers. Among retirees in…

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 and Ohio’s John Kasich, here are some…

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 landed Carnival. Now the cruise line has…

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 crime in Escambia County. One month after…

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 earthquake in Japan. See slideshow. Reuters: The…

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’ most difficult budget years on record, according…

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. Alan Hays nor Rep. Larry Metz, though,…

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 Justice Canady, members of the Supreme Court,…

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 view into this year’s session. Read more.

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 tactics that have have become the standard…

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 Council on Compulsive Gambling. According to the…

Mobile Press Register: Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon has not decided whether she will retry former Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine on murder and stalking charges. Until she does, Circuit Judge…