Nearly 9,000 mail-in ballots yet to be returned in Escambia, 735K statewide

According to Florida’s Secretary of State, 735,681 mail-in ballots have yet to be returned as of 5 a.m. this morning. The majority of which are…

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Florida Lt. Governor on impact of early voting [podcast]

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera appeared yesterday on “Pensacola Speaks” to promote early voting. I asked him how early voting impacts an election. “One, a vote…

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State Backroom Briefing: Red State, Blue State

(Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida) By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA As this year’s presidential race bounces along, the…

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Net worths of Florida Cabinet reported

By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Rick Scott’s net worth dropped nearly 19 percent — mainly due to a reduction in the…

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Pensacola ranked third best Florida city to find a job

Wallet Hub has ranked Pensacola the third best Florida city for finding a job, trailing only Sarasota and Jacksonville Beach. Pensacola ranked #10 in Job…

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Florida given 2016 Silver Shovel awards

Area Development, the leading publication focused on site selection and facility planning, has given Florida a 2016 Silver Shovel Award in recognition of projects undertaken…

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Florida ranked fourth for tech industry employment

Earlier this week, the non-profit tech association CompTIA released its Cyberstates 2016 report, which provides a state-by-state analysis of the U.S. technology job market. Florida’s…

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Florida TaxWatch: Transportation infrastructure needs

Robert Weissert, executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch, said on “Pensacola Speaks” that the shortfall for the state’s transportation infrastructure needs is more than a…

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Escambia County senior classes lose over 30 percent between ninth and twelfth grades

The enrollment of the Escambia County School District has been relatively stable for several years, losing only 14 students between the 2012-13 and 2015-16 school…

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Florida Taxwatch supports a funding increase for state infrastructure

Florida TaxWatch believes the investments in transportation infrastructure provide greater productivity and improved quality of life for all Floridians. Its new report found that Florida…

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Gaetz hopeful lawmakers will hammer out health care solution

Don Gaetz is hopeful that the Florida House and Senate will hammer out a budget in June. The biggest sticking point is how the state…

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Breaking news: Florida House flips out Senate, adjourns

From News Service of Florida: Amid a bitter impasse with the Senate about the budget and health-care issues, the House adjourned “sine die” about 1:15…

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Florida Cabinet slows down agency appointments

Capitol watchers were given a glimpse this week of the next chapter in the showdown between the governor and Cabinet members over department-head appointments. Aides…

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Viewpoint: The ‘They changed the formula’ education excuse

By Jac Wilder VerSteeg, Context Florida Florida’s national ranking by Education Week has dropped precipitously, to No. 28. In 2013, Florida was ranked No. 6….

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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….

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Unemployment rate holds steady in Florida

By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida’s jobless mark continued its steady run through 2014, holding at 6.2 percent from June to July,…

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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…

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State drops voter purge

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida In an election-year turnaround, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration is dropping a problematic voter purge aimed at keeping…

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Uh, one more gun bill. This time it involves schools and NRA. What could go wrong?

By Margie Menzek, The News Service of Florida A bill backed by the National Rifle Association that lawmakers said would add “common sense” to zero-tolerance…

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Yes, sir. Florida Legislature has another gun bill

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Insurance companies could face tougher penalties if they impose higher rates, refuse to issue or cancel auto…

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