FEATURED
STORIES
Feds give final OK for 8 early voting days, state says
By Steve Bouquet
Tampa Bay Times
Related: Florida primary saw early voting surge across state
Gov. Rick Scott's administration has announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has given its final OK for Florida's new eight-day schedule of early voting in five counties that are under federal civil rights supervision, ending 15 months of costly and contentious litigation.
Florida Supervisors Of Elections Speak Out Against New Voter Purge
By Josh Israel
Think Progress
As Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) and his Secretary of State continue their Ahab-like attempts to revive their failed voter purge, a bipartisan chorus of local elections supervisors are expressing frustration and concern about the cost and timing of the effort.
Scott continues to 'brag' about numbers that actually show underperforming economy
By Toluse Olorrunipa
Miami Herald
Gov. Rick Scott continued to tout a drop in Florida’s unemployment rate Thursday, despite objective data from economists that say the reduction is nothing to celebrate.
Florida's drug testing of welfare applicants was 'chaotic,' lawsuit says
By Kathleen Haughney
Orlando Sentinel
Kidney patients required to give urine samples through a catheter.
Democrats criticize budget cuts as Scott touts education
News Service of Florida
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
With Gov. Rick Scott visiting several public schools this week and highlighting what he says is his understanding that Floridians want good schools and his intention to do something about it, Democrats teed off Thursday on the GOP education funding record.
If Scott had been listening, he wouldn’t need a ‘listening tour.’
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
Gov. Scott suddenly is interested enough in education to embark on a statewide “listening” tour.
BEST
OF THE BLOGS
Is the Florida GOP already hedging its bets on Mitt Romney winning Florida?
By Peter Schorsch
Saint Petersblog
The Republican Party of Florida last week launched a compelling, well-coordinated advertising campaign spread across several mediums and outlets.
Online Educator K12 Being Investigated By Florida Department of Education
By Floridagal
Daily Kos
I think there is a definite place in education for online classes.
Want the Real “New” Voter Registration Numbers in Florida?
By Dr. Daniel Smith
Election Smith
Matt Dixon of the Florida Times Union, who I think is a fine journalist, had a piece the other day with the headline: Democratic registration all but dries up since new Florida laws.
Fight Voter Suppression in Orlando
By Ellen Bravo
Family Values Network
This is what democracy does NOT look like.
America’s Hidden Austerity Program
By Ben Polak and Peter K. Schott
New York Times Economix
Why is the recovery from this recession different from recoveries from past recessions?
FLORIDA
POLITICS
Fighting to protect the vote in Florida
By Adora Obi-Nweze
Tampa Tribune
Gov. Rick Scott came into office promising smaller government, but perhaps he meant "government elected by a smaller amount of people."
After mistakenly purging voters, Florida adds them back
By Lizette Alvarez
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
In a partial victory for voter rights and immigrant groups, Florida residents who were mistakenly removed from the voter rolls this year because the state classified them as noncitizens will be returned to the rolls and allowed to vote in November.
Rick Scott is Florida’s Public Enemy No. 1
By Moises Reyes
Independent Alligator
When it comes to treating Florida’s poor like social parasites, it’s full speed ahead for Gov. Rick Scott.
Rep. Buchanan won't be charged by Dept. of Justice
Associated Press
Ocala Star-Banner
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan won't be charged by the Department of Justice, which dropped its investigation over possible campaign finance law violations.
POLITICAL
RACES
Both Obamas in Florida next week
By Jeremy Wallace
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Welcome to the nation’s largest swing state.
In Virginia, Romney tries to flip Obama's script
By Alex Leary
Tampa Bay Times
Related: Three presidential debates, one vice presidential debate planned
Four years ago, Rebecca Liechty helped flip Virginia for Barack Obama, ending decades of Republican dominance in the state.
Paul Ryan coming to rally in Oldsmar on Saturday
Staff Report
Tampa Tribune
Three weeks after his nomination, Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan returns to the Tampa area for a rally Saturday in Oldsmar.
Hot-button bills' fates may hinge on Florida Senate races
By Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
In the Florida Senate, every vote matters.
Don't expect to see C.W. Bill Young debate challenger in congressional race
By Craig Pittman
Tampa Bay Times
Last week, the Seminole Chamber of Commerce held a candidates' forum next door to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young's office.
Bernard/Clemens race: Tallahassee judge wants 42 ballots delivered for inspection Monday
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
Stirring memories of the 2000 presidential recount, a Leon County judge Thursday ordered that an armload of ballots from a contested Palm Beach County state Senate race be brought to the capital city for his review.
BALLOT
INITIATIVES
Group rallies in opposition to proposed Amendment 3
Staff Report
WFTV Orlando
Members of the Florida Parent Teacher Association, along with other activists, kicked off a campaign Thursday morning to fight Amendment 3 on the November ballot.
3-judge panel to consider sick-leave appeal
By David Damron
Orlando Sentinel
A three-judge panel was assigned Thursday to review an emergency appeal seeking to put a sick-time measure on the Nov. 6 ballot in Orange County.
ENVIRONMENT
AND ENERGY
Presidential race energizes this year's solar-industry convention
By Kevin Spear
Orlando Sentinel
The solar-energy industry's huge assembly this week in Orlando buzzed with alternating currents of anxiety and optimism over this year's presidential election.
Reservoir for Everglades restoration to get pumps to clear out its salty water
By Christine Stapleton
Palm Beach Post
Water managers approved a contract Thursday for $64 million to install six massive pumps in the controversial L-8 Reservoir — a move that will finally put the 10-year-old water storage system to use and jump-start new Everglades restoration projects.
Environmental group sues to protect turtle species
Associated Press
Miami Herald
A National environmental group is suing the federal government to gain greater protection for the Barbour's map turtle, found in parts of Florida and in some other southeastern states.
EDUCATION
Governor listens — teachers want him to act
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
With his approval ratings anemic, Rick Scott launched a "listening tour" this week — and found himself in Orlando on Thursday, sitting in a circle of small chairs with eight elementary-school teachers.
Why Florida Teachers Cannot Strike the Way Chicago Teachers Can
By Sarah Gonzalez
StateImpact Florida
Teachers across the state are showing their support for Chicago teachers on strike — by wearing red.
Brevard Public Schools review online teachers' credentials
By Mackenzie Ryan
Florida Today
Brevard Public Schools will be verifying with parents that teachers of online classes run by for-profit company K12 are the same instructors the company claims are teaching.
Board of Governors seeks incentives for universities
By James Call
Florida Current
The Florida Board of Governors will request a $118 million budget increase from the Legislature as part of an effort to hold public universities more accountable.
FDLE report scorches FAMU band's 'systemic lack' of financial controls
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Current
Florida A&M University kept sloppy financial records, allowing scores of nonstudents to travel with its famous Marching 100 band at public expense and failing for months to report the theft of up to $40,000 in band dues, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported late Wednesday.
JOBS,
BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Middle class still going nowhere
Editorial
Tampa Bay Times
A new Census Bureau report shows the striking contrast between Mitt Romney's vision and what's really happening in America.
Florida budget forecasters see a surplus for next year
News Service of Florida
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
State lawmakers will have about $71.3 million of breathing room when they begin crafting the budget for the coming fiscal year, according to forecasters, but some legislators are already beginning to wonder how long the good news will last.
Movie Company Bankruptcy Raises Questions About Florida’s Expensive Economic Incentives
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Digital Domain, a movie company based in Port St. Lucie, filed for bankruptcy this week. This means that Florida could be out $20 million.
Fla. Religious Leaders: Congress Should Pick Up Food Stamp Tab, Not Us
By Sascha Cordner
WFSU Tallahassee
The state’s religious leaders worry Congress is trying to shift the financial burden of a federal food stamp program onto the religious community.
Florida foreclosures up 16 percent in August
Staff Report
Florida Current
Foreclosure activity in Florida jumped 16 percent last month over August 2011, in contrast to the nationwide trend, where foreclosures dropped 15 percent, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac, a California-based foreclosure tracking company.
HEALTH
AND SENIORS
Dispute over Medicaid billing backlog continues
By Gray Rohrer
Florida Current
Florida counties disputing their backlogged Medicaid bills could have more time to work out an agreement with the state after a stipulation was filed in Leon County Circuit Court on Monday to abate the case until the end of the year.
CIVIL
RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Local activists and families urge state task force to repeal Stand Your Ground
By Frances Robles
Miami Herald
People came lugging photographs of slain relatives and telling gut-wrenching stories of unpunished deaths or wrongful convictions.
Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' task force shows favor for the law
Associated Press
Florida Times-Union
Members of a task force reviewing Florida’s “stand your ground” law expressed wide support Wednesday for the statute’s core provision that deadly force can be used if necessary to prevent death or serious injury.
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