Daily Clips for October 28, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Florida, Guess Who's Voting? By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 Progress Florida launches powerful new web video about who is voting and who is hoping you don’t. FEATURED STORIES A Campaign of Few Details, but Questions Keep Coming By Damien Cave New York Times The question for Rick Scott at last week’s debate had been asked countless times: Why was he qualified to be Florida’s governor when his tenure as a chief executive of Columbia/HCA led to $1.7 billion in fines for defrauding the government? Sink points to varied endorsements, touts 'character, integrity to lead' By Betty Parker Ft. Myers News-Press Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink promised to use her business experience in banking to help restore Florida's economy during her appearance Wednesday morning at Harborside in downtown Fort Myers. Charlie Crist's likely demise leaves an uncertain legacy By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune With polls showing that he continues to lag behind rival Marco Rubio, the hour that Gov. Charlie Crist spent with David Gregory at Tuesday night’s U.S. Senate debate might be his final time in the national spotlight. Former TV anchor challenges GOP chief Thrasher for Florida Senate By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau For two decades, Deborah Gianoulis was a nightly fixture in northeast Florida living rooms as anchor for the region's most popular news station. Haridopolos facing ethics investigation over unreported income and investments By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau State Sen. Mike Haridopolos admitted Wednesday he made mistakes in five years of financial disclosure forms, but that came too late for the Florida Commission on Ethics, which found probable cause that the lawmaker violated the state ethics laws. FLORIDA POLITICS Judge denies conservative activists’ request to block campaign finance law By Brett Ader Florida Independent Four conservative Sarasota activists who sought to sidestep state campaign finance laws in an effort to run radio spots opposing Amendment 4, citing the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United case which stripped financial disclosure requirements prior to electioneering, have had their request for a preliminary injunction denied by a federal judge. Citizens have no right to speak at public meetings, according to Florida courts By Bianca Fortis Florida Independent The Florida Supreme Court refused an appeal from a lower court ruling that says citizens have no right to participate at public meetings. Haridopolos focus of state ethics probe By Jeff Schweers Florida Today State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, in line to become president of the Florida Senate, failed to disclose on required state forms that he was paid thousands of dollars by the marketing arm of one of the state's largest appliance retailers for two years. POLITICAL RACES In governor's race, Sink and Scott's inner circles reflect distinctive styles By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: Candidates for governor light up Florida TVs with a bonfire of money When Democrat Alex Sink fired Miami lobbyist Brian May from her campaign Monday for sending her a message in the midst of her last debate, she lost one of her campaign's top political advisers, and her temper. Great Scott, this man is over the top By Carl Hiaasen Miami Herald Even by Florida's shaky standards, Rick Scott stands out as one of the most outlandish characters ever to pop out of the woodwork. Scott's big bucks, Sink's 'grass roots' show in each campaigns' final travel arrangements By Dara Kam and Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Less than a week before the election, Republican Rick Scott's campaign for governor has the feel of someone running for president. Scott's mom is his campaign co-star By Bob Rathgeber Ft. Myers News-Press She's a great-grandmother. She gets co-star billing. She signs autographs, shakes hands and tells everyone what a nice boy her son is. Nice guy Charlie Crist playing rough trying to get to Washington By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times People "are tired of the games and the name-calling and the politics of personal destruction," Gov. Charlie Crist declared in April while announcing he would run as a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate. Crist, Meek, Rubio begin final push By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel A day after the sixth and final debate in the race for U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist insisted he can make a move on frontrunner Marco Rubio, pointing to a new Zogby poll that shows him trailing the Miami Republican by about 6 percentage points. Agriculture commissioner candidate Putnam fought to block water quality rules; rival Maddox remains silent By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The race to become Florida’s agriculture commissioner has received little media notice, but the winner of the campaign will play an important role in the debate over efforts to protect Florida’s water quality. Last District 8 debate features Grayson but no Webster By Mark Schlueb Orlando Sentinel In the final debate before the election, one of U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson's opponents branded him "Ayatollah Alan," another promised she's not in cahoots with him to spoil the election, and two of the three slammed Republican Dan Webster for not showing up. Gianoulis-Thrasher Senate race takes a negative, combative turn By Tia Mitchell Florida Times-Union Related: Duval school board member forms organization to oppose Thrasher's re-election As the state Senate District 8 race has become increasingly negative, it is candidate Deborah Gianoulis, the well-liked TV anchor who has never run for office before, who has become more likely to lead the attack. Outside groups spend big to oust Democrats By Scott Powers and Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel In the last two weeks, a trio of outside groups have come to the defense of U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson -- spending about $110,000 on canvassing and web ads to help the Orlando Democrat against his Republican challenger, Dan Webster, according to federal records. Big Texas Green Flowing into Sunshine State Campaign By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida Big Texas green is flowing into Florida, in the form of campaign dollars. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendment 1 Would be a Big Step Backward in Campaign Finance Reform By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times I think I begin every column on ballot amendments with the same statement – that this is an imperfect solution to a problem that needs to be addressed, but has not. Nos. 5 and 6 are about fairness Editorial Northwest Florida Daily News In a guest column today, state Rep. Matt Gaetz makes an excellent case for approving Amendments 5 and 6 on Florida’s November ballot. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Global extinction crisis looms, new study says By Juliet Eilperin Washington Post A growing number of creatures could disappear from the earth, with one-fifth of all vertebrates and as many as a third of all sharks and rays now facing the threat of extinction, according to a new survey assessing nearly 26,000 species across the globe. Deadline nears to file oil spill claims By Sara Kennedy Bradenton Herald Attorneys are alerting those adversely affected by the Gulf oil spill to file claims before the Nov. 23 deadline. LGBT Appeals court upholds adoption by lesbian By Diana Moskovitz Miami Herald upheld Wednesday the adoption of a toddler by a lesbian in Hollywood, one month after the court tossed the state's controversial gay-adoption law. Ban on gay adoptions finally removed Editorial St. Petersburg Times Finally, one of the worst vestiges of orange juice pitchwoman Anita Bryant's 1977 campaign against gays and lesbians has been dispatched — although not quite permanently. EDUCATION Elections complaint filed against superintendent By Marc Freeman South Florida Sun-Sentinel The Palm Beach County Republican Party on Tuesday night announced the filing of Florida Elections Commission Complaint against schools Superintendent Art Johnson. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY South Florida has nation's highest total foreclosure filings for 3Q of 2010 By Kimberly Miller Palm Beach Post South Florida households accumulated the highest number of total foreclosure filings of any metropolitan area in the nation during the third quarter of this year, with one in every 41 homes affected. Foreclosure filings rise outside the housing bust areas By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Memo to Tampa Bay homeowners facing foreclosure: Seattle feels some of your pain. HEALTH AND SENIORS Misinformation, ill-conceived legal challenge cloud benefits of new health law By Laura Goodhue Gainesville Sun Before the ink was dry on the new health law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), opponents had already launched a politically motivated campaign to undermine it. Lawmakers take aim at Shands veto By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Gov. Charlie Crist baffled and angered state lawmakers in May when he vetoed $9.7 million for the Shands teaching hospital at the University of Florida. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS David Rivera stays on the ballot By Lesley Clark Miami Herald A Miami-Dade judge has thrown out a case trying to disqualify Republican congressional candidate David Rivera from Tuesday's ballot. Norman back on ballot after appeals court decision By Mike Salinero and William March Tampa Tribune Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman is once again the Republican candidate for state Senate District 12.

Daily Clips for October 27, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Sink forced to defend herself after she's accused of cheating during debate By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate for governor, was forced on Tuesday to explain why she broke the debate rules during her nationally televised debate with GOP candidate Rick Scott. Debates ignore big health issues By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida's next governor will face overhauling the $20 billion Medicaid program. Rubio, Meek push Crist on leaving GOP in last debate for Senate seat By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Facing tough questioning about the no-party candidacy that has rocked Florida's U.S. Senate race, Gov. Charlie Crist tonight defended his shifts on issues as "heartfelt" and proclaimed himself "liberated" since abandoning the GOP six months ago. Midterms will reshape Congress, but question is how bloody the GOP takeover will be By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Two years after Barack Obama promised change in Washington, it's coming in a dramatic final torrent of campaign money, nasty commercials and voter rebellion that will answer not whether Nov. 2 will reshape Congress but how bloody the takeover will be. FLORIDA POLITICS Outspoken Skop bypassed for PSC chairmanship By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday passed over outspoken Commissioner Nathan Skop as chairman, naming new Commissioner Art Graham by a 3-1 vote. POLITICAL RACES GOP leads Democrats in early-voting turnout By Aaron Deslatte and John Maines Orlando Sentinel The Florida Democratic offices in a crowded storefront in Ybor City look like a bunker lined with relics from the last war. Cheating flap grows as Alex Sink's campaign winds down By Marc Caputo and Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau In a campaign season of wall-to-wall negative commercials, Democrat Alex Sink's worst television moment came during a commercial break. Debate debacle hot topic as far away as the UK By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Barnstorming through Republican regions where Florida elections are largely decided, Rick Scott said Tuesday Democrat Alex Sink "broke the rules" in their final debate and tried to duck responsibility by firing an aide who sent her a message. Alex Sink fires aide who text-messaged during debate By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott began a six-day tour of the state Tuesday by blasting Democratic foe Alex Sink for cheating during their Monday night debate by looking at a phone with a message from a top adviser during a commercial break. Education, no new taxes Sinks' top pledges By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Sticking to retail politics with only a little more than week to go before Election Day, Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee for governor, flew to Jacksonville on Tuesday to meet with a handful of business and community leaders. Alex Sink back in bishop’s good graces By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink today won the support of one of Miami-Dade County’s most influential blacks, a week after Bishop Victor Curry blasted her for taking the African-American vote for granted because she blew off an NAACP candidate forum. Sink holds roundtable with First Coast business leaders By Dan Scanlan Florida Times-Union The Democrat who wants to occupy Tallahassee’s statehouse for the next four years brought her business plan to Northeast Florida executives and small business owners Tuesday afternoon. Scott bus tours across Florida in final seven days of campaigning By Bob Rathgeber Ft. Myers News-Press The final week of campaigning for the governor's job is an all-out sprint to capture Florida's undecided voters. Rick Scott, the Republican from Naples, has embarked on a whirlwind 30-city odyssey from Pensacola to Miami, meeting voters at events from pancake breakfasts to barbecues to black-tie affairs. Senate debate more civil, substantive By William March Tampa Tribune In the most substantive and civil debate so far, Florida's three Senate candidates refined their messages but stuck to the themes that have dominated the race. Governor is target as Crist, Meek and Rubio square off for final debate in U.S. Senate race By Beth Reinhard St. Petersburg Times The portable fan that Gov. Charlie Crist insists on at every public appearance could be seen and even heard during Tuesday's televised debate, but it didn't keep the independent U.S. Senate candidate out of the hot seat. Health care law's Medicare trims altering seniors' views By Marilyn Serafini USA Today Until this spring, life-long Democrat Carolyn Land never had a second thought about voting for Rep. Allen Boyd, a Democrat who has represented her area since 1997. Caution may cost Kosmas at the polls By Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel By her own admission, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas is a "careful" lawmaker. Despite anti-union rhetoric, West voluntarily joined teachers’ union in ’04-’05 By Luke Johnson Florida Independent “We don’t need to see unions to come down here and pressure the abilities of our small businesses and our corporations and businesses to grow,” said Allen West, the Republican challenger in Florida’s 22nd congressional district, in an Oct. 13 debate with his opponent, Rep. Ron Klein, at Lynn University in Boca Raton. Lawyer seeks removal of Miami congressional candidate David Rivera The Associated Press Miami Herald A case involving the potential removal of a Florida congressional candidate from the ballot over questions about his financial disclosures is set to go before a judge days before the election. Spending by congressional candidates may reach $2 billion, watchdog says By Michael Muskal Los Angeles Times It was Mark Twain who dryly noted that Americans have the best government money can buy. Unlike 2006 and 2008, Republicans feeling good with one week to go By Anthony Man South Florida Sun-Sentinel Doug Blanz says his election-season task – knocking on doors, soliciting votes for Republicans – has been much more rewarding this year than it was in 2006 or 2008. Group run by writer claiming that atheists promote ‘religious cleansing’ endorses Republicans for Congress By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Republican candidates for Florida congressional seats David Rivera, Allen West and Dan Webster, as well as Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio have earned the endorsement of Government Is Not God, a political action committee for social conservatives. Sarasota NAACP president: Voting glitch a concern as election day approaches By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Questions about the voting machine glitch that struck an early vote location in Sarasota’s largely African-American community of Newtown Sunday evening continue to linger. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendment 4 would give power to the people By John Hedrick Tampa Tribune On Nov. 3, Floridians will celebrate bright prospects for the Sunshine State. Amendments 5 & 6 empower voters, end office-for-life politics By Caroline Emmons-Schramm Orlando Sentinel This November, voters have the chance to improve Florida government for decades by voting yes on Amendments 5 and 6. Amendment 8 and Overcrowded Classrooms By Rick Stone WLRN Public Radio Miami Among the amendments facing voters on next week's ballot is a proposal to relax hard caps on class sizes. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Visit Florida fighting oil spill image By Grace Gagliano Bradenton Herald Proprietors for the White Sands Beach Resort are adamant about updating the hotel’s website and Facebook page with fresh content. PSC approves rate increase for Progress Energy customers to construct uncertain nuke plants By Sean Kinane WMNF Community Radio Tampa Today the Florida Public Service Commission elected a newcomer, Arthur Graham, to be chair, instead of outgoing Commissioner Nathan Skop. LGBT SAVE Dade: 'Don't Vote' By Steve Rothaus Miami Herald Video on SAVE Dade's YouTube channel. EDUCATION FL Prepaid College Plan: New Plans, New Prices, New Peace of Mind? By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida As families try to make ends meet, the Florida Prepaid College Plan helps some by providing greater options for higher education for those who plan early. HEALTH AND SENIORS Haridopolos wants a new Medicaid waiver By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Florida -- which is already among a handful of states trying to derail the federal health care overhaul -- may ask for a waiver so it does not have to comply with some provisions dealing with the state's safety net program for the poor. Nursing Homes Regulations Fight Abuse and Neglect By Tom Flanigan WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Because Florida has such a large population of seniors, the state also has a large number of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Whose Standards? By Amy Keller Florida Trend Parents who want to adopt a child from another country face big expenses, piles of paperwork, long waits and a host of logistical challenges. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Fla. justices refuse to hear open meetings case By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press The Florida Supreme Court has refused to take an appeal from a lower court ruling that says citizens have no right to speak at meetings of government bodies. Florida to have all-female parole commission The Associated Press Florida Today Florida will have an all-female Parole Commission for the first time ever next year.

Daily Clips for October 26, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Anger, contempt flare in final Scott and Sink debate in Florida governor's race By Steve Bousquet and Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related editorial: Sink shows grit, command Related article: Sink fires advisor who sent message during her televised debate with Rick Scott Related Politifact article: Governor candidates take national stage for CNN debate Related Video: Watch the debate Rick Scott and Alex Sink displayed contempt for each other in their final debate Monday and gave a nationwide TV audience a glimpse of the mounting tension in the close race for governor. Enthusiasm gap hits young voters, hurts Dems By Luis Zaragoza Orlando Sentinel Law student and staunch Democrat Rafael Nunez is worried. GOP poised to win Congress redistricting edge, too By Jennifer C. Kerr The Associated Press The Republicans' expected gains next week go way beyond Congress. 3 US Senate candidates set for for final debate The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek have one last opportunity to derail front-runner Marco Rubio in their final U.S. Senate debate. Bullet train money not enough to start project By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald Florida on Monday got the news it will receive an additional $800 million from the federal government to build a bullet train line from Tampa to Orlando -- but the grant is $300 million short of the amount the state needs to start construction. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida's Campaign Finance Laws Under Fire By Lynn Hatter WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Florida's campaign finance laws are under fire. There are two pending lawsuits challenging the state's rules on political advertising. Crist Gets The Old PSC Nominee List For Next Year's Chairs Staff Report Lakeland Ledger Gov. Charlie Crist is getting a familiar list of candidates to chair the Public Service Commission for the rest of the year. Braman: Signatures in place for recall By Matthew Haggman Miami Herald In his bid to recall Miami-Dade's first strong mayor, billionaire businessman Norman Braman announced Monday he has collected 90,000 signatures from registered voters, more than enough to put Mayor Carlos Alvarez's fate with the voting public. POLITICAL RACES Sink, Scott spar over issues, slam each other's character in final gubernatorial debate By George Bennett and Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Rick Scott and Alex Sink sparred on the economy, Florida's budget, abortion and other issues tonight but continually returned to slamming each other's character in a testy final gubernatorial debate before the Nov. 2 election. Sink, Scott have heated exchanges in final debate By William March Tampa Tribune Accusations of fraud, lying and incompetence flew thick Monday night in the last public confrontation between Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott in the too-close-to-call Florida governor's race. Gubernatorial hopefuls hurl mud in last debate By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink called Republican Rick Scott a liar who knows nothing about government Monday and Scott called her "a failed fiscal watchdog" and an "Obama liberal" who supports costly big-government policies. Now that talk's over, it'll be fight to finish By Bob Rathgeber Ft. Myers News-Press The Florida gubernatorial debates have concluded, and for those who still haven't made up their minds between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink, it's doubtful Monday night's argument at the University of South Florida did anything to help voters make a decision. Sheriff wary of Scott's plans for pensions By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News A Republican sheriff has written a memo to his employees urging them to consider how they vote this election while recounting a meeting with gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott and changes to the Florida Retirement System. Sink to seek forgiveness for skipping NAACP forum By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post After being blasted for ignoring black voters, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink on Tuesday is to expected to perform a mea culpa on a radio station owned by one of Miami-Dade County’s most influential African-Americans. Ausley hits campaign trail on her bicycle By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News Call her Spinnin' Loranne, the 2010 answer to Walkin' Lawton. Two outlooks, but only one state job By Lee Logan Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Adam Putnam and Scott Maddox both want to be Florida's next commissioner of agriculture, but their campaign rhetoric makes it sound like they're running for two separate jobs. Alan Grayson in danger of losing his seat in Congress to Daniel Webster says analyst By Sean Kinane WMNF Community Radio Tampa On Friday we brought you our interview with progressive member of Congress from Orlando, Alan Grayson. West’s campaign finance sheets link him to controversial figures By Dan Sweeney Florida Independent Congressional candidate Allen West‘s massive quarterly financial reports document donations made to the far-right Republican by a pair of controversial figures: an Ohio man accused of “racial vigilantism” and a soldier imprisoned for the unpremeditated murder of an Iraqi terror suspect. Rivera accuses opponent of promoting deceitful off-hours phone calls By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Republican David Rivera, running to represent U.S. congressional District 25 against Democrat Joe Garcia, posted today on his Facebook page the following statement. Miller: shoo-in or incumbent foe? Voters will decide By Tom McLaughlin Northwest Florida Daily News To hear U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller’s opponents tell it, the incumbent Republican from Chumuckla, who hasn’t been in a close political race since his first one nine years ago, is as susceptible to this cycle’s anti-incumbent sentiment as anyone. Political commercials: annoying but effective By Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel Political commercials pack the Orlando airwaves to such an extent that even TV executives acknowledge some fatigue. BALLOT INITIATIVES Florida's 60 percent rule may doom amendments on ballot By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Floridians might have made the biggest decision of the 2010 election already — back in 2006. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY BP to give Fla. additional $20M By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Oil giant BP has agreed to give Florida $20 million for more aggressive seafood safety inspections and marketing. BP CEO hits back at media and politicians By Jane Wardell The Associated Press BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley accused some politicians and the media on Monday of being too hasty to pin all the blame on his company for the devastating Gulf of Mexico spill - and emphasized the need for deep-water drilling. EPA taps Florida's Hankinson as director of Gulf restoration panel By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com John H. Hankinson Jr., a Florida native and former regional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator, was named Monday as executive director of the new federal Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. Protests Grow over New Septic Tanks Rules By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Two Panhandle lawmakers say after the November election they will begin work to repeal a law requiring septic tank inspections every five years. Builders, environmentalists at odds over wood stork's spot on endangered species list By Christine Stapleton Palm Beach Post The endangered wood stork — the pterodactyl-like bird that faced extinction in the 1980s, has made a comeback. BP's big plans Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune There's great uncertainty about the long-term impacts of the BP oil spill. LGBT McCollum folded bad hand: Attorney general had no case to fight gay adoption. Editorial Palm Beach Post On Friday, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced that he would not appeal a September court ruling that effectively ended the state's 33-year-old ban on gays and lesbians adopting children. EDUCATION Broward teachers say some schools creatively skirting class-size limits By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel Some of the math being used to measure class-size compliance in Broward County is getting an F from teachers at about two dozen schools, union officials said Monday. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Feds authorize additional $800 million for Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail line By Shelley Rossetter and Justin George St. Petersburg Times The high-speed rail line slated to run between Tampa and Orlando received an additional $800 million Monday. Banks continue to cancel hearings By David McLaughlin Miami Herald Banks are still canceling foreclosure hearings and sales in Florida, the state with the third-highest foreclosure rate behind Nevada and Arizona, after Bank of America said it was resuming efforts to seize homes.

Daily Clips for October 25, 2010

FEATURED STORIES U.S. Senate candidates spar in debate at USF By William March Tampa Tribune Related: Watch the debate Related: Some Democrats thinking strategically on Senate vote Related AP story: Fla. gubernatorial hopefuls to debate for last time Monday night In a debate marked by crosstalk and verbal jabs, Florida's three U.S. Senate candidates tried to stake their territory and sharpen their images, mostly on familiar issues, in a Sunday morning debate on CNN. TCPalm.com/Zogby poll: Sink opens lead over Scott in governor's race By Ryan Mills TC Palm Related: TCPalm.com/Zogby poll: Rubio pulling away from Crist, Meek Driven by the overwhelming support of independents and moderates, Democrat Alex Sink has opened a nearly 5-point lead over her Republican opponent, Rick Scott, in the race to be Florida’s next governor, a new TCPalm.com/Zogby poll shows. Rick Scott and Alex Sink diverge on environment By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Scott's development policy bad for Florida Related editorial: Scott's Florida is grim place for average citizen If you don't think humans cause global warming, offshore drilling might still be a good idea for Florida and growth management should be left to local governments and not state bureaucrats, then Republican Rick Scott is your candidate for governor. Are Democrats taking black voters for granted? By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post Gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink was quietly jeered at a NAACP candidate forum last week in Miami. Six House seats could help tip balance of power By George Bennett Palm Beach Post In two months of TV advertising, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein has kept mum about his record in Washington, where he supported the health care and stimulus bills and went along with his party on 98 percent of votes. GOP leader faces tough Senate race in Jacksonville By Brent Kallestad The Associated Press Florida legislators rarely lose re-election, but the Democrats have one powerful Republican they hope to defeat: Sen. John Thrasher, who doubles as state GOP chairman. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Chan Lowe South Florida Sun-Sentinel Artist’s commentary: Buying the midterm election FLORIDA POLITICS Ethics panel spells out who McCollum can lobby By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Calling it a model for the future, the Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday adopted a detailed opinion that spells out who Attorney General Bill McCollum can and cannot lobby once he leaves office. Rep. Miller in line for veterans committee post By Bart Jansen Pensacola News Journal If the Nov. 2 elections give Republicans control of the House as expected, Rep. Jeff Miller could become chairman of the committee that oversees issues vital to veterans living in Florida's Panhandle. A recap of how Tampa Bay's legislators voted By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times For the past few weeks we've been looking at how our Tampa Bay legislators voted on a series of controversial bills since the last election. POLITICAL RACES Marco Rubio takes huge lead in Senate race, a new Times/Herald/Bay News 9 poll shows By Adam C. Smith and Beth Reinhard St. Petersburg Times Related: Republicans appear headed to sweep Cabinet races Related: Voters unlikely to approve constitutional amendment proposals Republican Marco Rubio is on the verge of delivering one of the biggest political knockouts in Florida history, as a new St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald/Bay News 9 poll shows him barreling into Florida's open U.S. Senate seat 15 percentage points ahead of Gov. Charlie Crist. Aggressive Crist plays role of "heckler" in Senate debate By Beth Reinhard St. Petersburg Times Related: Transcript of the "heckler" exchange from U.S. Senate debate Related Politifact rulings: CNN/St. Petersburg Times debate brings attacks old and new Related editorial: Rubio’s rigid ideology Gov. Charlie Crist tried to turn himself into a human speed bump to stop U.S. Senate front-runner Marco Rubio from racing into the last week of the campaign, frequently rising up out of turn during Sunday's nationally televised debate with sweeping accusations against Rubio's politics and character. 'Welcome to the NFL': Charlie Crist, Kendrick Meek hit hard in Senate debate with Marco Rubio By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek cited their football-playing pasts during a nationally televised debate this morning as both Senate candidates tried to deliver a helmet-jarring hit against Republican frontrunner Marco Rubio with time running out in the campaign. Crist hammers Rubio in debate By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News With time running out in the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Charlie Crist fought so hard to depict Marco Rubio as a right-wing extremist Sunday that the Republican nominee called him a "heckler" in their nationally televised debate. Hardscrabble past in Miami powers Kendrick Meek By Zac Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune The news was not good last week as Kendrick Meek brought his campaign for U.S. Senate back to this poor Miami neighborhood where he grew up. The Apprentice: Jeb Bush, the man behind Marco Rubio By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report If, as the pundits and prognosticators expect, Florida voters elect Marco Rubio to the U.S. Senate, the tea party may get the credit from the media, but Rubio will owe a much greater debt to someone else: former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Democrats' chances with Alex Sink may ride on black voters turning out to support Kendrick Meek By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel In Florida's three-way race for the U.S. Senate, Congressman Kendrick Meek is stuck in third, 20 points behind frontrunner Marco Rubio and facing almost certain defeat. Rick Scott, Alex Sink campaigns spent $5 million in single week By Michael Peltier Miami Herald Candidates for governor combined to spend more than $5 million in their respective bids last week as they saturated the air waves and amped up efforts to finish strongly in a race set to end in less than two weeks, the state Division of Elections reported on Friday. Sink, Scott promise jobs are top goal By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post In a close and unusually nasty governor's race, there's one thing rivals Alex Sink and Rick Scott can agree on: Florida desperately needs jobs. Palin helps rally Orlando Republicans as election nears By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel With former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin leading the charge, Florida Republicans sought to rally their base Saturday, telling a cheering crowd of activists and party officials that a GOP wave was poised to wash over Tallahassee and Washington. Palin stumps for GOP candidates in Orlando By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Lampooning Tallahassee's "turtle tunnel" as an example of wasteful stimulus spending, Sarah Palin told fired-up Republicans on Saturday that Florida can change the country's direction by electing GOP congressional challengers next month. Candidates for governor, Senate keeping an eye on states' unemployment figures By Michael A. Memoli Orlando Sentinel The national unemployment rate has long been identified as an important electoral metric, particularly so this year for Democrats seeking to hold majorities in Congress. Few ideological stances by Sink By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union For more than a year now, Alex Sink has been running for governor, unveiling positions on issues ranging from the economy to public safety. Alex Sink turns attention to I-4 corridor as governor’s election nears By Leslie Williams Hale Naples Daily News In a tight, unpredictable race, Alex Sink is hoping to turn the tide one Silly Band and Facebook photo at a time. Following the footsteps of Walkin' Lawton. Alex Sink campaigns in North Florida By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Alex Sink quickly identifies the bulldog mascot on Wanda Kemp's denim shirt and asks about the Friday night high school game. Sink Courting Rural Voters By John Kennedy News Service of Florida With campaign stops across North Florida, Democrat Alex Sink tried to woo support Friday from rural voters - rallying a loosely defined, but potent swing bloc that once powered late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles to a hard-fought second term. Ignoring her black base Staff Report Florida Courier Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink turned down an offer no other Florida politician running for statewide office would consciously refuse. Secrecy envelops Scott campaign By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union Ousted as the leader of a hospital chain amid a federal fraud probe, unsuccessful in his bid to defeat Democrats' larger-government solution to health care, Rick Scott nevertheless struck a familiar theme as he began the third chapter of his public life. Nurses say former hospital exec Rick Scott not best prescription for Florida By Eloisa Ruano Gonzalez Orlando Sentinel While supporters gathered Saturday in Apopka to rally for Rick Scott, a group of nurses held their own event to oppose the Republican gubernatorial candidate. Corrections workers weigh gubernatorial candidates By Jim Ash Florida Capital News In the heart of North Florida prison country, where corrections jobs are handed down like a birthright and mistrust of government runs high, picking a governor has become more complicated than marking Democrat or Republican. Rod Smith says Rick Scott is using Obama to paint the Democratic ticket as liberal By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Barack Obama was a symbol of hope and change only two years ago. Law-enforcement ties, bipartisan reach seen in Rod Smith's appeal By Bridget Murphy Florida Times-Union When Rod Smith argued for a serial killer's execution in 1994, more than just Gainesville was watching. From stammering to spot-on: Jennifer Carroll's abrupt evolution By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union It was not a smooth roll-out. Scott, Sink Differ in Environmental Policy Stances By Tom Palmer Lakeland Ledger Environmental issues usually don't play a large role in gubernatorial campaigns, according to veteran Audubon lobbyist Charles Lee. Gubernatorial candidates get big bucks from different donors By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel With hundreds of thousands of ballots already cast in the governor's race, Alex Sink was scrounging for votes in small North Florida communities Friday with a style reminiscent of Democratic candidates of decades past — appealing to fiscal conservatism and promising to help bring jobs. Stark policy differences separate attorney general candidates Pam Bondi and Dan Gelber By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau In the cozy confines of a cable TV studio, Pam Bondi and Dan Gelber exchanged light banter, but when the lights went on the tone changed dramatically. Dan Gelber says attack mailer is insulting and inaccurate By Paula McMahon South Florida Sun-Sentinel A round of political mailers and newspaper ads, targeting Jewish voters in South Florida, is attacking Democratic attorney general nominee Dan Gelber's criticism of the state's school voucher program. Interview with US Rep Alan Grayson who faces uphill battle for reelection By Sean Kinane WMNF Community Radio Tampa One of the most progressive members of the U.S. Congress represents parts of the Orlando area…and his seat is in danger. Shady Florida PAC continues to spend big in national races By Luke Johnson Florida Independent The Ending Spending Fund, a recently incorporated “super PAC” registered to CPA Nancy Watkins at a Tampa address housing 32 other active political committees in Florida, spent $555,562 in media buys Thursday in three close House races as well as the deadlocked Nevada Senate race. Getting lowdown on judges on the ballot not easy By Chad Smith Gainesville Sun With no campaigning, fundraising or opponents, Florida's Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges are undefeated in that voters have never rejected one. Republicans pick Rob Wallace as state Senate candidate in District 12 By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times Republican Party leaders on Saturday chose former state Rep. Rob Wallace to replace Jim Norman on the November ballot as the state Senate candidate in District 12. BALLOT INITIATIVES Former Florida Secretary of State Browning leads Republican-bankrolled anti-Fair Districts group By Bianca Fortis Florida Independent One particularly heated debate during the current election is the battle over Amendments 5 and 6, which, if passed, would create stricter rules for legislators to follow while redrawing state districts. It's about control: 'Yes' on Amendment 4 puts it in your hands By Byron Keesler Florida Independent In recommending a vote against Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution (Editorial Board recommendations, Oct. 9), the PNJ suggests that amendments to local comprehensive plans are "exactly the sort of thing representative government is supposed to handle." Class-size limits again up for vote By Linda Trimble Daytona Beach News-Journal Linda White and Amy Nowell both voted in 2002 to amend the Florida Constitution to limit the size of classes in the state's public schools. Stand and deliver for students: Vote no on 8 By Karen Aronowitz Miami Herald The Legislature has painted a bull’s eye on our school districts, expecting that parents and teachers will back down from their support of the class-size amendment. Amendment 8: Bait and switch is being used By Rocky Hanna Florida Tmes-Union As a high school principal, I'm charged with ensuring the highest quality education possible to nearly 2,000 students every year. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Should BP’s Money Go Where the Oil Didn’t? By David Segal New York Times In late April, a week after the BP oil spill began, Keith Overton had an alarming encounter with one of his employees here at the TradeWinds Resort. Learn from oil spills or be doomed to repeat them By Chasidy Fisher Hobbs Pensacola News Journal BP has another deepwater rig, Atlantis, in even deeper water than the Deepwater Horizon, with a similar record. So much for the oil spill's impact By Fred Grimm Miami Herald Not only did that giant horrible plume of oil seem to disperse in the Gulf, it disappeared from politics. LGBT Gay adoption ban officially ends, state won't appeal court ruling By Mary Ellen Klas and Mimi Whitefield Miami Herald Frank Martin Gill and his partner breathed a big sigh of relief after learning that Attorney General Bill McCollum on Friday had announced he would not appeal last month's appellate court ruling striking down Florida's 33-year law banning adoptions by gay couples. End of Florida's gay adoption ban increases pool of prospective parents By Georgia East South Florida Sun-Sentinel For 33 years, Florida forced them to hide behind a veil of secrecy. Anti-bullying efforts must specifically address gays Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel Out of tragedy often comes progress. EDUCATION Parents say FCAT an unreliable measure of student, school performance By Rebecca Catalanello St. Petersburg Times Related: Poll shows high school parents want AP classes open to all students Tampa Bay parents overwhelmingly believe the state-required FCAT standardized test is an unreliable measure of student and school performance, according to a recent St. Petersburg Times-Bay News 9 poll. Pell Grants popular again By Dave Breitenstein Ft. Myers News-Press Southwest Florida is leading a statewide resurrection of Pell Grants, a historically underutilized program that pays tuition bills and buys textbooks for college students. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent in September By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Government was in job creation mode a year ago, in hope that new public sector positions and federal stimulus jobs would lead Florida out of the Great Recession. Stimulus jobs program falls short By Rebecca Basu Florida Today Ten months ago, a stimulus-funded jobs program designed to spark the hiring of low-income citizens filled more than 750 jobs in Brevard County among the 5,500 jobs it generated statewide. HEALTH AND SENIORS Health care on voters' minds By Barbara Peters Smith Sarasota Herald-Tribune Just seven months after President Barack Obama signed into law a historic plan to reform the nation's health care system, Florida's Nov. 2 election is turning into a virtual referendum on whether the state welcomes the new law, or fights it every step of the way. Poll: Americans split on health care repeal By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Jennifer Agiesta The Associated Press An AP-GfK poll finds likely voters split on whether the health-care law should be scrapped or retooled. Cities start employee clinics to keep health care costs down By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post When 12-year-old Anna Koeser hurt her right ankle dancing a few weeks ago, the Delray Beach resident went to the city's health clinic on Northeast Third Avenue. She was X-rayed and fitted with a brace. Halloween Costumes "Mask" Dangers for FL Kids By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida Halloween costumes can be scary - although Florida parents may not realize just how scary. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Report: Tea Party Movement Racist By Ralph De La Cruz Florida Center for Investigative Reporting Devin Burghart and Leonard Zeskind have made careers out of ferreting out white nationalists and extemist anti-immigrant groups. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS New Approach to Prison Costs Coming - But Whose? By Margie Menzel WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Republican candidate Rick Scott roiled the governor's race by proposing to slash $1 billion from the Department of Corrections budget - nearly half. Champion of Florida's palatial court once preached frugality By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Four times Paul M. Hawkes tried to become a judge, four times without success. Inmates' health costing millions By Jay Stapleton Daytona Beach News-Journal The state won't have the expense of trying a man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death, but Christopher Jodon -- who died after he hanged himself in jail -- left behind a medical bill of more than $51,000. Broward School Board won't say why it gave up $507,942 to help developer By Megan O'Matz South Florida Sun-Sentinel Six Broward School Board members voted unanimously in 2007 to forgo $507,942 in fees from a developer without question, without debate. Medicare money paid for posh life, court files show By Jay Weaver Miami Herald Lawrence Duran and Marianella Valera loved spending taxpayers' money.

Daily Clips for October 22, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Bill Clinton rallies Miami students to support Alex Sink for governor By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post Former president Bill Clinton had an enthusiastic college crowd of about 600 at his feet Thursday morning and told them what the political experts were saying about them. Marco Rubio's personal finances clash with call for fiscal discipline By Alex Leary and Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times For a candidate promising to put America's fiscal house in order, Marco Rubio has a tough time keeping his own house tidy, plagued by questionable spending and sloppy accounting. Charlie Crist running short on time, money By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Independent U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist spent more than $7 million in August and September, and appears overwhelmingly behind front-runner Marco Rubio in financial firepower. Haridopolos says there is a strong chance for a November special session By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune State lawmakers could find themselves quickly getting back to work after the November 2 election. BEST OF THE BLOGS "Big Government" Stimulus A Big Help To Florida By Daniel Tilson The Examiner For anyone in Florida who wants to separate fact from fiction when it comes to what Republicans and the Tea Party call "Big Government" and its role and impact on our lives here in the Sunshine State, there's an absolutely unbiased source of information that can help. FL-25: Joe Garcia’s opponent may be tossed off ballot By Larry Thorson Florida Progressive Coalition Hey, world! Florida is at it again! Sunshine State politics once again stands out from the crowd. Supporters of Amendment 4: Nathaniel Reed By Gimleteye Eye on Miami "My vote for Amendment 4 represents my discontent if not disgust with the return to an era of uncaring, anything goes development without caring for local input or the impact on our remaining undeveloped land." Marco Rubio’s Anti Hispanic Agenda By Inkberries Beach Peanuts Marco Rubio holds himself out as one who is living the “American Dream” and was lucky enough to be able to do so because America is the “greatest country in the world” according to his stump speech. Smart Policy Above Politics: A Tough Race in Sarasota/Manatee By Benjamin Kirby The Spencerian In the Saturday Sarasota Herald-Tribune, J. David McSwane gives us some insight into just how tough a race Keith Fitzgerald has down in Sarasota. FLORIDA POLITICS Senate President-to-be Mike Haridopolos hires three new staffers who are double dippers St. Petersburg Times By Lucy Morgan A year ago state lawmakers passed a law to ban "double dipping'' among public employees. Charlie Crist's switch to independent may change campaign laws By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Lawmakers could look at changes next year to make it more difficult for political candidates to switch parties mid-campaign, a proposal directly in response to Gov. Charlie Crist's defection from the Republican Party this past year. Taj Mahal courthouse is way out of order Editorial Orlando Sentinel Tallahassee's notorious "Taj Mahal" courthouse — with its dome, miles of African mahogany and kitchens for each judge — is a $48 million monument to state government at its worst. POLITICAL RACES After three days of early voting, Republicans hold edge in Florida By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Republicans across Florida have mounted an early lead in returning absentee ballots and are showing up in greater numbers than Democrats since early voting began Monday. Clinton campaigns for Sink By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Gubernatorial hopeful Alex Sink -- who passed up recent chances to stand with the current occupant of the White House -- joined ex-President Bill Clinton at a Miami rally Thursday that brought home the tough national climate for Democrats in 2010. Clinton rallies the young for Sink By Tristram Korten Florida Independent Alex Sink, Florida’s Democratic candidate for governor, and former President Bill Clinton appeared at Miami-Dade College this morning for a rally aimed at turning out young and minority voters. Will history repeat itself in the Sink-Scott race? By David R. Colburn Gainesville Sun This year’s gubernatorial election between Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott looks and sounds remarkably like the Florida senatorial election of 1988 when Connie Mack III defeated Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay for the U.S. Senate seat. Forged e-mail is circulated anonymously in apparent attempt to taint Alex Sink By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau A forged e-mail that attempts to show Democrat Alex Sink was linked to a "pay to play'' scheme with convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein has emerged in the highly-contested governor's race. Rick Scott says Alex Sink practices 'Obama math' on budget plans By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact Rick Scott says he's running against a woman for governor in Alex Sink who is lock-step in line with the policies of President Barack Obama, and has become fluent in what Scott calls "Obama math. Sink, Scott job plans more talk than action By Beth Kassab Orlando Sentinel To hear them talk, Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott each have plans that will create jobs in Florida and help turn around the state's rampant unemployment. Sink pledges to boost area economy By Louis Cooper Pensacola News Journal Democrat Alex Sink thinks nothing should ever be able to threaten the economy of Northwest Florida the way this summer's BP oil spill did. Fla. Senate hopefuls support Social Security bonus By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press The three U.S. Senate candidates found something they can agree on: giving Social Security recipients a $250 bonus to make up for a lack of cost of living increases. Meek urges UF students to get out the vote By Travis Pillow Florida Independent After recent visits to the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida, Kendrick Meek stopped by the University of Florida Thursday to rally students, a part of the Democratic base whose enthusiasm may be flagging in the late stages of the election. Rubio's words the same as underdog to frontrunner By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Marco Rubio was at a Panhandle truck stop refueling during a trip from Pensacola to Tallahassee when a truck driver startled him. Rubio stresses his beliefs in Thursday visit to the Treasure Coast By Jim Turner TC Palm Marco Rubio isn’t ready to claim the mantle of U.S. Senator just yet. Ausley says GOP opponent in CFO race afraid of debate The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Loranne Ausley is angry that her opponent for chief financial officer refuses to debate her. CFO hopeful slams spending By Jay Stapleton Daytona Beach News-Journal Running on a platform of "cleaning up the mess" of overspending on pet projects in Tallahassee, Chief Financial Officer candidate Loranne Ausley appeared briefly Thursday morning outside the 5th District Court of Appeal on Beach Street. Democratic donor sues to remove David Rivera from congressional ballot By Scott Hiaasen and Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald Allies of Democratic congressional candidate Joe Garcia filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to kick GOP candidate David Rivera off the Nov. 2 ballot for filing misleading financial disclosure forms as a state lawmaker. Boyd Fights GOP Tide in District 2 Race By Margie Menzel WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee In Florida's Second Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Allen Boyd faces a tight race against political newcomer Steve Southerland. Democratically aligned PAC spends a hefty amount to oppose Southerland By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Though independent expenditures opposing Republican Steve Southerland outnumber those supporting him by approximately $545,000, he isn’t having any trouble staying ahead of opponent Rep. Allen Boyd. Eighty-eight percent of American Crossroads funding since Sept. 1 came from just five donors By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Out of a total of 345 contributions between Sept. 1 and Oct. 13, just five donors contributed 88 percent of the funds to American Crossroads, a “super PAC” affiliated with former Bush White House Senior Adviser Karl Rove and former Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie. BALLOT INITIATIVES Yes on Amendments 5, 6: A welcome change Editorial Florida Times-Union No reasonable person is happy with the political redistricting process in Florida. Our view on redistricting: As politicians pick voters, extremes grow entrenched Editorial USA Today This is expected to be a tumultuous congressional election. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Group Wants Oil Drilling Ban in State Constitution By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida This week marks the six-month anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon spill off the Gulf Coast of Florida, and a citizen group is petitioning for constitutional amendment banning oil drilling near the state's beaches to help make sure it doesn't happen again. BP sued for harm to Gulf's endangered wildlife By Sue Sturgis Facing South Three conservation groups have brought suit against oil giant BP under the federal Endangered Species Act for the ongoing harm or killing of endangered and threatened wildlife caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. judge presses federal, state agencies on Everglades cleanup strategies By Christine Stapleton Palm Beach Post Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno relentlessly lobbed questions to lawyers involved in a 22-year-old Everglades cleanup lawsuit on Thursday, asking repeatedly whether a reservoir he ordered to be built would, could or should be built. LGBT Will state fight to keep ban on gay adoptions? By Susan Spencer-Wendel Palm Beach Post A critical deadline looms today in the legal fight over Florida's ban on gay adoptions. Defense Department: 'Don't ask, don't tell' is back By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press The Defense Department has declared that "don't ask, don't tell" is once again the law of the land but has set up a new system that could make it tougher to get fired for being openly gay. Opinions differ on 'don't ask, don't tell' policy By Amanda Nalley Tallahassee Democrat In Tallahassee, opinions differ when it comes to "don't ask, don't tell," a law that prevents gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. EDUCATION Departing D.C. schools chancellor Rhee offers tough advice in Tampa By Tom Marshall St. Petersburg Times Call her a one-woman wrecking crew, a miracle worker, or the quintessential "mean girl" in American education reform. Call her what you want; Michelle Rhee doesn't mind. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's latest unemployment figures being released Friday The Associated Press South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida labor officials are hoping they'll see improvement in September's unemployment numbers. Crowds gather to hear details of Legoland Florida By Sara K. Clarke and Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel Legoland Florida unveiled its plans Thursday for some of the signature attractions at the theme park it intends to open near Orlando. HEALTH AND SENIORS Insurance chiefs vote against industry By Jim Saunders and Julie Appleby Health News Florida and Kaiser Health News Insurance regulators today approved controversial rules governing how much insurers must spend on patients’ medical care – without adopting last-minute amendments that some consumer advocates opposed. Feds: Firm scammed U.S. by using dementia patients By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press Federal authorities charged the nation's largest chain of community mental health centers Thursday with Medicare fraud, alleging the Miami-based company preyed on patients with severe dementia to bill $200 million for services it never delivered. Pain clinic brothers subjects of racketeering probe By Michael LaForgia Palm Beach Post Twin brothers who ran some of South Florida's most brazen cash-only pain clinics are targets of a massive federal racketeering investigation, a case built on allegations of extortion, kidnapping and murder-for-hire, federal prosecutors said Thursday. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Ex-Cons Still Handcuffed During This Year's Election By Amara Sohn NBC 6 News Miami The 43-year-old served three years in prison for possession of cocaine and aggravated battery, lived on the streets and even attempted suicide at one point. Tea Party dredges up pain of segregation By Rev. Randolph Bracy Jr. Orlando Sentinel "The Tea Party movement as a whole may not be racist, but there are elements of it that are." Movement under way to let Floridians openly tote their guns By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel So you are walking down Park Avenue, window shopping for all the stuff you once could afford, and suddenly coming down the sidewalk you see three gunslingers. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Conservative activists target 2 Fla. justices By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press No jurist has ever lost a yes-no retention vote in Florida, but this year conservative and tea party activists are trying to change that by targeting a pair of Supreme Court justices in a low-key campaign relying on news releases, word-of-mouth and websites. Ross' Ties to New 'Taj' Courthouse at Heart of Recusal Request By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Lawyers for a Lakeland firefighter have filed a motion asking that two judges on the 1st District Court of Appeal step aside because the opposing lawyer was among the "heroes" who helped the court get the money for a grand new courthouse.