BANKING

South Floridians are most ‘underbanked’ in the U.S.

The population of consumers underserved by the financial services industry is huge. So is the roster of companies trying to reach out to them.

After rains in South Florida, mosquito boom raises health concerns

Public health authorities have increasing concerns about mosquito-borne diseases, with dengue fever a particular concern for South Florida

Potential juror dismissed as lawyers move forward in Trayvon Martin shooting case

In all, 20 potential jurors have made it to a projected pool of 30 for more questioning in the Trayvon Martin murder case.

Broward County

Broward’s boil water alert will continue through Friday night

Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and brushing your teeth.

Mom held after 4-year-old’s death once tried to smother him

Antwan Hope, 4, was taken from his mom after she tried to suffocate him. She was recently allowed an unsupervised visit. At the end of it, Antwan was dead.

WAR COURT

Guantánamo debate: When is a spiral notebook a weapon?

In continuing tug-of-war over attorney-client conditions, defense lawyer for alleged al-Qaida bomber asks Guantánamo judge to order prison to let attorney bring spiral notebooks, pens and eyeglasses to prison camp meetings.

Police crush barricades in Istanbul square

Hundreds of riot police overran improvised barricades at Istanbul's Taksim Square on Tuesday, firing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons in running battles with protesters who have been occupying the area for more than a week.

Courts

In George Zimmerman trial, potential jurors asked to set aside publicity

Lawyers grilled 10 potential jurors on issues ranging from race to attire as part of questioning on pretrial publicity in Trayvon Martin killing case.

Hollywood

Hollywood, Florida: A global tourist destination?

A 30-minute program on why everyone should visit Hollywood will reach a world audience

Courts

Questioning of potential jurors begins in George Zimmerman trial

Prosecutors and lawyers for George Zimmerman interviewed four potential jurors about pre-trial publicity.

Elliott Key

10 in hospital after boats collide near Elliott Key

Three boats with a total of 18 people aboard crashed into each other in the waters west of Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park Sunday evening, sending 10 people to the hospital.

Rear slap gets ex-NFL star C. Johnson 30 days jail

Former NFL star Chad Johnson was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for a probation violation in a domestic violence case by a judge who angrily rejected a no-jail plea deal after Johnson playfully slapped his attorney on the backside in court.

MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS

Miami-Dade’s gifted student population is booming

Efforts to better identify Miami-Dade’s smartest kids have led to a boom in ‘gifted’ students. But some experts question if this has led to watered down services.

Technology

Study: Miami area ranks low for share of STEM jobs

A Brookings study also finds that half of all jobs requiring knowledge in science, technology, engineering or math can be filled by workers with an associate’s degree or less.

EDUCATION

Florida test scores rise or plateau, but school grades likely to drop

Test scores released Friday show Miami-Dade students improved and Broward’s held stable. School grades, however, are likely to drop amid tougher state standards.

Miami-Dade jail revamps waiting area for inmates

Inmates now will be processed much quicker when they come into the system at Miami-Dade main jail.

SPORTS

Downtown Miami finally secure in being home to LeBron’s ‘talents’

LeBron James famously picked South Beach as his destination after Cleveland, despite living and working in Miami. Downtown Miami spent three years trying to correct the record.

Crustaceans

Hialeah men arrested on charges of poaching 468 lobsters

Two Hialeah men have been arrested on charges of poaching 468 Florida spiny lobsters out of season, more than half of them undersized.

Andrea bringing rains, flood watches to East Coast

The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season drenched the Southeastern U.S. but caused no major damage on Friday, marching up the East Coast as it brought the threat of weekend flooding as far north as New England.

Schools

Report: Florida’s Hispanic students graduate at greatest rate in country

A national study of graduation trends released Thursday shows Florida’s Hispanic students are graduating at the highest rate in the country.