MiamiHerald.com: Florida http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/index.html MiamiHerald.com: Florida http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2010 MiamiHerald.com Florida 60 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:54:23 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com 2nd Florida Keys inmate indicted in prison tax scam http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521526/2nd-inmate-indicted-in-keys-prison.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521526/2nd-inmate-indicted-in-keys-prison.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST State prison inmate Shawn Clarke and three of his family members have been indicted on charges of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service of about $115,000 in a scam that involved phony tax returns. Florida lags in U.S. aid based on Census http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521486/florida-lags-in-us-aid-based-on.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521486/florida-lags-in-us-aid-based-on.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST A study released on the eve of the 2010 Census has some eye-opening news about the count's importance for Floridians: In a national ranking, the amount of Census-based aid flowing to the state and the three-county South Florida region puts both in the bottom five. Florida bill prohibits release of 911 calls http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521489/bill-prohibits-release-of-911.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521489/bill-prohibits-release-of-911.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST John Hoblick was out of town when his 16-year-old son died after a night of drinking and illegal prescription drugs. <p/> The next day, he heard the 911 call on Orlando-area TV news. ``It caused a lot of anguish,'' he said. ``There's no reason to exploit someone that way.'' Once-reviled funds on way back http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521491/once-reviled-funds-on-way-back.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521491/once-reviled-funds-on-way-back.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Legislative leaders are swiftly carrying out one of their priorities by bringing back once-reviled ``leadership funds'' -- unlimited soft-money accounts under direct control of a few influential lawmakers. Thanksgiving Day shooting victim awakens from coma http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521493/thanksgiving-shooting-victim-awakens.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521493/thanksgiving-shooting-victim-awakens.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST A Miami attorney almost killed in the Thanksgiving night massacre in Jupiter that left four dead has emerged from a months-long coma to learn that his wife and unborn child died in the attack. Florida lawmakers push measure to ban public display of noose http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521495/lawmakers-push-measure-to-ban.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521495/lawmakers-push-measure-to-ban.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST The picture, spread virally on the Web, was the last straw for state Sen. Frederica Wilson. It showed a man posing in front of the White House with a noose wrapped around an American flag. Passenger identified in plane crash http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522634/passenger-identified-in-plane.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522634/passenger-identified-in-plane.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00 EST Authorities have confirmed a passenger killed with a Birmingham neurosurgeon after the plane he was flying crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle was his wife. Jeb Bush's son doesn't expect dad to run in 2012 http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522596/jeb-bushs-son-doesnt-expect-dad.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522596/jeb-bushs-son-doesnt-expect-dad.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:40 EST The eldest son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said in a North Carolina political appearance he doesn't expect his father to make a run for president in 2012. Canady to be Florida's next chief justice http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522534/canady-to-be-floridas-next-chief.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522534/canady-to-be-floridas-next-chief.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:05 EST Justice Charles Canady will be the Florida Supreme Court's next chief justice. 2 Fantasy 5 players each collect $110,046.90 prize http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522533/2-fantasy-5-players-each-collect.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522533/2-fantasy-5-players-each-collect.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:05 EST Two winners of the "Fantasy 5" game will collect $110,046.90 each, the Florida Lottery said Wednesday. Mega Money jackpot rolls over to $650,000 http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522521/mega-money-jackpot-rolls-over.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522521/mega-money-jackpot-rolls-over.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00 EST The Mega Ball jackpot has rolled over to $650,000 after no tickets matched the four winning numbers plus the Mega Ball in Wednesday's drawing. With waxing remark, Charlie Crist jabs Marco Rubio in the back http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521505/with-waxing-remark-crist-jabs.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521505/with-waxing-remark-crist-jabs.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Florida has a long history of dirty politics.<p/> Take the legend of Sen. George Smathers supposedly declaring in North Florida that Claude Pepper was a ``shameless extrovert'' with a ``thespian'' sister. Or the Florida GOP sending mailers calling a legislator ``Dr. Date Rape.'' Or even Mel Martinez's campaign calling Bill McCollum ``the new darling of the homosexual extremists.'' Legislature, again, consider closing controversial boys' school http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521512/legislature-again-consider-closing.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521512/legislature-again-consider-closing.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Florida's oldest reform school has survived a century of failure and scandal. Now lawmakers once again are confronted with an uncomfortable question: Is it time to shut the place down? Florida revenue outlook no better, economists say http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521515/revenue-outlook-no-better.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521515/revenue-outlook-no-better.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Cash-strapped Florida lawmakers aren't getting any help from a new general revenue estimate issued Tuesday, but the figures aren't causing them any grief, either. PSC official may face new probe http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521523/psc-official-may-face-new-probe.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521523/psc-official-may-face-new-probe.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:00 EST After an internal review requested by the Public Service Commission's chairwoman, the agency's inspector general has asked state law enforcement officials to consider investigating allegations that a commissioner and her aide lied about a conversation with a utility executive during a pending case. Florida tries to fend off wily coyotes http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/08/1519750/though-number-of-coyotes-seen.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/08/1519750/though-number-of-coyotes-seen.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:00 EST The brownish-gray coyote bared its teeth and snarled as Ralph Pfister arrived to open the steel trap that held it by the leg. A young male, it had succumbed to the irresistible bait combination of dead skunk and rival canine poop placed on the side of a dirt road running through the expansive Adams Ranch. Lawsuits pull the plug on voting-machine monopoly http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519746/lawsuits-pull-the-plug-on-voting.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519746/lawsuits-pull-the-plug-on-voting.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00 EST The nation's largest voting-machine company probably won't be called a monopoly for much longer in Florida and other states.<p/> Under a proposed settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and nine states that include Florida, Election Systems & Software will divest itself of its hardware, software and other assets it acquired after the $5 million purchase of Premier Election Solutions, a division of Diebold Inc. Cold weather kills large swaths of Florida Keys coral http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519733/cold-weather-kills-large-swaths.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519733/cold-weather-kills-large-swaths.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00 EST January's big chill led to widespread death of corals in many near shore and mid-channel reefs from Biscayne Bay to Summerland Key, but most of the popular offshore diving and fishing reefs in the Florida Keys were spared. U.S. Sugar deal sparks call for oversight http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519745/sugar-deal-sparks-call-for-oversight.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519745/sugar-deal-sparks-call-for-oversight.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00 EST With lawmakers already frustrated over a lack of oversight, recent reports on the state's landmark $536 million Everglades agreement with U.S. Sugar Corp. may add momentum for a legislative response in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the controversial deal, a key House lawmaker said Monday. Legislative Briefs http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519757/legislative-briefs.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519757/legislative-briefs.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00 EST EDUCATION<p/>TEACHER BILL<p/>CONTAINS PENALTY<p/> TALLAHASSEE -- The sponsor calls it a ``hammer.'' The head of Florida's statewide teachers union says it's more like a ``nuclear weapon.'' Lawsuits pull the plug on voting-machine monopoly http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519746/lawsuits-pull-the-plug-on-voting.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/09/1519746/lawsuits-pull-the-plug-on-voting.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00 EST The nation's largest voting-machine company probably won't be called a monopoly for much longer in Florida and other states.<p/> Under a proposed settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and nine states that include Florida, Election Systems & Software will divest itself of its hardware, software and other assets it acquired after the $5 million purchase of Premier Election Solutions, a division of Diebold Inc. Crackdown urged on undocumented migrants' mental healthcare http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/1518100/crackdown-urged-on-undocumented.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/1518100/crackdown-urged-on-undocumented.html Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:00 EST Mentally ill patients are being placed on waiting lists for treatment because Florida's mental health institutions are crowded with illegal immigrants. Leading candidates for Florida governor cautious on issues http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/1516732/leading-candidates-for-florida.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/1516732/leading-candidates-for-florida.html Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:00 EST As state lawmakers grapple with how to close a $3.2 billion budget gap and shrink unemployment ranks, Florida's leading candidates for governor are playing it safe. How fatty is that dessert? Menu might tell you http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515469/how-fatty-is-that-dessert-menu.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515469/how-fatty-is-that-dessert-menu.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:00 EST A meal at your favorite eatery may soon come with a side of calories. <p/> Some Florida lawmakers want restaurants to put basic nutritional information on menus in a measure aimed at promoting healthier eating. Company names may go on tags http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515463/company-names-may-go-on-tags.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515463/company-names-may-go-on-tags.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:00 EST With the economy in the tank, a Florida lawmaker is considering an unusual idea to raise money: Let corporations pay to put logos on license plates. Politics may derail inspector general proposal http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515462/politics-may-derail-inspector.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515462/politics-may-derail-inspector.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:00 EST The bill seemed like a no-brainer: asking Broward voters if they would like an anti-corruption unit to investigate public officials behaving badly. Dangerous dog ban draws owners' ire http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515461/dangerous-dog-ban-draws-owners.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/06/1515461/dangerous-dog-ban-draws-owners.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Forget about budget cuts, tax breaks and overhauling Medicaid.<p/> The legislation drawing perhaps the most lobbying attention so far this session debuted Thursday when Sen. Tony Hill's proposal to give cities and counties more authority to ban dangerous dogs came up in a committee this week. More money for Florida universities called unlikely http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/05/1513635/more-money-for-universities-called.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/05/1513635/more-money-for-universities-called.html Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:00 EST University students descended on the Florida capital Thursday to lobby the governor and lawmakers for millions more in state funding, but their pitch came just hours after House Speaker Larry Cretul released lean budget numbers and a warning that education programs will face ``significant reductions.'' Vaccine consent measure revives autism debate http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511617/vaccine-consent-measure-revives.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511617/vaccine-consent-measure-revives.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Earlier this month, the British medical journal The Lancet retracted a famous study that linked vaccines with autism. <p/> Public health experts, worried over an uptick in diseases like mumps and measles in children who weren't vaccinated, breathed a sigh of relief. Numerous studies over several years have found no link between vaccines and autism. Alex Sink offers program to help veterans http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511613/sink-offers-program-to-help-veterans.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511613/sink-offers-program-to-help-veterans.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink unveiled an initiative Wednesday aimed at ensuring that the state's 1.7 million veterans tap into all the benefits available to them. Charlie Crist jumps on Marco Rubio, Ray Sansom similarities http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511612/crist-jumps-on-rubio-sansom-similarities.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511612/crist-jumps-on-rubio-sansom-similarities.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:00 EST Ray Sansom may have quit the Florida House last week to avoid an ethics trial, but the scandal has legs in the Republican U.S. Senate primary between Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio. Florida House committee reviews ethics bill quickly passed by Senate http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511611/florida-house-committee-reviews.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511611/florida-house-committee-reviews.html Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:00 EST A bill aimed at tightening the ethics rules at the Public Service Commission flew through the Florida Senate Wednesday and then became snagged by a House committee, which raised red flags about some parts of the measure. Workers stuck on open drawbridge in Fla. rescued http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522195/worker-stuck-on-open-drawbridge.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522195/worker-stuck-on-open-drawbridge.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:04 EST Four workers are safe after getting stuck on a drawbridge fixed in the air in Pompano Beach. Gulf-wide charter-fishing survey gearing up http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522103/gulf-wide-charter-fishing-survey.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522103/gulf-wide-charter-fishing-survey.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:24 EST More than 2,000 licensed Gulf of Mexico charter boat captains from Texas to Florida will be asked how they see the health of the recreational fishing industry. Italy, FBI raids crack down on Mafia in US, Sicily http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522065/italy-fbi-raids-crack-down-on.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522065/italy-fbi-raids-crack-down-on.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:49 EST The FBI arrested a reputed U.S. mobster Wednesday on charges he provided protection for a Sicilian counterpart operating in Florida - part of an international sweep aimed at further crippling the storied Gambino organized crime family and disrupting its ties to the Italian mob. Italy-FBI raids crack down on Mafia in US, Sicily http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522063/italy-fbi-raids-crack-down-on.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1522063/italy-fbi-raids-crack-down-on.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:39 EST Police say Italian-FBI raids in Sicily, New York and Miami have yielded arrests of Mafia suspects on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Big Miami-Dade hospital system nears insolvency http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521946/big-miami-dade-hospital-system.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521946/big-miami-dade-hospital-system.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:49 EST The major hospital network Miami relies on for trauma care is close to insolvency and could be cut off by suppliers. Accused military deserter picked up in Florida http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521944/accused-military-deserter-picked.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521944/accused-military-deserter-picked.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:44 EST Ocala police say they arrested a wanted U.S. military deserter after he brought his battered child to a hospital. Fla. man won't be charged in alleged priest attack http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521928/fla-man-wont-be-charged-in-alleged.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521928/fla-man-wont-be-charged-in-alleged.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:04 EST A Marine reservist accused of attacking a Greek Orthodox priest in Tampa won't face criminal charges. Miami-Dade hospital system teeters on insolvency http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521903/miami-dade-hospital-system-teeters.html http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/10/1521903/miami-dade-hospital-system-teeters.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:44 EST The major hospital system Miami relies on for trauma care is shockingly close to getting shut off by suppliers and complete insolvency.