MiamiHerald.com: Florida

House approves $69 billion state budget

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:30 EST

Amid complaint from Democrats, the Republican-dominated state House approved a $69 billion budget. Next up: the state Senate.

Saturday’s $310 million Powerball jackpot sets a Florida record

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:22 EST

Powerball’s recent price increase to $2 per ticket has sparked the richest lottery we’ve ever had a hope of winning in Florida.

More damp weather ahead, followed by a cool, sunny Sunday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:55 EST

Although the Sunshine State has been murky for most of this week, the overcast skies and rain should give way to a nice cool-down by Sunday, with morning temperatures in the low- to mid-50s and afternoon readings in the upper 60s and low 70s.

Service for Patricia Stephens Due

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:49 EST

A memorial service for civil rights leader Patricia Stephens Due will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at Florida A&M University’s Lee Hall Auditorium, 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tallahassee.

Larger Coast Guard cutter prototype debuts in Miami

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:59 EST

A 154-foot prototype for the new generation of Florida Straits Coast Guard cutter steamed into Government Cut Thursday, a new white ship with an orange stripe designed to replace the smaller cutters folks on the coast typically see.

Budget bill would make USF Polytechnic state’s 12th university

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:10 EST

Lawmakers are crafting legislation to split the Lakeland campus of the University of South Florida into the state’s 12th university.

Elderly woman dies in house fire

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:51 EST

Authorities say an elderly Tampa Bay area woman was found dead following a fire at her home.

Miss. lawmaker: 'Gulf of America' bill was a joke

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:01 EST

All the people outraged about the Mississippi bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" have missed its satirical intent, the sponsor said Thursday.

Fla. House approves $69.2 billion budget

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:11 EST

The Florida House on Thursday voted along partisan lines in favor of a bare-bones $69.2 billion budget for the coming year.

Scientists say NASA cutting missions to Mars

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:06 EST

Scientists say NASA is about to propose major cuts in its exploration of other planets, especially Mars. And NASA's former science chief is calling it irrational.

Fugitive sibling pleads guilty in Colorado deal

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:41 EST

One of three fugitive siblings who were the focus of a nationwide search last summer will have to serve at least nine years in prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

Passengers contract Norovirus on Princess ship for 2nd time

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:38 EST

A Princess cruise ship returned to South Florida for a second time after passengers and crew members contracted the Norovirus.

Fleeing thief in Boyton dragged by getaway car

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:29 EST

A woman could be suffering from a severe case of road rash after being dragged by a getaway vehicle while trying to flee a pursuing crime victim and witness.

Veterans Court headed to Broward County

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:46 EST

Chief Judge Peter Weinstein moves plans forward to open a Veterans Court in Broward as more troops head home from the wars.

Guardian contests polo magnate’s adoption of girlfriend, 42

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:28 EST

A guardian for Wellington polo mogul John Goodman’s teenage children is asking a judge in Miami to toss Goodman’s recent adoption of his 42-year-old girlfriend, saying the move defrauded the court, blindsided the children’s mother and shirked public policy on adoptions.

Gloomy skies will stick around for a few days

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:42 EST

The Sunshine State hasn’t been living up to its name this week, with more gray gloom expected over the next two days, the National Weather Service says.

Debate intensifies over requiring insurers pay for birth control

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:52 EST

The Obama administration and top Republicans, including Sen. Marco Rubio, continued their fight over a law forcing most private insurers to pay for birth control.

Judge on emaciated child: Didn’t anyone notice?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:29 EST

As the case of a 9-year-old boy with malnutrition continued in juvenile court, the emphasis shifted away from the boy’s parents and toward the actions of others who saw him.

Florida No. 1 in shark attacks

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00 EST

Even though the number of bites are down, Florida is once again the shark attack capital of the United States.

Miami-Dade college president deems budget allocation process unfair

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:26 EST

The House budget proposal includes special allocations for a trio of colleges in north and central Florida.

Gov. Scott’s Facebook page draws praise and protests

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:58 EST

Gov. Rick Scott’s Facebook page is intriguing because the comments to a question about the Florida Legislature provides a snapshot of a divided state.

Bills to revamp high school sports spark debate

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:27 EST

A pair of proposals would dramatically change the structure of high school sports in Florida.

Legislators reject attempt to clarify state’s regulation of slot machines

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:49 EST

While holes in state gambling laws threaten payments from the Seminoles, legislators rejected regulators’ bid for more powers.

Capitol Buzz: Biden visits Tallahassee to talk jobs

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00 EST

Here’s what we’re watching on Monday edition’s of the 2012 Legislature:

Debate on Florida private prisons hinges on cost

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:27 EST

Proponents say private prisons would save seven percent over state-run prisons, but opponents are skeptical.

Legislators propose shifting oversight of utility watchdog

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:26 EST

A proposal to move the office that represents consumers before state regulators gets mixed reviews, as some say it will make the job more political and others suggest it will insulate it from politics.

Charter schools seek construction money

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:45 EST

Florida school districts are fighting a bill that would require them to share construction dollars with charter schools.

As bill dies, future of mega-casinos remains uncertain

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:59 EST

The debate over Las Vegas-style casinos has ended in defeat for supporters, who now have to wait until next year to try again to revive the gambling legislation.

Mega-casino gambling is dead – or is it?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:21 EST

Time to exhale, at least a little, and take down names.

House okays new redistricting map

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:40 EST

The House approved new redistricting maps amid opposition from Democrats who said the political boundaries favor Republicans.

Ethics bill left on cutting room floor of state capitol

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:17 EST

Senate President Mike Haridopolos and his staff effectively killed an ethics bill for 2012 by assigning it to five different committees before the beginning of the legislative session.

House approves ‘downsizing” Citizens Property

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:25 EST

The House passed a bill to allow surplus lines carriers to take over some insurance policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Remains identified as missing Knoxville woman

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:51 EST

Skeletal remains found last month in Loudon County have been identified as a Knoxville woman missing more than six years.

Teen gets 12 years for fatal shooting

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:41 EST

A north Florida teen has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for fatally shooting another teen.

Fla. mogul, facing trial, adopts his girlfriend

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:41 EST

The story already had people's attention: A multimillionaire polo magnate was accused of causing a drunken-driving wreck that killed a young man. But now, with his criminal trial approaching, a strange twist has raised even more eyebrows: He has adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend.

High court rejects stay in Spanish treasure case

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:26 EST

A U.S. Supreme Court justice has rejected an appeal by Florida deep-sea explorers who wanted to hold onto a trove of Spanish shipwreck treasure while the courts finish sorting out ownership rights.

Man hit by commuter train

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:21 EST

Officials say a bicyclist was injured when a South Florida commuter train stuck him.

Woman's unique name helps get conviction reversed

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:01 EST

An appellate court has ruled that a woman couldn't be found guilty just because she has a unique name.

4 students in custody after explosion

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:01 EST

Officials say four students face expulsion and possible criminal charges after a bottle containing household chemicals exploded in a South Florida middle school bathroom.

Obama gives education waivers to 10 states

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:21 EST

President Barack Obama says his decision to free 10 states from the No Child Left Behind education law will give the flexibility they need to set high standards for students and hold schools accountable.