Palm Beach Commissioner McCarty resigns amid corruption scandal
In her resignation letter, County Commissioner Mary McCarty said she accepted free and discounted hotel rooms and services. She also said she failed to recuse herself from bond issues that benefited her husband's employers and "through them both my husband and me." "I am disgusted with myself for, once again, placing the commission that I respect so much in an untenable situation." The resignation takes effect at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral today for John Travolta's son
A private memorial service for Jett will be held Thursday afternoon for family and close friends in Ocala, his publicist said. Doctors in the Bahamas performed an autopsy on Jett on Monday but did not release results. A Bahamas undertaker said the teen's death certificate had "seizure" as the cause of death. The teen had a history of seizures; his body was cremated Monday and flown to the United States. the same night.
S. Florida man accused in 100-crime spree linked to con in Indian River County
Derrick Lewis, 31, of North Lauderdale, is accused of presented himself as a Florida Lottery official at a 7-Eleven convenience store to make off with $1,820 in scratch-off tickets. Throughout southeast Florida, Lewis is accused of committing about 100 crimes after his release from prison in July.
No jackpot winners in Wednesday's Powerball; PSL ticket winner in Fantasy 5
There were no jackpot winners in Wednesday's Powerball drawing, although more than $8.3 million in prizes were awarded across the nation. However, two winners of Florida's "Fantasy 5" game will collect $112,317.03 each, the Florida Lottery said Thursday. The winning tickets were bought in Ormond Beach and Port St. Lucie, lottery officials reported.
Teacher to be sentenced in hand slamming incident
Teacher who slammed student's hand in door to be sentenced for battery
Disney?s Space Mountain to close for renovations
Space Mountain ? one of Walt Disney World?s most iconic attractions ? will be closing this spring for a makeover. Disney said Wednesday the ride in Orlando, Florida, will close April 19 so the 34-year-old attraction can be refurbished. Park officials expect the ride to reopen later in the year, but no date has been set.
Florida's quality of education ranks No. 10 in nation
Today, pigs fly.
Florida ranks No. 10 among states in education quality, according to the latest annual report card from the highly regarded Education Week newspaper.
The rankings, released Wednesday, are based on six broad categories -- including student achievement, standards and accountability, and funding -- and dozens of specific indicators, such as licensing requirements for teachers and scores on Advanced Placement exams for high school students.
State says Citizens Property Insurance rate freeze should end
Citizens Property Insurance should be allowed to end its three-year rate freeze and start hiking homeowner insurance rates as soon as next January, a state task force recommends.
Magazine ranks Florida 10th in education quality
Even while Florida?s schools struggle financially, a report card issued Wednesday by Education Week magazine shows them making academic progress and ranks the state 10th nationwide.
Disney World's Space Mountain to close in April for renovations
Space Mountain ? one of Walt Disney World?s most iconic attractions ? will be closing this spring for a makeover.
Ticket just 15 mph over speed limit to pop you for $233
Next time you feel the urge to put the pedal to the metal, think twice. Getting caught cruising 15 mph over the speed limit will come with at least a $233 ticket, according to a new traffic fee schedule tentatively endorsed by Florida legislators.
Officials: Polk man went singing, dancing after murdering father
Robert Farley was singing and dancing to the Temptations classic "Papa was a Rollin' Stone" soon after he shot and killed his elderly father on New Year's Eve, officials said Wednesday. "This was an unfortunate and bizarre murder from the beginning," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement, "and, when you see Robert Farley dancing and singing this song, after having just murdered his father, it just becomes even more bizarre."
Gainesville teen sexually assaults girl in special-needs class
The teen was charged this week with sexual battery and false imprisonment. Another boy is accused of helping hold down the girl, who is also 14.
Potential jurors in turnpike slayings grapple with death penalty question
As jury selection for the federal trial of the 2006 Florida's Turnpike killings entered its second day Wednesday, grappling with the ability to impose the death penalty remained an overriding issue in the case. Nearly all jurors interviewed had expressed strong feelings about the death penalty, both for and against.
Shooting suspects escape after standoff at Pinellas home, but were suspects ever inside?
A shooting Wednesday morning in St. Petersburg sent a man to the hospital and led to a standoff between three suspects and police. However, a woman who lives at the home where the standoff occurred said the suspects were never inside the house.
Florida may shut off free orange juice welcome centers
Florida may shut down its welcome centers that serve free orange juice and could also sharply curtail television ads that beckon snow-weary Northerners to the Sunshine State. Lawmakers are considering steep cuts to Visit Florida, the public-private program that promotes tourism, to help avoid a budget deficit of at least $2.3 billion.
How would you spend your Powerball winnings?
As wannabe millionaires line up for their shot at the $105 million Powerball, we got to thinking. How would you spend that kind of money? Tell us here.
Sales for $105 million Powerball continue until 10 tonight
It's like Christmas in January -- and not just for Florida gamblers with visions of Powerball millions dancing in their heads. The Florida Lottery hit it rich because the game launches tonight in the Sunshine State with a supersized prize of $105 million. Powerball sales continue today until 10 p.m., 40 minutes before Lotto sales are cut off.
Nursing homes face Medicaid cuts as lawmakers face budget gap
For the 79,000 Floridians who live in a nursing home, life is going to get worse, according to advocates who warned Tuesday that the Florida Legislature is going too far in its rush to close a $2.4 billion budget gap. The proposal -- which would cost the state's 680 nursing homes as much as $220 million this year and next -- would be a severe blow, said Tony Marshall, spokesman for the Florida Health Care Association. The cuts during the current fiscal year that ends on June 30 would amount to about $70 million.
