Florida

Tropical Storm Andrea Approaches Florida With Heavy Rains

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 09:40

Miami, Fla. -

Tropical Storm Andrea is roughly 160 miles west of Tampa, Florida moving NNE at 14mph and is expected to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend area. The maximum sustained winds are 60mph.

Heavy rains have already started hitting most of Florida from Fort Myers to West Palm Beach, Orlando, Gainesville and the Tampa area.

After making landfall, Andrea is expected to make its way NE over Valdosta, Georgia and southeast Georgia before moving onto South Carolina.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...

Florida Gov. Rick Scott Signs Bills Restoring Early Voting

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 16:11

Tallahassee, Fla. -

Hoping to end Florida being the "laughing stock" of state elections as NBC put it, Gov. Rick Scott (R) has signed a bill yesterday that will restore early voting among several other election updates.

Two years ago Scott signed a bill that cut early voting and defended it as recently as last year. However, due to long lines, a reduction in delegate counts at national conventions and complicated long ballots at the last election, Scott reversed course and signed the bill into law which will take effect January 1, 2014.

Actor Wesley Snipes Released From Jail To House Arrest

Submitted by Leo on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 10:52

Actor Wesley Snipes has been released from a federal prison after serving a three-year sentence for tax evasion. The star was sentenced in February 2010 regarding his 1999, 2000, and 2001 taxes.

Snipes was convicted in Florida and spent his time at a Pennsylvania federal prison. The actor is now on house arrest till July 19th. Snipes is serving the remainder of his time at a residence in New York.

Florida Unemployment Drops To 7.7%

Submitted by Leo on Sat, 03/30/2013 - 09:41

For the 31st month in a row Florida’s unemployment rate dropped this time to 7.7% in February. The rate dropped from 7.9% in January as 140,000 new jobs have been created in the past twelve months. Health care, hotel, and retail were the leaders in hiring.

Observers still caution that there is still improvement to be had as some who are employed are underemployed. Those are underemployed are having to take jobs that pay significantly less than their previous jobs and struggle to pay their bills which haven’t decreased.

BP Agrees To Pay Billions In Settlement Talks With U.S. And 2 Employees Face Manslaughter Charges

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 10:21

BP has agreed to pay upwards of $4.5 billion for the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and has said BP will plead guilty to criminal misconduct, negligence and lying to congress about how much oil was actually spilling out of the well being drilled by the Deep Water Horizon oil platform. BP will be out nearly $20 billion in all including cleanup costs and helping local businesses around the Gulf of Mexico run ad promotions.

Polls Open In Florida; Where To Vote; Lines Are Both Long And Short Depending On Precinct

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 09:37

The polls have opened in Florida with some precincts reporting little or no lines while other say line are two hours long. So far, in the more democratic south, polls have had longer lines than in northern florida where it is more republican dominated.

Elections officials said they are not sure if the weather will play a part in who gets tot he polls. A low pressure system bring cold winds from up north is moving over Georgia circulating the winds down to Orlando.

If you're still wondering where you can vote, visit:
http://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus

Florida Early Voting Starts Today

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Sat, 10/27/2012 - 10:36

Orlando, Fla. -

Early voting has started in Florida as of today, just 10 days before the general election on November 6. Most neighborhood polling stations are not yet open, so if you wish to vote early, you will need to go to the Supervisor of Elections office in your area or county.

If you're wanting to vote but have not registered yet, its too late, you'll have to sit this election out.

So far, none of of the Elections Supervisors have thrown out lists of voters that were named on rolls listed by the state as ineligible due to the controversy and inaccuracy of those lists.

Western Hemisphere Weather Today, 2 Systems Could Become Tropical Storms

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 11:20

Here's today's weather map for most of the Western Hemisphere.

There are two low pressure systems, one of which forecasters believe has a 90% chance of developing into a tropical storm and move across Central Florida this coming weekend.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 this year.

Florida Adopts Controversial Race Based Student Achievement Goals

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 12:21

Tallahassee, Fla. -

A controversial new race and income based achievement goals has been adopted by the Florida Board of Education which sets different goals for students depending on your race and family income.

Under the new six year measure that was approved by the Florida Board of Education, the goal is to get 88% of white students up to grade level reading proficiency, and 81% of hispanic students to that same level, while goal for black students is just 74%.

Currently only 38% of black students read at grade level, 53% of Hispanics, and 69% for white students.

Arrest Warrant Issued For Controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville By Egypt

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 13:52

An arrest warrant has been issued for the controversial Christian paster Terry Jones (who lives in Gainesville, Florida) for supporting the anti-Muslim film "Innocence of Muslims.

The arrant was issued by Egypt's general prosecutor. Jones is best known of this controversial Quran burning event he conducted two years. He has been charged with charged with attacking Islam, spreading false information and harming national unity.