Florida

June 06, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 5 at Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when the Kiowa helicopter they were in went down during a test flight.

They were assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer James Carter, 42, of Alabama.

Pfc. Andre D. McNair, Jr., 20, of Fort Pierce, Florida.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

May 30, 2008 -- ST. PETERSBURG – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today joined Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Florida, and community leaders to explore possibilities for diversifying technology in Florida’s energy future.

They unveiled plans for Sustainable Electrical Energy Delivery Systems (SEEDS), innovative renewable energy technology that will be evaluated at two St. Petersburg sites including the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and Albert Whitted Park. The sites will serve as research hubs for unique technology that could be used as energy storage for future “Smart Grid” power systems.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- VERO BEACH – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today joined Jim Bass, president and chief executive officer of Piper Aircraft, to announce the aviation manufacturer’s plans to keep its headquarters in Florida and further expand manufacturing operations in Vero Beach.

Piper Cub: Photo by kptyson (CC)

Today’s announcement concludes Piper’s two-year site selection process. Piper, a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, will receive a $32 million incentive package as part of the agreement between the company, the state and Indian River County.    » read more »

Will stress need for direct diplomacy, call for regional energy partnership and security initiative, development assistance to promote bottom-up growth in the hemisphere

Miami, FL -- May 23, 2008 -- MIAMI, FL - Senator Barack Obama today will lay out his comprehensive Latin America policy, rejecting the Bush-McCain approach that has neglected the Americas and failed to adapt to the realities of our changing world. Speaking at the Cuban American National Foundation Luncheon, Obama will outline his plans to forge a new regional approach to combat insecurity and aggressively promote economic opportunity through new trade, aid and energy policies.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that Florida has reached a settlement with Aon Corp., a large insurance broker that received undisclosed compensation in connection with the placement of insurance coverage on behalf of Florida policyholders.

As part of the agreement, Aon will pay $2.6 million to Florida to reimburse affected policyholders. Aon also will reimburse the three Florida agencies $1.4 million in fees and costs, which will be paid within 10 days of this agreement.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- NEW YORK CITY – On the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, Florida Governor Charlie Crist ceremonially signed Senate Bill 2310, allowing $1.95 billion investments in technology and growth enterprises, such as alternative energy, life sciences and aerospace. The legislation also doubles Florida’s alternative investments from $9.2 billion to $18.4 billion.

“This infusion of investment capital will enhance the state’s capacity for innovation, economic growth and higher paying jobs for Floridians,” Governor Crist said. “Florida is committed to growing industries such as aerospace, life sciences, and energy solutions.    » read more »

Company was under investigation for marketing of anti-inflammatory drug

May 20, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today filed a stipulated consent judgment with Merck and Company, Inc. resolving a three-year investigation that targeted the company’s promotion of the prescription drug Vioxx.

Merck Vioxx

The agreement provides $58 million to the 30 participating states, of which Florida’s share will be more than $3.5 million. The judgment, filed today in the Broward County Circuit Court and pending court approval, will largely restrict Merck’s ability to promote any Merck product in a manner that may be deceptive.    » read more »

National operation includes more than 180 actions against instances of telemarketing fraud

May 20, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and a series of Florida partners today announced the results of a national telemarketing fraud sweep, including several actions taken throughout Florida over the past few months.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- MIAMI – Florida Governor Charlie Crist continued a weeklong series of health care bill signings today by signing Senate Bill 2534, providing affordable health insurance options to Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured individuals. The Governor’s Cover Florida plan will allow the State of Florida to negotiate with health insurers to develop affordable health coverage for uninsured Floridians ages 19 to 64. Small businesses will also be able to offer employees a variety of health care plans and services through a centralized clearinghouse. He signed the bill while visiting the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- “I am honored to join local, state and national leaders, as well as members of the Cuban community in Florida and throughout the nation, as they stand in solidarity with those unjustly imprisoned on the island of Cuba.

“For nearly half a century, the government of Cuba has denied its people access to the most fundamental, God-given liberties, blatantly ignored human rights violations and repressed opposition voices.

A prisoner at the Bush administration's Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention facility: Photo by Habacuc (CC)    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today announced that the Committee approved S. 2555, “The Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008,” a bill that instructs the President to sign the California waiver so that California and other states can proceed with laws to improve air quality problems from cars.

On December 19, 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson denied California’s request for the waiver – the first time in history that EPA had ever denied outright a request from California for a waiver to do more to cut air pollution.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- FT. LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, in his second address to more than 2,600 emergency managers, first responders, and volunteer agencies, praised their commitment to public service. He also encouraged all Floridians to prepare for the 2008 hurricane season during the general session of the 22nd Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference.

Florida hurricane damage: Photo by Zaylea (CC)    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Central Florida woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of probation for participating in criminal mortgage fraud schemes.

Patricia C. Grant and her daughter, Geisha Morris, were previously found guilty by an Orange County jury for their role in a mortgage fraud ring that operated throughout Central and South Florida. The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- “FPL’s proposal to modernize its power plants would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by millions of tons and help address the serious challenge of global climate change. This move continues FPL’s strong leadership role on the environment.

“FPL already has the lowest emissions profile of any utility in the state, and one of the lowest nationwide. Their leading position in wind and solar power is well known. I look forward to the state of Florida continuing its partnership with FPL to secure an even better environmental future for our children.”

Source: Florida Governor

April 30, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their forward operating base with indirect fire.

Killed were:

Pfc. Adam L. Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, North Carolina. He was assigned to the 171st Engineer Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Saint Pauls, N.C.

Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Florida. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.    » read more »