Covering Florida

• Mighty rugby league battle set for Jacksonville

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  Jacksonville’s hometown rugby league team The Axemen are undefeated, and their playoff battle with the Boston 13s promises to be a sizzling match. A spokesman said the Jax team only need to win this game and they will be heading to NYC on Aug 29th for [...]
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  Posted: August 18, 2009, 11:24am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Justice on hold for UCF murder victim

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  Many Floridians remember the death of UCF student Nhat Anh Tran, allegedly killed by a man she had a relationship with. The trial of Loc B. Tran (no relation to the victim) was declared a mistrial Tuesday because the judge recused herself. The Orlando Sentinel said, "Orange Circuit Court Judge" [...]
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  Posted: August 11, 2009, 3:27pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Martinez steps down; advantage Crist

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  By now you've probably learned rumors Sen. Mel Martinez would step down are true. Now Gov. Charlie Crist will appoint a replacement for the senator's seat. Crist faces GOP challenger Marco Rubio, former speaker of the Florida House, for the Republican contender position in the 2010 elections. Hopefully [...]
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  Posted: August 07, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Accusations levied at Broward deputy reveal dark side of sanctuary cities, dilemma for gay community

  Number of comments: 2
  
  A scandal is brewing in South Florida, stemming from a sanctuary policy for illegals that as I have often said actually puts undocumented foreigners in a vulnerable position. Accusations against sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss are detailed in a South Florida Sun Sentinel article. The Sentinel [...]
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  Posted: August 05, 2009, 12:19pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Times-Union readers want Forrest High School named for Capt. Speicher

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  If you live on the First Coast, the story of Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher has been a long-running topic. Over the last 18 years stories have been published about the fate of the young captain whose plane was shot down flying a combat mission in [...]
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  Posted: August 03, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Florida poised to push Cap and Trade Obama-style

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  Media have focused on the federal Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade bill, also referred to as the Climate Change Bill and the Energy bill. Conservatives call it the Tax and Trade bill. But Florida was a step ahead of President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress.
  [...]
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  Posted: July 30, 2009, 11:08am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Rubio wows Republicans in grassroots polls

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  Former speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio is waging a down-home campaign for the Senate seat about to be vacated by Sen. Mel Martinez (R). I’ve heard Rubio speak, and he is impressive. In Jacksonville, speaking to the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, Rubio [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2009, 10:42am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Axemen inch closer to bringing rugby league trophy to Jacksonville

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  Our email brought celebratory remarks from Jacksonville Axemen co-founder Spinner Howland:
  
  The Barons Brewing Jacksonville Axemen have finished the regular season with a perfect undefeated record after beating the Philly Fight in Philadelphia last night. The Axemen ran out winners 48 to 12 in [...]
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  Posted: July 27, 2009, 10:33am EDT
  by Kay Day

• UNF paleontologist unearths rare sickle-clawed dinosaur in Utah desert

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  Dr. Barry Albright, a paleontologist and professor in the Department of Physics at the University of North Florida, along with a multi-institutional team of scientists, have discovered a new species of dinosaur belonging to an extremely rare group known as therizinosaurs (sickle-clawed reptiles) in Southern Utah.
  [...]
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  Posted: July 23, 2009, 11:54am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Lee County Resident Dies of H1N1 (Swine Flu)

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  (Fort Myers, Fla.)— The Lee County Health Department has received notification of an H1N1(Swine) Flu-related death in a 51 year old male resident who had reported no pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to family and friends. We have continued to see [...]
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  Posted: July 22, 2009, 10:35am EDT
  by Kay Day

• FSC sues Delray Marriott over breached contract for ‘Free Speech Summit’

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  The Florida Security Council has filed a lawsuit against the Delray Beach Marriott owned and operated by Ocean Properties, Inc. A news release issued by FSC in June said the basis for the lawsuit is “a breach of contract by defendant Marriott…”
  
  FSC had [...]
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  Posted: July 20, 2009, 2:09pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• San Jose Baptist Church sponsors bike ride for child battling brain cancer

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  San Jose Baptist Church is sponsoring “Ride for Carla,” a motorcycle benefit ride on Saturday, July 25, to benefit Carla Jannotti, a 10-year-old girl from Deltona, Fla., who is fighting brain cancer[Photo at left]. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the ride starts at 10 a.m. [...]
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  Posted: July 17, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Jax Christian artist/songwriter launches music ministry

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  Jacksonville Christian artist and songwriter Joanna Norris has launched a Christian music ministry that showcases her original music in an effort to encourage people and to draw them into a closer relationship with God.
  
  The Southside resident is a native of Western Kentucky and has [...]
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  Posted: July 16, 2009, 10:42am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Appeal to Peyton to refrain from cuts in vital agencies like animal control

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  Jacksonville mayor John Peyton is holding community forums, hoping to sell taxpayers on the first property tax increase in the city in almost two decades. The proposed increase follows fees now imposed for garbage pickup and stormwater drainage. If the tax increase doesn’t go through, Peyton [...]
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  Posted: July 15, 2009, 10:34am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Do you know who owns this Florida cat?

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  Last week we found this cat hiding in our backyard shrubbery. She was starving, so naturally I had to feed her. I knew it would encourage her to stay but I don’t care because I am not going to watch anything starve. The cat had [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2009, 9:53am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Chinese drywall a health and financial problem for homeowners

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  For months notices have trickled down to media about Chinese drywall in Florida homes. A story in The Miami Herald on Thursday said, “Tens of thousands of homes in Florida and as many as 100,000 across the country are believed to have been built with imported [...]
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  Posted: July 13, 2009, 1:54pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• New designation for Jax: car crash capital

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  Florida’s capital is in Tallahassee, but the crash capital is in Jacksonville, the largest city in land mass in the contiguous US. Jacksonville Business Journal published an excerpt from the report from the Florida Highway Patrol. Drive in my home city for a few minutes [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 8:59am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Talk radio tackles media bias

  Number of comments: 2
  
  I'd like to invite my readers to join me Thursday afternoon when I do a guest stint on What's the Buzz. The show airs on Jacksonville radio station 1320 AM (WBOB). It's hosted by Duval County GOP chair Lenny Curry and Republican State Committeewoman Cindy Graves.' [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 9:12am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Aggressive federal tax policy stymies state government in Florida, elsewhere

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  Currently Democrats who hold absolute power over the US government at all levels are desperately searching for ways to tax us. They’ve explored a VAT tax (value-added, over and above your income tax), health insurance tax, increasing taxes on the so-called “rich” (variously defined as [...]
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  Posted: July 08, 2009, 4:52pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Death of child by python allegedly caused by irresponsible pet ownership

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  An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators. Photo by Lori Oberhofer, National [...]
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  Posted: July 07, 2009, 10:54am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Much ado over Jax Tea Party during slow news cycle

  Number of comments: 6
  
  Some Jacksonville Tea Party protesters are being criticized for signs comparing President Barack Obama to Hitler. One local blogger said the Duval County GOP “is backing away from their promotion” of the event.
  
  And that spurred a clarification from GOP Duval chair Lenny Curry. [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 11:12am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Crowd shows for Tea Party rally in Jax despite weather

  Number of comments: 3
  
  The heat index was hot enough to melt a small iceberg, and the skies darkened with rain-laden clouds. But Thursday's late afternoon storms didn't daunt the protesters who showed up at Jacksonville Landing for the First Coast Tea Party. The Florida Times-Union estimated the crowd [...]
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  Posted: July 03, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Freddie Mac steps back into the fire

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  The problem with government sponsored enterprises like Freddie Mac lies in government cronyism. It doesn't matter if you run the company according to sound principles because the government is there to fix it if you screw up. Jacksonville Business Journal said Freddie Mac announced on' [...]
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  Posted: July 02, 2009, 10:59am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Vacationer Takes Photos of Kids Playing With Rabid Bat

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  Please read the health alert below. Wednesday afternoon I talked on the phone with a spokesperson for the Lee County Health Dept. 3 children are still being sought so they can obtain lifesaving information. The girl has been found. There really isn't an option to take' [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Unique shop for tea time in Jacksonville

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  by Jennifer Day, guest columnist
  
  
  Nestled in the unique Five Points district in Jacksonville, Cozy Tea is a fresh experience for anyone looking to chat over a warm drink or enjoy a leisurely lunch. While coffee shops seem to pop up regularly all over town, [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2009, 10:27am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Rubio sprinting towards June fundraising deadline

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  Marco Rubio, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, is sprinting towards the June fundraising deadline in hopes of having solid numbers going into July. Rubio is fighting an uphill battle as standout challenger to Gov. Charlie Crist for retiring senator Mel Martinez’s seat in the US Senate.
  [...]
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  Posted: June 30, 2009, 10:12am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Click-it or Ticket takes effect Tuesday

  Number of comments: 1
  
  The new ‘Click-it or Ticket’ law takes effect Tuesday, and that means law enforcement can now stop your car if you’re not wearing a seat belt even if you’re not committing another traffic offense. Florida stands to save lives, according to government officials, but the state [...]
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  Posted: June 29, 2009, 11:11am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Heat gets to Tallahassee Democrat as paper endorses Waxman-Markey

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  Rarely have I seen the level of stupidity displayed by The Tallahassee Democrat in an editorial ‘Vote Yes on Climate Bill’ (Jun. 26). I really would love to know if the editors have read the actual bill (that’d be sort of hard since the full [...]
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  Posted: June 26, 2009, 11:59am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Florida taxpayers, you’re about to get fleeced on Cap and Trade

  Number of comments: 1
  
  The more government does, the less we taxpayers have. The latest grab for power targets the energy industry, as Congress pushes HR 2454 towards passage. A cheerleader for the bill, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), who’s been in Congress for 14 terms, repeatedly stated on C-SPAN (Thursday) [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2009, 10:40am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Duval GOP holds healthcare forum

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  A free healthcare forum, ‘Protecting Patients’ Rights While Fixing a Broken System,’ will be held Thursday, June 25, from 7-9 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Police Hall, 5530 Beach Blvd., in Jacksonville (Florida). Guests must pre-register for this event by either using the form on [...]
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  Posted: June 24, 2009, 10:14am EDT
  by Kay Day

• JaxAxe mows down rugby league competition

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  Jacksonville’s Axemen make up one of the most persistent rugby league teams in the nation, and this season’s 4 wins in a row give fans more good reasons to celebrate. The Axemen website said the latest victory over the New York Knights—28 to 18—occurred in [...]
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  Posted: June 23, 2009, 10:47am EDT
  by Kay Day

• Covering Florida returns

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  Having taken a break from Covering Florida, I've decided to resume a daily column here. Fact is there is so much Florida-centric news, it seems a good idea to cover it. I realized my national column would soon drown in Sunshine State goings on because this' [...]
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  Posted: June 22, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Readers, it's been a lovely ride

  Number of comments: 3
  All things come to an end, unless you’re an earmarker in the U.S. Congress, and it’s time for me to close the door on Covering Florida. I started writing this blog in October, 2006. Since that time I’ve received so many emails and met so many incredible people because of [...]
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  Posted: March 11, 2009, 2:04pm EDT
  by Kay Day

• Four years later Degner, Hayes still missing

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  (Jacksonville, Fla.)--It's the stuff of parental nightmares. Suddenly your child is missing. For two Jacksonville families, that nightmare has been reality for 4 years. Mark Anthony Degner was 12 years old when he and his friend Bryan Hayes, 13, took an early out from Paxon Middle School on Feb. 10,' [...]
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  Posted: February 09, 2009, 4:21pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Post Super Bowl in Florida: rain and charity warnings

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  (Jacksonville, Fla.)- The day after Super Bowl is always sort of a yawner, but one newspaper story warning consumers about telemarketers for charities snapped me to attention. It's been raining since mid-morning and it's chilly here in Jacksonville, so I'm glad something perked me up.If I' [...]
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  Posted: February 02, 2009, 2:29pm EST
  by Kay Day

• State Farm abandons property insurance in Florida, will keep other lines

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  (Jacksonville, Fla.)—Rumors had been around for awhile, and finally they became official: State Farm will abandon property owners in Florida but will keep other insurance lines like auto and life as well as financial services. Here’s part of the statement on the State Farm Florida [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2009, 1:54pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Commission takes up Cap and Trade for Florida; costs may rise

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  It’s the darling of the environmental lobby, especially from a profits angle. Because Cap and Trade basically creates money based on an asset of nothing. The Florida Energy and Climate Commission’s agenda Monday includes a carbon cap-and-trade system for Florida.
  
  Eventually, we could [...]
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  Posted: January 26, 2009, 2:21pm EST
  by Kay Day

• New dental license may increase access to dentists for poor, uninsured

  Number of comments: 1
  
  Oral healthcare can be overlooked when overall fitness is considered, but a new license recently enabled by Florida may help the poor and others who can’t afford dentistry to get needed services. Even toddlers need good oral hygiene—I remember early instruction in tooth brushing with our [...]
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  Posted: January 23, 2009, 2:17pm EST
  by Kay Day

• So far tainted peanut butter products spare Floridians, in theory anyway

  Number of comments: 0
  Read on for everything you need to know and every link you need to go to when it comes to recalled peanut butter products. We even got a Salmonella snapshot.
  
  Peanut butter is back in the news, with a recall of various products by Peanut Corporation [...]
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  Posted: January 21, 2009, 1:04pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Jacksonville top city for international rugby Super League as Rhinos face Reds

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  (Jacksonville, Fla.)—The Leeds Rhinos return to Jacksonville’s Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida on January 17 for the Rhinos Stampede, facing the Salford Reds in what promises to be an outstanding match. This annual rugby league extravaganza is the brainchild of Jacksonville Axemen coach Spinner Howland, [...]
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  Posted: January 15, 2009, 1:40pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Alleged carjacker kills mother of two

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  It's the kind of story that makes you want to bang your head against a wall. The Florida Times Union followed up on TV news stories with an article about 24-year-old Amanda Rengifo. The mother of two children ages 2 and 5 was killed on Jacksonville's [...]
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  Posted: January 14, 2009, 1:42pm EST
  by Kay Day

• H&R Block wants your 'Worth a Second Look' story for contest

  Number of comments: 1
  
  Our morning email disclosed a request to help publicize a writing contest offering prizes and publication. H&R Block wants your poems, short stories or essays about any topic. You must include the phrase 'worth a second look.' Full guidelines about the contest are available at [...]
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  Posted: January 12, 2009, 11:51am EST
  by Kay Day

• Florida citrus growers to supply juice to the needy

  Number of comments: 1
  
  It couldn’t come at a better time. The US Dept. of Agriculture is buying $26 million worth of Florida orange juice concentrate to distribute to free school lunch programs and other needy projects throughout the country. The Herald Tribune (Sarasota) reported the citrus industry’s response [...]
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  Posted: January 09, 2009, 2:54pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Florida Health Dept. shines light on radon dangers

  Number of comments: 0
  
  (Tallahassee) – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize January as Radon Action Month. Radon isn’t as controversial a topic as smoking, but it’s considered a significant cause of lung cancer. Indoor radiation exposure is a lung cancer risk [...]
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  Posted: January 08, 2009, 12:47pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Road rage on 295 as shots fired at pickup

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  Imagine driving along 295 as another driver fires shots at you. The Florida Times Union reported a serious case of road rage on Tuesday. A man driving a pickup became irritated when another driver tailgated him. So the irritated driver hit his brakes. The tailgater pulled [...]
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  Posted: January 07, 2009, 11:46am EST
  by Kay Day

• FBI looking for a couple thousand G-men (or women)

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  Normally we wail about government spending, but the FBI's blitz to find qualified agents and staff to deal with an ever-changing world is an expense well-placed. Maybe because I write about fraud and corruption so often, actually only running a fragment of the stories that cross' [...]
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  Posted: January 06, 2009, 11:59am EST
  by Kay Day

• Media—and some readers—reach new low in coverage of Jett Travolta’s death

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  You’d think media submerged to record depths during coverage of the US presidential election, but the aftermath of Jett Travolta’s tragic death once again reminds how clinical media can be when it comes to profits. And how heinous some readers can be when they decide they’re healthcare experts. The 16 [...]
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  Posted: January 05, 2009, 1:28pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Florida efforts to green hospitality industry saves dollars and resources

  Number of comments: 2
  
  Florida’s Dept. of Environmental Protection is urging the hospitality industry to keep up the good work by greening practices and materials. The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt [...]
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  Posted: January 02, 2009, 2:59pm EST
  by Kay Day

• Gator Bowl promises great New Year's Day clash

  Number of comments: 2
  (Jacksonville, Fla.)--It's Gator Bowl season in Florida again, and the signs of the season are everywhere. Clemson orange shows up in the corners of Jacksonville eateries and bars. RVs lumber into the First Coast city, and if they could smile they would because gas prices are (temporarily) down. Cornhuskers fans' [...]
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  Posted: December 31, 2008, 10:00am EST
  by Kay Day

• Jacksonville is New Year’s AND January hotspot

  Number of comments: 0
  Jacksonville is an understated city—it’s thought of as pastoral-regressive by some--I'm being kind here-- but to many of us who live here, it's a great place to live and raise a family. There’s always something new to do, there's unlimited outdoor entertainment and more art, poetry and music than you' [...]
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  Posted: December 30, 2008, 3:01pm EST
  by Kay Day