State unemployment rate dips slightly; growth in ‘lower wage industries’ Restaurant kitchen 360×270 – Florida Independent

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott has claimed victory in his tight race against Democrat Alex Sink, but Sink…

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has released its annual condition report for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The report, which will guide a comprehensive review of sanctuary regulations in 2012, details the decline of several species and resources in the area, which have suffered as a result of both climate change and human impact.

Two bills filed in the Florida legislature this week would eliminate mandatory sentencing for trafficking in marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other controlled substances like methamphetamine.

With enforcement of previous legislation aimed at cracking down on pill mills in Florida at a standstill, Attorney General Pam Bondi called on the legislature Thursday to toughen laws even more.

The Florida State University System's Board of Governors met late yesterday to make a decision on USF Polytechnic's attempt to split into a separate university, a decision that would make it Florida's 12th public university. Ultimately, the Board decided to wait for an indeterminate period of time before making a final decision, setting several benchmarks the school must meet before it can come back and ask for independence.

A coalition of environmental groups (including 100o Friends of Florida, Audubon of Florida, the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida) have sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott and the Department of Transportation, outlining their concerns with the recently renewed Future Corridors Action Plan.