Latest News

Familiar faces apply for court

amanda.mourant — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:51:16 -0600

St. Petersburg Times, November 10, 2008

TALLAHASSEE — Eighteen lawyers applied to fill a pending vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court; most had applied before.

The applicants aim to replace veteran Justice Harry Lee Anstead, who was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1994. Anstead, 71, will retire Jan. 5 to comply with the state's mandatory retirement age for justices.

Anstead's resignation gives Gov. Charlie Crist his third appointment to the seven-member bench this year. Crist will get his fourth pick when Justice Charles Wells, another Chiles appointee, retires in March.

Teen pregnancy may be on the rise in Southwest Florida

amanda.mourant — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600

11/09/2008, Naples Daily News

NAPLES — Even after months of preparation, Shirley Altuna didn’t realize all the work that goes into being a mother until her son, Jax, was born late last year.

At first, caring for Jax after a long day of classes could be overwhelming for Altuna, a high school senior at the time.

Answering Florida voters' questions before they head to the polls

akimmell — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:42:26 -0600

By Craig Pittman
St. Petersburg Times
November 3, 2008

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is a corrected version of one posted earlier. See below for an explanation.

Tuesday's election is expected to draw a record number of voters. While voting is a right, it also carries certain responsibilities — in fact, state law says it's up to the voter to bring proper identification to the polls, be familiar with how to use the voting equipment and know the hours and locations for voting.

Florida ranks No. 2 in nation on kids without health insurance

amanda.mourant — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:36:44 -0500

Almost one in five Florida children have no health insurance, and the number has grown 10 percent in the past three years despite efforts to cover them, health advocates said in a new study released Thursday.

Florida now has the second highest rate of uninsured children in the nation, behind Texas, as more employers cut back on health coverage and rising prices make coverage unaffordable, said Families USA, an advocacy group for low-income issues.

Florida health officials to launch HIV/AIDS Web site

amanda.mourant — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

October 30, 2008, The Associated Press

MIAMI- When Julia Llorente was diagnosed with HIV in 1989, the stigma of the disease made her feel as if she had contracted leprosy.

When a pregnant Llorente went to her primary physician for a referral for a gynecologist, he wouldn't touch her. She said she also faced pressure to get an abortion to spare her unborn child a life of illness.