Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FLORIDA, SEMINOLE TRIBE NEAR NEW GAMBLING DEAL
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is close to reaching a new gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A person close to the negotiations says the Scott administration is reaching out to legislative leaders to discuss holding a May special session to consider the compact. The person requested anonymity because the person isn’t authorized to discuss the deal.
FLORIDA HOUSE PASSES OMNIBUS HEALTH CARE BILL
The Florida House has passed a sweeping health bill that increases access to care by expanding the power of nurse practitioners and promoting the use of telemedicine. The controversial bill passed Friday, even though most lawmakers complained the omnibus bill had undergone voluminous changes in recent weeks. Both sides agreed the state must act to address a serious doctor shortage.
COURT HEARS FLORIDA CASE ON TRACKING SUSPECT CELL PHONES
A federal appeals court in South Florida is considering whether investigators are required to get a warrant before obtaining cellphone records detailing a suspect’s movements. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Friday in the case of Quartavious Davis. He was sentenced to 162 years in prison as part of a violent armed robbery gang. Key evidence was cell tower records showing he was near the crime locations. The American Civil Liberties Union says investigators should have to show probable cause of a crime and get a judge to issue a search warrant.
FLORIDA HOUSE SEEKS TO CHANGE MLB CUBAN PLAYER POLICY
The Florida House is sending Major League Baseball a message that it better change its Cuban baseball player policies if its Florida teams want state money for stadiums. A bill passed Friday on a 93-16 vote sets aside money for professional sports stadiums, but it won’t allow money for baseball stadiums unless Major League Baseball changes a rule that forces Cuban players to establish residency in a third country if they want to keep their free-agent status.
FHP LOOKING AT SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN DAY CARE CRASH
The Florida Highway Patrol says it is looking at the role of sudden acceleration in a car crash into a day care center that killed a 4-year-old girl. Agency spokeswoman Kim Montes said Friday that it is one of the many potential factors being considered in the crash earlier this month near Orlando.
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