Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Tag archive

Florida International University - page 3

Marco Rubio cashed out retirement before presidential run

in 2017/Top Headlines by

Sen. Marco Rubio cashed out most of his retirement savings while preparing to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, records released Friday show. Rubio, 43, sold six retirement funds in September 2014 for $68,241.09, according to his personal financial disclosure statement. He made the sale even though he apparently had ample cash in the bank: He reported between $100,000 and $250,000 in a checking account and between $50,000 and $100,000 in a money market account at the end…

Keep Reading

Florida’s ban on educational travel to Cuba stays in place

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The Florida Board of Governors says the state’s ban on educational travel to Cuba will stay in place until the U.S. and Cuba re-establish full diplomatic relations. The Miami Herald reports that the board overseeing the State University System recently told Florida International University that once diplomatic relations are restored, requests “to conduct scholarly activities located in Cuba” will follow the standard approval process. The board cited a state law forbidding any institution receiving state funds from traveling to “any country…

Keep Reading

Guacamole wars: Drones and dogs deployed to fight disease ravaging Florida’s avocado crop

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

With the killers hiding in the trees, heat-sensing drones are launched into the air. When their whereabouts are narrowed, the dogs are sent in. When it comes to protecting the world’s supply of guacamole, no weapon can be spared. On subtropical farmland in South Florida, researchers are doing battle with the deadly fungus, laurel wilt, which is spread by a tiny beetle and has the potential to decimate Florida’s avocado crop. The hashtag they have adopted for their mission: #savetheguac.…

Keep Reading

No-new-taxes budget laden with ‘member projects’

in Statewide by

The budget that hits lawmakers’ desks Tuesday has only a paltry $1.22 increase in per pupil spending for education and it is laden with cuts to substance abuse and mental health programs. But the budget will include $8.5-million for a Florida A&M Crestview Education Center, in the district of Sen. Durell Peaden; $3.5 million for a neuroscience center at Florida International University; $2-million for FIU’s Center for Ethics and Professionalism; $1-million for Fort Lauderdale’s Discovery Center museum; $800,000 for storm…

Keep Reading

No-new-taxes budget laden with ‘member projects’

in Statewide by

The budget that hits lawmakers’ desks Tuesday has only a paltry $1.22 increase in per pupil spending for education and it is laden with cuts to substance abuse and mental health programs. But the budget will include $8.5-million for a Florida A&M Crestview Education Center, in the district of Sen. Durell Peaden; $3.5 million for a neuroscience center at Florida International University; $2-million for FIU’s Center for Ethics and Professionalism; $1-million for Fort Lauderdale’s Discovery Center museum; $800,000 for storm…

Keep Reading

Late-night deal reached on a nearly $70 billion spending plan

in Statewide by

From the Florida Current: House and Senate budget negotiators racing against the clock reached a deal late Monday night on a nearly $70 billion spending plan. The last-minute agreement means that state lawmakers will be able to end the 2010 session on time. The final deal came amid a flurry of last-minute changes, including a decision to spare state libraries from budget cuts, an agreement to offer help to financially ailing Jackson Memorial Hospital and a boost of $50 million…

Keep Reading

Charlie Crist links Marco Rubio with Ray Sansom in brutal ad attack

in Statewide by

The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate today released a new television ad, “Two Politicians,” continuing a significant buy in Florida. You can view the new ad at: www.charliecrist.com or HERE. “TWO POLITICIANS” SCRIPT CRIST: I’m Charlie Crist, and I approve this message. ANNOUNCER: Two career politicians. Both known for “preposterous deal-making.” Ray Sansom and Marco Rubio. Rubio was Speaker, “Sansom was Rubio’s handpicked budget chief.” The ultimate insiders. Both steered millions of taxpayer money into two colleges — then, received…

Keep Reading

Go to Top