MIAMI, Florida -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Online poker player KAPPIT from Ferris, Texas has 218,115 reasons to be thankful for her losing hand yesterday at UB.com , which immediately set off the Bad Beat Jackpot ("BBJ") bells to the tune of $670,575.38.

Florida Hands Out Online Teacher of Year Award

It goes to a teacher living hundreds of miles from Florida

Florida pastor planning to burn Koran has Heartland ties

The Florida pastor who plans to burn the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11 has Heartland ties.

USF Geologists Find Beaches Teeming With Tiny Tar Balls

Even after the BP "clean up," impacted beaches littered with tiny tar balls and buried oil, USF report states.

USF Ocean Expert Weisberg Testifies In Washington

Robert Weisberg, a USF Distinguished Professor of physical oceanography, will testify before the U.S. House.

Florida Panhandle In Oil Spill Crosshairs

There is no imminent threat the oil will harm Tampa Bay area beaches, says Robert Weisberg.

U.S. News & World Report Ranks USF in Speed to Excellence

USF is among the top national universities in exclusive rankings.

John Ramil and Hal Mullis Elected Chair and Vice-Chair of USF Trustees

USF President Judy Genshaft thanks outgoing Chair Rhea Law and welcomes new leadership.

Florida: Quran Burning Sparks Security Concerns

Florida officials are growing increasingly worried about public safety surrounding a small Gainesville church's plan to burn the Quran this weekend. In addition to dealing with 90,000 fans and even more tailgaters expected for the Florida-South Florida football game, the Gainesville Police Department will have a number of officers on hand at the Dove World Outreach Center if its pastor Terry ...

Florida: Quran Burning Sparks Security Concerns

Florida officials are growing increasingly worried about public safety surrounding a small Gainesville church's plan to burn the Quran this weekend. In addition to dealing with 90,000 fans and even more tailgaters expected for the Florida-South Florida football game, the Gainesville Police Department will have a number of officers on hand at the Dove World Outreach Center if its pastor Terry ...

UM Ball Player Accused Of Selling Pot To Cop

A University of Miami baseball player was arrested after he allegedly tried to sell an undercover police officer marijuana. Coral Gables police spokeswoman Officer Kelly Denham said Frankie Ratcliff, 19, was taken into custody Wednesday night when he tried to sell one of their officers 21 grams of marijuana for $220 on the university's campus.

Miami Hurricanes baseball player charged with selling pot

A University of Miami baseball player has been suspended from the team after being arrested Wednesday, accused of trying to sell marijuana to undercover Coral Gables detectives, WTVJ-NBC 6 has reported.

Orlando Mom Mistaken For Alleged Prostitute

An Orlando mother was arrested after disembarking from a cruise ship, mistaken for a suspected prostitute wanted in central Florida.

Canes baseball player arrested for selling pot

A Miami baseball player has been arrested and accused of selling marijuana to undercover police officers on university grounds. Frank Ratcliff is also facing a charge of possessing 19 vials of human growth hormone.

Florida man arrested in acid attack

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A Florida man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a woman and a 14-year-old boy with acid while they were in a car, authorities said. Florida - Acid throwing - United Press International - United States - Fla

Florida man arrested in acid attack

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A Florida man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a woman and a 14-year-old boy with acid while they were in a car, authorities said. Florida - Acid throwing - United Press International - United States - Fla

Live grenade found in South Fort Myers home

A man renovating a South Fort Myers house found a live hand grenade, drove it to North Fort Myers and tried to give it to a deputy Wednesday night, leading to the evacuation of several businesses.

Bad Drywall Hits NOLA

Defective Chinese Drywall Causes More than Half of the Homes in Musicians' Village to Be Gutted and Rebuilt

Fort Myers woman arrested for theft of snacks at Hess station

Lee County sheriff's deputies arrested a Fort Myers woman after they say she tried to steal a rice crispy treat and a drink from a Lehigh Acres Hess...

Key West Woman Accused Of Selling Xanax

An employee of the Department of Revenue in Key West was arrested Wednesday and accused of selling prescription drugs.

USF-Florida: Let the smack talk begin

Can USF pull yet another upset against a state college power and defeat the Gators in the Swamp?

Miami baseball player found with marijuana, HGH

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — A Miami baseball player has been arrested and accused of selling marijuana to undercover police officers on university grounds.

Paddle boarder hopes to raise $100K for charity with Cuba-Key West trip

Cynthia Aguilar is already an accomplished and award-winning paddle boarder.

Disney World: List of narrators for Candlelight Processional at Epcot filling up

Disney World continues to fill its lineup of narrators for its Candlelight Processional event, which begins Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving. The holiday music presentation includes a mass choir, live orchestra, appearances by the Voices of Liberty and celebrity narrators of the Christmas story three times nightly through Dec. 30.

Miami baseball player faces marijuana, HGH charges

A Miami baseball player was arrested and charged with trying to sell marijuana to undercover officers on university grounds, and police later found 19 vials of human growth hormone at his apartment. Frank Ratcliff, 19, of Key West, Fla. was charged Thursday with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Miami baseball player faces marijuana, HGH charges

A Miami baseball player was arrested and charged with trying to sell marijuana to undercover officers on university grounds, and police later found 19 vials of human growth hormone at his apartment. Frank Ratcliff, 19, of Key West, Fla. was charged Thursday with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Miami baseball player faces marijuana, HGH charges

A Miami baseball player was arrested and charged with trying to sell marijuana to undercover officers on university grounds, and police later found 19 vials of human growth hormone at his apartment. Frank Ratcliff, 19, of Key West, Fla. was charged Thursday with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Orlando Imam meets with pastor of planned Quran-burning: '...the man wants to do the right thing'

South Florida communities get $40 million in foreclosure aid

Sept. 09--Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach and Miramar learned Wednesday they are among 17 governments in Palm Beach and Broward counties getting about $40 million in new federal foreclosure aid.

Florida officials worried about public safety over plan to burn Quran

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — As Florida officials worried about public safety surrounding a small church’s plan to burn the Quran, President Barack Obama added his voice to the chorus of opposition to the church’s intention to burn copies of Islam’s holiest text to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2 Miami-Dade men sentenced to prison in major Medicare fraud case

Two Miami-Dade men who bribed assisted living facilities, home healthcare agencies and patients in an elaborate scheme to bilk $2.8 million from Medicare for bogus rehabilitation services were sentenced Wednesday to several years in federal prison.

Three local banks improve in financial ratings report

BRADENTON — Three local banks improved their financial security ratings in the second quarter ending June 30, according to Bauer Financial’s bank star ratings released today.

Sink, Scott opening the special-interest floodgates

TALLAHASSEE — This weekend, Republicans and lobbyists for Florida’s biggest industries and interest-groups will gather around their new gubernatorial nominee and open their wallets to fund Rick Scott’s expected $50 million general election campaign at a plush resort in the heart of Walt Disney World. Likewise, Democratic nominee Alex Sink is already beating the bushes in Tallahassee to [...]

George Crossley -- Orlando preacher, convict, champion -- dies

Orlando lost one of its most unique personalities. George Crossley -- the fiery radio personality who went from die-hard conservative to jailhouse convict on his way to being a champion for the downtrodden -- passed away.

Hurricanes Baseball Player Arrested

A baseball player for the University of Miami was arrested Wednesday and accused of selling marijuana.

Florida Arrests Two Insurance Executives for Lying on Statements

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced today the culmination of an extensive insurance fraud investigation with the arrest of Luis M. Espinosa, 60, and Rene M. Cambert, 55, on eight ...

Homestead-Miami Speedway off 2011 IRL schedule

Homestead-Miami Speedway is off the 2011 Indy Racing League schedule, a decision that some of the series' top drivers are not thrilled about ...

Florida State Vs. Oklahoma Preview: Five Matchups That Will Determine The Winner

On Saturday, Florida State will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to attempt a feat that, in the time of Bob Stoops, has only happened twice in 68 attempts—beat Oklahoma on their home turf. There may be no better time than now for Florida State to schedule Oklahoma. Why? First, early in the season some teams have not reached their peak and struggle against quality opponents. In this case, Oklahoma ...

College Football: Five Keys To A South Carolina Victory Over Georgia

This is the first big SEC game of the season. Number 24 South Carolina is visited by the number 22 Georgia Bulldogs. Could FIRST in the SEC East be at stake? Everything is a question mark with Florida's shaky play in week one. Georgia looked good against a terrible Louisiana Lafayette team, and South Carolina looked good against a pre-season hyped conference USA team. Either way, this game ...

Business Observer 09.09.10

+ Young professional wins statewide awards Willis A. Smith Construction public-relations specialist Elise Lipoff recently received an award for Outstanding Public Relations Program at the Florida Public Relations Association’s 2010 Golden Image Awards ceremony, in Naples.

Brave toddler’s in fantasy land thanks to Coleen Nolan

Plucky youngster Lleyton Coombes has finally jetted off on the holiday of a lifetime in Florida. Three-year-old Lleyton captured everyone’s hearts when his family began a campaign to raise enough cash to send him on a dream trip to Walt Disney World.

Mashonda to Keys: Don’t Have My Son Calling You Mommy

*Swizz Beatz’ ex-wife has a vent session in the October issue of Sister2Sister, firing back at those who believe his marriage to Alicia Keys was not rooted in an affair, and making it clear how she feels about Keys allegedly wanting her son to call the Grammy winner “mommy.” Mashonda Tifrere – who was married [...]

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Opens Sunday in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - September 9, 2010) - Restaurant and foodservice industry professionals from throughout Florida will have the opportunity to gain ideas to boost their business, taste hundreds of new foods from all over the world, see dozens of new products, watch cooking demonstrations, and gain valuable information during the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show taking place at the ...

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Opens Sunday in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - 09/09/10) - Restaurant and foodservice industry professionals from throughout Florida will have the opportunity to gain ideas to boost their business, taste hundreds of new foods from all over the world, see dozens of new products, watch cooking demonstrations, and gain valuable information during the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show taking place at the Orange County ...

School beating suspect has Facebook supporters

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The 15-year-old Florida boy charged with stomping the head of a teenage girl and nearly killing her has a growing list of supporters on the...

Florida reverend still plans to burn Quran on 9/11

Florida's governor is concerned about safety at home and around the world, a feeling shared by national and world leaders, over a plan by the head of a small church to burn copies of Islam's holiest text to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks

Florida reverend still plans to burn Quran on 9/11

Florida's governor is concerned about safety at home and around the world, a feeling shared by national and world leaders, over a plan by the head of a small church to burn copies of Islam's holiest text to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks

Florida's Pouncey looking to rebound from rough start

If you watched Florida's 34-12 victory over Miami (Ohio) in Week One (and your username starts with blitz...), Mike Pouncey's ball-snapping skills, or lack thereof, probably made you want to pull your hair out. Good news: Pouncey got the memo...

Florida's Pouncey looking to rebound from rough start

If you watched Florida's 34-12 victory over Miami (Ohio) in Week One (and your username starts with blitz...), Mike Pouncey's ball-snapping skills, or lack thereof, probably made you want to pull your hair out. Good news: Pouncey got the memo...

VEX Robotics World Championship to Be Held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on April 14-16, 2011

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich.----Dedicated to inspiring today’s youth to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education through robotics, the non-profit Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, in conjunction with VEX Robotics, today announced that the 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World® Resort near ...