Former Gov. Charlie Crist and former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, fresh off electoral defeats last fall, were back in the spotlight Wednesday, this time pushing for a ballot initiative that would prevent offshore oil and natural gas drilling in Florida's territorial waters.

Despite the old saying, "Don't cry over spilled milk," the Environmental Protection Agency is doing just that.

Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham will push for higher safety standards, more stringent regulation and greater penalties for oil companies drilling in the Gulf of Mexico when he testifies before Congress in two weeks.

In what likely will become fodder for upcoming lawsuits, a stinging federal report scheduled for release next week shows that shortcuts, mistakes, questionable technology and overall poor management led to the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

The Florida Retail Federation hopes to get $20 million from BP -- perhaps by paying for tax-free holidays -- to help make up for Northwest Florida retailers' lost sales and vitality during the oil spill.

BP claims administrator Ken Feinberg last Wednesday released the set of protocols for final payment of damages following a deluge of last-minute emergency claims that came in prior to the Nov. 23 deadline.