A Leon County grand jury opted not to investigate the building of the new $48 million 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee.

Taking advantage of federal funds, several Florida school districts will start to implement merit pay systems even though teachers earlier this year rallied against state legislative efforts to spur the performance-based movement throughout the entire state.

The tea party movement muscled its way into the American political psyche over the past year with huge rallies, angry voters and colorful rhetoric. It’s not clear how much voters are responding, but in Florida, at least, the Republican Party appears to have taken notice.

Florida is set to collect $700 million for its schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday, naming the Sunshine State one of 10 winners in the second round of its $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition.

The fate of several proposed constitutional amendments lies with the Florida Supreme Court after six of nine proposals set for the November ballot wound up facing legal challenges.

Rick Scott, candidate for governor, is running as the consummate outsider in a year of outsiders. He’s never held office, and he hits the theme often – people are tired of “career politicians” he says as he campaigns around the state.

A week before the Legislature goes into special session, there was little agreement on just what oil-related items it plans to take up, though it became clear Monday that the Senate, at least, wants to go beyond the governor’s call and provide economic relief to the spill-weary Panhandle.

The Senate’s Select Committee on the Economy on Monday discussed a list of economic issues lawmakers should address when the Legislature convenes a special session ordered by Gov. Charlie Crist to vote on a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban offshore oil drilling in Florida.