St. Petersburg Times Online: News of Florida

Political billboard pulled in Pinellas
An ad criticizing a candidate strikes some billboard managers as too much.

DCF chief quits troubled agency
Kathleen Kearney has faced endless criticism at the child welfare agency, the latest after a newspaper tracked down nine children listed as missing.

Lawmaker's personal plea to counties: Fund driver ed
State Rep. Irving Slosberg is on a mission for safer roads. He plans to make his request in every Florida county.

Boy dies despite three investigations by DCF
RIVIERA BEACH -- Florida's child welfare agency conducted three abuse investigations into the home of a young boy but took no action to remove the child, who was later fatally beaten.

Aisenberg lead prosecutor to move
TAMPA -- The lead prosecutor in the botched case against Steve and Marlene Aisenberg has decided to move to Tallahassee to take a job in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida.

State plans hurricane evacuation drill on I-4
The idea behind the one-way traffic flow weekend simulation is criticized by a Pinellas official.

Foes claim tax review measure will deceive voters
TALLAHASSEE -- Opponents of a ballot measure that would give a legislative panel the power to wipe out sales tax exemptions argued Tuesday that it shouldn't go to voters because it is misleading.

Reno lays out plan for health insurance
Key to her proposal is ensuring all children under 19 have coverage.

Around the State
First human West Nile case confirmed in Florida

Harris gives, receives praise as she departs
The former secretary of state now turns her attention to winning a seat in Congress.

Board vote keeps pledge in schools
FORT WALTON BEACH -- More than 150 people shouted "under God" and held up signs bearing crosses and flags as the School Board turned down a request to take the Pledge of Allegiance out of classrooms.

Broward short on poll help
With the state's largest voter roll, the county has about half of its required precinct workers.