St. Petersburg Times Online: News of Florida

Adam C. Smith
Bush ready to take on either Democrat in November
The pregame show is over, and Jeb Bush is now standing ready at the plate. For Democrats, it's like winding up against Barry Bonds.

Election news
Two years later, system still broken
Florida's rebuilt election system collapsed Tuesday in South Florida, tainting a close Democratic primary for governor and reviving images of the state that can't vote straight.

Another Florida election in doubt
TAMPA -- Bill McBride, a Tampa lawyer virtually unknown by most Floridians just six months ago, clung to a healthy but uncertain lead for the Democratic nomination for governor early today, hoping for a historic upset over Janet Reno that would pit him against Republican Gov. Jeb Bush in November.

Crist wins GOP race for attorney general
TALLAHASSEE -- Republican Charlie Crist easily won his party's attorney general primary Tuesday, but Democrats Buddy Dyer and Scott Maddox were in a dead heat in their party's primary three hours after the polls had closed.

Bungling the first big test
1. BAY COUNTY -- Minor ballot jams in optical scanners. Some machines delivered to wrong polling places.

Nelson edges out Barley, Michaud
Environmental activist Mary Barley, who was targeted for defeat by the citrus industry, was trailing school librarian David Nelson on Tuesday in the Democratic primary for state agriculture commissioner.

Around the state: Harris nominated; gay rights repeal bid trails
Former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, the sweetheart of the GOP but a Democratic target because of her role in Florida's 2000 recount that won the presidency for George W. Bush, won nomination for Congress Tuesday in Florida's 13th District.

Other state news
Around the state
Ex-dancer sentenced for high-heeled assault

Police: Cocaine found in Noelle Bush's shoe
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush's 25-year-old daughter, Noelle, was found with crack cocaine in her shoe Monday night at a drug treatment center in Orlando, police said.

Castro surprises Pensacola group
PENSACOLA -- Cuban President Fidel Castro invited Pensacola officials visiting his country to an unexpected six-hour lunch. They were on a trade mission to drum up business for the city's port.

Two arrested in hostage standoff
WEST MELBOURNE -- A hostage standoff Tuesday ended with the arrests of two men, one of whom was shot when the victim grabbed his gun, police said. No one else was hurt.

Priest in troubled diocese arrested on porn charge
DELRAY BEACH -- Police said they arrested a 43-year-old Catholic priest after he arrived at the beach for a sexual rendezvous with a detective who had been posing as a 14-year-old boy on the Internet.