St. Petersburg Times Online: News of Florida

Howard Troxler
As you vote, remember Legislature's greatest hits
This morning, let's do precisely what many members of the Florida Legislature hope that we will not do.

Top stories
Mailing touts Bush to Jewish voters
A brochure to Jewish residents is seen by some as GOP pandering in a Democratic stronghold.

Haitians dash for freedom
With cameras rolling, more than 200 Haitians jump off a boat near Miami and wade toward a causeway. Some, no one knows how many, escape.

The Firm: Do the ties bind McBride?
As he tries to go from corporate lawyer to governor, he must wrestle with potential conflicts that come from working for a firm with a wide list of clients.

McCain lauds 1 Bush, raps other
The Arizona senator criticizes President Bush's policies during campaign appearances for the governor.

Man on a mission, but going it alone
Gubernatorial hopeful Bob Kunst, an independent and universally ignored, brings his campaign to Tampa. He predicts an upset.

Nursing homes get official visit
The head of a federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid services stops by two model nursing homes.

GOP friend endorses Butterworth
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Outgoing Republican Comptroller Robert Milligan on Tuesday endorsed Democratic Attorney General Bob Butterworth in his race for a state Senate seat, saying no one has more integrity.

Gun owner testifies at civil trial
A middle school teacher's widow is suing the distributor of a cheap gun used in his shooting.

University chiefs pan governing measure
ORLANDO -- The presidents of the state's public universities dread next week's election, and say a proposal to revamp higher education in Florida leaves many of their goals uncertain.

Rulings undermine case against ex-tech chief
TALLAHASSEE -- A judge threw out a theft charge against former state technology chief Roy Cales as well as key evidence in a forgery charge.

Bronson supported by party of his rival
The endorsements by Democrats come as polls show a dead-even race for the agriculture post.

Crist attack ad draws an angry reply from Dyer
Less than a week after chastising his opponent for "going negative," Republican attorney general candidate Charlie Crist launched a television commercial accusing Democratic state Sen. Buddy Dyer of helping criminals and corporations instead of consumers.

Panel says pig proposal backers broke election law
TALLAHASSEE -- Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment to protect pregnant pigs have been charged with 210 counts of violating Florida elections laws.