Sunshine Slate

[Destin, FL] Ah, the flip flop. That easy to slip on and off, somewhat disgusting foot wear item that is best suited for the beach and quick about-towning. It certainly is iconic … and loud – that heel slapping sound, yuck. But should it be the state shoe? The folks behind the Tropical Smoothie Cafe [...]

[Orlando, FL] Democrats across the state were no doubt disappointed to learn on Tuesday afternoon that State Representative Scott Randolph (D-36/Orlando) has decided not to seek a fourth term. The end result of this year’s redistricting played a big part in his decision. “Three-fourths of the residents in the new state House district in which [...]

[Orlando, FL] Orlando may be the first location a would-be traveler thinks of when planning a trip to the Sunshine State. But you should know that there is a vast variety of other satisfyingly sunny family vacation spots in Florida worthy of consideration. Below are a few ideas for the traveler to think about when [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Today is Memorial Day. But what does it mean beyond “support the troops” and “remember those who died fighting for our freedom”? Memorial Day – a federal holiday – got its start after the American Civil War. It was originally called Decoration Day and was intended to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Baseball and hurricane preparedness have a lot in common; you have to cover all your bases to succeed. As Floridians, we all need to be prepared for hurricane season, and National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 27 through June 2, is a great time to ensure we’ve covered all our bases – insure, secure [...]

[The Next Wave, FL] The ugliest elements in human nature are showing their head at everywhere point break. Human nature, like surfing, is paradoxical — a love/hate pastime. More and more people know the unrivaled pleasure of being out with a few mates as the “glass off session” unrolls. The therapeutic effect of the ocean, [...]

[St. Augustine, FL] Another independent bookstore is closing. But to many, Wolf’s Head Books in St. Augustine is more than just an indie retailer offering used reading material and collectibles – it is a local landmark. That’s right, after 32 years of serving up mind food and great conversation to residents and visitors alike, Wolf’s [...]

[Orlando, FL] The website George Zimmerman had launched to help finance his defense has been taken down at the request of his new legal team. “This website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries,” Zimmerman said on the site, as reported by Sunshine Slate on April [...]

[Washington, D.C.] In an 2012 re-election communication from sitting U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the two-term Democratic senior Senator from Florida, laments the failure of the so-called “Buffett Rule” in the upper chamber. “I hear from thousands of folks who call, write and email. … An awful lot of folks say they think our country’s tax [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] The drop in Florida’s unemployment rate in March was the largest such drop in 20 years. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity stats released Friday show that although Florida added 10,800 jobs, the state still suffers from a 9% unemployment rate, down o.4% from February figures. “The largest monthly unemployment rate decline in 20 [...]

[Sanford, FL] Bail has finally been set for George Zimmerman, the man who has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester set Zimmerman’s bail at $150,000 and stated that Zimmerman may not possess firearms, use drugs or alcohol and has to follow a court-ordered curfew. Zimmerman [...]

[Orlando, FL] In a nearly decade-old case involving “excessive force” by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), a woman has been awarded around $80,000 for being zapped by a Taser by officers just outside of the Florida Citrus Bowl, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Back in 2003, police were still figuring out when and where it was [...]

[New York, NY] Those crazy cats at The Daily Show With Jon Stewart had a field day with the media coverage surrounding the Trayvon Martin shooting and impending George Zimmerman court case. For those out of the loop, earlier this week, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder by special prosecutor Angela Corey. Corey’s long winded, [...]

[Tampa, FL] Using the opportunity to emphasize Florida tourism, Gov. Rick Scott performed his eighth ‘Let’s Get to Work!’ Day on Friday at the Tampa International Airport. His job duties this time? His early part of the day was spent answering phone calls at the airport’s communications center, “managing” the airport’s paging system and other [...]

[Celebration, FL] It has been billed as “One of the 5 Best Exotic Car Shows in the World,” and by the look of the what’s in-store for those who attend, I would have to agree. The upcoming 9th annual Celebration Exotic Car Festival, taking place in Daytona and in Celebration (near Walt Disney World) April [...]

[Tampa, FL] A prominent Tampa-area developer has plead guilty to mortgage fraud conspiracy in a case investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. In fact, it seems that pretty much everyone involved with La Encantada Villa – Spanish for “the enchanted village” or “the pleased town” – has [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] The state county-by-county budget data has been released to the public and there are some very big numbers to swallow. Or, if you live in Lafayette County, the number is incredibly small. Four counties received more than $500 million in total allocations from the budget now awaiting Gov. Rick Scott‘s signature, according to [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Gov. Rick Scott signed a series of measures designed to trim business taxes and slash regulations Wednesday, as Republicans promised the initiatives would help promote job creation in a state where unemployment remains stubbornly high. “Passage of these important bills is a huge victory for the future of Florida’s economy,” Scott said before [...]

[Tampa, FL] A battle is brewing in the state pitting budget cuts versus public safety. The Teamsters local that represents most Florida corrections officers has filed an administrative petition trying to block a reduction in the number of visits probation officers make to probationers homes. But Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) officials, while declining to [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] They helped get him into office by the thinnest of margins. Now they want Gov. Rick Scott to throw them a bone. Make that four bones. Tea party groups in Florida are calling on Gov. Scott to veto the Florida Polytechnic University bill that would create the state’s 12th university (SB 1994), along [...]