FSU med school in the business of delivering doctors

By Doug Blackburn Democrat senior writer -- Her mother calls Laura Davis "just a regular, small-town girl." There are other ways to describe Davis, a third-year medical school student at Florida State University. She is, by all accounts, a poster child for the still-young College of Medicine and its particular mission to produce primary-care physicians working in under-served areas.

By Ira Schoffel Democrat sports editor -- Before every game, Florida State women's basketball coach Sue Semrau tells sophomore forward Natasha Howard she needs to grab 10 rebounds to give the Seminoles a chance to win.

Food stamp bill would ban sweets

FORT LAUDERDALE - Florida's poor can use food stamps to buy staples like milk, vegetables, fruits and meat. But they can also use them to buy sweets like cakes, cookies and Jell-O and snack foods like chips, something a state senator wants stopped.

Mile Markers

FLORIDA KEYS Campaign promotes healthy eating The Monroe County Health Department will participate in the statewide Healthy Choices Restaurant campaign through February and... read more

Letters to the editor

Children not getting message on tolerance I am writing this letter today to shed light on a serious issue at Key West High School. Today I picked up my oldest son from school halfway through the... read more

USF humbled by Hoyas

By: Rames Ali CORRESPONDENT Coming off its longest break since beginning conference play, the USF men's basketball team fell flat Saturday morning at No. 14 Georgetown, losing 75-45 after an ugly performance throughout. ... ;

FSU basketball glad for growing relationship with fans

Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton calls fans a "kind of sixth man in the stands" TALLAHASSEE — As Florida State and Virginia entered the final media timeout of Saturday's game at the Donald L. Tucker Center, Seminoles guard Michael Snaer turned away from his bench and started wildly raising his arms and pumping his chest. The more he egged on the nearly 12,000-person home crowd, the louder it ...

FSU defense faces quite a challenge

By Corey Clark NoleSports.com editor -- Through the first half of the ACC schedule, Virginia's Mike Scott has been arguably the best player in the conference.

Miami Upsets No. 7 Duke In Overtime

Early in the season, all Reggie Johnson could do was look on as his Miami-Florida Hurricanes got off to a disappointing 5-4 start.

Miami Hurricanes upset No. 7 Duke Blue Devils in overtime

Early in the season, all Reggie Johnson could do was look on as his Miami-Florida Hurricanes got off to a disappointing 5-4 start.

Fort Lauderdale artist paints ‘Visions of the Apocalypse’

A Fort Lauderdale artist has produced more than a thousand paintings and collages about the joys, hopes and horrors of the apocalypse.

COL BKB: Miami (Fla.) 78, Duke 74 (OT)

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Reggie Johnson pumped in 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Sunday, propelling Miami-Florida to a 78-74 overtime upset of fifth-ranked Duke.

NCAA Game Summary - Miami-Florida at Duke

GRPL prepares for Taste of Soul Sunday in two weeks. Sunday's Breakfast on the Go makes a stop at The Windmill and introduces WZZM ...

Flagler's railroad celebrates centennial with lecture Wednesday

Henry Flagler's historic engineering feat, the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, is celebrating its centennial.

No. 7 Miami-Florida cruises over Clemson

GRPL prepares for Taste of Soul Sunday in two weeks. Sunday's Breakfast on the Go makes a stop at The Windmill and introduces WZZM ...

Miami's Super Bowl Future in Doubt

Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee says a lot of work needs to be done before South Florida gets another Super Bowl.

Florida and Casino Gambling -- Not While Disney’s Here

COMMENTARY | Another proposed casino gambling bill, this one promising 100,000 new jobs in Florida's troubling economy, failed to pass its first hurdle Friday, Reuters reports. In order for this bill to move further in the Florida House of Representatives it needed passage from one committee. In other words, it never stood a chance against the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee ...

Photos: ArtFest continues today in Fort Myers

In case you missed the first day of the downtown Fort Myers art festival, there is still one more day to experience 215 national artists, interactive...

Florida casino bill withdrawn, Genting reaffirms commitment

MIAMI: The richly financed push to bring three mega-casinos to South Florida fizzled in the Florida Legislature last Friday, defeated for the time being by mounting opposition across the state and the uncertainty of election-year politics.

Art Fest wraps up with huge success

On a dreary day in downtown Fort Myers, the 12t year of art fest wrapped up with a bang.

Winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Fort Myers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Four winners of the "Fantasy 5" game, including one in Fort Myers, will collect the top prize of $74,372.

Here is the latest Florida news from The Associated Press

Authorities say a human trafficking case that started in Alabama was uncovered because of a traffic stop in Florida. The report says an investigation found that five Mexicans in the car were being driven from Alabama to...

How dream to turn Florida into `Vegas of the East' fell apart

Megacasino plan stirred up powerful foes, from South Florida racetracks to Disney TALLAHASSEE ¿ It could be said the destination casino bill was doomed from the start.

How a dream to transform Florida into `Vegas of the EastÂ¿ fell apart

TALLAHASSEE — It could be said the destination casino bill was doomed from the start. It had major opponents in the Florida Chamber and Walt Disney World. Social conservatives hated it and House Speaker Dean Cannon had no time for it.

Florida education news: High school musicals, passing test scores, campus hot lists and more

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: As Pasco high schools prepare their musical theater productions, at one school some adults play roles that students aren't offered. (Times photo, Stephen Coddington) TOO HARD? Hillsborough high school students can pass their midterms with less than half the answers correct , a practice district testing officials defend. SELLING THE PENNY: Pasco community leaders prepare ...

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game LIVE From Orlando!

On February 26, 2012 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, players from the NBA’s Western and Eastern Conferences will meet in this mid-season classic to play in an exhibition game. It’s the 2012 NBA All-Star game! The Orlando Magic will play host in this 61st edition of this game for the fans. This is despite [...]

Teen addicts helped for 20 years at Fort Myers center

Vince Smith Center, which treats low-income drug users, will be celebrating its anniversary Tuesday.

FSU men hold off Virginia

By Corey Clark NoleSports.com editor -- He had missed his first five shots from the floor and was still scoreless with five minutes left in the game.

FSU women seek seventh straight win over Virginia Tech

Democrat staff reports -- In their first meeting this season, the Florida State women's basketball team started the game on a 30-4 run and blew past Virginia Tech, 75-40, in Blacksburg, Va.

FSU men lose, women win

Some frustration derived from a difficult month of January eased for one Fay-etteville State basketball team Saturday, while it continued for another.

Hail the unbeaten victors. Any matches?

Conchs, I need some help. I came here 18 years ago, but some days, I can't remember what happened yesterday. So help me, will you, please? No one seems to dispute that Key West High's boys... read more

City to vote on panhandling law with zones

Would Key West panhandlers really stand in a designated spot in Mallory Square where it's up to passersby whether to come by to feed them change and folded bills? "Probably not," said Mayor Craig... read more

NHL: Tampa Bay 6, Florida 3

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Martin St. Louis recorded a hat trick and Vincent Lecavalier added a goal and three assists Saturday in Tampa Bay's 6-3 win over Florida.

USF Bulls routed 75-45 by No. 14 Georgetown Hoyas

By Greg Rosenstein, Special to the Times Saturday, February 4, 2012 WASHINGTON — USF already had the Big East's worst scoring offense. Saturday, the Bulls took it to a new level in a 75-45 loss at No. 14 Georgetown, shooting 31 percent and threatening its record for fewest points in a game. The Bulls (13-10, 6-4) trailed early, going scoreless for almost 11 minutes during the first half. "I ...

St. Louis leads Tampa over Florida

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Martin St. Louis recorded his fifth career hat trick in his 900th NHL game, as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the Florida Panthers, 6-3.

South Florida cities top Forbes' most miserable cities list

Forget the sun and sea. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach made it to the Forbes' top ten list of most miserable cities in America.

No. 16 Virginia clipped 58-55 at No. 21 Florida St

Too many mistakes kept No. 16 Virginia from ending its long drought at Florida State on Saturday. Mike Scott was held to four points and three shots in the second half and Virginia committed 20 turnovers in a 58-55 loss to the No. 21 Seminoles. "We've got to clean up some of these turnovers and be more efficient to play against a team like this because baskets aren't easy to come...

No. 12 Florida beats No. 25 Vanderbilt 73-65

Florida appears to have these short turnarounds figured out. Of course, it helps when the Gators are making 3-pointers and forcing turnovers. Kenny Boynton scored 18 points, Bradley Beal added 16 and No. 12 Florida beat No. 25 Vanderbilt 73-65 Saturday for its seventh consecutive victory. The Gators (19-4, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) won for the second time in about 36 hours, improving to 5-0 ...

Turnovers, 3s Doom No. 25 Vanderbilt at Florida

Between errant passes and rushed shots, it was clear early on that No. 25 Vanderbilt had no answer for Florida's press.

No. 21 Florida St. escapes No. 16 Virginia 58-55

Virginia vs. Florida State recap from game played on February 04, 2012

Georgetown vs. South Florida: Hoyas’ defense stifles Bulls

Henry Sims scored 13 points and nine rebounds, and No. 14 Georgetown held South Florida without a point for nearly 11 minutes in the first half Saturday in a 75-45 win over the Bulls. Otto Porter added 12 points, and Jason Clark had 11 for the Hoyas (18-4, 8-3 Big East), who led 18-5 late in the first half and spent much of the second half with a 20-point cushion. Read full article >>

VU falls again to Florida

Florida used a full court trapping defense and prototypical balanced scoring to beat Vanderbilt 73-65 in...

USF stumbles in 75-45 loss at No. 14 Georgetown

Henry Sims scored 13 points and nine rebounds, and No. 14 Georgetown held USF Florida without a point for nearly 11 minutes in the first half.

Obama campaign army ready to take Florida in November

Four years ago, then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama won Florida with the largest voter mobilization effort ever seen in Florida. This year’s effort could be even greater.

2 Florida bound cruise ship liners hit by fast spreading virus - Fox News

This is a discussion on 2 Florida bound cruise ship liners hit by fast spreading virus - Fox News within the Current Cruise Travel News forums, part of the category; Cruise News Reporter Has Just Posted the Following: WPTV 2 Florida bound cruise ship liners hit by fast spreading virus ...

Hurricane Paterson makes it official: It's off to The U

The most highly regarded player ever to emerge from Coral Shores High School's girls soccer program made it official Wednesday: She's staying a Hurricane. Jasmine Paterson will don University of Miami colors next fall after sending in her paperwork on NCAA National Signing Day.

Former Conch Henriquez gets Major League shot

"I'm going to be in the big leagues this year -- and nothing will stop me," Ralph Henriquez Jr. said Thursday, shortly before heading to Rex Weech Field in Key West to work out with his father.

Key West mayor pushes panhandling zones

The Key West City Commission will take up several ongoing issues when it meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Old City Hall on Greene Street.

USF Polytechnic campus board member resigns

Published: Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 7:45 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 7:45 a.m. Mark Kaylor has resigned from the University of South Florida Polytechnic Campus Board, saying a landmark opportunity for a 12th state university is being "dismantled."

Florida education news: Facebook postings, school closures, stopping for school buses and more

DON'T POST IT: An appeals court upholds a Manatee teacher's suspension over what the district considered improper Facebook postings, the Bradenton Herald reports. DON'T SAY IT: A Broward teacher faces suspension after being accused of calling a Haitian-American student "little chocolate boy," the Miami Herald reports. More from the Sun-Sentinel . DON'T GO: Several parents keep their kids home ...