Florida Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad will be leaving his current post on Jan. 2. Gov. Rick Scott announced the departure on Tuesday and said the Florida Transportation Commission will start looking at candidates to replace him.

Noting the Castro regimes imprisonment of Alan Gross on espionage charges for helping the Cuban Jewish community get Internet access, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen called for the Obama administration to do more to free him as she marked the fifth anniversary of his imprisonment.

Speaking at the Wall Street Journals CEO Council in Washington, D.C., on Monday night, former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., promised a decision soon on whether he would run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 -- and insisted he would run on his own terms.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced on Tuesday that he will not run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. I have decided to run for re-election in 2016, Portman said. I am excited about continuing to serve, especially with the change in the Senate leadership.

A new CNN/ORC poll shows former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., starts out the Republican presidential nomination fight with a slight lead if former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., does not run again.

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, fleshed out the GOP leadership for the next two years, announcing his committee chairs on Monday.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) released a poll from On Message on Monday which shows how Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was able to defeat former Gov. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., in last months general election.

Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., appeared on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday morning and toned down speculation that he will run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016. Ive thought about it, but no, I cant get ready for 2016, Patrick said. Ive felt its been two really challenging and fun terms but I didnt run for the job to get another job. I ran to do this job. Patrick had been active on the campaign trail in 2014, including helping former Gov. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., in his unsuccessful effort to beat Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in the Sunshine State.

Newly-elected state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia announced Friday that he will be running against Leslie Dougher for the title of the chair of the Republican Party of Florida. Ingoglia has served as RPOF vice chairman since 2011 and Dougher was selected as the party's chairwoman in May. The RPOF's next quarterly meeting will be held Dec. 5-6 in Tampa.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott named Duval County Court Judge Angela Cox to replace former Chief Judge Donald Moran on the 4th Judicial Circuit, covering Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. As a county court judge, Judge Cox has demonstrated dedication to serving Florida families with dignity and integrity, Scott said. I am confident she will continue to honorably serve as a circuit court judge to families in the 4th Judicial Circuit.

Clifford Wilson will be interim secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as current Secretary Herschel Vinyard leaves his post on Dec. 1.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tuesday a saltwater license-free fishing day for Nov. 29. On this day, Florida residents and visitors "can experience Floridas unique saltwater fishing opportunities firsthand" without being required to have a recreational saltwater fishing license, according to a press statement from the governor's office.

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called for more sanctions on Iran, even as the P5+1 extended talks with that nation on its nuclear program after Mondays deadline passed.

Florida TaxWatch released an economic commentary on Tuesday showing holiday sales will be on the rise from last year but insisted online sales continue to hurt revenue. "Florida's retail industry is alive and well, producing more jobs and bolstering state revenues, which enables our elected officials to fund necessary programs that benefit all Floridians," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch on Tuesday. Jerry Parrish, the chief economist for Florida TaxWatch, said increased tourism will help Florida garner more revenue.

Phoenix VA Health Care System Director Sharon Helman was at the center of much of the firestorm that erupted after news emerged of altered waiting lists at VA medical centers across the nation. In Phoenix alone, at least 40 veterans on altered waitlists died while waiting for treatment. On Monday, the VA announced Helman had been fired, bringing some applause from U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.