Miami Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, who is running for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., was included in the National Republican Congressional Committees (NRCC) Contender tier of Young Guns. The Young Guns program was the brainchild of U.S. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., U.S. House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Gov. Rick Scott helped dedicate Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in St. Augustine on Thursday. Northrop Grumman is building two centers in Florida with 1,000 new jobs coming to Melbourne and 400 to St. Augustine.

Yet another staffer left former Gov. Charlie Crists gubernatorial campaign after a short period. Eric Conrad, who was announced last week to be Crists spokesman, has left the campaign. Republicans are already asking questions, especially after Bill Hyers short stint on the campaign at the end of last year. Eric Conrad, a casualty or deserter? Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry asked on Twitter. Answer anyone?

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., pointed to a report from the Army Corps of Engineers chiefs, insisting it showed why Congress needs to back more funds to dredge the St. Johns River and help JaxPort. "What a 'giant step' forward for the Northeast Florida economy," said Crenshaw. "Dredging of the St. Johns River means more jobs, more trade, and more economic growth for the region; that's why I've stood 100 percent behind this project from day one. We've got a win-win that will grow the economy and create jobs for generations to come."

U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., sounded the alarm for Republicans, urging the GOP to back immigration reform before President Barack Obama tackles the issue with executive orders. Diaz-Balart talked to the Washington Post and insisted Obama will act if the Republican-controlled House doesnt.

The Georgia Legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal have made Georgia "the first state in the nation to find a safe, legal way to provide CBD oil to children who suffer seizures from severe forms of epilepsy," according to Sue Rusche, president and CEO of National Families in Action.

With less than a week to go in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress, Florida Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, went to bat for Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, on Wednesday. Praising her as a good friend, Richter painted Benacquisto as a dedicated conservative.

Four years ago it took a newspaper from New York City to show Floridians that U.S. Sugar and Charlie Crist were taking them for a ride on the Everglades land deal. Now the same newspaper -- the New York Times -- is back to tell us Tallahassee law enforcement either deliberately, perhaps even illegally, coddled FSU star athlete Jameis Winston, or the whole incompetent bunch of them embody Barney Fife amok in Mayberry.

At a media event on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that 98 schools in Hillsborough County will share $8.47 million in bonuses due to their improvements in learning outcomes, either receiving an A grade or jumping up a full letter grade over last year.

Rep. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, snagged the endorsement of RightNOW Women PAC on Thursday. Benacquisto is currently running for Florida's 19th Congressional District after former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., resigned. The endorsement read:

Online retailer Amazon will be collecting sales tax in Florida beginning May 1, Amazon spokesman Ty Rogersannounced Wednesday. Amazon is currently building two massive warehouses in Hillsborough and Polk counties, which will require the company to collect sales tax in the Sunshine State. Amazon has not been collecting sales tax on purchases made in Florida until now.

With Politico Pro (FYI: pay wall) reporting that attorney Jessica Ehrlich is now contemplating running again for Congress, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is noting that Democrats squeezed her out of a special congressional election last month to clear the way for former state CFO Alex Sink. Republican David Jolly beat Sink in last months special election. Earlier this week, Sink opted out of a rematch with Jolly in November.

Let's Get to Work, a political committee for Gov. Rick Scott, released a new television ad Thursday highlighting the governor's service in the Navy as well as the education he received as a result of the GI Bill.

With less than a week to go until the Republican primary in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress, former state Rep. Paige Kreegels mom is going to bat for the candidate. The Kreegel campaign sent out a mailer from Alberta Kreegel to voters across the Southwest Florida district in support of her sons campaign.

The Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List), a conservative group which opposes abortion, announced on Wednesday it will spend $50,000 in the next week to get out the vote for Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress. Benacquisto takes on businessman Curt Clawson and former state Rep. Paige Kreegel in the primary on Tuesday.