U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., is set to have a Republican primary opponent come August. Retired Navy Capt. Ryman Shoaf, who briefly served on the staff of U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., last year announced on Wednesday that he had made the ballot by petition to challenge Crenshaw on the First Coast.

The Lakeland Ledger has received the prestigious Brechner Center for Freedom of Information award for its successful battlesto keep public records and government accessible. This is a coveted national award, it recognizes excellence in reporting about freedom of information, access to government-held information or the First Amendment and it's a significant effort on behalf of all Floridians.

Gov. Rick Scott is renewing calls for transparency from the federal Veterans Affairs after AHCA inspectors were turned away from a Florida VA hospital for the third time on Wednesday.

From his perch on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., showcased how the fiscal year 2015 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON) Appropriations Bill will help the defense community on the First Coast.

A poll from Suffolk University released on Wednesday shows the pack of possible Republican presidential candidates, including those with ties to the Sunshine State, knotted together in Iowa, home of the first presidential caucus.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration was turned away from reviewing records at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa on Wednesday. The Agency attempted to complete an on-site review Wednesday morning and again were declined the opportunity to review any records at that time.

Pointing to a 400 percent growth in the states prison population over the last 35 years, Florida TaxWatch released a study on Wednesday which finds Florida could save significantly by cutting down on the incarceration of nonviolent felons. The study calls for a review of third-degree felonies, insisting some of those could be lowered to misdemeanors.

Eric Eisnaugle, who won the District 44 Republican primary March 11, is headed back to the Florida House after defeating Democrat Shaun Raja, 74 percent to 26 percent, in a special election Tuesday. The District 44 seat, which covers portions of west and southwest Orange County, came open when Rep. Steve Precourt stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

Gov. Rick Scottmet with families from the Orlando area on Tuesday at Colonial High School to discuss a hot issue across the state: tuition and college affordability. Tuitions too high," said Scott. "Weve got to figure out how to reduce the cost of tuition for all of Floridas students. Including the students that came here and grew up here, and dont qualify for in-state tuition like their peers do. Weve got to help them, make sure they can afford tuition in this state.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced Tuesday that Janice Thomas would be taking over as assistant secretary for programs, overseeing family safety, child welfare, adult protection, child care, domestic violence and homelessness.

Congressional candidate and businessman Curt Clawson is facing the rare sight of his three Republican primary opponents -- Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, former state Rep. Paige Kreegel and Michael Dreikorn -- demanding to know about his ties with Glen Borst, a convicted child molester who lived in a home owned by Clawson in Utah.

Two female legislators held a news conference in Tallahassee to highlight "Equal Pay Day" on Tuesday, promoting pay equality for men and women. Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, joined with Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, to address the public on the importance of pay equality. Let me try to appeal to the senses of men dont you want your wife to get equal pay for equal work? asked Cruz.

Floridas newest state university has narrowed down its search for its first president to two candidates. Florida Polytechnic Universitys presidential search committee held a public meeting on Tuesday morning in which it announced that the choice came down to Randy Avent, currently the associate vice president for research and the associate provost at North Carolina State University, and Robert McGrath, the senior vice president and director of the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Even as 7 million Americans have signed up for President Barack Obamas federal health-care program, a new poll shows Americans do not think it is that successful. Rasmussen Reports released a poll of likely voters on Tuesday which finds less than a quarter of those surveyed -- 23 percent -- believe the program to be a success. Twice as many voters -- 46 percent -- believe it is a failure while 29 percent say it is somewhere in-between. The poll also shows most Americans -- 62 percent -- expect the law to be repealed soon.

With buzz building that former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., could run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, on Monday Rasmussen Reports highlighted a poll taken last month which shows half of Americans are less likely to vote for him due to his family legacy. The poll shows 50 percent of those surveyed are less likely to vote for Bush since his father and his brother served as presidents. Only 14 percent say they are more likely to vote for Bush due to his family legacy while 34 percent say it will have no impact.