Attorney General Pam Bondi has activated a price gouging hotline as Florida is under a state of emergency for Tropical Storm Isaac. I encourage anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency to report it to my office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226), the release from Bondis office stated. Florida law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency.

Gov. Rick Scott has canceled his activities planned for Tuesday around the Republican National Convention to focus on Tropical Storm Isaac. On Saturday, Scott announced that he wouldnt participate in Mondays opening day of the four-day convention, where he was scheduled to speak. With the center of the large systemexpected to go west of Tampa, the Republican National Committee would later cancel Mondays activities as a safety measure.

Texas congressman and Republican primary presidential candidate Ron Paul's official pre-nominating convention rally kicked off to a raucous start, as thousands of conservative and libertarian enthusiasts crowded theUSF Sun Dome in Tampa. The event, officially titled the "Ron Paul republiCAN We Are the Future Rally," began at noon, right on schedule. Historian and political adviser Doug Wead acted as master of ceremonies and delivered the opening remarks, describing Paul as "a clean boat in a sea of garbage."

No, Charlie Crist didn't -- as rumored last week -- turn Democrat in a Sunday Tampa Bay Times guest column. But on the eve of the Republican National Convention, he did the next closest thing. He publicly, officially, endorsed Barack Obama for president.

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden regarding the death of former test pilot and NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong. He was 82. "On behalf of the entire NASA family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Carol and the rest of the Armstrong family on the passing of Neil Armstrong. As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind's first small step on a world beyond our own.

Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson is on the ballot in all 50 states but is largely unknown to the nations voters.

In an exclusive interview with Sunshine State News early Saturday evening, American performance artist, social anarchist, and satirical political activist Vermin Supreme announced that he will be running for president of the United States under the banner of his newly created Free Pony Party. His vice presidential running mate will be Jimmy McMillan of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party.

Im the original Ron Paul groupie! beams author and inspirational speaker Donna Paul, the Texas congressmans sister-in-law. Her husband Wayne, Rons brother, will be addressing the 2012 Ron Paul Festival Friday afternoon.I campaigned for Congressman Paul in 1973, when he first ran for Congress!

This evening, Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson will sit down for anexclusive, hard-hitting interview with Sunshine State News. Johnson is scheduled to address the 2012 Ron Paul Festival Saturday afternoon. His party is co-sponsoring the festival in honor of the Texas congressman, even though Johnson campaigned against Paul during the Republican primary.

Im a conservative whos fed up with the Republican Party, Im not voting for Romney, Im a homeschool mom, and all my children feel the same way I do! Sunshine State News has the scoop on what it is that's got television personality Vonabell Shermanand herdaughter, also named Vonabell, peeved at what's going on in Republican politics.

"The Constitution does not need to be scrapped; it needs to be abided by!," thundered Jim Clymer, Constitution Party vice presidential candidate and former party chairman, to an audience of a little over 100 spectators at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, as hundreds more frequented the vendors in a large neighboring room.

Speaking of "Halloween-coalitions," the 2012 Ron Paul Festival has brought out small businesses looking to cash in on libertarian and traditionalist affinities for organic and other homemade cuisine. Trae, of RedNeckSteak.com, is selling his specially seasoned premium oak-wood smoked beef jerky. His moonshine steak is glazed with his very own homemade barbecue blend; it was the best tasting jerky this correspondent has had in his life.

The commencement of the 2012 Ron Paul Festival is off to a slow but spirited start, as a couple of hundred libertarian and liberty-sympathizing enthusiasts trickle in to the Florida State Fairgrounds. The speeches and performances were set to begin at noon, but are now expected to start at around 2 p.m. One attendee was overheard shouting, I feel freer already! upon entering the fairgrounds Expo Hall.

Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, found herself dressed down by Anderson Cooper on his CNN show on Thursday for a fundraising letter the party sent out that misquotes the Los Angeles Times regarding presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Floridas delegates to the Republican National Convention will be treated to Florida produce and an assortment of national speakers each morning while in Tampa next week. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will host a daily "Fresh from Florida" breakfast for the delegation at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, where the delegation has been assigned by the Republican National Committee.