While Floridians are readying for the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff of summer, the state Agriculture Department and Forest Service offered grim news on Friday -- the Sunshine State could be plagued by wildfires despite recent rains. Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate our nations freedoms with friends and family while enjoying the outdoors, said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Friday. However, it is important for Floridians to celebrate responsibly and be careful with fire.

The Broward Republican Executive Committee said a sampling of voter registration records found that nearly one-quarter of the people listed on the county's election rolls ARE dead. Broward REC officials cross-referenced the 2011 Social Security Death Index -- which listed 9,960 county residents as passing away during the year -- with 2,100 names of registered voters listed on the supervisor of elections' website.

Nothing succeeds like success. The New York Yankees, the winningest franchise in Major League Baseball, are the favorite ball team of 20 percent of Florida fans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Friday. The Tampa Bay Rays are Team No. 1 for 18 percent of fans, followed by 15 percent cheering for the Miami-based Florida Marlins, 8 percent for the Boston Red Sox and 7 percent for the Atlanta Braves, the poll found. The New York Mets win the hearts of 4 percent of Floridians, with no other team above 3 percent.

San Diego Coastal scientist Stephen P. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University knownas "Dr. Beach," has named two Florida beaches -- St. George Island State Park in Floridas Panhandle and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne -- to his annual list of best beaches. Dr. Beach has been compiling the list annually since 1991. He uses 50 criteria, including sand and water quality as well as safety and environmental management.

Residents of Miami, Gainesville and Orlando are considered among the most well-read cities in America by Amazon.com The online retailer based the rankings on sales data of all books, magazines and newspapers in both print and kindle format since June 1, 2011. Alexandria, Va., topped the list, followed by Cambridge, Mass., Berkeley, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Miami landed in sixth place, Gainesville was ninth and Orlando was 14th.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, has joined those calling on President Obama to demand the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor sentenced to 33 years in prison for treason after he assisted the United States in the search for Osama bin Laden.

The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development partner, which has a representative among the Enterprise Florida business development mission with Gov. Rick Scott, has announced that three Spain-based companies intend to add 465 jobs to Miami-Dade within three years. The companies are: Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL USA), a global construction company, planning 255 jobs and $22 million in capital investments.

Two of the best cities for recent college graduates are in the Sunshine State, according to Forbes magazine. Jacksonville was listed as the third best city for graduates, trailing only St. Louis and Salt Lake City. Orlando stood in sixth place.

Lee County voters will get to state if they want to allow Las Vegas-style slot machines at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track.

Gov. Rick Scott is gaining ground with Florida voters according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University on Thursday. While Scott is still upside down with voters, the poll shows more than 40 percent approving of his performance in Tallahassee. The poll shows 41 percent of those surveyed approving of Scott while 46 percent disapprove of him. A Quinnipiac poll taken at the end of March found a majority -- 52 percent -- disapproved of Scott while only 38 percent approved of his tenure as governor.

A poll by Quinnipiac University released on Thursday morning shows that U.S. Rep. Connie Mack holds a commanding lead in the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and holds a slight edge over that Democrat incumbent in a possible general election match-up. Mack takes 42 percent in the poll of registered voters with Nelson right behind him at 41 percent. In a Quinnipiac poll taken at the end of March, Nelson led 44 percent while Mack followed with 36 percent.

Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson will hold what is announced as the first in a series of community forums with parents, teachers and local officials tonight -- May 23 -- in Tampa. The first Conversation with the Commissioner comes in the shadow of the new grading standards for the FCATs that resulted in fewer students passing the test, causing state leaders to revise the scores.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is hitting the airwaves with a new commercial for state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Wellington. The ad praises the freshman senators record on taxes and fiscal matters and showcases her support from one of the leading Republicans in the state -- former Gov. Jeb Bush. While she is a freshman, Benacquisto is part of the Senate leadership serving as deputy majority leader.

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., announced that he was backing former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in November.

Prominent Jacksonville businessman and GOP activist Tom Petway, still well-regarded on the First Coast for helping bring a National Football League franchise to the region, announced on Wednesday that he is backing Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Orange Park, for the state Senate. Weinstein is running for a seat that represents parts of Duval and Nassau counties.