Judge Kevin Carroll of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida on Monday dismissed without prejudice a motion by the Florida Nurses Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to rehear their suit on plans by the state Department of Corrections to privatize prison health services.

Carroll did not rule on the merits of the suit, he simply reaffirmed the suit's previous dismissal, but left the door open for the unions to file a new suit.

For background, see previous Sunshine State News coverage:

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."

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.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott's office has just released a statement on the state's application of new early voting laws: