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.

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.

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.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is the second member of the state Cabinet to back the state Senate bid of former Rep. Aaron Bean. State CFO Jeff Atwater has already backed Bean who is running for a state Senate seat based in parts of Duval and Nassau counties.

Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton announced on Wednesday that he was backing Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination in the new congressional district hugging the Atlantic Coast between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.

A poll released by Quinnipiac University on Wednesday finds that Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has the lead over Barack Obama in the crucial swing state of Florida.

The poll finds Romney taking 47 percent followed by Obama with 41 percent. Obama led Romney 49 percent to 42 percent in a Q-Poll taken at the end of March but Romney led 44 percent to 43 percent in one taken in early May.

Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announced on Tuesday that he is backing restaurant executive Craig Miller who is running in a crowded Republican primary for the new congressional seat stretching on the Atlantic Coast south of Jacksonville to Daytona Beach.

"Im pleased to endorse Craig Miller, Keller said in a statement. Hes a conservative leader who knows how to create jobs and cut wasteful spending. Hell make a great congressman. We need him in Washington to stand up against Obamas reckless spending and liberal agenda.