On Thursday, the Gadsden County Tourism Development Council (TDC) unveiled a new website touting the Panhandle countys attractions and events.

I am really proud of eGadsden.com, because it gives tourists a simple place to go online and find everything they need for visiting Gadsden, said Jeff DuBree, chairman of the TDC. It is updated constantly with new events or places to visit, so theres always new things to experience.

Rasmussen Reports released a poll on Thursday that found that businessman Donald Trump was leading the pack of possible Republican presidential candidates in 2012 looking to take on President Barack Obama.

During the lengthy House session on Wednesday, as the legislators grappled with abortion bills and the Blaine Amendment, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, arose during debate and mentioned her unhappiness that the Catholic Church --with which, according to her House webpage, she is affiliated -- has largely downplayed social justice issues in favor of opposition to abortion.

The budget conferences of the House and Senate got underway Wednesday, but reading between the lines of the chairman of the finance and tax conference, Gov. Rick Scott's plans for corporate and property tax cuts do not appear to be in the wings.

After an initial meeting Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was asked about the cuts and the confidence expressed by Gov. Scott that they will make their way into the final budget.

"I continue to express confidence that I will lose 20 pounds," Gaetz said coyly.

An amendment to SB 408, offered by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey,that would have retained the current requirement for property insurers to offer sinkhole insurance, was rejected in a 20-12 vote Wednesday.

Pope Benedict XVI named a new leader for Catholics on the First Coast on Wednesday.

Cuban born Bishop Felipe de Jesus Estevez, currently serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Miami, was named as bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Estevez, who came to America during Operation Peter Pan when the American government helped bring children out of communist Cuba, replaced the retiring Bishop Victor Galeone.

Add one more name to the increasingly crowded field in the Republican primary looking to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Dr. Mirand Sharma, who has been active in the Campaign for Liberty, has launched a bid for the Republican nod.

The White House released President Barack Obamas long-form birth certificate on Wednesday morning after receiving pressure from many conservatives and Republicans -- including possible presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Sharia in Florida?

Thats what David Caton of the conservative Florida Family Association is warning against in an e-mail sent out to supporters on Tuesday.

Islamic rule of law will effectively reign in our state if Florida law enforcement agencies decline to properly investigate and file appropriate charges in violent crimes that are condoned and promoted by Sharia law, insisted Caton. Law enforcement's unwillingness to properly investigate and bring charges in these crimes will undermine our public safety and severely change our value system.

Legislative leaders have not included property cuts and business income tax cuts asserted by Gov. Rick Scott as essential to jump-starting Florida's economy as part of their budget allocation deal, but Scott remains certain they will be included in the final budget.