A poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to national Democrats, shows that Florida Republicans can expect a close primary battle in the contest to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War around the corner in April, its easy to overlook the anniversary of another war that greatly shaped Floridas history.

The Senate leadership is hinting that a new member -- who is no stranger to health-care issues by any means --will be leading the charge to take on new federal laws backed by President Barack Obama.

Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi announced Wednesday that Carlos Muz will serve as deputy attorney general and her chief of staff.

From the release:

Gov.-elect Rick Scott has been criticized for the nearly $2.5 million in privately donated, nontax dollars his team has raised for the inauguration events. But that $2.5 million is expected to generate almost twice that in economic benefit for Florida.

Wednesday, Scott's inauguration team released estimates that the events surrounding the early January event could bring roughly $4.5 million to the state's economy, though mostly to the Tallahassee area.

According to a report released Wednesday by the Florida Association of Realtors, sales of existing single-family homes in Florida dropped 15 percent in November compared to a year ago, and prices fell along with them. The median sales price for a home was $132,700 last month, down 5 percent in the year-over-year comparison.

Condominium sales rose 11 percent, but were bought at much deflated prices from last year. The median sales price for condominiums was $88,200, down 16 percent from November 2009, but up 7 percent from October.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Bill McCollum unveiled the 2010 Florida Gang Reduction Strategy Report, revealing stats and information on the activities of the more than 1,400 gangs and more than 56,000 members and associates across the Sunshine State.

The survey representation of each county in our state is a major step in Floridas fight to eliminate gang activity, noted McCollum. From this point forward, Florida will have an accurate baseline to detect our states progress in reducing gang-affiliated crimes.

On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave itself new powers to regulate the Internet on a 3-2 party lines vote. Two Florida Republicans in Congress joined the two Republicans in opposing the new net neutrality rules.

Outgoing Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink sent a letter Tuesday to incoming members of the Florida Cabinet, urging continued oversight of the oil spill claims process and advocacy for victims. Sink has two weeks left in office before the new Cabinet members are sworn in on Jan. 4.

Sink and outgoing Attorney General Bill McCollum have pressed for larger claims and a faster process from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, but warned those who accept quick payments but waive their rights for further claims to seek legal counsel before doing so.

With his party taking control of Congress in January, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack slides over from ranking Republican to chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.