Lizbeth Benacquisto's bill to standardize DNA testing procedures -- including provisions stating evidence processing in a sexual assault must begin within 30 days of a request --  rolled effortlessly through the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday.

The Florida House completed its part of legislation to protect Florida's natural resources Thursday, substituting its HB 7005 for SB 552, the bill the Senate approved Wednesday.

All the best late-night comedy Tuesday didn't hang its hat on the GOP debates in Las Vegas.

Former "Saturday Night Live" writer Seth Meyers, on his NBC show "Late Night with Seth Meyers," found some pretty good material in Tom Steyer World.

If you didn't stay up for Meyers' Tuesday night gig, here's one of his quips you might want to share around the break room at work:

To continue Florida's successful efforts at combatting the state's opioid epidemic, Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, has introduced House Bill 797, a sentencing safety valve for certain prescription drug offenders.

Ted Cruz's need to keep women barefoot and pregnant -- among other of his policies -- turned me off his presidential campaign long ago. But whatever you say about the Texas senator, the man has a king-size backbone.

Don't be surprised if the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee shoots down Rep. Matt Gaetz's open carry bill Wednesday afternoon.

Free-market advocate Americans for Prosperity-Florida (AFP-FL) has sent members of the Florida House Business and Professions Subcommittee a letter supporting passage of HB 245, a bill to remove alcohol vendor restrictions.

Read a copy of the letter here. The bill, HB 245, is sponsored by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Doral.

Who says David Beckham isn't a pretty awesome guy?

The legendary British soccer star for Manchester United of the English Premiere League and MSL's LA Galaxy isn't sitting around waiting to launch his MLS Miami team. He's out there doing what David Beckham does best, paying it forward.

Tracy Duda Chapman, senior vice president/general counsel of A. Duda & Sons, Inc., has been elected 2015-2016 chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. The Florida Chamber made the announcement in a prepared statement Thursday. Her one-year term as chair began Nov. 1.

Scientist Brian LaPointe set the Martin County Commission on its heels Tuesday, telling members and a packed commission chamber that yes, Lake Okeechobee discharges are an issue, but he estimates the reactive nitrogen from septic tank effluent is seven times greater than that of Lake O.

Martin County, Ground Zero for damaging Lake Okeechobee discharges during excessively rainy periods, contracted the with LaPointe and Florida International University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to assess how damaging septic tanks are to the St. Lucie River and estuary.