All of a sudden Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has the ideal occasion and opportunity to debate his primary opponent, Nan Rich. Will he do it?

Rich said she accepted an invitation from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Association to appear at a July 10 candidate forum co-hosted by the two organizations.

With an overwhelming 15-3 vote Monday, the House Judiciary Committee kept the CBD medical marijuana ball rolling -- despite the "no" vote of Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala.

Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando, began the discussion of CS/HB 843 by successfully adding an eleventh-hour "friendly amendment" to the bill that would make it a criminal misdemeanor for any doctor or patient to misrepresent the patient's condition.

Charlie Crist gathered a crowd at the opening of his new Broward field office Saturday, but not all who showed up for the 12:30 p.m. event were Crist fans.

"I'd say there are 50 people standing around in the parking lot who are part of his campaign, plus TV cameras and reporters," said Joseph Kreps, reporting by telephone from Crist's University Drive headquarters.

The Georgia Legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal have made Georgia "the first state in the nation to find a safe, legal way to provide CBD oil to children who suffer seizures from severe forms of epilepsy," according to Sue Rusche, president and CEO of National Families in Action.

Four years ago it took a newspaper from New York City to show Floridians that U.S. Sugar and Charlie Crist were taking them for a ride on the Everglades land deal. Now the same newspaper -- the New York Times -- is back to tell us Tallahassee law enforcement either deliberately, perhaps even illegally, coddled FSU star athlete Jameis Winston, or the whole incompetent bunch of them embody Barney Fife amok in Mayberry.

To the chagrin of media critics and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson who wanted him fired, Jesse Panuccio will keep his job.

The embattled, $141,000-per-year executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity was overwhelmingly confirmed on the Senate floor Friday.

The Lakeland Ledger has received the prestigious Brechner Center for Freedom of Information award for its successful battlesto keep public records and government accessible.

This is a coveted national award, it recognizes excellence in reporting about freedom of information, access to government-held information or the First Amendment and it's a significant effort on behalf of all Floridians.

Eric Eisnaugle, who won the District 44 Republican primary March 11, is headed back to the Florida House after defeating Democrat Shaun Raja, 74 percent to 26 percent, in a special election Tuesday.

The District 44 seat, which covers portions of west and southwest Orange County, came open when Rep. Steve Precourt stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

Democrats -- the real ones, not the ones who think they have to vote for Charlie Crist to win -- are increasingly uncomfortable with Charlie's right-of-center answers to basic Democratic policy questions.

They want a good look at the alternative.

And now Nan Rich, the only real Democrat in the gubernatorial race, is not only saying the same thing, she's calling for her party leaders to give her and Charlie that much-anticipated debate.

What better place to look for a horror story than Florida? Apparently, TV producers are thinking the same thing because Season 4 of "American Horror Story" is going to be set in the Jupiter, Fla., of the 1950s.

And if they knew Jupiter like I know Jupiter, they might realize they've clicked just the right button in the Sunshine State.

The show's title was revealed by creator and writer Ryan Murphy via Twitter.