The first statements from the Obama administration about what happened in Benghazi seemed plausible.

Attorney General Pam Bondi's impassioned stand last week against turning Florida's $334 million mortgage-fraud settlement into raises for state employees was nothing less than heroic.

A federal appeals court will hear arguments this week in a battle about a 2011 Florida law that would require people to pass drug tests before they can start receiving public-assistance benefits.

The state is asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a district judge's ruling that blocked the law because of concerns it violated the federal Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches.

Of the 12 ballot measures Florida voters will weigh in on as they head to the polls in the days leading up to the Nov. 6 election, the last of these is arguably the most obscure: it doesnt implicate taxes or revenues, and doesnt address any controversial social issues.

If passed by 60 percent of the voters, Amendment 12 the Florida Appointment Process for State University System Board of Governors Revision Amendment would change the way the state selects the student representative who sits on the Florida Board of Governors (BOG).

Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his prescription for the future of education in Florida this week as he released details of an agenda that focused on national core standards and putting more faith in charter schools.

Following a listening tour that took him across the state, Scott released details of his legislative agenda for education, one of his few major forays outside economic development since taking office nearly two years ago.

Other than that, the looming elections in the politically deadlocked state overshadowed most issues this week.

When reading one of the endless stories about a just-released poll Thursday night, a pair of numbers struck my eye: 60 and 37.

WASHINGTON -- We shouldn't be talking about this silliness -- Big Bird, "bull -- er," or a girl's "first time."