School districts attempting to blame the state Department of Education for their dismal performance on the FCAT writing exam are lamely reaching for a "dog-ate-my-homework" cop-out.

Back on July 5, 2011, all districts were sent a memo advising that the 2012 test would be more rigorously graded than previous versions.

"It wasn't a secret," DOE spokeswoman Jamie Mongiovi told Sunshine State News on Wednesday. The memo, headed "Changes to FCAT Writing," spelled out how student essays would face tougher grading on spelling, punctuation, grammar and overall essay construction.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack got a boost for his bid to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November when he won heavy praise from former Gov. Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate -- but another Republican could be entering the contest soon.

Campaigning in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Romney announced that he was endorsing Mack who has been a longtime supporter of his presidential ambitions.

While Republicans control every state Cabinet office and hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, Barack Obama carried Florida in the 2008 elections, and on Wednesday the GOP put the Democrat incumbent on notice that they intend to take the Sunshine State back in November.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, the GOPs presumptive presidential nominee, hit the Sunshine State on Wednesday with an event in St. Petersburg. Romney heads to Jacksonville on Thursday.

People are reaching deeper into their wallets to play a record number of the state's $1 and $2 games of chance, according to Florida lottery records.

However, when it comes to ways to gamble in the Sunshine State, the big winners continue to be the Tallahassee lobbyists.

I feel like the kid in the back of the class with her hand raised, jumping up and down in the chair. Ooh, ooh, I know the answer, teacher! Call on me!

With an early legislative session speeding up action in the Capitol, at least three lobbying firms collected more than $1 million in fees during the first three months of the year, according to new reports.

The reports also show that an additional eight firms raked in between $500,000 and $999,999 for their work in the Legislature. Those totals could grow, as lobbyists faced an 11:59 p.m. deadline Tuesday for filing quarterly compensation reports.

Public employees constitute the biggest block of workers in 51 of Florida's 67 counties, a new TaxWatch survey shows. And in 40 counties, government workers make up two of the three largest employment groups.

The statewide study found 245 government entities -- ranging from airport authorities to school districts -- "involve significant amounts of both government involvement and funding."

With more than 250,000 employees, school districts employ nearly one of every 30 Floridians and represent either the biggest or second biggest employer in 61 counties.

WASHINGTON -- A presidential race recently focused on high school has come to resemble a popularity contest of the same vintage.

Speculation has already begun on who could end up as Mitt Romneys running mate and one of the possible contenders showed on Tuesday that he is ready for at least one traditional responsibility of the vice presidential candidate -- namely, the role of attack dog.