Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania announced late on Wednesday the launch of an exploratory committee for the Republican presidential nomination.

During an appearance on Fox News, Santorum took aim at President Barack Obama and attempted to offer a contrast between himself and the president.

A deadlocked committee vote after time expired further muddied the future of an already-tenuous attempt to bring destination casinos to Florida.

The Senate Finance and Tax Subcommittee tied on a 3-3 vote on the measure (SB 2050), a margin that would usually kill the bill. But Subcommittee Chairwoman Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, then announced that the rushed vote had actually happened after the panels scheduled 10:45 a.m. adjournment -- meaning the vote doesnt count.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is encouraging students in schools across the nation to be silent for the entire day on Friday to highlight their opposition to bullying and attacks against gays -- but social and religious conservatives are attacking the Day of Silence (DOS) event.