WASHINGTON -- Heres my question: Why are we drilling in 5,000 feet of water in the first place?

Intraparty civil war. It's a story line journalists often employ, though usually about only one party, the Republicans.

Thus when three-term Sen. Bob Bennett failed to get enough votes at the Utah Republican convention, we were told that he was the victim of a purge by right-wing activists, despite his largely conservative record.

Florida politicians came out in droves for the opening of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport just north of Panama City, the first new international airport in the U.S. since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Rep. Alan Boyd and his rival for the Democratic nomination Sen.

A car boasting double the fuel-efficiency of hybrids is on the drawing boards of a Rockledge, Fla.-based company.

Avera Motors, launched by 27-year-old RJ Scaringe, said the company's team of engineers is developing an "ultra-efficient platform that will be used for a range of affordable, green performance vehicles."

While Florida is tough -- and getting tougher -- on sex offenders, the U.S. Department of Justice is looking to undercut those efforts when it comes to teenagers.

A revised federal rule posted this month would let states decide whether to include teen offenders on their public registries. Current law requires all juveniles 14 and older convicted of sex crimes to register for the rest of their lives and for states to post that information publicly.

Florida currently has 113 teenagers listed on its sex-offender registry.

Unsuccessful in attempts to scuttle property insurance changes pushed by the industry, the states trial lawyer organization is turning its attention to a potentially more sympathetic target: Gov. Charlie Crist.

The Florida Justice Association is asking the governor to veto SB 2044, an industry-backed property insurance package that, among other things, makes it easier for companies to raise rates and requires policyholders to prove they are replacing the items that have been destroyed.

A member of Floridas congressional delegation and a conservative Florida think tank say the largest federal financial regulation reform act proposed since the Great Depression doesnt fix the problems that created the current recession.

While there was speculation that he would face trouble in his bid for a second term, it appears Republican Rep. Mike Weinstein will have an easier path to reelection than expected.

There were signs that Weinstein was in trouble. He loaned his campaign $50,000 in the first quarter of 2010. He opposed Senate Bill 6, a measure pushed by the Republican leadership in the Legislature, and he faced a primary challenge from a serious contender.

But the Orange Park maverick appears headed for a second term because none of his opponents have done well in fund-raising.