According to a report released Thursday by Realty Trac, a California-based company that tracks foreclosed properties, 2010 set a record for foreclosure activity in the United States, with more than 3.8 million foreclosure filings on more than 2.8 million properties -- an increase of 2 percent over 2009 and 23 percent over 2008.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Describes to CNN her Joy at Being Part of Gabrielle Giffords' 'Awakening'

By Nancy Smith

Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. -- joyously described for CNN's international audience Thursday morning what it was like to be part of the moment Wednesday when their friend Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time and touched her husband Mark's hand. Wasserman Schultz recounted telling the Arizona congresswoman, 'Come on, you've got to get better, because we expect you up in New Hampshire this summer" at Wasserman Schultz's vacation home.

Vero Beach Instructor Among Four Finalists for U.S. Teacher of the Year

Cheryl Conley, Florida's 2011 Teacher of the Year, is among four finalists to be National Teacher of the Year. Conley, fourth-grade teacher at Osceola Magnet Elementary School in Vero Beach, has taught a total of 11 years, the last four at Osceola Magnet. Conley and three fellow finalists -- Annice Brave of Illinois, Michaelle Shearer of Maryland and Paul Anderson of Montana -- were selected by the Council of Chief State School Officers, based in Washington, D.C.

TEA, Anti-Taxers: Scott Freeze Keeps Floridians From Getting Railroaded

While Democrats complain about Gov. Rick Scott's freeze on $1 million-plus contracts, he's getting more support from the right. Ax the Tax, a statewide grass-roots anti-tax group opposing proposed commuter and high-speed rail projects, and the Florida TEA Party saluted Scott's stand. "Fortunately, all of the actual research reports are pointing to a huge financial deficit for the two major rail projects -- the SunRail commuter rail and the high-speed rail project," said Doug Guetzloe, founder and chairman of Ax the Tax.

Tax Cuts Unlikely -- Unless They Come From Gov. Scott

By Kevin Derby

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, is open to ideas for tax cuts coming from Gov. Rick Scott, but doesn't plan on pushing for any himself. Haridopolos frequently referenced the state's $3.5 billion budget shortfall Wednesday in calling for spending cuts in Medicaid, education and other areas, and said that any tax cut proposals from Gov. Scott should come with offsetting cuts in spending. Gov. Scott's budget proposal will be released next month.

Haridopolos: No State Money for High-Speed Rail

By Kevin Derby

Citing concerns over the state's $3.5 billion budget deficit,Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, stated Wednesday that he does not support using state funds for Florida's high-speed rail project, which would connect Tampa to Orlando. "It's something the people would like to have, it's just something we can't afford using state dollars," Haridopolos said.

Herman Cain Launches Presidential Exploratory Committee

By Kevin Derby

Businessman Herman Cain, who ran for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Georgia back in 2004, announced on Wednesday that he was forming an exploratory committee to look at running for the GOPs presidential nomination in 2012. Cain, who was the president and CEO of Godfathers Pizza and National Restaurant Association, has been a favorite of the tea party movement, speaking at numerous events during the 2010 election cycle, including one in Clay County back in October. He currently hosts a talk-radio show out of Atlanta.

Rick Scott Wants USDA to Include Volusia County in Emergency Declaration

By Kevin Derby

At the end of December, in his final days as governor, Charlie Crist sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that 35 of the states 67 counties be included in a USDA Secretarial Emergency Declaration.Floridians whose crops or livestock were impacted by the weather could be eligible for various programs, including loans, through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and other federal agencies if Vilsack makes such a declaration.

AIF Reaffirms Support of High-Speed Rail in Florida

By Kevin Derby

The future of high-speed rail in Florida is increasingly appearing to be one of the leading issues in the Sunshine State in 2011 as Barney Bishop, the president and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), doubled down his organizations support of rail projects. On Wednesday, Bishop announced AIF would be leading a new coalition to back high-speed rail.

Florida's U.S. Senators Weigh In on Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake

By Kevin Derby

Floridas two U.S. senators offered their thoughts on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti.

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