After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Judge Cristina Miranda of Coral Gables and Judge Rodney Smith of Hialeah to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Miranda, 38, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2006.She had served as an assistant state attorney with the 11th Judicial Circuit from 1997. As a county judge, former prosecutor and lifelong member of the Miami community, Judge Miranda is committed to advancing the rule of law in the 11th Circuit, Scott stated in a release. Smith, 37, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2008.

With the recent U.S. Supreme Court health care ruling, the latest judicial ruling regarding noncitizen voting and the states continuing recovery from Tropical Storm Debby, along with a long list of new state laws going into place, Gov.

A positive from the heavy rains that poured across Florida from this weeks lingering visit of Tropical Storm Debby is that the threat of wildfires has diminished. Still, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam cautions people to be responsible while celebrating the Independence Day holiday. Every year, Americans celebrate the independence of our nation and the sacrifices of those who fight to keep us free, Putnam stated in a release. Fireworks are an integral and historical part of those celebrations; however, fire safety is everyones responsibility.

The Florida Board of Governors Tuition Appeals Committee has unanimously rejected Florida Gulf Coast Universitys request to reconsiderreceiving only a 12 percent tuition hike. The Fort Myers-based state university had asked for a 14 percent increase.