Florida stands to generate more than 120,000 new jobs over the next 10 years if it accepts federal funding to expand health care coverage.

That's according to a new study from University of Florida economics professor Alan Hodges.

Hodges says Florida would receive $51 billion in federal cash under the Affordable Care Act over the next decade and that would allow the state to extend health insurance to 1 million uninsured Floridians.

Florida teachers say they are mobilizing against a proposal in the state Legislature to close the Florida Retirement System to new employees and move them into 401(k)-type plans. The speaker of the House, meanwhile, claims the teachers' argument is untenable.

Teachers say pension reform is unnecessary and threatens their retirement security.

The Florida House has passed a bill that would end guaranteed pensions for new public employees starting next year. Instead, they would enter a defined contribution plan.

In a surprise, show-and-tell statement to the press on Thursday, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford proclaimed that he supports raising university tuition rates next year.

Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said the average college student in Florida pays as much for a cell phone every year as for tuition.

The average student in Florida, what they actually pay out of pocket at major universities, I believe all universities, is about the same amount of money as they spend on this every year," he said, holding up a smartphone.

A fired Florida Highway Patrol trooper is accusing his former agency of promoting an unwritten policy of not issuing traffic tickets to state lawmakers, even when they deserve them.

Trooper Charles Swindle was fired over the way he handled a traffic stop involving state Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville.McBurney was traveling to Tallahassee last November when he was pulled over for speeding.

Swindle decided to issue a warning ticket. He claims the Highway Patrol does not ticket lawmakers because they control pay raises and other funding.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, speaking to the press in Tallahassee Wednesday morning, said its finally time to get to the truth about the mysterious deaths that happened at the former Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.

Nelson, D-Fla., is trying to secure grant money from the U.S. Department of Justice to help University of South Florida scientists in their effort to exhume bodies from the old reform school, which shut down in 2011.

The USF researchers discovered nearly 50 unmarked graves on the schools property, using ground-penetrating radar and analyzing soil samples.

A split is developing between Republican leaders in the Florida House and Senate over university tuition next year.

The House wants to raise tuition 6 percent. The Senate is proposing no tuition increase.

House leaders argue Floridas tuition rates are below the national average and an increase would help universities keep pace with other schools around the country.

The average cost of tuition in Florida is about $6,200. Nationwide, its $8,600.

Gov. Rick Scott, meanwhile, is also making it clear that he opposes tuition increases. He compares them to tax hikes.