The governors office is looking into a $20 million business deal pushed by former Gov. Charlie Crist for a leading visual effects company that on Tuesday filed for voluntary bankruptcy protection.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Economic Opportunity wants the money back.

Roberti N. Sachen, the general counsel for the DEO, sent a demand letter on Tuesday to Digital Domain Media Group, informing the company the state is listed as a creditor in the bankruptcy case as the company has failed to advise the state of any changes to the grant.

Pointing to devastating costs, Florida mayors are backing state efforts to sway Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to replace federal freshwater quality standards with one overseen by the state.

While the mayors call came on what they expected to be the eve of a decision, federal officials have noted that a ruling is going to take longer than normal to decide.

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered U.S. and state flags lowered to half-staff today outside all local and state buildings and grounds in Florida to mark the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Scott and first lady Ann Scott will attend a 9/11 remembrance ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Boca Raton High School.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putman called Sept. 11, 2001, a defining moment in our nations history.

Gov. Rick Scott has given the latest signal that he isnt done with efforts to overhaul education in Florida.

And he has expanded upon prior comments regarding his questioning of the FCATs, saying that any annual testing of students should have a purpose.

You dont just measure and do a test, you have got to do a test that has a purpose, where you get a result you can do something about, and it impacts what youre trying to do, Scott told reporters Monday outside the Capitol.

If Gov. Rick Scott is hot and bothered at the prospect of a Democratic challenge from Republican-turned-independent former Gov. Charlie Crist, he isn't saying.

Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol on Monday, Scott responded to the speculation of Crist running for the governors mansion in 2014 by first giving a sigh regarding the line of questioning before saying he intended to concentrate on his job.

There may have been little complaining in public about federal bank regulations or the need to acquire bank loans, but that hasnt altered Floridas chief financial officer's mind about the 2010 Wall Street overhaul through Dodd-Frank.

CFO Jeff Atwater said he was getting such comments in private as he hosted nearly 200 small-business owners, from diverse backgrounds, from across the state in Tampa on Thursday and Friday.

Uncertainty remains the future of Floridas and the nations economy.

As a diverse group of Florida small-business owners were advised on how banks, university business schools, and the government can help them grow, they were also advised by leading economists in the state that doubt remains the hallmark of the countrys anemic recovery that has been sputtering for four years.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry called former Florida Gov. Charlie Crists appearance Thursday at the Democratic National Convention sad to watch.

It was really sad to watch Charlie Crists speech tonight, Curry stated in a release.

Gov. Rick Scotts focus on Hurricane Isaac rather than on the Republican National Convention in Tampa played well with Florida voters, giving his favorable ratings a considerable boost.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney got a bounce from likely Florida voters as the convention was under way, according to a poll conducted for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Scott received an improved 43 percent favorable rating in the poll, taken as the governor presented a hands-on focus on Isaac as the storm threatened and flooded several parts of the state.