Florida will be well-represented when athletes from around the world make their way into Olympic Park in London for the opening of the 2012 Summer Games.

At least 92 athletes with Florida ties, of whom 51 will be suited up in the red, white and blue -- and we know we didn't catch everybody -- are in Britain for the Games. The Games began Wednesday with opening matches in womens soccer, in which University of Florida alumni Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts pace the U.S. team.

Boca Raton is scrounging for cash to help pay for security when Lynn University hosts the third presidential debate of the 2012 election.

The city, which has requested the state pony up $250,000 for the nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates event at Lynn University on Oct. 22, has sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott. It's asking the state to cover police department expenses, because city fathers anticipate a significant number of protesters for the event and the days leading up to the event.

There is little concern that Florida is in danger of shedding its label as one of the nations largest gambling states.

Revenue jumped 15.1 percent from the prior year at Floridas six gaming facilities in the recently completed 2011-2012 fiscal year. The casinos reported a net revenue of $411.3 million to the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

The revenue increase comes for a year in which an effort to create a statewide gaming commission and allow at least three mega-casinos to join the gaming party in South Florida died in the Legislature.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam isnt taking sides in the Capitol Hill battle over Congresss $957 billion 2012 farm bill, which he expects will be neatly wrapped up following the fall elections -- in spite of calls for the legislation to be quickly addressed.

The bill, more of a pressing issue for Midwest states impacted by drought, is mostly important for Florida as a means to provide university research funding, and protection against invasive species and crop disease.

The Republican Party of Florida isnt waiting for former governor Charlie Crist to declare himself a Democrat and take on Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

The party sent out a blistering email late Tuesday, pointing to Crists failures to keep ineligible voters from going to the polls while Floridas attorney general, and that he opposed Democrat Bill Clintons effort to expand voter registration.

The attack comes just days after Crist wrote a critique of Gov. Rick Scotts effort to remove non-U.S. citizens from the lists of registered voters.

Gov. Rick Scott and state Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, wrote columns for U.S. World and News Reports Debate Club series arguing for and against Medicaid expansion in Florida.

The essays come as Floridas top economists, sitting as the Social Services Estimating Conference, will look at the long-term expenditures of Medicaid, and expected impact of the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, on Friday.

While Scott and many GOP leaders are opposed to accepting Medicaid expansion, the debate among Florida lawmakers will continue throughout the year.

Florida will push forward in its attempt to punish companies that do business with Castros Cuba and Assads Syria.

The Florida Department of Transportation on Tuesday filed an appeal of a ruling by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore that granted an injunction against Floridas new anti-Cuba contract law. Coral Gables-based Odebrecht USA claims it violates federal law.

Odebrecht USA, an affiliate of the Brazilian company Odebrecht, claimed in court that only the federal government sets foreign policy.

With Florida set to surpass the 1 million mark for valid concealed gun permits within the next two months, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Tuesday made a point of defending the rights of Florida citizens to ensure their own personal security.

Florida has a strong tradition in upholding Second Amendment rights, Putnam told reporters in his Capitol office. The Florida Legislature has been very clear about that."

A Florida-based energy company that received money through President Obamas stimulus package is under investigation by state and federal officials for fraud, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Tuesday.

The unnamed company was one of two based in Florida awarded state and federal grants for energy development programs that are now being looked at for criminal fraud by the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The fragile economic footing of the European Union will continue to weigh heavily on Floridas potential to generate revenue -- and so will the sluggish state of new home sales and construction.

Just as important may be fuel prices and the strength of the U.S. dollar, state economists said as they piece together a financial forecast for the Sunshine State.