In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday sent the state’s “water war” with Georgia back to a special master for further consideration. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, said Special Master Ralph Lancaster used “too strict a standard” in recommending that Florida be denied relief  in its long-running claim that overconsumption of water in Georgia is damaging the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay.

Gov. Rick Scott broke out some new tax-cut numbers this week --- $500 million approved during this year’s legislative session and $10 billion since taking office --- as the anticipated U.S. Senate candidate made appearances across the state to tout his legislative record.

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday held a news conference announcing a plan to revamp state laws after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Two days before the horrific massacre in Orlando, Kim McDougal said one of the biggest challenges in her new job as Gov. Rick Scott's chief of staff is that "if it happens in Florida, I feel it … because I care about everything."

McDougal, 53, replaced Melissa Sellers as the governor's top aide in April, after serving as deputy chief of staff, legislative affairs director and education policy coordinator in Scott's administration. McDougal has a lengthy resume covering her time in state government, beginning in 1989.

Florida health officials lack the authority to issue final licenses to the state's first medical marijuana businesses, but an administrative law judge can't do anything to stop them, according to an order issued Friday. 

Administrative Law Judge John G. Van Laningham refused to allow Plants of Ruskin -- a nursery that lost out to a competitor in an attempt to get one of five coveted licenses to grow, process and dispense low-THC marijuana -- to take the depositions of health officials. 

FANTASY SPORTS INDUSTRY DEALT BLOW IN NEW YORK

VOTING-RIGHTS GROUPS FIRE BACK ON CONGRESSIONAL PLAN

Voting-rights groups filed a brief Friday urging the Florida Supreme Court to approve a congressional redistricting plan recommended by a circuit judge --- and fired back at arguments made last week by attorneys for the Legislature.