Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, seeking to succeed Alex Sink as the state's chief financial officer, took the Democrat to task over reports that she approved applications from felons to sell insurance in Florida.

The chief financial officer is obligated to look out for the financial security of Florida's families," Atwater said in a statement. "Instead, the record shows the CFO has routinely granted licensure to applicants who have been convicted of felonies and therefore may pose a threat to consumers."

Yet another new poll in the close gubernatorial battle with Public Policy Polling (PPP), which has connections to Democratic campaigns, showing state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee, ahead of Republican rival Rick Scott -- 46 percent to 41 percent.

Alex Sink remains in strong shape to take the Florida governors mansion, insisted Dean Debnam, the president of PPP. This would be one of the brightest spots for Democrats across the country and what is likely to be an otherwise dreary election night.

The Foundation for Excellence in Education today announced the recipients of the 2010 Excel Award, which rewards teachers whose students made the most progress in reading or math from one year to the next for the last three consecutive years.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who chairs the foundation, cited 76 "extraordinary educators for their proven excellence in the classroom."