Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FORMER GOV. ASKEW MAKES FINAL VISIT TO CAPITOL
The late Gov. Reubin Askew is headed to the state Capitol, where officials and residents will be able to pay their respects. A hearse carrying Askew’s coffin will be brought to the old Capitol on Tuesday. An honor guard will carry Askew’s body into the old Capitol. Gov. Rick Scott and other state officials will line up to greet Askew upon arrival. Members of the public will be allowed inside later in the day.
NEW DCF CAMPAIGN EDUCATES PARENTS ABOUT CAREGIVERS
Child welfare officials are launching a new campaign encouraging parents to educate themselves about who they are leaving their children with. The Florida Department of Children and Families’ campaign will target parents and guardians of children under the age of 4 who rely on child care and may be using a caregiver they know little about.
FLORIDA DEMS SAY SCOTT CAMPAIGN BROKE FUNDRAISING LAW
The head of the Florida Democratic Party contends that the campaign of Gov. Rick Scott is breaking the state’s campaign finance law. Allison Tant on Monday filed a complaint against both Gov. Rick Scott and his political committee Let’s Get to Work. The complaint maintains that the campaign broke the law when the Scott campaign transferred $27 million from one type of campaign account to another earlier this month. John French, the chairman of Let’s Get to Work, said last week the movement of the money was legal.
FLORIDA CHOOSES NEW TEST TO REPLACE FCAT NEXT YEAR
Florida is picking a new test to replace the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test that has been a mainstay in the state’s schools for more than a decade. Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart announced Monday that the state is approving a six-year contract with not-for-profit American Institutes for Research to develop the test. The contract is worth an estimated $220 million. The new test will be administered in the spring of 2015.
FLORIDA ARTIST PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN VASE SMASHING
A South Florida artist has pleaded not guilty to criminal mischief charges in which he is accused of smashing a vase that was part of a museum exhibit by noted Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei. Maximo Caminero’s attorney John de Leon said Monday he filed the written plea and asked for a jury trial. Even so, Caminero previously apologized for smashing the vase in February and told police it was to protest lack of support for local artists.
