Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FLORIDA TEACHERS CHALLENGE VOUCHER EXPANSION
A Lee County social studies teacher and the state’s main teachers union are filing a lawsuit to block a significant expansion of a private school voucher program. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in a Leon County circuit court contends that state legislators violated a requirement that bills cover only one subject. The Republican-controlled Legislature attached the voucher expansion to an unrelated bill on the final day of the 2014 session. They took that step because a stand-alone bill failed to get enough votes.
FLORIDA TO SUE OIL COMPANY FOR DRILLING VIOLATIONS
Florida’s environmental agency says it’s planning to sue a Texas oil company for violating state drilling regulations at one of its wells located near the Everglades. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday said it will sue Dan A. Hughes Co. for failing to comply with demands after it was learned the company was employing a fracking-like practice known as “acid stimulation” at the site. The company on Tuesday announced it had shut down operations at the disputed well site, which is near endangered Florida panther habitat.
ANOTHER DELAY IN JUSTIN BIEBER DUI CASE
Justin Bieber’s lawyers and Florida prosecutors say they need more time to work out a possible plea deal on charges that the pop star drove under the influence and resisted arrest. Miami-Dade County Judge William Altfield reset the matter for Aug. 5. Bieber was arrested early Jan. 23 in Miami Beach after what police described as an illegal street race between Bieber’s rented Lamborghini and a Ferrari driven by a friend.
SCIENTISTS ASK SCOTT TO MEET ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
Ten scientists from Florida universities have requested a meeting with Gov. Rick Scott to talk about climate change, a subject he has been reluctant to address. Scott said, “I’m not a scientist,” after a federal report earlier this year highlighted Florida, and Miami in particular, among the parts of the country most vulnerable to the effects of global warming and rising sea levels.
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATE GETS FRESH DELIVERY OF GOODS
A private cargo ship launched three days ago from Virginia arrived at the orbiting complex Wednesday. The Cygnus contains more than 3,000 pounds of food, science experiments, mini-satellites and equipment, as well as outfits designed to resist bacteria and odor. The new gym clothes should keep the exercising astronauts smelling a lot better.
