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State News
4:49 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Gay Rights Group Launches New Campaign

Florida advocacy group Equality Florida is launching a new campaign to legalize same-sex marriage. Group members say the first step is to get more members of the public on board.

The “Get Engaged” campaign will use a combination of merchandising, social media and outreach to create a public push to get Florida’s ban on same-sex unions removed from the state constitution. 

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Education
4:25 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Florida Polytechnic University Weighs Free Tuition For Inaugural Class

Florida Polytechnic's first building

Florida’s newest public university wants to admit its first class by August 2014.  The school made its case before the Florida Board of Governors Wednesday.

Florida Polytechnic University is not eligible for federal financial aid until it’s accredited. That’s not set to happen until 2016. Board of Governors members like Chairman Dean Colson question whether the school can recruit the 500 students it wants for its inaugural class, and retain them.

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Education
4:17 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

FSU Plans To Use 'Preeminance' To Raise It's National Profile

Florida State University officials want to use a new designation to help the school increase its profile. FSU and the University of Florida are so-called “preeminent” schools, making them eligible for more state funding.

FSU President Eric Barron told the state university oversight board Wednesday that he wants to use the money to hire high-profile faculty members in the areas of science and technology.

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State News
3:53 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Routine Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest Of 'America's Most Wanted' Fugitive

Credit America's Most Wanted
34-year-old Brett David Bowyer, a West Virginia fugitive arrested for child porn, was caught in Florida after violating state's "Move Over Law."

A violation of a Florida highway safety law led to the June arrest of one of America’s Most Wanted. State troopers say it’s not only a lesson for motorists, it also caught a bad guy in the process.

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Arts & Culture
2:39 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Country Singer Slim Whitman Dies Near Jacksonville, Fla.

Credit Amazon.com
Slim Whitman died on Wednesday near Jacksonville, Fla.

Country singer Slim Whitman has died near Jacksonville, Fla., at age 90. Whitman was best known for his high-pitched yodel and for selling millions of records through TV ads in the '80s and '90s.

Fans of the '90s movie "Mars Attacks!" might remember Slim Whitman’s song "Indian Love Call." When they heard it, the movie’s alien villains’ heads exploded.

Whitman’s falsetto voice, mustache and sideburns inspired countless parodies, as his TV commercials helped him sell millions of records.

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