The death of mentally ill inmate, Darren Rainey, and the way the Florida Department of Corrections handled the investigation has spurred the agency to enact a series of reforms to combat prison abuse at its correctional facilities. Now, as Sascha Cordner reports, the department is facing a suit from Rainey’s family—which has revealed new details surrounding his death two years ago in a South Florida prison.
This week, President Barrack Obama proposed reclassifying the Internet as a public utility. Some Floridians are applauding the idea as a way to protect startup businesses and consumers. But the cable industry is fighting back, saying the level of regulation the president proposes would stifle investment and potentially limit service to those same consumers. Jessica Palombo looked into what’s behind the debate over net neutrality.
Open enrollment for health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare” begins tomorrow (Saturday) and runs through February fifteenth. Lottie Watts from member station WUSF in Tampa reports on one St. Petersburg man who signed up last year and has learned he’ll have to pick a new plan this year from the federal government health insurance marketplace at healthcare.gov.
Former State Senator John Thrasher’s first day as the President of Florida State University was this week. The new president says the job of running a big institution of higher learning is far different from running the legislature and, as Lynn Hatter reports, all of Thrasher’s actions are being closely watched as he settles into the new job.
The Everglades National Park kicked off tours of the Nike Missile site on Veterans Day. Dina Weinstein (WINE-stine) reports the hidden site preserves relics from the Cold War and the voices of Veterans who staffed it.
While Veterans Day may be over, Regan McCarthy reports organizations around the state are hoping to use the full month to show veterans their gratitude.