Category: Florida News

In December, a Florida state court ruled singer Gloria Estefan’s company is entitled to recover more than $5.6 million from an American International Group Inc. unit in connection with hurricane damage to a hotel she and her husband own.  Judy Greenwald reports …

A new interpretation of how hurricane evacuation-shelter costs are reimbursed could end up costing Florida counties millions of dollars and creating lots of red tape.  Colleen Wixon reports for TCPalm.com. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/shaping-our-future/2018/04/10/many-florida-counties-concerned-they-stuck-paying-hurricane-evacuation-shelters/502047002/

More than half of the disputed workers’ insurance compensation bills sent to a panel for review last year were either withdrawn or tossed out because services weren’t authorized.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via News4Jax.com. https://www.news4jax.com/news/report-details-disputed-workers-comp-bills

A state board on Tuesday approved updated reimbursement rates for medical providers, hospitals, and ambulatory care centers, FloridaPolitics.com reports. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/260948-workers-comp-panel-reimburse

Lantana Democrat Lori Berman easily defeated Republican Tami Donnally in the special election to fill the Senate District 31 seat vacated by former Senator Jeff Clemens. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/260773-lori-berman-wins-special-election-for-state-senate-seat

He dismissed the suggestion that his retirement had anything to do with a possible Democratic wave, though the open seat will now become a target, while setting off a scramble among Republican hopefuls.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary and Steve Bousquet  …

Outgoing House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz announced Tuesday that she will challenge Republican state Senator Dana Young, thus setting up a tough election fight in a Tampa swing seat.  Matt Dixon reports for Politico Florida. https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/04/10/janet-cruz-officially-announces-challenge-to-dana-young-357738

Rick Scott will appoint a replacement, who would get a two-year term. The circuit covers Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.  TCPalm.com’s Paul Ivice reports. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/crime/indian-river-county/2018/04/10/circuit-judge-paul-kanarek-retire-voters-wont-get-choose-replacement/504798002/

Many of the state’s largest school districts had already signaled that they would reject the program, the Tampa Bay Times’ Ron Brackett reports. http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/04/11/broward-county-school-board-rejects-arming-school-personnel/

Volkswagen’s diesel scam has netted nearly $3 billion for states to spend on low- or no-pollution cars, buses, trucks, locomotives and other vehicles from forklifts to ships.  Kevin Spear reports for the Orlando Sentinel. South Carolina Department of Insurance Announces …