In the News

POLITICOSen. McCaskill has breast cancer, expects full recoveryBy Eliza CollinsSen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) revealed Monday that she has breast cancer but expects to recover fully.“I very recently learned that I have breast cancer. It was detected through a regular mammogram. It’s a little scary, but my prognosis is good and I expect a full recovery,” McCaskill wrote in a blog post Monday. “I will be in St. Louis for the next 3 weeks receiving treatment."The 62-year-old lawmaker said that she w... Read more

THE HILLMcCaskill diagnosed with breast cancerBy Rebecca SavranskySen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has been diagnosed with breast cancer.The senator made the announcement Monday in a post titled "I very recently learned that I have breast cancer," which she tweeted.She said that she expects to make a full recovery and will be in St. Louis for the next three weeks undergoing treatment."It’s a little scary, but my prognosis is good and I expect a full recovery," she wrote.McCaskill said her staff wil... Read more

SUN SENTINEL'Major milestone' for Port Everglades dredging projectBy Paul OwersThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that it has completed its final review for a long-discussed plan to deepen and widen the channel at Port Everglades.The agency said a report was sent to Congress Jan. 29, and the project will compete with other ventures for funding in future budgets.The deepening, in the works for nearly two decades, will allow the Broward County port to host massive cargo ships, incre... Read more

White House seeks to boost aid to Colombia to $450 millionBy Franco OrdoñezPresident Barack Obama promised to throw the White House’s full support behind the Colombian government’s efforts to sign a historic peace agreement with leftist rebels, including a pledge of $450 million in aid annually to help demobilize rebels who’ve been fighting an insurgency for 51 years.But Obama is already facing push-back in Washington from some Miami Republicans, who say U.S. taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill fo... Read more

FIU STUDENT MEDIACampus-carry legislation hindered againBy Erica SantiagoThe effort to permit concealed guns on the campuses of Florida’s 40 public colleges and universities has once again been stalled.According to the Miami Herald, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla confirmed Thursday that he won’t schedule a hearing on the controversial legislation (SB 68), which he also wouldn’t take up last session.Without being vetted in Diaz de la Portilla’s committee, the bill ... Read more

MCCLATCHY WASHINGTON BUREAUWasserman Schultz vows to press for Puerto Rico debt reliefBy James RosenRep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz pledged Friday to launch a renewed push for legislation that would provide a partial bailout for Puerto Rico's $72 million debt, part of an economic crisis that has prompted tens of thousands of island residents to flee to Florida and other states.Wasserman Schultz, a Florida representative who is also chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, made the promise ... Read more

WFSUFL Dems Look To Block State Gun LegislationBy Nick EvansRepublicans in the Florida Legislature are leading the charge to expand gun rights in public places. Democrats are doing their best to slow the progress.There are three major guns provisions moving through the legislature: guns on campus, open carry, and greater stand your ground protections. At a press conference Thursday, Sen. Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale) gathered opponents of all three.“I’ve not seen a worse union of bills since B... Read more

MIAMI NEW TIMESBill That Would Allow Guns on Florida College Campuses Dies in CommitteeBy Kyle MunzenriederFlorida's Republican-lead legislature has a reputation for passing laws favorable to the gun lobby, but some measures go too far even for them. A bill that would have allowed people to carry guns onto college campuses has died in committee just nine days into the legislature's 2016 session and doesn't have much hope of coming back to life.HB 4001 and its Senate companion, SB 68, would have ... Read more

SUN SENTINELTwo gun bills shot down in Florida LegislatureBy Dan SweeneyTALLAHASSEE - The legislature loaded up on gun rights bills when the session started, but already two appear to have been shot down.Bills were offered that would allow the open carrying of firearms, the carrying of firearms on college campuses, and that would make a stand your ground defense easier. Only the only open carry bill still shows signs of life.One reason: State Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, who effecti... Read more

BLOOMBERGDNC Chair At Florida Capitol to Oppose Guns on Campus BillTallahassee, Fla. (AP) -- Democratic National Committee Chairwoman and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is hoping to convince Florida lawmakers to oppose a bill that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to bring guns on state university and college campuses.Wasserman Schultz was at the Florida Capitol on Thursday joining Democratic lawmakers and others at a news conference held to oppose the bill.She said most Flori... Read more