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Republicans in the US Senate stopped a debate on student loan interest rates earlier today. If congress doesn’t take action by July, interest rates will double to nearly seven percent. As Whitney Ray tells us, student loan debt nationwide is at a trillion dollars and growing.

Student loan debt passed the trillion dollar mark Tuesday morning according to finaid.org. In Florida, half of all college students graduate with debt. The average amount is 21-thousand dollars. Nationwide the average is 25-thousand.

The housing crisis is partially to blame for the recent spike in student loan debt. In the past families would sometimes borrow against their homes to pay for school, but with property values falling, banks aren’t as willing to take the risk.

But nearly no one is turned down for a student loan, and the money isn’t just for tuition. Some of it pays for room, board and even entertainment. While the debt grows, congress is being asked to freeze student loan interest rates. If they don’t act by July rates will double to 6.8 percent.

Vice President Joe Biden visited FSU earlier this year, and promised to lower college costs, but at least one student objected arguing that government assistant was driving prices higher.

“It creates this perpetual problem where tuition keeps going up so we give more subsidies and tuition goes back up and we give more subsidies,” said Lawrence Dunn who has 20-thousand dollars in debt.

Ed Moore, a member of Florida’s Higher Education Coordinating Council disagrees. Moore says Congress needs to freeze rates. And that 6.8 percent is artificially high.

“There is no economic justification, no market justification for an interest rate to be 6.8 percent,” said Moore.

Moore also says despite the rising cost, a college degree is still worth the debt. The state doesn’t keep records on the total amount students in Florida owe. It also has no financial obligation if a student can’t pay back the money. The debt stays with the borrower, because Federal law prevents people from shedding student loan debt, even if they declare bankruptcy.

Florida’s crime rate is at a 41 year low, but it comes with a high price tag. As Whitney Ray tells us, 13 law enforcement officers killed on the job in 2011 were honored at the state capitol today.

Twenty-one guns saluted as helicopters flew overhead and the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line duty mourned. Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi honored the 13 officers killed in 2011, and the survivors they left behind.

“We appreciate everything that you have been through and we can’t imagine what you have been through, but we continue to constantly pray for you and your families,” said Bondi.

Survivors placed roses in a Florida wreath, marking where their loved ones passed. Central Florida sacrificed most.

In early 2011, three St. Petersburg officers were killed. Two while serving an arrest warrant in late January.

“Sadly we have been to too many funerals,” said Bondi.

The St. Pete Mayor told the crowd the loss is still fresh in his mind.

“January 24th, 2011. That’s what I call my personal 911,” said Mayor Bill Foster.

The pain expressed by the elected officials is magnified in the faces of the survivors.

Florida’s crime rate is at a 41 year low, but in reaching that statistic 13 law enforcement officers lost their lives. That’s four more than died in 2010.

The end of the ceremony was marked by bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and a promise by state leaders to never to forget the officers.
Today marks the 30th annual Florida Law Enforcement Memorial. Since the state began keeping records, 713 officers have died in the line of duty.

One of the eleven people arrested in the hazing death of a FAMU drum major was also charged in December for violence against another band member. Aaron Golson faces two felonies, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, questions over whether Golson should have been on the bus in Orlando are being raised.

On December 13th last year, Aaron Golson was one of three people arrested in the beating of FAMU band member Bria Hunter. Thursday, Golson turned himself in to face felony charges in the death of Drum Major Robert Champion.

The initial police report in Bria Hunters beating was made November 8th. 11 days before Robert Champion died.

Attorney Chuck Hobbs represents suspended band director Julian White. He says Golson wasn’t one of the original suspects named in the Hunter report.

“So, at the time of Robert Champion’s death, Golson was still a member in good standing of the Marching 100,” Hobbs said.

Because he was not initially named as a suspect, Golson was allowed to make the fatal trip to Orlando where Champion died.

“You have to almost wonder if the investigation had ensued maybe quicker, would his name have come up quicker and maybe he would not have been one of the ringleaders that was involved in the incident that led to Robert Champion’s death,” Hobbs said.

At the FAMU campus, managers spent the day in training, where topics included harassment, bullying, and hazing.

“If there’s a rumor floating around about a particular professor, but there are no specific reports, what do you do at that point?” a audience member asked.

“You report it,” Daiquiri Steele with the U.S. Department of Education replied. “If it’s a rumor, you have reason to believe that something could be happening.”

Both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the University System Board of Governors continue investigations into what happened at FAMU.

A scary twist tonight in the ongoing case of the I-75 tragedy.

This is the picture of just one of the tires slashed on FDLE agent Danny Banks personal vehicle. The vehicle was parked at his Orlando home when it was vandalized. Banks was the lead investigator on the I-75 report into FHP’s handling of the January accident that killed 11 people. Thursday his tires were slashed and a copy of the report was found on his windshield. Crosshairs were draw around the FDLE badge on the cover. FDLE Spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger says threats will not be tolerated.

“We will not allow our agents to be intimidated. We have to protect them so they can do their jobs to protect the State of Florida,” said Gretl.

We asked Plessinger if any of the FHP troopers mentioned in the report were suspects. She says the troopers FDLE interviewed were all well mannered and corporative. FHP released this statement about the threat.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is aware of the incident, and we will provide FDLE investigators with any information they need to determine who is at fault,” said FHP Director Col. David Brierton

FDLE is offering a 5-thousand dollar reward for any information that leads to an arrest. If you know who slashed the agents tires you’re asked to call 1-877-FLA-WANTED (877-352-9268) or e-mail info@fdle.state.fl.us.

In an unprecedented move toward open government, Governor Rick Scott is putting all his work related emails online. The emails of his top aides are also being posted for anyone to see. As Whitney Ray tells us, the emails tell us little about how the governor really operates.

Now, for the first time in state history, emails from the governor and his top staffers are online for the public to see.

“Beginning today, my emails will be available on our website,” said Scott.

This week Governor Rick Scott launched Project Sunburst, a website where people can search through the governor’s messages.

“This unprecedented step gives the citizens of Florida, as well as members of the media, an open and transparent window into how state government works,” said Scott.

Not exactly, once you log onto the email database there are 13 folders. Check on Scott’s file and you’ll find just two emails.

Sources who’ve worked for high ranking Florida politicians tell me, state officials will sometimes send text messages, or email through personal social networking accounts in an attempt to avoid public records request.

They also rely heavily on their aides to relay messages. In the email account of Scott’s chief of staff, you find this short message, setting up a phone call.

Dan Krassner with Integrity Florida wants to see all government communications made public, and efforts to skirt transparency halted.

“Government information should be public information. If government business is done by text message, by Facebook, by Twitter then it should be made public,” said Krassner.

While Krassner says Project Sunburst is a move in the right direction, there are concerns that putting the emails online will only drive more communication underground. Project Sunburst comes nine months after FDLE launched an investigation into lost emails from Scott’s transition team. The results of that investigation have still not been released.

Many Florida school students participated in the National Day of Prayer by voluntarily attending religious events. Next year, attending school events where prayers are offered may not be voluntary. Capitol Correspondent Whitney Ray asked Governor Rick Scott about the inspirational message bill, at a prayer event in Tallahassee.

Surrounded by Christians, pastors and politicians Governor Rick Scott was prayed for Thursday. Heads were bowed and hands reached out to the governor, on the top floor of the state capitol.

After the National Day of Pray event we asked Scott why he signed a bill to allow students to give inspirational messages at school events.

“It’s the right thing for our state,” said Scott.

Whether pray in school is right or wrong is subject to debate. Whether or not it’s legal is up to the judicial branch. The new law allows students to organize “inspirational messages,” at secondary school events like football games and graduation.

The ACLU of Florida says limiting the venues and calling prayers, messages, won’t keep schools from being sued.

“It in fact will open them up to that kind of litigation,” said Randall Marshall a lawyer with the ACLU.

The legislation had required the state to pay the legal fees of any school that was sued. But the bill was changed before it passed and now whether or not a school gets legal support is up to the state.

Lawsuits aside, students like Price Thornal, who pray privately at school, say they wouldn’t mine open prayer.

“I think it would be a great thing to do. I wish they had it right now to be honest with you,” said Price.

The bill becomes law in July. Then school districts will have the option to adopt a prayer policy. Many will choose to do nothing over concerns of costly lawsuits. We asked Governor Scott if the state will come to the aid of any school sued for allowing student prayer. He answered saying school districts will do the right thing.

A birdseye view video shot from a FHP helicopter following the deadly I-75 pileup. The video was just released this afternoon. In it you can see the charred remains of semis and cars destroyed in the January 29th accident that killed 11. We will continue to follow this story as new details are released.

If you’re looking for something to read tonight, you might want to try Governor Rick Scott’s email.

Scott announced a new website where people can read emails to and from he and his 11 of top advisers. Scott says it moves government into the sunshine. He held up a bulky public record’s request to demonstrate how it will also save his office time and money.

“Hopefully some of these things we won’t have to do because everyone will have all the information quicker and won’t need it,” said Scott.

The website is sunburst.flgov.com/public/ The username is sunburst and so is the password. The database will contain government related emails from May first on.

As of mid-day, seven of eleven people facing thirteen felonies in the death of a FAMU Drum Major had been arrested. Even with the arrests, Mike Vasilinda tells us the future of the band is in limbo.

FAMU Band Percussionist Caleb Jackson got his first appearance before a judge Thursday. Judge Ronald Flury was prepared to release Jackson on a fifteen thousand dollar bond.

But that evaporated when the judge learned Jackson was on probation for a felony battery charge.

The denial of bond brought tears to Jackson’s fiancee.

“Without him being able to work, my bills aren’t being paid,” Jackson’s fiancee Jasmine Alexander said. “I need him home.”

Students are on break right now, but when they return on Monday for the summer semester, the future of the band will still be up in the air. That’s because there are still two investigations going on.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement put questions about band finances and per diem payments on hold while the criminal case was being investigated. And the Board of Governors, which is investigating how FAMU administrators handled the hazing death, got a final packet of documents in mid April.

Governor Rick Scott also said it was too soon for the band be back on stage.

“We ought to finish and make sure that there’s not going to be anything like this that happens again,” Scott said. “I don’t think we’re in that position yet. The head band’s got a great history, but we can’t afford to lose another individual like Robert Champion.”

Scott also said that when the time was ripe, he was willing to participate in settlement talks with Drum Major Robert Champions family.

13 People are being charged with felonies in the hazing death of a Florida A&M University Drum Major. Robert Champion died November 19th from a severe beating. The arrests were announced in Orlando, but several suspects were arrested in Tallahassee.

Two suspects being charged in the hazing death of Florid A&M Drum Major Robert Champion arrived in separate law enforcement cars and were booked into the Leon County Jail by Florida Department of Law enforcement agents just before 3 p.m. Lawson Lamar, the State Attorney who announced the arrests said the names of those being charged would not be readily available.

“I am not going to parse out the specifics of the charges or the names of those charged, due to the fact that they are at large” Lamar told an Orlando news conference.

We reached FAMU officials by phone while we were waiting at the jail. They told us they would have no on-camera comment.

In a written statement the Chairman of the FAMU Board of Trustees said steps to curtail hazing have been implemented since the November 19th death. The FAMU marching 100 remains suspended. Summer band camp has been cancelled and the status of the band is “under review.”

Chuck Hobbs represents suspended band director Julian White.

“Now that you have individuals that are subject to arrest, I think it’s going to show clearly that Dr. White has no personal culpability in the events that led to Robert Champion’s death” said Hobbs, who wants White reinstated immediately.

Longineu Parsons is the FAMU music professor who turned in two faculty members
involved in a 2010 hazing. Both professors resigned before being fired. Parsons says with the arrests, it is time to more forward.

“Because we have young people over here that we help to become adults, and they go out and do great things” says Parsons, who believes the good at FAMU is being overshadowed by the Champion case.

13 people will face felony charges in Robert Champions death. 20 misdemeanor charges are also being filed in other hazing incidents. The two band members arrested in Tallahassee will have a Thursday first appearance in Leon County.

We’re getting a closer look tonight into the pile up on I-75 that left 11 people dead. Dash cam video recorded from inside a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser is being released. As Whitney Ray tells us, it shows one trooper’s frustration with the decision to reopen I-75 a half hour before the deadly pileup.

You can see the flames and hear the frustration.

“I tried to tell them leave that son of a buck closed and they wouldn’t listen to me.”

This dash camera video recorded from a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser tells the story of a deadly “I told you so.”

“yeah it’s three cars and a semi.”

In the early morning hours of January 29th, a pileup on I-75 near Gainesville killed 11 people. At midnight before the crash, the interstate was closed… because fog and smoke from a nearby wildfire made it nearly impossible to see. But conditions were improving and at 3:30 am troopers reopen I-75.

“I said it’s going to roll in again, leave it closed.”

That’s the voice of FHP Sergeant Bruce Simmons. He raised concerns before the road was reopened.

“I told the trooper 30, 45 mins you watch.”

Simmons predictions were spot on.

According to this report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the pileup began a half hour after I-75 was reopened. The report also says at the time of the wreck visibility had dropped to just three feet.

The report suggests, two days after the accident FHP tired to cover-up the objections to reopening the road.

“I tried to tell them to leave that son of a buck closed. They wouldn’t listen to me.”

But this recording makes it clear the sergeant was not happy with the decision.

Confusion and concern about the role of the Stand Your Ground Task Force consumed much of the panels first meeting today in Tallahassee. The panel was formed after an unarmed seventeen year old was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer who claimed he felt threatened. The timing of a final recommendation is also at issue.

The panel began with a prayer. “Give us insight” says the Reverend RB Holmes.

and Instructions from its chair, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll. “This task force is not here to try the Zimmerman/Martin case,” admonished the Task Force Chairman.

The panel soon got bogged down in defining its mission, Officially named the Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection, the man who sponsored Stand Your Ground felt like the law was being singled out.
“And lets not let this turn into a trial of 776. Lets let it be what it’s supposed to be, a review of citizen safety” said State Representative Dennis Baxley. But the law that delayed the arrest of a neighborhood watch volunteer more than a month is still the focus of the inquiry.

This task force will take its first public testimony at a meeting in June. And at the meeting, Florida’s Prosecuting Attorneys will tell them the law needs to be repealed.

A recommendations isn’t expected until early next year. That concerns State Senator Chris Smith, whose own task force has already recommended changes. We’re going into a summer when people are looking at the state of Florida and deciding, Do I go to Florida? do i go to Disney world? or do I go to Disney Land? And right now, we’ve got numerous emails from numerous accounts from people all around the county that think this law makes us a lawless society in Florida” says Smith.

But the man who represents the area where the original killing occurred, State Representative Jason Broduer says time isn’t important. “Any time you place a priority of speed over content, you get a bad result.”

The next meeting is in Sanford on June 12th. The National Rifle Association, which has so far been silent on Stand Your Ground, sent emails today quoting state legislators who support the law.

Florida’s Attorney General wants your advice about how to spend 300 million dollars. The money is part of a settlement with the nation’s largest banks over some questionable lending practices. As Whitney Ray tells us, the state is taking suggestions online.

It’s a 300 million dollar question, and the state wants your answer. Attorney General Pam Bondi is asking the public how to spend settlement money from the nation’s largest lenders. The five banks agreed to pay Florida eight billion dollars as restitution for shady lending practices that hurt the state’s housing market.

Most of the eight billion will go straight to homeowners for loan modifications and principal reductions, but 300 million will go directly to the state, and the Attorney General gets to decide how the money is spent.”

People can email their suggestions using this website, but there are limits on how the money can be spent.

“It has to be used to ameliorate the effects of the foreclosure crisis, to enhance law enforcement efforts to fight fraud and to go to other housing related programs,” said Jenn Meale, a spokesman for the Attorney General.

Kris Knab, runs a nonprofit that gives free legal advice to people facing foreclosure. It’s kept hundreds in their homes, but has had to turn away more than its help.

“We know from all the studies that at best we are meeting 20 percent of the need,” said Knab.

Knab’s charity is just one of 30 working at the direction of Florida Legal Services. Kent Spuhler is the director. Spuhler says the money could be used to stop foreclosures earlier in the process, setup a statewide help hotline and offer counseling to families in financial crisis.

“I think she can put together an excellent model for the nation if she really carries it out,” said Spuhler.

Spuhler submitted a 32 million dollar plan to the attorney general. People can send their own suggestions now through May 14th. To make a suggestion visit the Attorney General’s website at myfloridalegal.com. People who receive help from the settlement will still have the right to sue if they feel they’ve been ripped off by their lender.

The fight to collect online sales taxes moves to Texas, where the state has reached an agreement with Amazon.com.

The online retailer has agreed to begin collecting sales tax from its Texas customers. The agreement has retailers here asking why Florida’s government hasn’t taken action. John Fleming, a spokesman for the Florida Retail Federation, says the state can’t compete if it doesn’t close the loophole.

“That’s a loophole that puts our retailers at a disadvantage to retailers in almost every other state in the nation so I think if Florida wants to have a chance of being the number one state in the nation to do business than we have to address this online sales tax loophole,” said Fleming.

The state sales tax is six percent. Retailers say since online retailers aren’t required to collect the tax they can offer goods at a six percent discount