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Florida State University is vying for its third BCS National Championship tonight in Pasadena, California. As Matt Horn reports, no matter who wins on the field tonight, the entire state will be a winner off the field.

Number one Florida State meets Number two Auburn in the final BCS National Championship game Monday evening in Pasadena, California. Students are predicting a ‘Noles victory.

An FSU victory would bring home a third BCS trophy and big dollars to the university. The Florida Chamber says the entire state will win no matter what happens on the field.

“In the short term merchandising, but also from a long term perspective it will continue to help Florida to attract the best and brightest in talent,” said Edie Ousley, Florida Chamber of Commerce

It was 14 years ago when FSU brought home the last championship trophy. The trophy brought more student applications and more interest from distinguished faculty.

Fans say they are glad to be a part of this year’s championship game even though they are thousands of miles away from the game.

“It’s very exciting, I can’t wait, just want to get through today, can’t wait to watch the game tonight, cheer on the Noles,” said Sebastian Montoya, Sophomore.

Monday is the first day of classes for students this semester. FSU’s policy is for students to attend the first day or they’ll be dropped from class. But, this semester students are getting a pass if they email their professor in advance. Those unable to travel to watch game in person will be able to watch the game on campus.

“I plan on going to the Tucker Center or just staying home with my friends,” said Alex Torres, Senior.

If FSU wins, they are expected to rake in millions for the Atlantic Coast Conference. In last years championship game Alabama brought in more than 23 million to the Southeastern Conference.

FSU is tied with Oklahoma for having the most BCS National Championship appearances.

The state is hiring More than 300 people over the next three months to help overcome problems with a new computer system for unemployment benefits. As Matt Horn reports, the 63 million dollar system has yet to live up to expectations.

The state’s new 63 million dollar online unemployment system has experienced a multitude of massive problems, leaving Floridians in limbo as they wait for their benefits to be processed.

“It seems like it will work out, but its just taking a little longer than I thought it would,” said Roosevelt Jackson.

Similar complaints have been heard across the state since October.

“They can’t get on, they got to call the 1-800 number, get help with it. But, I didn’t have that problem,” said Keyon Singletary.

As the state tries to get the unemployment site fully functioning they will hire more than 300 new employees.

The state continues to withhold 3-million dollars from the vendor, Deloitte and continues enforcing a 15-thousand per business day penalty.

Department of Economic Opportunity Director Jesse Panuccio says if the vendor is unable to fix the system, the state will look elsewhere for a solution.

“Our number one priority is getting claimants’ paid; we need to get this system fixed and fixed now,” said Panuccio.

100 employees who review the claims will be hired in January and February with an additional 50 in March. Another 80 will be added to call centers to help a high volume of calls generated by the computer problems.

Hate crimes are on the increase in Florida. A new report from the Attorney General shows a twenty two percent increase. As Matt Horn reports –victims advocates say the numbers are likely to get worse before they get better.

A sharp increase in hate crimes has caught the attention of the NAACP and other groups across Florida.

“Is it over? I don’t think it’s over; I think its going to get worse,” said Dale Landry, NAACP.

For an act to be considered a hate crime: “a crime has to be initiated or perpetrated because of a bias against them,” said Gretl Plessinger, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Spokeswoman.

The latest report shows a 22 percent increase in hate crimes. The majority of the 170 reported crimes were against racial minorities, with LGBT people being the number two target. The numbers are the highest since 2008.

“The local law enforcement agencies are required to submit hate crimes each year. A report is compiled, local law enforcement submits to FDLE,” said Plessinger.

Fewer hate crimes were committed because of religion or national origin. NAACP’s Dale Landry says his group is seeing an alarming number of incidents from groups promoting hatred.

“There’s been a lot of this behavior, the question is, is it getting ready to erupt or do we go in and stop it,” said Landry.

In the report – Attorney General Pam Bondi says hate crimes are senseless acts based on hatred…but groups are pointing at her and other state leaders for the rise in hate crimes.

“Over the time look at what’s happened, things are starting to head back to where they were in the past because of a lack of leadership and a lack of a call of unity,” said Landry.

Orange, Brevard and Alachua counties reported the largest number of hate crimes. In Alachua County, home to the University of Florida, the Ku Klux Klan has been distributing recruiting flyers.

The Governor wasn’t available for an on-camera interview about the hate crimes, but his press office sent a statement about overall crime saying: “Governor Scott is proud that Florida is at a 42 year low in crime and that we are on a path to a 43 year crime low.”

A hate crime conviction carries enhanced penalties.

Fireworks that explode are illegal in Florida, but as Matt Horn tells us, they can still be purchased with the stroke of a pen.

Florida bans fireworks that explode or go airborne. But loopholes in the law let people buy them at shops or roadside stands, if they sign a waiver saying the pyrotechnics are for agricultural purposes. State Representative Matt Gaetz wants to legalize firecrackers, bottle rockets, and everything in between.

“This is a regulation that first of all has very little value to the state. It is not helping us economically and third it’s just silly to be over regulating fireworks,” said Rep. Gaetz.

Not only is the current law making liars out of normally law abiding people, Gaetz says its sending commerce out of state.

“I’ve seen too often people just take to the internet or drive across state line to buy what they want and I’m not looking to push that consumer activity out of Florida,” said Rep. Gaetz.

Nationally an estimated five thousand people are sent to the emergency room each year for fireworks injuries. Vendors say they encourage safe behavior.

“I like selling them, like seeing people get excited about them,” said Arthur Grubbs, firework seller. “We tell them please be careful, please have a bucket of water handy so you can put things out as they burnout, try to encourage safety, too.”

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says a fourth of all fireworks injuries are from firecrackers. Another twelve percent are from sparklers, which are legal under current law.

The State Fire Marshall wasn’t available for an on-camera interview but says the state is working to protect public safety – and is confident any proposed legislation will take those concerns into consideration.

Every year the A State of Florida fails to collect more than 500-million dollars due from online sales. As Matt Horn reports – a boom in shopping at your finger tips may equal big problems for Florida’s future.

Florida retailers are relying on trusted customers to battle online retail giants who are not collecting sales tax.

“A lot of times people will come in and say, well they would rather buy it in person and see and touch and feel it rather than get it online,” said Katelin Haggerty, local retailer.

A loophole in Florida law allows retailers like Amazon to not collect sales tax – costing Florida at least a half a billion dollars a year. Instead, Floridians are required to fill out a form to pay sales taxes not collected. John Fleming with the Florida Retail Federation says with more people shopping online, there is less revenue to support schools and other services.

“I think where we have the issue are the pure e-commerce retailers. The ones who are not operating stores, the ones who are not investing in the state of Florida, the ones right now who are not hiring people in the state of Florida,” said Fleming.

In 2013 brick and mortar sales have increased by 4-percent over 2012. But, some areas of online are exploding.

Not collecting the tax shifts the burden for services to other forms of taxation.

“We can see now that those little problems of not collecting the sales tax are becoming big problems as e-commerce explodes in Florida,” said Fleming.

Between November and December its estimated Floridians spent upwards of 60-billion dollars. Nearly ten percent of that shopping was done online.

“I think some retailers were caught by surprise by just how much e-commerce has grown this year,” said Fleming.

It’s estimated only 4-thousand people fill out the sales tax forms annually.

Retailers are waiting for final numbers this holiday season, but say they are confident numbers will be higher compared to last year’s holiday shopping season.

21 states require students to be 18 to drop out of school. And as Matt Horn reports, Florida is looking at joining those states with a higher drop out rate.

9-thousand Florida high school students dropped out before finishing high school last year. Parents must agree for a student to quit before they are 18. Now Florida is one of the states looking to join 20 other states and Washington, DC in raising the drop out age. State Senator Darren Soto says 16 is too young to leave school.

“I believe that we need to make them stay in school until 18 when they at least have enough maturity to make the decision if they want to continue,” said Sen. Soto.

More than 74 percent of Florida high school students graduated in 2012. Fewer than two percent dropped out. Nearly 40- thousand either took an extra year, or got a certificate.

“I want to make sure our youth stay in school and that we tell them it’s not okay to leave at 16,” said Sen. Soto.

Former School Superintendent and now state Senator Bill Montford supports the higher dropout age, with reservations.

“Raising the age to 18 is good but that’s only one step and it won’t work unless we have real special programs in place that these children need,” said Sen. Montford.

Program ideas include helping students during the day and after school.

Senator Montford says forcing students to stay in school two additional years won’t necessarily save taxpayers any money.

“If we do it, there’s a cost to it and we need to fund it,” said Sen. Montford.

High school dropouts earn, on average, 15-thousand dollars less than those with a diploma. Those with a college degree earn three times more than a high school graduate.

Florida’s graduation rates have increased nearly 20 percent over the last ten years.

The months of April, May, June and July set rainfall records across the state. Now, all that rain has firefighters anticipating a dangerous wildfire season. As Matt Horn reports – officials are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.

Heavy rains across Florida this summer may have opened the gates for dangerous wildfires next spring.

“It would be consistent with the past for us to see a very rainy season end dramatically and go into a period of prolonged drought,” said Adam Putnam, Agriculture Commissioner.

Rain, then drought is exactly what happened in 1998, turning the year into one of the worst fire seasons on record. Interstates were closed, more than 100-thousand were evacuated as half a million acres burned. Putnam worries this wildfire season may be just as hazardous.

“When it does stop raining you got that much more flammable material in the woods to cause a hotter, bigger, faster moving fire,” said Putnam.

The latest drought monitor shows more than a quarter of the state as being abnormally dry – 20 percent increase from the middle of October.

The wildfires of 1998 taught emergency managers they needed to worry about more than hurricanes. Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon says families need to be prepared for every type of severe weather.

“Take a look at what you can do to make sure yourself, your loved ones, your families, your businesses are prepared for any eventuality,” said Koon.

Fighting The wildfires in 1998 cost the state more than 133-million dollars.

Inside the Florida Capitol – a number of holiday themed displays are out for the public to see. But, as Matt Horn reports, not all of the displays made the cut.

Members of the Garner family traveled from Montana and Tennessee to take their photo in front of the Festivus display inside the Florida State Capitol. They’ll use it for next year’s Holiday card.

“It’s awesome. This one will go down on the family fridge for a while,” said Britt Garner.

“Its just honestly interesting politically and just good family fun,” said Lisa Garner.

Just five feet away is another first… a unique display representing the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Not from the Flying Spaghetti Monster are displays from The Freedom From Religion and Atheists groups.

“I think its great Florida has this diversity represented at Christmas time,” said Mary Edwards.

“Though I may not agree with everything, I think it’s good,” said Houston Ham.

All together eight holiday displays were allowed. One was not. This is a picture of the exhibit presented by the Satanic Temple to the state. The Department of Management Services said the display is “grossly offensive”.

It started off with the Christmas Nativity, a religious display. Going from the Nativity Scene to other displays of non-religion, groups are making sure there’s something here for everyone.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring all walks of life to do some fun things, it’s a really good example of pop culture,” said Karen Garner.

Although most were in support of the unique displays, not everyone was. Some believe the only acceptable display is the Nativity Scene.

“That I can accept, but this I cannot even though they’re mocking,” said Maynard Hellbusch.
So regardless what you’re celebrating this holiday season – the capitol has a little bit of everything for everyone.

The Nativity Scene that sparked the unique displays will be replaced later this week for Three Kings Day.

There’s an old adage that says you need to spend money to make money. As Matt Horn reports a new report says the state needs to spend money to save money.

More than 100-thousand inmates are behind bars in Florida. Costing two billon a year. An independent study released Monday says for taxpayers to cut that cost — the state will have to spend money.

“We could spend thousands to save millions when it comes to reentry,” said Dan McCarthy, Florida TaxWatch Director for Smart Justice.

8 of every 10 inmates are released within five years of their conviction. Just over one in four who are released will be back behind bars within five years.

“The cost of failed reentry is overwhelming to the taxpayer,” said McCarthy.

Florida TaxWatch says its simple math. If there are more programs to teach inmates skills taxpayers will reap the benefits.

“If we could reduce the number of prisoners that return to the state prison, we can save significant money,” said McCarthy.

The independent study says that if fewer people reoffend and go back to prison it could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year.

A new reentry prison in the Florida Panhandle will open its gates next week…the first prison of its kind in the Florida.

“Their time here is going to be dedicated to getting what they need to make sure when they get out we’ve done everything we can to maximize their opportunity for successful integration back into society,” said Michael Crews, Department of Corrections.

Taxpayers spend 20-thousand dollars a year to keep inmates in state prison.

“We’ve had six thousand jobs added over the month. That’s over 73 thousand jobs over the fall so far, we sill have the December numbers to come in but that’s a phenomenal economic growth this fall,” says Jesse Panuccio, DEO Executive Director.

Florida’s unemployment dropped three tenths of  a percent in the last month, but large numbers of people continue to have problems accessing benefits through a new computer system, so now the state is withholding payments to its contractor.

Problems with the state’s web site where people sign up for jobless benefits persist nine weeks after launch. After defending the issues as minor glitches, The state has now had enough. “Today, DEO announced that it is withholding payment, the contractual installment payment of three million dollars that was due because the system is not in a place where we feel it’s fully functional and that the payment is due. We’ve also instituted liquidated damages of 15 thousand dollars per business day,” says Jesse Panuccio, DEO Executive Director.

Three weeks after Florida launched the 63 million dollar Connect system the contractor and state were called before legislative committees to explain problems, including doing a poor job of answering calls. “So, when it was bad we were at 32 percent and when it was vastly improved we were at 52… We’re catching half of the calls.” Says Rep. Ed Hooper, Tourism and Economic Development Committee Chairman, Clearwater.

Fast forward six and a half weeks and the call problem has gotten worse. Instead of half the calls being answered, statistics from this week show only 29 percent of the unique calls get someone on the line. “You may be seeing in terms of reaching fewer unique calls would be that as we get more things fixed and the easy problems get fixed the calls can take longer because the issues are more complex,” says Panuccio.     

With delays on the phone and a website that’s hard to get onto, DEO says its hiring a hundred and 92 temporary staffers to try and make things better.

The Department of Economic Opportunity is also threatening to bring in outside IT consultants if the problems are fixed quickly.

The National Safety Council and the Consumer Federation of the Southeast are coming out against any changes in the speed limit in Florida. Legislation has been filed to allow the speed limit to go up by five miles an hour on rural interstates and divided highways. John Ulczycki (Yule-Chess-Key)  of the National Safety Council says there’s no doubt accidents and deaths would increase at a higher limit. “Florida is having about 2 thousand deaths a year in traffic crashes. A five percent increase from a five mile an hour speed limit would not surprise me,” says John Ulczycki, National Safety Council.

Legislative supports say they aren’t trying to raise the speed limit, only allow DOT to do an engineering study to see if higher limits would be safe.

The National Safety Council came out today against legislation that would allow the speed limit to go up on Florida’s rural interstates. Traffic experts say your chances of surviving are better in an urban area because of quick access to health care. John Ulczycki (Yule-Chess-Key) of the National Safety Council says if we want safer roads, the speed limit should be going down, not up. “If you want to saves as many lives as you can, then look at a 60 or 65 mile an hour speed limit… but it’s really… what has happened is we’ve created speed limits based on political negotiation for the most part, but don’t confuse that with safety,” says John Ulczycki, National Safety Council.

Twenty four hundred people died on Florida roadways in 2011.

Two months to the day since being recaptured, there are new charges in the escape of two convicted murders who were able to walk free from a state prison using forged documents. The two escapees and four others, including the ringleader were charged today.

Joseph Jenkins walked out of prison on September 27th. Charles Walker escaped from the same prison on October 8th. Both used nearly identical forged documents.

The two convicted murders serving life were re-captured at a Panama City Beach motel October 19th. In the two months since, officials have been combing through cell phone records, printers, computers and more. “FDLE agents arrested 6 individuals charged with 37 separate crimes,” says Gerald Bailey, FDLE Commissioner.

FDLE created this poster to explain how the scheme worked.

The ringleader is a former Pinellas County inmate who used similar documents to escape in 2009. “While incarcerated at Franklin C I, Nashaddai talked an assisted both Jenkins and Forbes. And in 2011 all three attempted escape using this scheme,” says Bailey.

Investigators say the forged documents were created in the prison library then funneled as legal mail to a yet to be charged attorney. Correction officials say they are checking their options to see if they can limit future mail. “We’re looking right now at what constitutionally we have to provide,” says Michael Crews, Corrections Secretary.

Since the escapes the Department of Corrections isn’t letting anyone out without first checking with the judge whose name’s on the order.

Investigators say they are still pursuing leads, including the attorney who may have helped. “There are other people, satellites to this that have some involvement,” says Bailey.

A twenty thousand dollar reward is still available for anyone who helps in the investigation.

We don’t want them seeing that Florida’s rates are out of line with the rest of the country. It might be more expensive because of our geography but it has to be fair and it has to be reasonable and we want to hold them accountable to that.

Months after an 8-year-old North Florida girl was kidnapped and killed by a repeat sex offender, lawmakers are pushing for change. As Matt Horn reports – if approved, Florida will have one of the toughest sex offender laws in the country.

Violent Sex offender Donald Smith is awaiting trial for the death of Jacksonville 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle. Smith is just one of hundreds who has re-offended statewide after being released from prison.

“The Jacksonville case is a perfect example of how the system unfolded,” said Senate President Don Gaetz (R).

In recent years, more than 600 sexually violent offenders, including Smith, have slipped through the system.

“I think it’s fair to say something’s not working,” said Sen. Gaetz.

State lawmakers have introduced legislation to get tough on sex offenders. If passed, it would make Florida’s laws some of the toughest in the country.

“We need to make sure Florida is the most unfriendly environment in America for people who want to victimize our kids,” said Sen. Gaetz.

Because of sexual offenders who slipped through the cracks, 400 children have been assaulted in recent years. 12 died.

Lawmakers have been pushing the Florida Department of Children and Families to keep kids safer.

“We are pleased that more attention has been given to this really important tropic and we plan to continue working with them on the changes,” said Michelle Glady, Press Secretary DCF.

Ultimately, lawmakers would like to keep sex predators behind bars forever, but a court will have the final say over whether a predator can return to society.

Smith’s next pre-trial is set for the beginning of January.