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Florida’s state-run property insurer of last resort is seeking a rate hike for customers. It is the same group that was caught wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars.

State-run Citizen’s Property Insurance wants to increase rates by an average of 7 and a half percent for its customers. “We’re confident that the rates we’ve requested adequately reflect what we need going forward,” said spokesman Mike Peltier.

The request for the increases comes after Citizens’ was caught mishandling hundreds of thousands of dollars. They say changes are in place to prevent another mishap. “Many changes have been made to both internal expense policy and other issues,” said Peltier.

The insurer will get some extra help avoiding mismanagement in the future. Lawmakers approved hiring an Inspector General; 88 people applied. The final four candidates will undergo background checks before anyone is offered the job. Rick Scott and the Cabinet will get the final say. “I’m real excited about this selected of these four candidates for moving forward for the next step,” said Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel.

While Citizens says the rates are needed to keep them on par with other companies. Opponents worry the insurance company will hurt customers. “We’re encouraging everyone to get out there and say we want reasonable rates with reasonable coverage,” said Policyholders of Florida Spokesperson, Kevin Cate.

Citizens will hold a public hearing to discuss the rate hikes on Tuesday in Tampa to allow people to voice their opinions. “If you live in South Florida, Central Florida or any area of the state where you see rates going up – go get to Tampa and have your voices heard,” said Cate.

The rate increases vary depending on the type of insurance. The largest increases will hit coastal properties.

Florida is on track to break tourism records for both US and international visitors. As the global economy continues to improve, more people are expected to make Florida ‘the’ global destination.

From Florida’s sugar sand beaches to globally-known amusement parks – there’s a little, or a lot of something for everyone to do. Ohio native Russell Ham and his wife were exploring the Sunshine State Thursday, venturing around the Florida Panhandle.

“The Gulf Coast is beautiful and that’s phenomenal. The seafood is outstanding and everyone knows how to cook it,” said Ham.

Earlier this summer, the Sunshine State didn’t look too appealing. Record rainfall drenched many popular tourist destinations. But, the numbers show Mother Nature didn’t slow people from coming to Florida.

“Tourism is a growth industry in the state. It’s what we build our foundation on. 85 visitors equals one job,” said Tony Carvejal.

Between April and June – more than 19-million US tourists came to Florida. Another 3.7 million foreigners also visited the state.

“We are growing and its other people telling us that Florida is the place they want to be,” said Carvejal.

Visitors say they aren’t surprised by the record numbers. “It’s a good place to visit. I enjoy it, I come here as much as I can,” said visitor William Epperson.

Florida has seen record tourism growth in since the end of 2010 – the state says the growth proves Florida is on its way to being the number one travel destination in the world.

So far 55 lawmakers have said ‘no’ to calling a special session addressing the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law. The Dream Defenders say they will continue their sit-in until their demands are met.

The polling process asking lawmakers if they support a special session of the legislature addressing the stand your ground law kicked off earlier this week. Each day the chances of a session being called move closer to mathematically impossible.

Dream Defender Ahmad Abuznaid said, “For us, it was all about a measure of leaving no stones unturned.”

The dream defenders have spent the last 30 days camped out in the Governors office. They said they won’t leave until there’s a special session. But now, the house speaker says the poll speaks for itself and they need to go home.

In reaction to the house speaker Ahmad said, “We’d say to those lawmakers, we’re ready to have them lead. So they’re ready for us to leave, but we’re ready for them to lead.”

Letters asking lawmakers if they support a special session of the legislature have been sent out. Lawmakers have until next Monday to send their response to the Secretary of States office.

Lawmakers who don’t respond by the deadline will be counted as a no vote. The Dream Defenders knew they would face opposition from many Republican Lawmakers. Governor Rick Scott told them a week into the protest the session was off the table.

“I’m not going to call a special session. I don’t believe right now the Stand Your Ground law should be changed,” said Governor Rick Scott.

Session or not, the group says they’re staying put.

“Every time we start to get a little tired, we get a renewed sense of energy,” said Ahmad.

More supporters are expected over the next couple of weeks as tens of thousands of college students’ return to state capital. Civil Rights leader Julian Bond will be at the capitol Thursday with the group for what’s being called a ‘huge announcement’.

Florida is at war with Alabama and Georgia over water rights. If Florida loses the battle, it may eliminate thousands of jobs in one of the states most popular industries.

If you go to your favorite seafood restaurant and eat an oyster, it’s likely to have come from Florida’s Apalachicola Bay. A decades long ‘water war’ with Atlanta have already caused half of the Florida delicacy to die off.

US Senator Bill Nelson spoke about the issue, “Current water policies are not working and certainly not working for Florida.”

US Senators Nelson and Marco Rubio held a hearing in the small North Florida town of about 25-hundred to talk about the disastrous impact the lack of fresh water flowing from Georgia is having on the bay.

Monday afternoon The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared the west coast of Florida a fishery disaster. It sites three factors: an ongoing drought, reduced downstream river flow and increased salt in the water. That recipe creates a perfect storm for catastrophe.

Matt Horn reports, “Senator Nelson says if fresh water isn’t restored to Apalachicola bay it could cost the area hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.”

The Senators say the bulls-eye is on Lake Lanier outside of Atlanta. The reservoir holds about 60-percent of the water that ends up in Florida. More water has been tapped for Georgia causing the lack of water here.

Lowest water levels since data has been kept in 1923. Lawmakers and fishers in the area are calling on the US Army Corps of Engineers and neighboring states to conserve more, so more water makes it to Apalachicola Bay.

Local Fisherman James Cooper said changes are needed, “if no fresh water then we can’t make a living.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott toured the area with the senators Tuesday Afternoon. He says Florida will sue Georgia over water rights, if nothing is done to allow freshwater to flow to Apalachicola Bay.

It’s about new beginnings at Florida A&M for the nationally-known ‘Marching 100’. After a 19-month suspension, the band is back on the field stronger now than ever.

Under the blazing sun, there’s a new light shining over Florida A&M’s ‘Marching 100’. That’s after the program was suspended after the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion in 2011. Third-year band member Ronald Gray marched with Champion. “We’ve learned from it. We’ve had rules and regulations put in place by the university to prevent those things from happening again,” said Gray.

The University has worked to change the culture of the band — tougher guidelines and more education on hazing to name a couple. Also, the number in the band will decrease by a third to no more than 256 members.

“This is a new era for the ‘Marching 100’. An era in which they’ll demonstrate to the world they are really going to perform with great skills,” said interim-president Dr. Larry Robinson.

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“It’s great. You know we’re excited to be back. It’s a great feeling,” said Gray.

Dr. Sylvester Young was named the new band director back in May – he says the program will be the strongest it’s ever been.

“For the public, hang in there with us. We’ll bring this band back, better than they’ve ever been,” said Dr. Young.

As the program gears up for another season – the university continues to learn from tragedy. The band will march on to revitalize a storied program – tainted in recent years by scandal and controversy.

Band members will be required to maintain a 2.0 GPA and be full-time students to participate in the band.

The Dozier School grounds have been padlocked since 2011. The state put the property up for sale a year later, and was set to open bids last October when relatives of some of those missing stopped the sale until the school grounds could be examined.

Bill and Valerie Alexson were one of two bidders. They have a dream of turning the 220 acre tract into something positive, a place for older foster children, and even the victims of abuse at the school says Valerie.

“And this place is perfect, it has a gym, it has school, it has dormitories. It’s just perfect” says Valerie

Bill Alexson takes pro basketball players worldwide as part of a motivational program. He wants to do the same thing at Dozier.

“And here’s these guys, they live a superficial life style, signing autographs and making checks. And when they retire everyone forgets about them. So here is an opportunity for them to mentor these kids” says Axelson.

But the plans will have to wait a while longer. 

The states already blocked from trying to sell the property until January but now one of the lawyers for family members say they will go back into court and try to extend that injunction until researchers finish their work.

The Alexson’s say they are disappointed by the delay, but say they will continue to pursue their dream for a positive outcome for Dozier.

Legislative support for sit in protesters at the Capitol is growing. Around two-dozen state lawmakers have submitted letters requesting a special session. But, the support may still not be enough trigger a constitutional call for legislative action.

It’s Day 23 for the Dream Defenders at the Governor’s Office.

Dream Defender Ahmad Abuznaid said, “We’ll continue to put pressure on legislators and lawmakers letting them know we’re willing to do their job or start doing their job for them.”

The reality of making changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law is closer now than ever. That’s because a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have shown their support for a special session.

Representative Alan Williams is in support of the special session and said, “This is also another step in making sure that we continue to bring attention to a much needed part of our state.”

Lawmakers have sent letters to the Secretary of State’s Office requesting a special session to address the stand your ground law. 10 more letters are needed to start the polling process.

If lawmakers hit the magic number of 32 letters supporting a special session of the legislature; senators and representatives would be polled to see if they’d support the session. If 96 lawmakers agree, they would meet in Tallahassee to discuss the controversial law.

“This letter right here is to specifically call for a special session around stand your ground,” said Representative Williams.

With the George Zimmerman verdict and requests to pardon Marissa Alexander being ignored after she received 20 years in prison for shooting a gun in the air while allegedly being abused by her husband, this has the Dream Defenders in a fighting mood.

“You know a guy can get off after a man kills an unarmed 17 year old and at the same time a young black woman fires, doesn’t injury anyone,” said Abuznaid.

The group will have national hip-hop artist Talib Kweli join the group Thursday to address changes they say are needed in Florida. The Dream Defenders say they expect to hit the magic number of 32 in the upcoming days.

The hunt for bodies at a state reform school will continue. Stymied by the courts and bureaucrats, researchers from the University of South Florida got the go-ahead to resume the exhumation of bodies at the defunct Dozier School for Boys. The search will be slow and painstaking.

The Dozier School for Boys closed in 2011 amid tales of abuse and even murder. University of South Florida Researchers have located dozens of unmarked graves. But their efforts to exhume those bodies have been thwarted. Until now. “We are not exactly sure what happened there, but we know it wasn’t good. And it’s something that we as Floridians cannot ignore,” says Pam Bondi, Attorney General.

“There is no shame in searching for the truth,” said Adam Putnam, Agriculture Commissioner.

Acting as the property’s owner, “Any comments or objects? Hearing on the motion carries,” says Governor Rick Scott and the State Cabinet voted to allow the USF to exhume the bodies.

Dozens for former inmates in the audience applauded.

“It was pure hell,” said one man.

Johnny Lee Gaddy was sent to Dozier in 1957. “I saw body parts of boys in different areas, in the hog pen,” said Gaddy.

The search for bodies will encompass an area near an existing cemetery and the former white section of the property where no graves are marked. Robert Strayley was sent to Dozier in the 60’s. “I say that there is 200 kids buried there, and they may not find them all,” says Strayley a former inmate from Clearwater.

Researchers hope to start what they are describing as slow and pain staking work by the end of august. “Well they’ve given us a year so we’ll take a year, and we’ll be doing field work and then continuing with the interviews,” says Dr. Erin Kimmerle, USF Forensic Anthropologist.

And for the families looking for loved ones who never came home, the search can’t begin soon enough.

Families to Learn of Loved Ones

Dozens of unmarked graves at the now defunct Dozier School for Boys in Marianna could be excavated beginning next week. The exhumation was turned down by a judge, then by the Secretary of State. But now the Governor and Cabinet are expected to approve the work at a meeting Tuesday. Jen Meale, is a spokesperson for Attorney General Pam Bondi  who led the effort to keep the project moving forward.

“If this is approved on Tuesday by the board of Trusties, what can then happen is University of South Florida can continue the excavation of human remains at Dossier and ideal return those remains to their families”.

Reporter: “How quickly could that happen?

“We hope as soon as possible” says Meale.

State lawmakers gave the University of South Florida two hundred thousand dollars to cover the cost of unearthing the graves. DNA analysis will be provided by the Federal government in an attempt to return bodies to their families.

Former Supreme Court Justice Art England has died at age 80.

England served from 1975 to 1981.  He is credited with pushing for cameras in the courtroom as a way to o[en justice to the public. He also created a program that funds legal services for the poor. Before becoming a Justice, England authored the state corporate tax, and consumer protection legislation.

Trooper Gets Bittersweet Ruling and His Job

Ruling to be appealed

State Trooper Charles Swindle was fired for cutting lawmakers a break and writing tickets for lesser offenses. Now an appeals panel says the punishment was too severe and is giving Swindle his job back with a three week suspension. The decision is bittersweet, because it gives the agency stronger grounds to fire Swindle in the future. Lawyer Sid Matthew says they will appeal because he never should have been found guilty in the first place.

“The decision is erroneous on it’s face, because we prove that there was an unwritten rule of the FHP, and that he followed it with his supervisor’s blessing, he should no be disciplined, and his record should not blotted with a finding that he’s guilting with just cause for violating an agency policy” says Matthew.

The appeal will be before three appellate judges and could take up to a year. Swindle should get his job back right away unless the agency appeals as well.

The appeal will be before three appellate judges and could take up to a year. Swindle should get his job back right away unless the agency appeals as well.

An education scandal in Indiana is prompting the highest educator in Florida to step down. As Matt Horn explains, teacher unions say this is another reason why Florida’s education system is not trusted.

In a crowded room, Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett stepped down from his role amid recent allegations of grade rigging. “It’s not fair to the children in Florida that I continue as commissioner and deal with the distractions,” said Bennett.

Bennett changed the grade of a charter school run by a Republican donor while he was Indiana’s school chief. All together 13 schools had their grade changed. Bennett says it was to make sure schools were being graded accurately.

“They were unfairly penalized for kids that they didn’t have in their school, that wasn’t rigging anything,” he said.

Published reports show emails from Bennett and his Indiana staff saying the grade of the charter school the donor owned needed to be changed.

After the news surfaced – leaders from across the state urged Bennett resign. “You can’t have a system of integrity when you change the rules and move the goal posts to suit a particular school,” said Florida Democratic Chairwoman, Allison Tant.

The Florida Education Association wouldn’t go on camera, but released a statement saying: “The resignation of Florida’s latest commissioner of education is another symptom of the mistrust parents, teachers and the public have in the state’s incoherent and unsound school reform and accountability policies.”

Bennett says people in Florida and Indiana should keep faith in how schools are graded.

Bennett was the fifth person to serve as Education Commissioner since since Governor Rick Scott took office 2 and a half years ago.

Most teachers will see a pay raise this fall thanks to state lawmakers. Lean budget years have also cut money for classroom expenses, forcing teachers to dig into their own pockets. But, teachers in need of paper and pencils may not have to dig as deep this year.

In a few weeks – school hallways will be filled with students. First grade teacher Bridget Gainous says she is anticipating a new year with new incentives.

“That’s really exciting and anything teachers can get is always wonderful,” said Gainous.

Wednesday morning, Governor Rick Scott tweeted a new teacher debit card. The card is part of a classroom supply assistance program allowing teachers to spend up to 250 dollars on items for their classes. The cards will be distributed in the upcoming weeks.

According to Ganious, “This will help cut down on some of the costs I have to spend out of my own pocket.”

As teachers get to ready to go back to school, the teacher debit card comes at a perfect time as this weekend kicks of the sales tax holiday weekend.

John Fleming with the Florida Retail Federation says the sales tax holiday will generate an estimated 400-million dollars for the state.

“That’s an added increase in revenue in sales you wouldn’t see without a tax holiday. It’s a pretty big boost for retailers and it’s a good bargain for Florida’s families,” said Fleming.

The sales tax holiday has been in place since the late 90’s with a two year hiatus in the late 2000’s. The sales tax holiday applies to clothes, school supplies and, for the first time, to computers.

“That’s a pretty big tax savings you’ll be able to get this weekend,” said Flemming.

Remember this, there are price caps on the sales tax holiday. You can only spend up to 75 dollars on clothing, 15 dollars on school supplies and 750 dollars on computers.

For years teachers have been reimbursed for some school supplies. In the past, they would have to use their own money first, instead of having a debit card.

Several state lawmakers are calling on Governor Rick Scott to request the resignation of Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett.

In a recent Associated Press article, Bennett has been identified in changing grades schools received while he was overseeing Indiana’s Public Schools. The reports say Bennett changed the school accountability system to boost the grade of a charter school owned by an influential Republican party donor.

Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said there needs to be a high standard of education in Florida, “You can’t have a system of integrity when you change the rules and move the goal posts to suit a particular school.”

The Department of Education has said there are misunderstandings with the changes in Indiana, saying the schools were graded incorrectly because it was a K through 10 school.

A protest in Florida’s State Capitol is becoming a focal point for national civil rights leaders. Singer Harry Belafonte was there Friday. The crowd of sign carrying protestors was highlighted by another nationally known civil-rights leader Tuesday at the Florida Capitol. The Dream Defenders were joined by Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Civil Rights Leader Reverend Jackson spoke during the visit and said, “We intend to sit-in so justice can standup.”

Jackson made the decision to go to Tallahassee Monday night.

“We want the governor to have a special session. This is an emergency. People are crying out, people are hurting,” said Jackson.

Jackson’s visit helps kick-off “The People’s Session”, the Mock legislative session is the Dream Defenders version of a special legislative session. The group is trying to highlight what they are calling policies harmful to Florida’s youth.

LaShanett Lorraine participated in the sit-in and said, “Our roles as citizens are not to abide by a governance. It is to step up and take your part in it.”

The Dream Defenders are using events like the special session in Tallahassee to educate state leaders on changes they believe need made. The group says they will continue to urge state lawmakers and the governor to call a special session of the legislature to address the Stand Your Ground law, racial profiling and the school to prison pipeline. Reverend Jackson says he’ll do what he can to help.

“We’re going to bring in more adults and more ministers and more bishops, more students from around the state to mobilize in Tallahassee,” said Jackson.

As the fight continues for the group; the likelihood of a special session still remains very unlikely. Reverend Jackson announced he is staying overnight with the Dream Defenders at the Capitol tonight.