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A coach at FAMU says he is an innocent victim, caught in the school’s crackdown on hazing.

Baseball Coach Willie Brown is on paid leave after a player he cut from the team accused him of hazing and sexual harassment. Brown says his accuser was given the same treatment as the other players and he was only dismissed from the team for poor performance on the field. Twenty FAMU baseball players signed statements saying Coach Brown did no wrong. We’re hearing exclusively tonight from the coach. We asked him pointblank if the allegations are true.

Brown: No, No. It’s not in my character. I’ve got too many people in the community. I’ve got too many people who’ve helped me get where I am. It’s not in my character.

Reporter: Did he get treated any differently than anybody else on the baseball team?

Brown: No, if anything he got better treatment.

FAMU is investigating the player’s claims. The investigation is likely to carry into January. Brown says he just wants his job back and his name cleared.

There’s pressure tonight for state leaders to continue the fight against the Affordable Care Act. Despite a Supreme Court ruling and the re-election of President Barack Obama Tea Party groups are asking state lawmakers to keep opposing the new health care law. As Whitney Ray tells us, the push comes as decisions about how Florida will implement the law need to be made.

There not going down without a fight. Members of Florida Tea Parties are asking state lawmakers to continue the fight against the Affordable Care Act. The outspoken crowd, attended the first meeting of a state senate committee formed to implement the new health care laws.

“The American Constitution which you just swore an oath to uphold and defend has been contorted, hijacked and reduced,” said John Knapp.

“Alexander Hamilton tells us in Federalist Paper 78, no legislative act contrary to the constitution can be valid,” said KrisAnne Hall, a constitutional Lawyer.

“We ask you to say no to the federal mandate and move to deal with our health care and health insurance issues under the authority of the state and not under federal dictate,” said James Hall a pastor.

It may seem the petitioners are fighting a losing battle. This summer the US Supreme Court upheld the law and last month President Barack Obama was reelected. But the state does have some say over how the law is implemented.

The first choice for lawmakers is whether or not to set up a state health care exchange. The feds have set a December 14th deadline.

“One thing I’ve learned about federal deadlines is they get extended,” said State Senator Joe Negron.

Negron chairs the committee on the Affordable Care Act. Negron is one of the most libertarian members of the legislature. He’s glad the Tea Party is voicing concerns.

“I think it’s very helpful when citizens come forward to share their point of view with us, so I was pleased they were there,” said Negron.

Over their objections, most of the law will go into effect without state approval. The biggest decision the Tea Party could influence is whether or not to expand Florida’s Medicaid roles.

And that expansion could cost the state 330 million dollars next year. The federal government is offering to help pay for most of the expansion through 2024, but lawmakers worry about how the state would keep Medicaid funded after that.

Florida’s jobs czar is resigning amid scrutiny over his choice to accept unemployment compensation.

Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Hunting Deutsch accepted the unemployment payments after he was lost his bank job several years ago, and before taking his post at DEO. Recent reports claim Deutsch was vacationing in Europe at the same time he was collecting state benefits. Senate President Don Gaetz says Deutsch’s decision to resign was the right one, and the governor needs to do a better job vetting his replacement.

“The vetting process in that situation is not subject to senate confirmation, so I would hope that the governor would be very careful and Secretary Swoope would be very careful about a replacement,” said Gaetz.

DEO was created by Governor Rick Scott in late 2011 to push his jobs agenda. This is the second secretary of the department to step down since its creation.

An attempt by an elite group of legislators to privatize health care in Florida prisons has failed. Today a Florida circuit judge ruled in favor of unions challenging the privation plans. AFSME Executive Director Alma Gonzalez says the group of lawmakers trying to privatize health care was abusing their power.

“They have forgotten how important the rule of law is and that in fact we have a constitution and that you cannot backdoor deals. To make sure things are done in the sunshine,” said Gonzalez.

The lawmakers said privatizing health care could save the state 50 million dollars a year, but now it looks like the issue will have to go in front of the full legislature if it’s going to become law.

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee was told today that Five Florida counties, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami Dade, and Lee, under performed in the November General election. Only St. Lucie failed to turn in its vote totals on time. State Senators began what will be a months long look at what went wrong November sixth.

Voters were still in line Wednesday morning in Miami Dade. Some votes in St. Lucie country were late being counted and submitted and did not count. Long lines and other problems plagued voters in Palm Beach, Broward and Lee counties.

“Sixty-two of the sixty-seven counties performed very well”. is what Secretary of State Ken Detzner told State Senators investigating the problems. He said voters are like customers and need to receive good service.

“If you are in the burger business and you don’t have enough cash registers or burger makers, and you don’t appropriate the money for that type of service” says Detzner.

The committee was told more early voting hours would have solved some of the problems. And the number of early voting sites varied widely from as low as one site per thirty thousand residents to a high of one site per 210 thousand people.

“There may not have been enough sites. Where they were located may not have been strategically the best locations, but we’re going to find out” Detzner told reporters afterward.

A long ballot and record absentee ballots also contributed to delays, which prompted Committee Chair Senator Jack Latvala to promise “There will be some legislation that will be out of this committee by the first part of session”. Fast food comparisons dominated the meeting and the point was made When the line gets too long, the franchisee needs to open another restaurant nearby or lose business.

It will be months before changes are proposed, but more early voting sites, more equipment, and better funding for elections are all items for consideration.

The committee chairman also suggested the Governor might want to consider removing some Elections Supervisors who did not perform on election day. Next week the Secretary of State will take a team of experts to each of the counties that had problems and report to the Governor in January.

This may be the last holiday shopping season that online retailers aren’t required to charge you state sales tax. As Whitney Ray tells us, a bill filed in Tallahassee would allow the state to begin collecting the six cent tax from online shops.

You may notice something missing when you make a purchase online. Zeros in the tax column. That’s because online retailers without locations in Florida don’t have to collect state sales tax. But that could soon change. State Senator Gwen Margolis filed a bill to force online retails to collect the tax.

“Our whole revenue source is sales tax in the state of Florida,” said Margolis.

We caught up with Senator Margolis by phone Monday.

“The State of Florida is losing jobs and money because people have been shopping online all year,” said Margolis.

The state’s cut is six cents on the dollar that means when online retailers don’t collect the tax they can offer their customers lower prices than their brick and mortar competitors. The disadvantage has caught the ire of the Florida Retail Federation.

“Let’s move on. Let’s quit competing unfairly based on a tax, that’s not what you do,” said Rick McAllister, President of the Florida Retail Federation.

This is the sixth year this bill has been filed here in Tallahassee, and sponsors believe its time has come. Support among lawmakers is growing, but concerns remain over weather or not collecting the money owed can be considered a tax increase.

Senate President Don Gaetz is against the bill, but says if it were to pass he’d like to see other taxes decreased to keep the collection revenue neutral.

“I certainly as one senator would insist on some kind of tax reduction for the very people whose taxes would be increased,” said Gaetz.

It’s unclear exactly how much money could be collected if the bill passes. Some economists put the annual figure in the 100 million to a billion dollar range. Even though some online stores don’t charge sales tax, the buyer still owes it, but last year just 7,000 online shoppers mailed a check to the Florida Department of Revenue.

A legal showdown is about to begin over whether six counties where voters have approved slot machines can actually install them. The Attorney general says no, but courts and the legislature may have a different opinion.

The legal showdown will come after voters in conservative Lee County in Southwest Florida voted overwhelmingly for Mitt Romney.But these voters cast ballots even more solidly for slot machines, approving them by almost a two to one margin. They weren’t alone.

On election day, voters in Brevard and Palm Beach counties also said yes to slots. That brings the total to six counties that have said yes to slots since January. Prior to the first vote last January, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi told the Department that supervises slots that it didn’t matter how people voted, they could not issue a license.

Attorney Marc Dunbar, who has an interest in a barrel racing track in Gadsden County, which approved slots in January, disagrees. “There are a couple of cases that will likely be filed in the next six to eight weeks that will push the issue a little bit now that the voters have overwhelmingly said they would like to have slot machines at their pari-mutual facilities,” says Dunbar.

As slots backers get ready to go to court, state lawmakers are about to begin a two year review of every gambling regulation in the state. The state does already has slots, indian casino’s, boats to nowhere, and internet cafe’s. Senate President Don Gaetz set up the committee looking at gambling because each form is regulated differently. “We have completely unregulated aspects of gaming like internet cafes then we have over regulated aspects of gaming like some of our dog tracks and horse tracks” says Gaetz.

Any changes put the deal with the Seminole Tribe in jeopardy, The deal the state cut with the Seminole Tribe expires in two years, and another full court press for destination casinos is expected over the next two years.

The largest jackpot in Powerball history is up for grabs. Tonight someone could win half a billion dollars and as Whitney Ray tells us, the numbers that will determine the winner will be drawn right here in Florida.

Some select their own lucky numbers, others leave fate up to the computers. But everyone buying a Powerball Ticket has a plan to spend all that cash.

“Buy a house you know, some land you know, spread it amongst my people,” said William Cooks who bought a ticket Wednesday.

“Help my church and help my family,” said Hester Copeland.

The Powerball jackpot is at a record high. More than half a billion dollars is on the line, and one lucky ticketholder may become the country’s next multi-millionaire.

“Hope I’m the only one who wins, oh the money,” said Katrina Wyche.

As news of the record jackpot spread the gamblers lined up to buy their two dollar ticket and face the one in 175 million odds.

And the winning numbers will be selected right here at the Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, behind those closed doors, under tight security.

Inside, the balls took a test spin in the lottery machines just hours before the big drawing. The entire country is focused on Florida to see who will win.

“It was very important for us when we had the opportunity to competitively bid to get Powerball here at the Florida Lottery Headquarters. We wanted to showcase Florida to the nation,” said Florida Cynthia O’Connell, Secretary of the Florida Lottery.

And if no one wins Wednesday night, then Florida will take center stage again. Another drawing would be held Saturday, and the jackpot would be even higher.

Powerball tickets were selling at a pace of more than 86-hundred a minute in Florida today. In the eight weeks it took to build the 500 million dollar jackpot 45 million dollars have been raised for education.

It’s probably the most dangerous thing you’ve done all day. I’m talking about driving.

A car wreck can take a life in an instant. It’s a lesson Linda Silva learned three years ago. Her son Alex was killed in a drunk driving accident. Today she shared her story at the state capitol to kick off a campaign to end distracted driving.

“Is a drink worth it? Is that text message worth it? If it’s so important pull over. Don’t do it while you are driving,” said Silva.

The campaign is being launched by the Florida Association of DUI Programs. It’s called Be Ready for the Road Ahead. These billboards are part of the campaign. They will be posted throughout the state to encourage kids to develop safe driving habits.

The Citizens Board of Governors is lashing out at the media over a recent string of bad publicity. The state run insurer has been under intense scrutiny ever since it dismantled its team of internal investigators. As Whitney Ray tells us, 42 investigations were still open when the four members of the Citizens Office of Corporate Integrity were let go.

Born out of the most destructive storm in Florida’s history, Citizens Property Insurance was created to protect homes private companies deemed too risky.

Two decades after Hurricane Andrew, Citizens has become the largest insurance company in the state; taking on more risk than it can afford. And now, reports of fraud, misconduct and wasteful spending are pushing the company to a new low.

“This company is not perfect. We have made mistakes. There is no question about it,” said Chairman Carlos Lacasa.

The Citizen Board of Governors met Tuesday in Tallahassee to discuss the recent string of bad publicity, but spent most of their time blaming the media.

“We will win back the credibility of this company in the eyes of the public, but I call upon the press to help us do that by reporting on us responsibly and accurately and to give us a little leeway,” said Lacasa.

Last week Governor Rick Scott ordered an investigation into the company’s decision to dismantle its Office of Corporate Integrity. The firings came as the four member review team was investigating 42 cases of employee fraud and misconduct.

And some of those allegations include reports of a female employee dancing topless on a bar after a company event in Tampa and giant severance packages for employees who left Citizens in disgrace.”

Citizens President Barry Gilway says the topless dancing employee has been dealt with, but most of the other allegations are either unfounded or overblown.

“A complete and thorough investigation showed that the anonymous allegations did not stand up to the test of proven facts and evidence,” said Gilway.

Gilway says firing the internal investigators was not a retaliatory attack. He says the employees were making factual errors and using their positions to air personal grievances.

Policyholders of Florida, a consumer group often critical of Citizens, released this statement following today’s board meeting.

“Instead of spending time talking about fixing abuses of the public trust, the board seems more interested in blaming the media for finding out about it. Citizens says the media is disgusting, but I assure you, policyholders and taxpayers have even more choice words about the management of Citizens,” Sean Shaw, Policyholders of Florida Founder.

By the end of the day more than a 100 million shoppers will be waiting on delivers, winners in the Cyber Monday sales race. But there are also losers. As Whitney Ray tells us, many local shops and the state budget are just a few of the casualties of the busiest online shopping day of the year.

Besides this fitting door bell and the southern rock, all was quiet Monday at the Way Out West country boutique.

Just a few days ago a stampede of shoppers were rustling up deals on boots, belts and all the other fixin’ the store offered on Black Friday.

“We opened the doors at eight o’clock, just steady, steady, steady all day. Just a lot of people very excited about getting out,” said Whitney Anders, the owner of Way Out West.

If the weekend was the land boom then Cyber Monday was the Dust Bowl for Way Out West as shoppers stayed at home for online deals.

“If you’re sitting at home online and you are clicking on things that you might like, who is there to help you?” said Anders.

But it’s not just brick and mortar retailers loosing the Cyber Monday race, so is the state budget. It relies on sales tax to pay for everything from schools to prisons.

Online stores with locations in Florida collect the six cent tax but retailers outside the state normally don’t. When the tax isn’t collected, the onus falls on the shopper to download one of these forms from the Department of Revenue and mail it in with the taxes they owe.

“Last year about seven thousand people downloaded the form, filled it out and sent a check. That’s miniscule compared to the number of people who bought things were taxes were not collected,” said Rick McAllister, President of the Florida Retail Federation.

The Florida Retail Federation says stores that don’t collect the tax have an unfair advantage over those that do. They’re asking lawmakers to streamline the state tax code to make it easier online shops to know what to charge.

It’s estimated that the state will miss out on more than 10 million sales tax dollars by the end of the day. That figure will more than double by the end of the holiday shopping season.

It’s not a traditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving, but it may find a niche in the market. This holiday season, food trucks are offering to cater Thanksgiving Dinner. Curious? Whitney Ray explains what to look for when booking a food truck caterer.

Rebecca Kelly spent 16 years in the restaurant business before striking out on her own with this mobile kitchen.

She started Street Chefs in 2011. The restaurant on wheels serves up southern comfort food with a modern twist.

“We try to make sure that everything is fresh,” said Rebecca.

Street Chefs is just one of a growing number trucks bringing food to hungry Floridians. There are now more than 22-hundred statewide, up 17 percent from a year ago.

“We’ve seen from Pensacola to Miami, these food trucks growing,” said Ken Lawson, DBPR Secretary.

Lawson heads up the state department in charge of licensing and inspecting the trucks. He says they’re just as clean and safe as traditional restaurants.

“Here’s the deal, alright, the rules are the same for a food truck and a restaurant and the food trucks need to be licensed,” said Lawson.

A couple of quick things to look for to know if the truck’s been inspected; look for this purple sticker and a licenses number.

Food trucks are randomly inspected a couple times a year, and now a growing number of trucks are offering Thanksgiving Dinner.

“We’re talking, grilled turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, handmade cranberry sauce, stuffing, even desert, the whole nine yards,” said Rebecca.

Street Chefs haven’t been booked for Thanksgiving yet, but they are catering several holiday parties. And the best part about hiring a food truck for the holidays is.

“When we come by and we do you’re catering. We bring the dirty kitchen away with us,” said Rebecca.

Some food for thought, while scrubbing those Thanksgiving dishes.

Since the trucks are mobile it takes investigators a little more leg work to perform random inspections. One place to drop in on cooks is at food truck fair. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is hosing its third fair December 5th in Tallahassee. Vendors from all over the state are invited to attend.

Florida football fans aren’t the only one’s pumped about Saturday’s showdown between the University of Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles.

Visit Florida, the state’s tourism agency, is hyping the game to attract visitors. Both teams are ranked in the BCS top 10 and both teams have just one loss. Will Seccombe, acting CEO of Visit Florida, says it’s not just beaches and theme parks that keep people flocking to Florida, sports are also a big attraction.

“Let’s tap into the passion of Florida football fans and just ask them, say, you can not only support your team, but you can support the state by inviting a friend or family to come visit the state,” said Seccombe.

Visit Florida is hyping the rivalry as the Share a Little Sunshine Showdown, try saying that three times fast. It’s part of a two year campaign called Florida Fan Game, where fans from each of the state’s public universities compete to see which school can attract the most visitors by the end of the season.

Governor Rick Scott is ordering an investigation into why Citizen Property Insurance fired its internal investigators. The four employees of the Citizens Office of Integrity were let go last month, and now, as Whitney Ray tells us, what they were investigation at the time of their release is shining suspicion on their termination.

This newly released report by Citizens Audit Committee shows the insurer dismantled its Office of Corporate Integrity amid 42 open investigations. The four member watchdog group was investigating employees accused of theft, fraud and misbehavior.

“We wonder, were the watchdogs doing their jobs too well?”

Dan Krassner with Integrity Florida has questions about why the investigators were let go.

The watchdogs were investigating a female manager accused of taking off her cloths at a company event in Tampa, wasteful spending on business trips and huge severance packages for employees who quit in disgrace.

“There have been reports of lavish spending, travel and hotel expenditures and partying in Ybor City and Key West on the policyholders’ dime,” said Krassner.

News of the open investigations made it to the state legislature Tuesday, as members met in organizational session.

“Whistleblowers shouldn’t be the people who get it trouble. It should be the people who cause the trouble,” said Senate President Don Gaetz.

Governor Rick Scott ordered an investigation into the layoffs. In a letter to the chief inspector general Scott writes “The people of Florida are entitled to accountability and transparency within every aspect of our government.”

Representative Mike Fasano says it’s a good start.

“I’m encouraged that the governor has asked for an investigation into it, but it has to go beyond that. Citizens has to be transparent,” said Fasano.

Citizens says they let the investigators go to make room for more auditors to track down insurance fraud. The company’s president welcomes the investigation. And Citizens President Barry Gilway actually asked Governor Rick Scott to investigate in an attempt to thwart some of the bad publicity.

The Florida House and Senate have new leaders, official today.

In the Senate Don Gaetz from Niceville took the gavel. Gaetz wants to see his chamber improve public education and reform ethics laws. Will Weatherford is taking over the House. At 33 he’s one of the youngest speakers in Florida history. Weatherford, a Republican, told his members the election has ended and now it’s time to put politics aside.

“We have a president and for those who wish him to fail, or for that matter wish our congress to fail, only wish for American to fail and that is unacceptable,” said Weatherford.

Weatherford is from Wesley Chapel. He is the son-in-law of former House Speaker Allan Bense.