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Twelve and a half years after his 9-year-old son was raped and murdered, a father continues to look for justice. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the family of the murdered boy has spent more than a decade trying to make sure no other children are lost.

Hear it Here: Jimmy Ryce Family Fights On

Jimmy Ryce was raped and murdered in 1995, just two weeks short of his 10th birthday.
A lawyer for convicted killer Juan Chavez was in the Florida Supreme Court arguing he didn’t know what he was doing when he waived his Miranda rights and confessed.

“To be told, you have the right to an attorney, would be meaningless to him based on his experiences in Cuba,” Chavez’s lawyer, Ann Norgard said.

The Court was highly skeptical, and the Attorney for the State said it didn’t matter.

“The murder weapon was found in his trailer with his fingerprint on it. Jimmy Ryce’s bookbag was found in his trailer with his fingerprints on it. Jimmy’s body was found on his property,” Asst. Attorney General Scott Brown said.

Regardless of what the court does with this case, most experts agree that because of Jimmy Ryce, and more importantly his parents, Florida’s children are safer today.

The Ryce’s helped create Florida’s Missing Children’s Day. The fought for laws to distribute pictures of the missing, to collect felons’ DNA, and to lock up predators indefinitely. Claudine Ryce died in January. Her absence at the court hearing was deafening.

“The day may never come when we totally eradicate this problem, but that’s what we’re going to shoot for. It’s not just Claudine and me. There’s a whole army of people who care,” Jimmy’s father, Don Rice said.

Don Ryce hopes to see his son’s killer executed. Says Ryce, “He’s already outlived two members of my family.”

Governor Charlie Crist joined Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at the state capitol today to champion a four county,  61 mile long commuter rail project that stretches from Deland  to Lakeland.

The plan is to purchase the rail from the CSX line. Dyer told reporters the plan is the economic engine that will ignite the local economy almost immediately.

“We can’t continue to lay asphalt. We have to become more transit oriented. We have to grow smarter, this promotes smart growth,” Dyer said. “This is the most environmentally friendly manner to move people around, to get people out of cars. Rail freight is the best way to move freight in the state of Florida. This promotes the state’s freight program as well.”

Critics say the plan will increase freight traffic ten fold in the Lakeland area. Rich Templin from the AFL-CIO says that at 10 point 5 million dollars per mile, or 615 million dollars,  the track is the single most expensive rail project in the nation’s history.

“The reason for that uber-high price tag is that, wrapped up in this, isn’t just purchasing track to run a commuter rail as supporters would have us believe, there’s also hundreds of millions of dollars in there of free give-away money to the CSX corporation to improve their own private freight operations,” Templin said. “So essentially this is a corporate bailout, with a Florida twist, in that this corporation doesn’t need a bailout, they posted 29 billion dollars in profits in the last year alone.”

The Federal government is picking up half of the 615 million dollar cost, the state another 25 percent, with local governments paying the rest.

Florida’s chances to grab a 35 million dollar federal grant are running out. The state has until June 30th to adopt a stricter seat belt law in order to receive the money. As Whitney Ray tell us, some lawmakers hope the extra cash will persuade enough of their colleagues to pass the legislation.

Hear it Here: Stricter Seat Belt Law Could Bring Florida Millions

Sixty percent of people who die in car wrecks aren’t buckled up.

“Taking just a moment to put on that seat belt can make all the difference in the world when your vehicle gets in a crash,” said Florida Highway Patrol Captain Mark Welch.

It’s against the law in Florida to ride in a car without your safety belt, but sometimes it’s hard to enforce. Right now the only way you can get ticketed for not wearing a seat belt is if you get caught violating another traffic law first.

Representative Rich Glorioso filed legislation to change the law so police officers can pull people over if they’re not buckled up.

“The primary seat belt law is going to save lives. It’s going to save 200 lives a year. About 2,700 serious injuries, disabling injuries every year,” said Glorioso.

The legislation has failed before over concerns it would lead to racial profiling. What may calm those fears this time is the state could be awarded 35 million dollars if it acts before July.

Some drivers say the state should grab the money before it’s too late.

“I think it’s important that people wear their seat belts because it really saves lives,” said Judy Brooks.

But others think the legislation should be put off until the economy improves.

“I’m not sure that timing is real good for that,” said Gayle Nelson.

In March, legislators will have to make up their own minds about the timing of the bill but turning down 35 million dollars could be a tough sell back home. The grant money would go to the Department of Transportation and would be earmarked for highway projects.

State officials are closely watching the investigation of former elections supervisor Buddy Johnson. A stinging audit released Tuesday found Johnson violated Florida law by overspending his budget. Still unanswered is whether Johnson misused Federal funds. Secretary of State Kurt Browning says he is waiting for the results of a second audit covering October first through January 5th before he takes any new action.

“It was unclear as to whether or not the federal money was spent for federal activity,” Browning said. “I think we can probably get a better picture of that when we get the other piece of that picture, if you will, and that will be the October 1 through January 5th piece. Certainly I have a concern about making sure that federal grant money that was given to Hillsborough county, or any county for that matter, was used for federal activities.”

The second audit is expected to be complete by mid March. Browning says getting involved before then would simply be “too many cooks in the kitchen.”

Farmers across the state are preparing for tonight’s freezing temperature.

Temperatures will dip into the teens in many parts of the state tonight. Florida’s Department of Agriculture is extending its temporary ban on truck weight, length, and height restrictions so farmers can harvest more of their crops. Department spokesman Terry McElroy said farmers are working overtime to save their fruits and vegetables.

“The key is to harvest what you can and get it out of harms way and take those precautions and do what you can to protect your crops. Beyond that, we’re just waiting to see what kind of fury Mother Nature’s going to unleash,” said McElroy.

The ban on trucking restrictions will be in place until February 11th. Governor Charlie Crist is expected to extend the last month emergency declaration later today.

Some Progress Energy customers are struggling to pay their electric bills after a 25 percent rate hike went into effect last month.

The rate hike was passed to help the company deal with this summer’s rising fuel cost and to build a nuclear power plant. State Senator Mike Fasano has filed legislation to reduce the cost by 11 percent.

“Here we are in one of toughest economic crisis we’ve seen, especially here in Florida, for years. The last thing my constituents, for that matter any constituents can afford, is a 25 percent increase in their electric bill,” said Fasano.

Fasano is also seeking refunds for customers.

It has been more than a year since Governor Charlie Crist signed a deal with the Seminole Tribe to allow full-blown slots, black jack and other Vegas-style games. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the competition for gambling dollars is heating up between Florida’s horse and dog tracks and the Seminole Indian casinos.

Hear it Here: Pari-Mutuels Want Video Lottery

Seminole gambling continues in legal limbo after Florida’s highest court said lawmakers have to approve. With that backdrop, the Seminole Tribe came to the Capitol making promises: 288 million in cash now, and up to 45 thousand jobs.

“But there’s an additional 8,877 non-direct employees,” HardRock Casino CEO James Allen said.

The proposed Seminole deal has every other gambling interest coming to lawmakers with their hands out.

What all of the other gambling interests in the state are complaining about, is that percentage-wise, the Indians are giving up a whole lot less.

South Florida tracks with slots say the Indians are paying about 7 percent of the take, while they’re taking it on the chin.

“I’ve seen numbers as high as, when you add everything in, up to 62 percent of the money that they make, goes right back to the state government. That’s a lot of money,” Rep. Evan Jenne (D-Broward County).

Not only do tracks want lower taxes, they want more options, and they too are making big promises.

“We need to add an existing lottery-style product which is video lottery terminals to every pari-mutuel facility,” said Jack Cory with the Greyhound Breeders Association. “Doing that, we can bring in over a billion dollars a year of new revenue to the state of Florida for education.”

The big threat from horse and dog tracks is that they’ll lose more jobs than the Seminoles create if they don’t get some help.

Without some accommodation for existing pari-mutuel facilities, it is becoming increasingly unlikely an Indian gaming pack will be approved.

The rush is on to absorb the 1.2 million insurance policies State Farm plans to drop. Today representatives from Security First talked to the state insurance office about picking up 50-thousand of the policies. As Whitney Ray tells us, the 30 private insurance companies in Florida are also looking to cash on what State Farm plans to leave behind.

Hear it Here: State Farms Trash, Other Insurers Treasure

With State Farm no longer interested in being a good neighbor to Floridians, Governor Charlie Crist is promoting the state’s 30 newest insurance companies.

“That many more choices for consumers across Florida is a great thing,” said Crist.

Security First hopes to pick up 50,000 of the 1.2 million State Farm policies being left behind.

“What we told State Farm Customers is that if they bring in to one of our agents a full coverage State Farm policy, for the next 30 days we’ll write them anywhere in the state of Florida. We’ve opened up all the zip codes,” said Security First President Locke Burt.

Some of the other start up companies are looking to get in on the action. The state wants to make sure the companies can take on the new customers and the increased risk they bring. OIR spokesman Ed Domansky said the companies are stable, but regulators will be watching.

“We’ll keep an eye on all those companies just as we do regularly on a quarterly basis to make sure that their business plans are such that they’ll be able to meet their policyholders’ needs,” said Domansky.

Policies the companies refuse are likely to end up with the state run insurer Citizens. Security First claims it can write most homeowners policies cheaper than State Farm. The company set up a webpage for people to get an instant quote. The web address is www.securityfirstflorida.com/Switch

The mother of a 19-year-old who was killed by her boyfriend is dedicating herself to stopping dating violence.

Studies show one in five teens has been the victim of dating violence. Kim Barwick, whose daughter Tiffany was killed after she tried to break off a relationship is working to let students know that a failed romance at an early age is not the end of the world.

“I think they just need to know that life does go on,” Barwick said. “That there are a lot of other people out there that might want to have a relationship with them, that it might work out with someone else, but that in that particular relationship, it takes two people. If one person does not want to be in that relationship, they have to be willing to accept that and be able to walk away with it.”

School officials say the internet, text messaging and social networking sites are all new technological ways young men and women are being threatened when young love goes bad.

Governor Charlie Crist says sporting events can help jump start Florida’s economy.

Tuesday, Crist sat down with leaders from Florida’s professional sports teams. The sports industry generates 36 billion dollars a year in economic growth and employs more than 400,000 Floridians. Governor Charlie Crist said despite the worsening economy, people need to support their local teams.

“I think it brings an awful lot of joy to our fellow Floridians and that’s important and I want to emphasize the billions of dollars and the economic impact in our state and it really is a nice diversion whether people go out fishing or hunting or whatever it may be. It’s important that people continue to enjoy that quality of life that is so precious to the fabric of Florida,” said Crist.

Crist says the Super Bowl pumped 300 million dollars into the state economy.

A group that successfully pushed a gay marriage ban into the state constitution is now taking aim at divorce.

More couples get divorced in Florida than in any other state. The Florida Family Policy Council wants to change the no fault divorce law to make it harder for couples with kids to separate. They also want to provide incentives for couples to take extra premarital counseling. President of the Florida Family Policy Council John Stemberger said reducing divorce will solve many problems the state faces.

“When you strengthen marriages and families you are simultaneously solving, you can‘t name a domestic issue you’re not directly solving by directly strengthening marriage and families: Crime, education, poverty, business productivity, welfare, abortion,” said Stemberger.

The group says cutting divorces by 10 percent statewide could save taxpayers 100 million dollars a year by reducing the need for state and federal welfare programs.

Running a red light will now cost you more than $200. Traffic fines across the board went up this week to keep Florida’s courts and prisons operating. As Whitney Ray tells us, some drivers are calling the increases highway robbery.

Hear it Here: State Looks to Speeders to Balance the Budget

College Student Sean Swieczkowski says he worked overtime to pay off his first speeding ticket.

“The speeding ticket really hurt me a lot. I had to work more hours, which really affected my school. It was really bad,” said Sean.

If Sean gets caught speeding again, he’ll be working even harder to pay the fine. Most traffic tickets went up 10 dollars this week. Speeding fines are up even more.

Fines for people driving 15 miles per hour over the speed limit will now cost 25 extra bucks. Eric Mclester calls the increases “highway robbery.”

Lawmakers passed the fine increases to offset spending cuts to the state’s courts in prisons. The Florida Highway Patrol isn’t getting any of the extra money, but they hope the increases will encourage speeders to slow down.

“If thinking that they’ll have to pay a little bit more for a traffic citation if they get pulled over keeps people from speeding, we’re all for that,” said Captain Mark Welch with the Highway Patrol.

Willie Johnson already has a plan to avoid paying the higher fines.”

“I don’t get tickets, so evidently I’ve been driving pretty good,” said Willie.

Good advice for drivers who think the new fines could break their banks. Starting this week judges can no longer reduce or wave fines for drivers willing to take education courses.

Florida could be getting a bigger chunk of the economic stimulus package than Governor Charlie Crist originally asked for.

In December, Crist asked for seven billion dollars. He met with US Senators this weekend and says Florida could now stands to gain 13 billion if Congress approves the plan. The money would go to roads, schools, and health care. Crist says Florida is ready to spend the money.

“I think one of the important things is that when these moneys come to the various states around the country injecting them into the economy as quickly as possible is an important component of being able to jolt the economy if you will which we all know is very important,” said Crist.

The plan passed the House last week. The Senate is expected to vote on their version of the stimulus plan by February 16th.

Governor Charlie Crist isn’t ruling out a run at the US Senate.

Several big name Republicans have turned down the opportunity to run for the seat Mel Martinez will vacate in 2010. Crist has been dodging the question for months, saying he’s focused on Florida. A reporter asked Crist point blank if he is withdrawing his name.

“’It sure sounds that you’re running for Senate, if you could put that to rest or whatever,’ asked a reporter ‘I’m focused on Florida and our budget issues and making sure we’re ready to spend these stimulus dollar,’ Crist said. ‘That’s a no as far as running for Senate,’ added the reporter. ‘I didn’t hear that,’ Crist said. ‘So it’s a possibility,’ the reporter persisted. ‘I’m going to focus on Florida. Focus on our budget,’” Crist said.

Among the people who’ve announced they won’t run: Former Governor Jeb Bush, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek and State Senator Dan Gelber are running for a shot at the seat.

There is turmoil at the state capitol tonight as Republican House leaders scramble to elect a new speaker. Rep. Ray Sansom sought to temporarily step down from the top post on Friday following 2 months of criticism for possible ethical and criminal violations. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, House Republicans will meet later tonight to choose a permanent replacement.

Hear it Here: House Has New Speaker

Ray Sansom spent 2 months in virtual silence over allegations he steered state money to a hometown college, took a six-
figure job from the school, and helped arrange a meeting out of the sunshine.

When he did speak, it was too little too late.

Facing a grand jury and two ethics investigations Sansom on Friday sought to step down temporarily. But by Monday, GOP colleagues decided to make it permanent, Rep. Larry Cretul of Ocala has already taken over and will become the Speaker in March.

“I did not campaign for this position and I have no promises to fulfill,” Cretul said. “I have no ambition other then spending time with my grandsons, and they are the only ones I hope to impress.”

Democrat Mary Brandenberg says the controversy has hurt the House as a whole.

“Because we’ve been in a lot of turmoil, there is going to be a perception that we’re weaker,” Brandenberg said.

But the men next in line for power say it is time to move forward.

“Certainly it’s been a challenging time,” Rep. Will Wetherford (R-Pasco County) said. “I think there have been some distractions, there is no denying that. But look, I’m a believer that we have to focus on the task at hand.”

Meanwhile, Governor Charlie Crist is wisely staying out of the internal politics of the House.

Because he knows no matter who is in charge, he’ll have to deal with them.