Concern about racial, ethnicity data collected prompts requests

FROM WIRE REPORTS

MIAMI – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida asked the FBI this week to turn over records related to the agency’s collection and use of race and ethnicity data in local communities.

U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek and his campaign will embark on a "Real Dem Express’’ tour across Florida, a 10-day bus tour that will kick off in Orlando next week.

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s unemployment rate fell for the third straight month to 11.4 percent for June, even though the state shed jobs during the month. The drop put the state’s jobless rate at its lowest since October.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa was installed this month as the 28th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – Republican gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Bill McCollum ratcheted up the rhetoric on immigration Wednesday, trumpeting a proposal for state agencies to use a free background check on immigration status and noting his support for an Arizona-style immigration proposal.

Education grants going to Delaware and Tennessee

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – Despite high hopes from state officials, Florida won’t receive federal money from the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top grant program – at least not yet.

Tribe negotiations, budget show signs of waning influence

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA 

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Charlie Crist soon will embark on his final legislative session in Tallahassee, his last chance to push through an agenda that could be his legacy when he vacates the governor’s mansion in January 2011.

2 Republican lawmakers file measure allowing voters, not governor, to make decision

BY WILLIAM E. GIBSON
SUN SENTINEL/MCT