Florida Aquarium in Tampa partners with aquarium in Cuba

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Florida Aquarium in Tampa has entered into a partnership with the National Aquarium in Havana, the first time aquariums from the two nations have ever done so. The Florida Aquarium announced this week that the partnership will initially focus on coral reefs. The Tampa facility is a leader in researching […]

Board allows All Aboard Florida to issue bonds

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Members of a Florida bond-financing board Wednesday night unanimously gave permission for a private company to issue $1.75 billion in tax-exempt bonds to build a passenger rail from Miami to Orlando. The Florida Development Finance Board granted All Aboard Florida permission to issue the bonds after listening to testimony and deliberating […]

Nearly 1,200 bear hunting permits sold in 2 days

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Wildlife officials say nearly 1,200 permits were sold during the first two days of sales for the state’s first bear hunting season in 20 years. The permits went on sale this week and can be purchased through the Oct. 23 deadline. The seven-day season begins Oct. 24. The Daytona Beach […]

Psych firm that screens Baltimore cops under review

BALTIMORE (AP) – A psychological firm paid to evaluate troubled Baltimore police, including a lieutenant charged in the killing of Freddie Gray, is under investigation by the city and has been put on probation by the state police for cutting corners in its mental health screenings of officers. The Maryland State Police took action against […]

Police say suspect in custody in Louisiana officer’s death

A suspect wanted in the shooting death of a Shreveport police officer was taken into custody after a round-the-clock manhunt, Louisiana State Police said Thursday. Major Doug Cain of the Louisiana State Police identified the suspect as Grover Deandre Cannon and said he was wanted not only in the fatal shooting of Officer Thomas LaValley […]

Japan marks 70th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) – Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday, with Mayor Kazumi Matsui renewing calls for U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders to step up efforts toward making a nuclear-weapons-free world. Tens of thousands of people stood for a minute of silence at 8:15 a.m. […]

More airplane debris washes ashore on Reunion Island

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – The Malaysian government was certain: The airplane part found on an Indian Ocean island came from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Investigators in France weren’t so sure quite yet. And those differing approaches created confusion and anguish Thursday for the families of those aboard the ill-fated flight. “From our first observation, […]

Candidate clash: Republicans face off in first 2016 debate

CLEVELAND (AP) – The Republican bid to reclaim the White House begins in earnest Thursday with the first debate of the 2016 campaign, a 10-candidate face-off for leadership of a party grappling with internal divisions and a changing American electorate. Taking center stage for the prime-time debate in Cleveland was Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman […]

Cape Coral city leaders take part in mock hurricane training

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – More than 100 people, from top city leaders to volunteers, took part in an intense disaster training simulation at the Cape Coral Emergency Operations Center Wednesday. The scenario presented to the group: How would the city respond if a Category 2 hurricane (in this case, “Hurricane Kate”) swept through Southwest Florida? […]