Most controversial change: tying teacher evaluations to student test performanceBy Leslie Postal and Denise-Marie Balona Florida is pushing hard to win up to $700 million in federal grant money, in part by tackling a controversial reform that has failed in the past — revamping the way teachers and principals are evaluated and paid. Full Story »
The mother of the kindergartener critically wounded when she was struck by an Orange County deputy sheriff' car was not with the girl during the crash, contrary to an earlier Orlando police account, an agency spokeswoman said Thursday. Full Story »
LOS ANGELES -- Walt Disney's grandson has been arrested on suspicion of illegal gun possession, according to Los Angeles police. Full Story »
Lake Mary police fired at a road-rage suspect when he drew his gun as officers chased him through the woods, the agency's chief said. Full Story »
Jaimee Grubbs, one of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses, went on the TV show Extra and apologized to the golfers' wife, Elin Nordegren. One of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses is apologizing to the golfer's wife. And one tabloid says Woods' handlers are worried he could have a child out of wedlock. Full Story »
PALM BAY — City leaders will plant a seed to see whether community gardens could be perennial favorites among green-thumbed citizens. Full Story »
With images of spray-on snow and tacky plastic needles dancing in their heads -- especially after the craze for renditions in red -- many holiday purists dismiss fake Christmas trees. Full Story »
WASHINGTON — Floridians are watching closely a legislative package, already approved by the House, that extends the federal income-tax deduction for sales taxes and other popular tax breaks. Full Story »
MELBOURNE VILLAGE — Margaret Wetzel was leaving her house around sunset three weeks ago when she heard a loud metallic bang, "an ungodly cat scream" and five gunshots. Full Story »
Although there may be fewer presents beneath them, Christmas trees have been selling briskly at area lots as holiday tradition trumps the Scroogean economy. Full Story »
A humane society near New Smyrna Beach is hoping some people will be able to open their homes this holiday season to some four-legged friends in need of a foster family. Full Story »
A ban on giant snakes is making its way through Congress. Full Story »
The next chapter in the case against Casey Anthony will play out in an Orange County courtroom on Friday. Full Story »
New information was released Thursday in the case against a man charged with raping a woman who was stopped on Interstate 4. Full Story »
Two pedestrians were struck by two sheriff's deputies in one day, but investigators say the officers were not at fault in either situation. Full Story »
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Volusia County leaders postponed Thursday’s vote on closing some libraries to see if they could come up with some last-minute ways of keeping them open. They're considering asking local cities to pick up part of the cost. Full Story »
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A woman returned a pet cat that was taken from outside a popular Orlando steak house and believed to have been snatched. The woman said she thought it was a stray. Full Story »
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Deputies hit two pedestrians in two separate crashes Wednesday and one of the pedestrians was killed. The crashes underscore Orlando's reputation for being America's most dangerous city for people on foot. Full Story »
PALM BAY, Fla. -- A tiny microchip could help solve crimes in Palm Bay. It's called a "Data Dot" and it can be placed on all your belongings, that way, if something is stolen, police can use the technology to track down your items. Full Story »
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. -- They're some of the world's rarest cats, but someone killed a Florida panther in south Osceola County and cut off its head. Wildlife officials are offering a reward as they hunt for the hunter. Full Story »
A driver was seriously injured after crashing into a school bus. Full Story »
Police officers shoot at a man at an office complex after he pulled a gun, police say. Full Story »
Two Sanford police officers have been relieved of duty with pay after an employee filed a complaint with the department, an agency spokesman says. Full Story »
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is again making headlines, saying that former Vice President Dick Cheney should shut up while using a crude acronym. Full Story »
The ramp connecting Interstate 95 to Interstate 4 was closed twice after four cars hydroplaned off the steep ramp in one day. Full Story »
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DAYTONA BEACH -- A veteran detective arrested for scuffling with Holly Hill officers during a traffic stop is now formally charged with a felony, and it's likely she'll lose her job with Daytona Beach police. Full Story »
While much of the nation shoveled snow and dealt with a harsh winter storm, Daytona Beach set a record high temperature Wednesday. Full Story »
DELAND -- A house near DeLand where a man was shot multiple times and killed has a history of drugs, sheriff's officials said Wednesday. Full Story »
DELTONA -- The city will hire an attorney to look into whether Commissioner Herb Zischkau violated its rules. Full Story »
The Associated Press An Illinois insurance executive agreed to plead guilty to interstate stalking after secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, according to court documents filed Thursday and first obtained by The Associated Press. Full Story »
The Associated Press Pam Vetter's 15-year-old son balked when she told him she was opting for a healthier holiday season this year: fish rather than turkey, fewer carbs and sweets. Full Story »
The Associated Press Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt expressed reluctance Thursday to increase the number of flight hours required to be an airline co-pilot, a key safety recommendation arising from an airline crash in upstate New York last February. Full Story »
The Associated Press At a critical time, the uproar over stolen e-mails suggesting scientists suppressed contrary views about climate change has emboldened skeptics. Full Story »
The Associated Press Senate Democrats are considering changing a proposed expansion of Medicare to address complaints from doctors and hospitals and defray costs for consumers, officials said Thursday. Full Story »
DAYTONA BEACH -- Investigators are trying to find out who hacked into the Daytona State College e-mail system and sent three threatening messages to an adjunct professor. Full Story »
With the St. Cloud city itself in a hiring freezing, Mayor Donna Hart said action needs to be taken to help revitalize the local government. Full Story »
Us vs. them. Old school vs. new school. Full Story »
It's the first of it's kind for a city anywhere in the country, a technology aimed at thwarting crime. Full Story »
Alabama's anti-gambling governor isn't going to collect those oranges he won from Florida's governor in their wager on the Southeastern Conference football championship. Full Story »
Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio says if he was in Gov. Charlie Crist's shoes, he would have accepted federal stimulus money — but not all of it. Full Story »
Jim Greer says he's staying put as the chairman of the Florida Republican Party. Full Story »
State officials on Thursday restored the civil rights of a former University of Florida football team captain who had a drug conviction and also pardoned a man who was labeled as a sex offender after being targeted in an extortion scheme. Full Story »
Lake Mary Police locked down a business complex for several minutes and arrested one man in what investigators say began as a road rage incident. More>>> Full Story »
Newly released discovery documents indicate that the man killed in the Gateway Center shooting was held up as a better employee to Jason Rodriquez. More>>> Full Story »
THE VILLAGES — A recent study conducted by a consortium of cancer groups has concluded that the colorectal cancer death rate has dropped roughly 20 percent during the past 10 years, and predicts during the next decade it could be half of what it was in 2000. Full Story »
THE VILLAGES — The location was different this year, but the smiles on the faces of the children gathered for the 13th annual Hugs and Wishes holiday celebration were familiar. Full Story »
THE VILLAGES — Gail Beck got a surprise Wednesday evening while shopping at Brook’s Hallmark Gold Crown store in Lake Sumter Landing Market Square. Full Story »
THE VILLAGES — Progress Energy Florida consumers could receive a break on next year’s electric bills. Staff at the Florida Public Service Commission recently slashed by about 64 percent the St. Petersburg-based electric utility’s request to increase its 2010 base rates. Full Story »
THE VILLAGES — Villagers planning a trip to any regional recreation center can help others by taking a quick look around their pantry. Extra cans of food could go a long way toward feeding those in need during this season of giving. Full Story »
A tree is reflected in a rain puddle in the German city of Stuttgart. AFP/DDP/Sascha Schuermann
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