In his absence, the Capitol was stripped from his classic phrases that include “if the bill is too long, you know there’s somethin’ wrong,” “Jesus wouldn’t agree with this,” or “I’m telling you right now, before you shoot yourself in …

Record-low production means a special treasure in Japan is going away, the Tampa Bay Times’ Katie Sanders reports. http://www.tampabay.com/data/2018/03/14/as-floridas-grapefruit-supply-dwindles-japanese-customers-lose-interest/

New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny is planning to retire this summer after 16 years with the New Hampshire Insurance Department. With his current term ending on June 11, he told Insurance Journal his advice for his successor is based on a …

Consumers hoping the Florida Legislature would agree on bills to slow rate increases for homeowner and auto insurance coverage will have to wait until next year, the Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj-77T5zOvZAhVB6VMKHZEpAi4QqOcBCCYwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fbusiness%2Ffl-bz-insurance-reform-failures-20180312-story.html&usg=AOvVaw0WXHsMu1QrMOXamimUmxuM

When legislative budget chiefs agreed during negotiations to spend $1.5 million on a study about extending a toll road north to Georgia, they started to lock into Florida’s new budget some of the 78 recommendations a House select committee created …

Hurricane Irma is officially one of the most expensive and destructive hurricanes on record, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center.  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Elizabeth Djinis reports. http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180312/hurricane-irma-ranks-among-most-destructive-on-record-new-report-says

Nelson won handily with 63 percent of the vote, Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie report for the Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-apopka-winter-park-mayor-election-20180313-story.html

In a victory for the citizens of the Treasure Coast region, and based on work by Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida (CARE FL) and Indian River and Martin Counties, the Florida Legislature has included language in the state budget …

In the final days of last week’s legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that restricts local governments’ ability to pass customary use ordinances that allow the public to use privately owned beaches.  Thaddeus Mast reports for the Naples Daily News. …

The three-term Port St. Lucie Democrat’s statement Monday came five days after he announced his impending retirement during a House Democratic Caucus meeting.   Cheryl Smith reports for TCPalm.com. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/03/13/larry-lee-re-election/419737002/