The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Bass Pro Outdoor World LLC, which operates two Bass Pro Shops in South Florida, for employment discrimination against African American and Hispanic applicants. http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2011/09/22/bass-pro-sued-for-employment.html … [Read more...]
Passage of a ‘Caylee’s law’ no Sure Thing in Florida Senate
September 22, 2011
By DARA KAM Palm Beach Post Staff Writer TALLAHASSEE — Prompted by an outraged public after a jury cleared Casey Anthony of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, Florida lawmakers this summer filed more than a half-dozen bills imposing jail sentences or fines for failing to report a child missing. But on Monday, a Senate select committee headed by state Sen. Joe Negron began examining whether Florida laws need to be changed at all or if enough protections against abuse and neglect are already on the books. Negron cautioned against allowing emotions to prevail in crafting legislation and instead urged cooler heads to prevail. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/passage-of-a-caylees-law-no-sure-thing-1867412.html … [Read more...]
Lawsuit filed v. UF over Public Record on Fertilizer Restrictions
September 22, 2011
By ERIC STAATS A University of Florida report routinely cited by opponents of stricter fertilizer restrictions is at the center of a public records dispute with the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against UF this week in Broward County alleging that the university is violating Florida’s public records laws by not releasing details of scientific reviews of the 2009 report, known as “Unintended Consequences.” The report backs away from earlier recommendations by the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences about how cities and counties should restrict fertilizer application to keep it from polluting waterways, where it is blamed for ugly algae blooms that can kill fish and poison water supplies. The Sierra Club, which supports tougher rules, has asked for the names of reviewers of the report and the reviews, but UF has refused, saying the … [Read more...]
Defense Begins Case in Bob Ward Murder Trial
September 22, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Attorneys for central Florida developer Bob Ward, who is accused of fatally shooting his wife, began presenting their defense on Wednesday. They began calling expert witnesses after Judge Jenifer Davis denied their request to acquit. According to the Orlando Sentinel (http://thesent.nl/qTm5bj), toxicology and pharmacology expert Dr. Jimmie Valentine said 55-year-old Diane Ward had been taking an antidepressant called citalopram at the time of her death. He said the mix of citalopram and alcohol in her system could have depressed the central nervous system, causing hostility, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/21/2418652/defense-begins-case-in-bob-ward.html#ixzz1Yg8Xmzjd … [Read more...]
Couple Wins ‘Wrongful Birth’ Lawsuit
September 22, 2011
A couple from West Palm Beach, Florida, has just been awarded $4.5 million in a “wrongful birth” suit against a doctor and an ultrasound technician. The couple charged that the medical professionals were negligent because had they told them that their unborn child was severely disabled, without arms and with only one leg, they would have aborted the baby. http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/9059-couple-wins-qwrongful-birthq-lawsuit … [Read more...]
