New trial for Ocala woman accused of luring ex to his death

OCALA, Fla. (AP) – A new first-degree murder trial is underway for a north Florida teen accused of luring her ex-boyfriend to a home where he was beaten, shot and burned to death. The Ocala Star-Banner (http://bit.ly/1ZiTvUU ) reports that the trial of 19-year-old Amber Wright began Tuesday in Ocala. Wright is among a group […]

ATV riders challenge longtime bans on use of public roads

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – When she crashed on an all-terrain vehicle, Megan Cratsley was hurt so badly that doctors had to amputate much of her right arm, a life-altering surgery that launched the teenager on a personal mission to change New York traffic laws to protect other ATV riders. The buzzy, open-air vehicles are […]

Florida bill would limit the number, cost of Lottery scratch games

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A bill that would limit the number of Florida Lottery scratch-off games and cap ticket prices at $5 was overwhelmingly approved by a House committee Wednesday after lawmakers criticized the department for using the games to prey on the state’s poorest residents. The House Government Operations Subcommittee voted 12-1 in favor […]

House approves greater oversight of Iran nuclear deal

WASHINGTON (AP) – Less than 24 hours after Iran’s detention and release of U.S. sailors, the House approved GOP-backed legislation that amplifies Republican distrust of Tehran and would give Congress greater oversight of the landmark nuclear agreement. Lawmakers voted 191-106 Wednesday to approve the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act, spurning a veto threat from President […]

US turns to UN to screen refugees from Central America

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is planning to expand a program to let would-be migrants from Central America apply for refugee status before they attempt to come to the U.S., Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will now conduct initial screenings to see […]

Feds say 3 Georgia inmates used cellphones to run drug ring

ATLANTA (AP) – For the third time in four months, federal prosecutors have accused Georgia inmates of using contraband cellphones to run criminal operations from their prison cells. An indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses 17 people of participating in a drug trafficking ring that distributed significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine in metro Atlanta and elsewhere. Georgia […]

Head of Venezuela’s new opposition congress ready to fight

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Leaning back in the mahogany chair that belonged to his imposing socialist predecessor, new congress boss Henry Ramos doesn’t seem worried about being branded an out-of-touch conservative intent on burying the memory of late President Hugo Chavez and ousting his successor. On the contrary, he’s ready for a fight. “If you […]

Florida’s orange crop remains unchanged, grapefruit drops

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Florida’s orange crop remains unchanged from last month, but the state’s grapefruit crop declined slightly. Federal agricultural officials said Tuesday that Florida is forecast to produce 69 million boxes this growing season, a figure unchanged from December. The grapefruit estimate, though, dropped to 10.8 million boxes from 11.5 million boxes in […]

Men suspected of breaking in to multiple Lehigh Acres homes

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.- Two men caught on surveillance video breaking into a Lehigh Acres home last week, are also suspected in a second break-in on Monday, authorities said. The first burglary took place on January 7 on Brazos Street E., after the homeowner left for work. Surveillance cameras inside the home captured images of the two suspects climbing through […]