• Originally published March 8, 2010 at 9:11 a.m., updated March 24, 2010 at 10:16 a.m.

Editors:

Among the stories for Thursday AMs from The Florida AP:

ST. PETERSBURG - In the hours after a monkey on the lam fell into a woman's pool and then swiped some fruit from her backyard tree, fans of the wily primate cheered it for avoiding capture. "Go little monkey, go! No cages for you," wrote a guy named Jack on the "Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay" Facebook fan page. (There were more than 16,000 fans of the elusive monkey as of Wednesday morning.)

ORLANDO - An attorney for the family of a SeaWorld trainer says they would suffer severe harm if a video is released depicting her death by a killer whale last month. Jon Mills said at Wednesday's court hearing that Dawn Brancheau family's right to privacy outweighed the public's right to view the video made by a SeaWorld camera.

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Senate begins voting on a series of high-profile education bills including measures that would expand a private school voucher program and tie teacher pay and retention to how well their students do on standardized tests.

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist and state university officials unveil a settlement with the Legislature over the powers of the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's 11 public universities.

Stories that have moved:

- GRAYSON-COMPLAINT - A central Florida voter is filing a federal elections complaint against Rep. Alan Grayson, claiming he violated federal law by soliciting corporate donations for a nonfederal candidate.

- SUPER BOWL-SAPP - Prosecutors won't pursue criminal charges against former football star Warren Sapp, who was arrested in South Florida a day before the Super Bowl.

- FLORIDA SCHOOL BEATING - A teen suspect in a brutal beating had sent text messages telling his friends of his intentions to attack a 15-year-old girl, but apparently nobody warned police.

- UNIVERSITY TUITION - State university officials have reached a deal with legislative leaders over who has the power to set tuition and other governance issues.

- NEWS-JOURNAL-SALE - Despite being worth $300 million in 2006, a federal judge approved the sale of the Daytona Beach News-Journal for $20 million.

- CANCER INVESTIGATION - Palm Beach County health officials will start to randomly test the recycled fill that often gets spread across properties in a town stricken by a cluster of childhood cancer.

- INDIANA CAPTURE - A man indicted by an Indiana federal panel on drug charges six years ago has been captured in central Florida.

- BUS INJURY - A Pinellas County school bus driver was cited after reportedly hitting a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle.

- FIRE ARGUMENT - A Pasco County man has been charged with setting his house on fire after an argument with his girlfriend.

- FIREFIGHTER FIRED - A St. Lucie County firefighter was fired several days after being arrested and charged with spying on a paramedic intern as she showered at a fire station.

- POLICE-CHILD HIT - Authorities are investigating after central Florida police officer allegedly bumped into a 9-year-old child with his patrol car, knocking the child to the ground.

You may also contact AP offices in Florida with breaking news or questions:

- Tallahassee, Brendan Farrington, 850-224-1211 (office), 850-224-2099 (fax)

- Pensacola, Melissa Nelson, 850-438-4951 (office), 850-438-0720 (fax).

- Tampa, Mitch Stacy, (o) 727-823-4721, 727-821-2931 (fax).

- Orlando, Mike Schneider, 407-425-4547 (office), 407-648-8011 (fax).

- West Palm Beach, Brian Skoloff, 561-832-3466 (office), 561-832-9739 (fax).

The AP, Miami

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

    Share on FaceBook

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Post a Comment
• •
• Favorite
• •
• Report error
  • Thank you for your submission.
    Error report or correction

    Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  

    
  • Close
• •