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US Senator Mel Martinez said goodbye today on the floor of the US Senate. Martinez resigned his seat early. Tomorrow, George LeMieux, a relatively unknown confidant of Governor Charlie Crist will become Florida’s newest US Senator. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, LeMieux is embracing the challenge.

It was less than two weeks ago that Governor Charlie Crist picked his closet confidant, George LeMieux, to fill a 16 month vacancy in the US Senate.

“I am not only happy for my friend, I am happy for my state,” Governor Charlie Crist said when he made the announcement.

Democrats immediately called it cronyism.  LeMieux says…

“Give me a chance. My first day on the job is on Thursday.”

The soon-to-be US Senator has been under fire most recently for work his law firm did in helping a Mexican Sheet Metal company get work in Florida.

The move has organized labor livid.

“There are people we can point to in Miami who lost their job to a Mexican worker because of LeMieux’s law firm manipulating the H2B visa system,” Rich Templin with the AFL-CIO said.

But LeMieux says he personally had nothing to do with the case, and says as a US Senator, he knows who his client will be.

“As of Thursday at 2:45 the only client I have is the people of Florida and the people of this great country,” LeMieux said. “I have been able to do that in the past and I think I will be able to do it again. It’s not unlike what a judge does.”

LeMieux takes the oath of office Thursday afternoon. He argues his 16 months will be known for hard work.

“Just like any new challenge or opportunity, you roll your sleeves up, you get into the details and you work hard,” he said. “I guarantee you that’s what I’m going to do when I get to Washington.”

While George LeMieux has promised not to run against Charlie Crist for the seat in 2010, he is leaving open the possibility of running for the US Senate in 2012.

LeMieux, his wife, and three children have been in Washington since Monday, where they have been house hunting. The soon to be senator will be in the gallery tonight when President Obama delivers an address to a joint session of Congress.

A Leon County Judge is delaying a decision about whether or not to dismiss the criminal trial of former House Speaker Ray Sansom. Sansom and his two co-defendants were in court today asking the judge for separate trials. As Whitney Ray tells us, even if the criminal trial is dropped, Sansom faces ethics complaints in the House and a call from Republicans to resign from the state legislature.

Former House Speaker Ray Sansom, former College President Bob Richburg and developer Jay Odom walked into the courtroom together to ask a judge for separate trials.

“I can’t imagine a situation where all the evidence that is introduced as one won’t be introduced at a separate trial to the other person, I don’t see any prejudice there,” said Circuit Judge Terry Lewis.

The judge is expected try the men together that is if he rules against their motions to dismiss the cases. A ruling is expected next week, but even if the criminal trial is dropped, Sansom’s trials aren’t over. A house committee will meet in early October a House committee. They could recommend expulsion for the embattled lawmaker.

A State Ethics commission and the FBI are also investigating Sansom’s role in a plan to use six million state dollars to build a Destin airplane hanger for Odom. Republicans in neighboring Bay County aren’t waiting on the results. They want Sansom to step down now. Sansom referred all questions about the request to his attorney.

“Let me just say the people of Bay County are not in this district. It was about 29 people out of a population of 200 thousand,” said Steve Dobson.

The Bay County Republicans say if Sansom steps down now he could save the party a lot of embarrassment. The judge has given the defense until Friday to file more paperwork in the dismissal hearing. He’s expected to make a decision next week. If the judge denies the motion for dismissal, the criminal trial will begin September 29th.

Two Public Service Commission staff members have resigned under pressure.

One attended a party at the home of a utility executive, which is against commission rules. The other provided his Blackberry pin number to utility executives. The pin number allows people to communicate in real time without a record. Two other staffers who also provided their bosses PIN numbers to executives have been suspended. PSC Spokesperson Cynthia Muir says it is uncertain if or when they will return to work.

“It’s pending further review. It is being reviewed,” Muir said. “I don’t really know how long that will take or what that will entail.”

So they could either be back on the job or without a job?

“That’s how I understand it,” she said.

PSC Commissioner Nancy Argenziano, who has only been on the job a year and a half, is also asking for a grand jury investigation of the PSC and its staff contending they are too cozy with the utilities they regulate. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State’s Attorney are also looking into the commission and its practices.

Hundreds of disabled kids around the state are getting career counseling and experience through the High School, High Tech Training Program.

The program kicked off its yearly training conference today in Tallahassee. 15-hundred students around the state are receiving internships, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities through the program. Spokeswoman Cat Keen says no one should be denied an opportunity to work.

“We believe when a person wants to work they should be able to and the program is a career preparation program for young people to be connected to life after high school. Why it’s important because without programs like High School, High tech some of these high risk youth don’t have those opportunities,” said Keen.

Students who graduate from the program are three times more likely to go to college or vocational school than others students with disabilities. For more information on the program go to http://www.abletrust.org/hsht

A Pasco County State Senator is calling for an investigation into the state’s Public Service Commission. This comes on the heals of an ongoing Florida Department of Law Enforcement Review. As Whitney Ray tells us, at the center of the controversy are questions about regulators coziness with utility executives.

Florida Power and Light is asking the state’s Public Service Commission to approve two rate hikes: 12 dollars to preserve the company’s credit rating and a 67 cent hike to build a nuclear power plant. Opponents of the plant drove four hours to speak to the commission. They were denied.

“We were very upset, but we can make public committees via email,” said Jessica Burris.

FPL doesn’t have to rely on email; its access is much better. A PSC lobbyist is under fire for attending a party hosted by FPL’s Vice President. He’s not alone. A PSC aide was fired Sunday for giving out his Blackberry messaging code to an FPL Executive.

FPL’s attorney reportedly has the codes for all five commissioners, allowing the company to communicate with the PSC without leaving a paper trail. FPL says everything’s above board.

“We are a company that because of the kind of product we sell we have an incredible amount of interaction with government,” said Mayco Villafana.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing a complaint against the Commission but isn’t saying if their review involves the power company.

“It does not appear to be a criminal issue, but there is still some work for us to do to determine what the next steps need to be,” said Heather Smith, a spokeswoman with FDLE.

With almost two billion dollars in rate hikes pending, state senator Mike Fasano wants to put all five commissioners under oath to make sure they’re behaving ethically. The Public Service Commission denied our request for an on camera interview to discuss commissioners’ relationships with FPL executives.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bill McCollum is opposing the health care reform bill.

McCollum formed a 13 member Health Care Advisory Council to research impact of the legislation on Florida. McCollum said the current plan would bankrupt the state.

“This state cannot afford the additional Medicaid cost that might be rolled into that bill when we already have the cost that we have and the burdens that we have today. That would be a mandate on the state by the federal government, maybe the biggest ever in history,” said McCollum.

McCollum says the way to lower the cost of insurance is to crack down on Medicaid fraud and medical malpractice lawsuits.

Two of the state’s largest power companies are seeking rate increases to help build new nuclear power plants.

The Public Service Commission heard testimony from Florida and Power and Light and Progress Energy today. The companies say the plants are needed to meet an increasing need for electricity, but pitching a rate increase is becoming increasing harder given the current economic climate. FPL Spokesman Mayco Villafana says the company shouldn’t stop building just because the economy is suffering.

“We have to plan for a long term future. We don’t stop building school just because we are in an economic downturn. We don’t stop building roads. These are major infrastructure developments. Similar with power plants. We need to plan today for the power plant of the future,” said Villafana.

About a half a dozen protesters attended the rate hike hearing. Jim Walker, one of the protestors, says people can’t afford a rate increase right now.

“With this rate paying thing now it becomes more than an environmental issue, it becomes an economic issue. Florida’s not growing like it used to be when they brought this feasibility study out. We have 10 percent unemployment. Do you want to pay more in your utility bills? What if you are a senior? What if you are poor or unemployed,” said Walker.

If the commission approves the increase, FPL’s rates will go up 67 cents a month. Progress Energy customers would pay an average of 2 dollars and 40 cents a month more.

Health experts are keeping a close eye on South American as its flu season comes to an end. Brazil is leading the world in deaths from the H1N1 virus with 560 confirmed victims. As Whitney Ray tells us, the US is expect to see a similar uptick in swine flu cases once our flu season begins this fall.

These aren’t the kind of photos you want to bring home from an overseas trip. They were taken in Chile, after FSU law student Christin Foster caught swine flu.

“I was delirious. I was trying to find any cool spot in the apartment I could find that happened to be the bathroom floor. It was a difficult task just to open a Tylenol packet to lower the fever,” Christin said.

Christin caught the virus in May when South America was just entering its flu season. She was quarantined for a week, and when she was released…

“I saw a lot of people on the street wearing surgical masks, both in Chile and in Argentina. Argentina, it seemed as though there was a widespread fear of the swine flu,” said Christin.

More than a thousand people have died of swine flu in Brazil and Argentina alone. The US has recorded 530 deaths, but we haven’t entered our Flu season yet.

Health experts are keeping a close eye on South America, where a higher percentage of the population has caught the virus and more young people are getting sick. Pandemic expert Scott McPherson says what happening in South American will move into the US this fall.

“The fact that the virus has moved so quickly in that hemisphere during flu season. It is an area of concern for those of us who know it is going to be a problematic flu season here,” said McPherson.

McPherson says the basics like covering your cough, washing your hands, and keeping space between you and strangers will help curb the spread, but once flu season hits outbreaks are inevitable.

Some experts estimate as many has half the US population could catch swine flu. The good news is, the mortality rate for the virus is below one percent. To read Christin’s entire story log on to http://www.scottmcpherson.net.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles is helping parents better prepare for an emergency.

The DMV is taking its mobile licensing offices to college campus to help students register their Emergency Contact Information in the ECI database. Law enforcement officers access the database to help contact parents when their children are in danger. The DMV is also asking parents to have an ID card made for their younger children. DMV Spokeswoman Ann Nucatola says having an ID made allows law enforcement to speed up their search efforts if a child is lost.

“When a child has an Identification card, that will give law enforcement access to a picture right away. And as you know that is vital in a situation where a child is missing,” said Nucatola.

Since the programs inception in 2007, 2.3 million people have registered their information in the ECI. People can sign up at their local DMV, online, or for at any of the state mobile licensing offices. For a schedule of stops go to http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/intranet/FlowMobile/

A convicted rapist released from prison August 1st is back in custody, facing more rape charges.

Joseph Frye’s rap-sheet dating back to the 70’s includes rape, armed robbery, and arson. Frye was sentenced to 40 years in 1987. He racked up an extensive list of disciplinary charges before being released last month. Frye was arrested earlier this week for raping and robbing a 70 year old Tampa woman, raising question about why Frye was release. Department of Corrections Spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger says Frye’s release was out of the department’s hands.

“When an inmate is released from prison, once they have completed their sentence the department has no authority over them, no jurisdiction what so every. They are a free citizen. He completed his sentence and was released from prison,” said Plessinger.

The Department of Corrections asked the Department of Children and Families to consider keeping Frye behind bars in accordance with the Jimmy Ryce Act with allows the DCF to keep sexual predators behind bars for life. DCF decided not to hold Frye.

A giant oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico is adding fuel to the offshore drilling debate here in Florida. Big oil is using the find as a reason to open up Florida’s coast. As Whitney Ray tells us, lawmakers could vote on offshore drilling as early as October.

Public support for offshore oil drilling has been on the rise ever since gas prices hit four dollars a gallon last year. Jennifer Goldsby is still on the fence.

“I’d probably rather keep our beaches clean,” said Jennifer. But when asked if higher gas prices would change her stance, Jennifer said “That might start to change it some.’”

Associated Industries of Florida is documenting an increase in public support for drilling.

“Our latest poll which was conducted about two weeks ago has it at about 78 percent of Floridians in support of some type of drilling if its responsible and done in an environmentally sound way,” said Jose Gonzalez, a spokesman with AIF.

Adding fuel to the fire is BP’s announcement that the company found enough oil in the Gulf of Mexico to run the country for an entire year. Lawmakers could be asked to vote on drilling as early as October. Representative David Rivera said October may be too soon to vote but a discussion is fair game.

“We don’t necessarily have to go completely in terms of approving and having final resolution or final disposition of the entire issue, but we could start exploring,” said Rivera.

Environmentalists fear drilling off Florida’s coast is too risky, and the issue needs more attention than lawmakers can give it in an October special session.

“The public doesn’t have enough time to take a look at this. This is a very, very complicated issue. We are talking about a huge amount of area in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s beaches. We are talking about impacts to many, many coastal communities. We are talking about coastal communities valued at 562 billion dollars,” said Eric Draper, a spokesman with Audubon of Florida.

Legislation to open the door to drilling within 10 miles of the coast is in the works, but a bill has yet to be filed.

Republicans are claiming the president is planning to indoctrinate students with a socialist agenda.

President Barack Obama will deliver a back-to-school video message to students across the country next week. State Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer say the president is bypassing parents to spread liberal propaganda to kids. Party Spokeswoman Katie Gordon said reading assignments sent to accompany the message are a major cause for concern.

“He is really concern with the teaching materials sent out to the schools for lessons before, during, and after the speech. I think his main concern is just the content of the specific teaching materials where there are phrases such as ‘What can I do to help the President or what new ideas is the president trying to tell me’ and I think if you read, in detail, the teaching materials, it was a clear attempt by the Obama administration to really use this address, which is suppose to be about education, to further the presidents agenda,“ said Gordon.

Florida Democrats Spokesman Eric Jotkoff said Greer has no basis for his allegations.

A Leon County judge is delaying a decision about whether or not to drop criminal charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom and two co-defendants. The three are facing charges for scheming to use six million state dollars to build an airplane hanger for personal use. As Whitney Ray tells us, the defendants say there’s no proof that they were planning a plot.

Former House Speaker Ray Sansom and his two co-defendants entered this Leon County courtroom Wednesday to ask a judge to drop their criminal charges. The three were indicted by a grand jury for planning to build an airplane hanger using state dollars, by disguising the project as college classroom space.

The prosecution says Sansom mislead members of the legislature because they didn’t know the money would be used to build an airplane hanger. The defendants, Sansom, former college president Bob Richburg, and developer Jay Odom, claim they never planned to use the building as a hanger. Sansom’s Attorney Steve Dobson told the judge leasing the hanger would have been out of their hands.

“Ray Sansom could not have leased Jay Odom that property. Dr. Richburg could not have leased Jay Odem that property,” said Dobson.

State Attorney Willie Meggs says email in the case shows otherwise.

“Paragraph two. A lease will need to be developed between Odom and the college for Jay to use some of the facility as a commercial FBO (Fixed Based Operation),” Meggs read from a copy of the email.

When the court recessed for lunch none of the defendants would discuss the case. It was clear they were uncomfortable around the cameras. The judge is asking both sides for more paper work. He’s plans to have a decision by next Wednesday.

AARP Florida is teaming up with American Eldercare to find more state dollars for programs that keep seniors out of nursing homes.

The groups conducted a poll showing seven out of 10 Florida voters support the Nursing Home Diversion Program. Robert Schemel, President of American Eldercare, says the program is cheaper than sending patients to a nursing home.

“This is approximately 1/3 the cost of keeping someone in a nursing home. It crosses all lines, Democrats, Republicans, male, female, all age groups. A very high percentage would really rather see people have a choice and stay in their homes rather than the elderly be forced to stay in a nursing home,” said Schemel.

American Eldercare is Florida largest contractor for the Nursing Home Diversion Program. The company helps 15,000 Floridians remain in their homes.

One in nine Florida women will be the victim of sexual assault at some point in their lives.

The Florida Department of Health is launching an educational campaign to help cut down on the number of rapes and assaults. The campaign called “Rape, Talk About It, Prevent It” targets teens statewide and encourages conversation about sexual violence. Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros said the campaign will enlist the help of educators and religious leaders.

“We are working with our schools, our colleges, our faith-based organizations, again with many many community partners to makes sure this message of being preventive in your conduct, of being responsible in your conduct, and everybody deserves to be treated with respect,” said Viamonte Ros

The campaign is underway with billboards and posters on display throughout the state. Radio ads will begin playing in mid-September.