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Governor Charlie Crist is leading a three way race for US Senate and the oil disaster in the gulf is boosting his job approval ratings, that according to the latest Quinnipiac Poll. The polls show Crist leading the race with a 37 to 33 lead on Republican Marco Rubio, with Democratic challenger Kendrick Meek getting just 17 percent. Crist’s job approval rating is up eight points from the middle of last month to 57 percent. Quinnipiac Pollster Peter Brown says Crist’s leadership in the gulf oil spill disaster is increasing his popularity.

“As governor he has a special ability to communicate with the media with issue that are governmental as opposed to political and this event, the oil spill, is one of those issues that allows him to fill that role,” said Brown.

The poll also shows people’s appetite for offshore oil drilling waning. 51 percent of Florida voters now oppose offshore drilling with just 42 percent in favor.

Governor Charlie Crist has until June 20th to act on a legislation making it harder for a woman to get an abortion, but he says he doesn’t need that long. Crist has signaled he may veto the bill and he may make his final decision as early as tonight. Crist says he’s been listening to both sides of the argument.

“I continue to try and keep an open mind always so I’m giving it a lot of consideration. It’s a very personal thing really and I just want to do what I think is right for Florida,” said Crist.

If signed women in their first trimester of pregnancy would have to pay for an ultrasound before they could have an abortion. The legislation also bans taxpayer money from being used to fund abortions.

Florida has already burned through two thirds of the first 25 million dollars it received from BP to get ready for the arrival of oil on the beaches. Today, a senior vice president for BP spoke to the governor and cabinet, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, there is still a lot of dissatisfaction over the pace of payments to those being hurt.

Florida has already spent 15 million dollars just managing the oil spill. Senior BP Vice President Bob Fryar told the Governor and Cabinet more cash was on the way.

“I’m here today to announce a further 25 million dollars,” Fryar said.

Fryar apologized for the mess.

“I know firsthand the beauty of those beaches and I wish these circumstances were different,” he said.

But then he was grilled by the Governor and three Cabinet members. They told him the response has been too little and too slow.

“I just don’t think you’ve done enough,” Attorney General Bill McCollum said.

“These people need money in their hands and in their checking accounts,” CFO Alex Sink said.

“The speed with which you can relieve that suffering is incredibly important,” Crist said. “We respectfully ask for it today, but we also demand it.”

When the hour long grilling was over, Fryar couldn’t get out of the building fast enough.

Reporter: What are you going to do to speed the claims process up and get money into the hands of the people?

“This week, we’re working on that and we’re going to have the methodology finalized and from there we’ll begin writing checks,” Fryar said.

And while the executive promised more checks would be flowing next week, the governor says that isn’t fast enough.

“You know, I’d like to see it like yesterday,” Crist said.

If there is anything positive come out of the meeting with BP it was a reminder that driving past their pumps doesn’t hurt the company as bad as it hurts a Florida small business.

Governor Crist also pressed British Petroleum to open more claims offices in Florida.  Right now there are eight offices.  He wants one in every coastal county.

Legislation making it harder for women in Florida to get an abortion is awaiting a decision from Governor Charlie Crist. Lawmakers sent the legislation to Crist last to give supporters more time to contact the governor. As Whitney Ray tells us, more than 40-thousand emails, phone calls, and letters have poured into the governor’s office trying to influence his decision.

An ultrasound can reveal gender, fingers, and even a beating heart to those who want to view the images. Legislation sitting on the governor’s desk would force women in their first trimester to get an ultrasound before they have an abortion.

Nathan Dunn with the Florida Family Policy Council says the legislation would cut down on the number of abortions.

“It makes abortions rare, it makes them safe, and it makes them legal,” said Dunn.

But opponents of the legislation, like Damien Filer and his political action group Progress Florida, say the legislation raise privacy and financial concerns for women because they would be required to pay for the ultrasound.

“It really is going to adversely impact low income women and women who don’t already have access to health care,” said Filer.

Lawmakers sent the bill to the governor Monday; saving it for last to give people more time to weigh in on the issue.

Governor Charlie Crist has received more than 40-thousand emails, phone calls, and letters from people trying to sway his decision. The majority, 23-thousand, have come from people who want Crist to sign the bill, but Tuesday morning Crist couldn’t tell reporters one thing he liked about it.

Reporter: Is there anything you do like about it?
Crist: No, Not right now.”

Crist removed pro-life language from his campaign website earlier this week, which may be a sign of what’s to come. Crist has until June 20th to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without his signature, but the governor says he will likely act sooner than later.

Tar balls are washing ashore along a 100 mile stretch of Florida’s Panhandle coastline. Every five miles, from Alabama to Gulf County, spotters are watching the water for oil. As Whitney Ray tells us, once oil is spotted, cleanup crews are dispatched to the site.

The Emerald Coast is still emerald in Destin. Families play in the sand, surfers hang 10. Tourists watch the action before diving in. This group from Kentucky has been watching since April.

Reporter: How many times do you think you called before you can down here?
Tourist: Between all of us we called probably four times.”

At lunch time Monday, the waves on this stretch of Destin beach were still washing up sea shells and a little bit of algae. No oil in site. But to the east and west tar balls have been spotted.”

That’s where Leamon Keen comes in. Leamon is a lieutenant with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Mobile Command Center. Spotters from Alabama to Gulf County Florida are watching the water and reporting oil sightings back to the post.

“That information goes up to our ESF 14 and they contact Unified Command and that’s how the process works and I’ve seen clean up crews on Pensacola Beach, response is pretty quick,” said Keen.

And that’s good news for Sarah Marshall and her two daughters, who plan to stay in Destin through Saturday. So far it’s been fun in the sun for the Texas Family. They just hope the water stays clean and clear.

“The girls have loved it, and we haven’t seen a thing so we are happy,” said Courtney.

The good news Monday, winds shifted once again, a sign the oil may stay at bay a few days longer. The leading edge of the oil slick remains several miles off Pensacola Beach and so far tar balls are the only sign of the spill in Florida. Clean up crews continue to pick up the clumps of oil, and so far no Florida beaches have been closed.

An attorney for former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, who was indicted last week on six counts of fraud and money laundering, is now saying a complex contract giving a company controlled by Greer a ten percent take in GOP fundraising was legal and blessed by the Governor. But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the Governor is singing another tune.

As the indictment of former GOP Chairman Jim Greer unfolded last Wednesday, Governor Charlie Crist was prepared with a statement.

“I have faith in our judicial system,” Crist said. “I know that they will handle it appropriately.”

Crist denied knowing about Greer’s private company getting a ten percent cut of every dollar the GOP raised.

But Greer’s attorney, Damon Chase of Orlando, told us by phone that the fundraising contract was legal.

“This one was identical to the rest of them,” Chase said. “The governor approved it. He said, ‘Yeah, you guys deserve it. You work hard.’ He said that several times about it.”

Crist has another version.

“Absolutely untrue,” Crist said. “You know, sometimes desperate people say desperate things and it is very sad.”

The Republican Party said last week it was right to go to police with concerns about finances. Monday, it wasn’t talking.

The Republican Party of Florida declined to be interviewed for this story. They have a legal battle ongoing with Greer over severance.

But Florida Democrats have plenty to say.

Reporter: Charlie Crist says, I called for the investigation that brought the indictment…

“Well, Charlie, of course, desperate people say desperate things,” Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party Spokesman said.

Next stop in the legal battle: depositions of everyone involved, guaranteeing the case will drag on for months if not years.

Crist hand picked Greer to lead the Republican Party. He also sought the Grand Jury that eventually indicted the former Chairman.

With tar balls washing up Pensacola Beach and an even larger pool of oil just miles away, the state tourism agency is changing its marketing strategy. Last month Visit Florida launched its “Coast is Clear” campaign but as Whitney Ray tells us, the ads were pulled and new commercials are being aired.

The coast is no longer clear, and the message to travelers has changed. Tar balls began washing ashore on Pensacola Beach Friday morning. Visit Florida was already prepared with a new commercial in waiting.

“We did take down the campaign that said our coast was clear and we pulled that on Thursday, and then did a new voice over of a new spot,” said Will Seccombe with Visit Florida.

The new commercial will begin running throughout the Southeast this weekend. It focuses on the majority of Florida’s beaches which are still clean, and directs people to Visit Florida’s website for live pictures and updates of vacation destinations.

Visit Florida wants to keep the focus on the beaches that remain untouched. An even newer commercial is in the works. It should be ready by the middle of next week.

Governor Charlie Crist says it’s challenging to keep the marketing campaign ahead of the moving oil slick, but it’s necessary to give travelers the most updated information.

“You’ve got to communicate effectively, honestly, and accurately, and the message that we put out is that most of the beaches in Florida are beautiful, pristine and clean. And as that changes we have to change the message to match what the facts are,” said Crist.

Florida received 25 million dollars from BP for advertising. 4.5 million was given to counties. Visit Florida will spend seven million dollars by June 15, leaving 13 million to last through September.

History suggests an uphill battle for Visit Florida. After Hurricane Andrew hit Dade County in the summer of 1992, tourism statewide fell because travelers were scared away by stories and video of the damage and didn’t realize only a small part of the state was hit.

With the situation becoming more urgent and tar balls beginning to wash up in Pensacola, the state is seeking more money to protect Florida beaches.

Governor Charlie Crist wants BP to cough up an extra 50 million dollars. The money would be used on boom, skimmers, and manpower to keep the oil at bay.

“We asked for an additional 50 million dollars. I just sent that request in yesterday. The reason is to help us clean up what we are seeing on TV now. Number two to try and prevent more of it from happening in the future to get more boom, more skimmers in order to protect Florida,” said Crist.

BP has already given the state 50 million dollars; 25 to protect Gulf coast beaches, and 25 to attract tourist scared off by the oil leak.

The son of former Governor Lawton Chiles announced his intentions today to follow in his father’s footsteps. Bud Chiles is running for governor but not as a Democrat. As Whitney Ray tells us, he’s breaking from the party of his father and running as an independent.

A painting of Lawton Chiles hangs in the capitol hallway, a reminder of his two terms as Governor of Florida. Now his son, Bud Chiles, hopes his picture will hang near his father’s.

“I’m here this morning to announce for governor,” said Chiles.

Bud is breaking from his father’s party to run for governor as an independent.

“My father didn’t raise me to have values about keeping faith with the Democratic Party. He raised me to have values to keep faith with people,” said Chiles

Chiles entrance into the governor’s race could hurt the Democratic frontrunner, Alex Sink.”

The three-way race could cost Sink more votes than Republican candidate Bill McCollum. Still Sink is shrugging off her new opponent.

“I’ll be running my own campaign regardless of who else is in it,” said Sink.

But McCollum plans to play Sink and Chiles against each other.

“It’s interesting that he’s decided to run as a nonpartisan because he’s clearly a Democrat,” said McCollum.

Chiles is entering the race late and is trailing by millions in fundraising. Still Chiles says he won’t take any money from lobbyists, political action groups or big donors. Chiles says he won’t take any donations over 250 dollars. He plans to gain support by walking the state and getting his message out in face to face meetings with voters.

A Florida football star turned drug dealer can now vote and serve on a jury after nearly a decade without his civil rights, thanks to one of the games most famous coaches.

Sammie Smith, a FSU and later Miami Dolphin’s running back asked the state clemency board to restore his civil rights Thursday morning. Smith was arrested in 1995 for drug trafficking, but many family and friends came to the meeting claiming he turned his life around. Among them retired FSU football coach Bobby Bowden.

“When I recruited him he was the best football player in the country. And he played that way when he was at Florida State, but not only that he was a good kid. When we go after players, we evaluate them. Character’s big, but as you know you are going to miss on some, but we didn’t miss on him, he’s got good character,” said Bowden.

After Smith’s rights were restored he thanked his former coach.

“It took a lot of patients for him to come here today, you know he’s retired, and he is still the nurturer and he is still being a father to former players and his own kids so I just thank him so much for coming out today,” said Smith.

Smith played for the Seminoles from 1985-89 when he was drafted by the Dolphins. He played three seasons in Miami, before being arrested for drug trafficking. Smith hopes his mistakes will help teach others the importance of staying on the right side of the law.

Like a slow motion nightmare oil from a busted pipe in the Gulf of Mexico keeps creeping closer and closer to Florida.

It’s been spotted as close as six miles off the coast of Pensacola. The Governor and cabinet officials toured the area again today. Attorney General Bill McCollum says BP doesn’t have enough resources in Florida to respond to the slick hitting our coast.

“I’m very concerned that the equipment that is here and available for immediate use, isn’t really in Florida. There are some booming materials here, but the skimmers and all have been diverted elsewhere and are not immediately postured to help us. I think, we are vulnerable at any moment to seeing a lot of oil coming this way,” said McCollum

Florida’s beaches are still clean, but oil could wash up in Pensacola as early as tomorrow.

Former Republican State Party Chairman Jim Greer is facing six felony charges for how he spent political contributions. Greer used his position as head of the party to hire a consulting firm he co-owned, collecting thousands in campaign cash. As Whitney Ray tells us, Greer was arrested this morning.

Jim Greer was forced to resign as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in February. Wednesday morning the police came knocking.

Greer was arrested for funneling campaign cash to a consulting firm he co-owned. Charges steaming from the insider deal include money laundering and grand theft.

Governor Charlie Crist picked Greer to head the party in 2007, defending his appointee until he stepped down. Shortly after the arrest, Crist expressed his dismay.

“It’s disappointing and surprising. I have faith in our judicial system; I know they will handle it appropriately,” said Crist.

Greer’s replacement, John Thrasher, at the Republican Party of Florida says the arrest will help the party get past the scandal.

“I think it vindicates us as to what we did when we got here in terms of looking into the books, seeing the problems that existed, and doing the things our members requested of us to do,” said Thrasher.

Florida Democrat Chairwoman Karen Thurman says Greer’s arrest is just the beginning. There’s still more than three million dollars in questionable credit card charges made by Republican lawmakers.

“There’s still the FBI and the IRS that are going to look at the credit card activity and to what level will that rise to being criminal activity as well,” said Thurman.

And any charges stemming from the credit card charges could complicate this election season for the GOP.

Former RPOF Executive Director Delmar Johnson was co-owner in the company in question. No charges have been filed against Johnson at this time. Prosecutors say he’s cooperating with the investigation.

Forty-three days after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil has made its way into Florida waters.

As of this morning oil was less than 10 miles from the coast of Pensacola. Governor Charlie Crist has ordered more protective boom and oil skimmers for the affected area. He’s also seeking a federal fishing disaster for fishermen working on Florida’s gulf coast. Crist says if the oil hits Florida’s coast this week as predicted, the state will have to change its tourism message.

“We have to have truth in advertising, so we want to make sure that if it does come on our shore we redirect the message, that it is appropriate, that it is accurate and discusses where it is, maybe more importantly where it is not,” said Crist.

Florida has close to 12-hundred miles of coast line, but if oil begins washing up in Pensacola travelers nationwide may think all of Florida’s beaches are closed.

Cash to make your home more energy efficient will soon be easier to get. Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature will allow county and city governments to loan homeowners’ money for improvements. The borrowers will then have the next 20 years to pay the money back through their property tax bill. Al Simpler, owner of Simpler Solar Systems in Tallahassee, says the programs a good start, but the state still needs to compensate the 98-hundred Floridians who added solar panels to their homes but never received their state rebates.

“We have over 9800 people now in the state of Florida that were promised a rebate if they invested in solar with their money. So, they did so and we have 150 applications a week still coming in and we have no real incentive program for solar in the state of Florida after June 30th,“ said Simpler.

Setting up the local funds for renewable energy will be left up to city and county governments who will have to sign off on the program before the barrowing can begin.

Governor Charlie Crist has spent the day contemplating whether to sign or veto legislation giving some rate relief to insurance companies and decreasing the amount of time policy holders have to file a claim. A veto is widely expected, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the Governor is also getting a lot of pressure to let the bill become law.

Florida has been hurricane free since 2005; yet many of the insurance companies say they are losing money.

State Lawmakers responded with bills two years in row. The latest version was more consumer friendly, but both allowed insurers to pass along rate hikes of up to 10 percent.

Jeff Grady of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents says Lawmakers learned from the 2009 veto and the rate hike this time was limited to increasing costs.

“It’s not someone trying to get a leg up,” Grady said. “It’s trying to get off the mat, to be financially stable.”

Lawmakers also shortened from five to three years the time for filing a claim, and required homeowners to have receipts before being reimbursed for damaged contents.

Unlike last year, the bill had the support of the State Insurance Commissioner, in part because it requires companies to have more cash on hand to pay claims.

“What we’re concerned about is that the minimum capital surplus of the company stays within the company and that money does not leak out through affiliated parties,” Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said.

Between the policies that State Farm is shedding and the companies with no financial backing, there are about 300,000 policies in flux in Florida right now. Most of them headed to Citizens.

And without new hope for bigger profits, the industry says the state run Citizens Insurance will only keep getting bigger and less able to pay claims if a major store hits.

Under one provision of the bill, new insurance companies would need three times as much money to begin writing polices as they need now.