Florida State slams Samford, 59-6, in Jimbo Fisher's first game as head football coach at Florida State University.

Gators avoid meltdown, beat Miami (Ohio) 34-12

Miami (Ohio) wide receiver Jamal Rogers (9) is tackled by Florida linebacker Lorenzo Edwards after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.

Florida’s High-Speed Answer to a Foreclosure Mess

Florida has set up foreclosures-only courts to reduce the state’s huge backlog of cases, but borrowers’ lawyers are critical of the process.

Florida’s High-Speed Answer to a Foreclosure Mess

Florida has set up foreclosures-only courts to reduce the state’s huge backlog of cases, but borrowers’ lawyers are critical of the process.

No. 4 Florida Gators 34, Miami RedHawks 12

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 4, 2010 The Florida Gators' offense was out of synch today in a sluggish 34-12 victory over Miami of Ohio in Gainesville. Miami took an early 3-0 lead before the Gators' Janoris Jenkins intercepted a Zac Dysert pass and returned it 70 yards to help Florida take the lead for good at 7-0. Bad snaps and turnovers plagued the Gators ...

Florida Gators overcome sloppy start, lead 21-6 at halftime

The Florida Gators are ahead 21-6 at halftime against Miami of Ohio, but the score really doesn't tell the story of how the Gators have played thus far.

Florida Gators overcome sloppy start, lead 21-6 at halftime

The Florida Gators are ahead 21-6 at halftime against Miami of Ohio, but the score really doesn't tell the story of how the Gators have played thus far.

Florida State routs Samford 59-6 in Fisher's debut

Christian Ponder threw four first-half touchdown passes and Greg Reid returned a punt 74 yards for another score as No. 20 Florida State celebrated Jimbo Fisher's coaching debut with a 59-6 victory over lower-division Samford (Ala.) Saturday. The Seminoles exploded for 35 points during an 11-minute span of the second quarter to build a 42-0 lead in the season opener for both schools.

PHOTOS Labor Day tourism for Collier, Lee relies heavily on Florida travelers

Hoteliers in Southwest Florida continue to struggle, plagued by false impressions of dirty water and oily beaches. The long holiday weekend, however, will fill up some local hotels and resorts, with many visitors planning to come from Florida’s east coast, where there’s a better understanding of where the oil went and where it didn’t.

Video: Florida opens up 21-6 lead at half

Florida's defense has been much more impressive than its offense in the first half against Miami (Ohio).

Florida 21, Miami 6

Florida is holding a 21-6 lead over Miami University (Ohio) at halftime of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, but don't let the score fool you. The Gators have struggled. Florida has just 13 total yards, -18 rushing yards. And the Gators have picked up just four first downs and have had possession of the ball just 9:43 in two quarters. And one of its three touchdowns was scored ...

Florida 21, Miami 6

Florida is holding a 21-6 lead over Miami University (Ohio) at halftime of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, but don't let the score fool you. The Gators have struggled. Florida has just 13 total yards, -18 rushing yards. And the Gators have picked up just four first downs and have had possession of the ball just 9:43 in two quarters. And one of its three touchdowns was scored ...

Florida 21, Miami 6

Florida is holding a 21-6 lead over Miami University (Ohio) at halftime of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, but don't let the score fool you. The Gators have struggled. Florida has just 13 total yards, -18 rushing yards. And the Gators have picked up just four first downs and have had possession of the ball just 9:43 in two quarters. And one of its three touchdowns was scored ...

Florida Football: No. 4 Gators Will Roll Over Miami (Ohio)

The Florida Gators will host the Miami Redhawks this Saturday to kickoff their 2010 season. The Gators finished the 2009 season with a huge win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl to close the year at 13-1. The Gators' only loss came in the SEC Championship game against eventual BCS Champion, Alabama. The Redhawks were a miserable 1-11 in 2009, with their only win coming at home against Toledo ...

Florida Football: No. 4 Gators Will Roll Over Miami (Ohio)

The Florida Gators will host the Miami Redhawks this Saturday to kickoff their 2010 season. The Gators finished the 2009 season with a huge win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl to close the year at 13-1. The Gators' only loss came in the SEC Championship game against eventual BCS Champion, Alabama. The Redhawks were a miserable 1-11 in 2009, with their only win coming at home against Toledo ...

Documents detail Florida holiday massacre

JUPITER, Fla., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A survivor of a Thanksgiving massacre at a Miami-area home said the accused killer made extra sure a little girl was dead, court documents revealed. Thanksgiving - Florida - Holidays - South Florida metropolitan area - Children and Youth

FSU rolling in first Bowden-less game in 35 years

Christian Ponder has a Heisman campaign in his favor through Florida State. If winning the award is in his future, he certainly helped that cause with his first-half performance today. Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher led FSU to a 42-3...

FSU offense rolling

Florida State's offensive line is dominating, and the running backs are putting in the extra effort as the Seminoles are cruising past Samford, 21-0 in the second quarter. Jermaine Thomas is re-establishing himself as the leader in the backfield after Chris Thompson passed him on the depth chart this offseason. Both Thomas and Thompson are catching the ball, and the Noles are getting everyone ...

FSU opening drive stalls

The Jimbo Fisher era has officially begun, and Florida State's defense is leading the show for a change. Florida State's opening drive looked impressive, but it was thwarted by an interception by Bryce Smith and a five-yard substitution penalty. Smith deserves credit for tipping the ball and making a great defensive play, but a pick on the opening drive against unheralded Samford doesn't bode ...

Spiders infesting Florida parks

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A Florida bug expert says banana spiders up to 4 inches long, common in the state's parks and recreational areas, aren't dangerous, but are nutritious. Florida - Fort Lauderdale Florida - United States - FORT LAUDERDALE - Biology

Florida vs. Miami (Ohio) Football: Live Blog, Stats, Analysis

Good morning everybody! I'm Rich Thomaselli, Deputy College Football Editor for Bleacher Report, and I'll be live blogging today's game between No. 4 Florida and Miami (Ohio). It's the Gators' first game in the post-Tim Tebow era, so join me for the next three hours or so as we break down new UF quarterback John Brantley and have a little fun ...

Key West swims past Marathon

Although it was the opening meet, Key West High's Brandon Cyr and A.J. Hally looked in mid-season form Wednesday at the Florida Keys Community College pool. Cyr, a senior, and Hally, a junior, both swam personal bests in finishing one-two in the 100-yard freestyle (Cyr in 53.53 seconds, Hally in 54.18) as they led the Conch boys team to an easy 115-37 victory over a Marathon team that had only ...

Key West swims past Marathon

Although it was the opening meet, Key West High's Brandon Cyr and A.J. Hally looked in mid-season form Wednesday at the Florida Keys Community College pool. Cyr, a senior, and Hally, a junior, both swam personal bests in finishing one-two in the 100-yard freestyle (Cyr in 53.53 seconds, Hally in 54.18) as they led the Conch boys team to an easy 115-37 victory over a Marathon team that had only ...

Southwest Florida beach conditions report

Get the latest information on Southwest Florida beach conditions courtesy of Mote Marine Lab.

Citizen complaints lead to drug arrest in Fort Myers

Bimbo, Sedrick D. FORT MYERS : One man is in custody facing felony charges after several citizen complaints led police to a suspected drug house, according to a Fort Myers Police Department release.

Fans Fight At Miami Football Game (VIDEO)

A bunch of college students brawled at the University of Miami football game against Florida A&M on Thursday night. The fight broke out in the upper deck of the stadium.

Conchs look good but fall to Pace

No Key West High School volleyball team had ever played better. "Absolutely," said senior Jess Bodmer. "Without a doubt," said coach Jessy Hulme. Key West didn't win Thursday's non-district match before its rabid fans at the Bobby Menendez Gym -- Monsignor Pace prevailed, 25-22, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21 -- but the Conchs never backed down against the perennial volleyball power from Opa-locka.

Unremarkable start for golfing Conchs

The promising Key West High golf team opened the season in an unpromising way Tuesday, finishing sixth among 12 teams at the Westminster Christian Invitational at the Biltmore Hotel course in Miami.

Florida soldier killed in Afghanistan

A Florida man was among four soldiers killed in Afghanistan this week, the Pentagon announced Friday. Enemy forces used a roadside bomb on Tuesday to attack the vehicle in which Pfc. James A. Page, 23, of Titusville, was riding in Logar province, a Department of Defense announcement said.

USF Scientists revisit oil spill zone

Marine scientists from the University of South Florida are taking another trip out to study the effects of the Gulf oil spill.

Fort Myers man arrested on drug charges

A Fort Myers man was arrested Friday during the search of an apartment on Metro Parkway.

Florida celebrates: Life's a beach again

PENSACOLA BEACH — Hotel rooms are nearly sold out here for the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend, bolstering expectations that this will be the busiest weekend since the BP oil spill in April.

LeBron James Needs to Quit Acting like a 13-Year-Old Girl

LeBron James is once again back in Ohio, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Florida Marlins Say Altercation With Washington Never Happened (Satire)

The Florida Marlins have publicly stated that whatever media sources are reporting a brawl during their game last night are false. Major League Baseball says that since there were no fans at the Marlins game last night, there are no witnesses to prove otherwise.

Florida education news: Longer school days, graduation requirements, failing schools and more

MORE TIME ON TASK: Pinellas Gibbs High School considers adding an extra hour of class time daily to help improve the F-rated school's academic performance. NOT SO BAD: Hernando school enrollment rises to a financially acceptable level after initial numbers came in well below expectations. LITTLE OVERSIGHT: The Florida Department of Education doesn't regulate private schools , leading to ...

Florida education news: Longer school days, graduation requirements, failing schools and more

MORE TIME ON TASK: Pinellas Gibbs High School considers adding an extra hour of class time daily to help improve the F-rated school's academic performance. NOT SO BAD: Hernando school enrollment rises to a financially acceptable level after initial numbers came in well below expectations. LITTLE OVERSIGHT: The Florida Department of Education doesn't regulate private schools , leading to ...

Florida education news: Longer school days, graduation requirements, failing schools and more

MORE TIME ON TASK: Pinellas Gibbs High School considers adding an extra hour of class time daily to help improve the F-rated school's academic performance. NOT SO BAD: Hernando school enrollment rises to a financially acceptable level after initial numbers came in well below expectations. LITTLE OVERSIGHT: The Florida Department of Education doesn't regulate private schools , leading to ...

West County booters poised for strong soccer season

The West County has long been a hot-bed for boys high school soccer, thanks in large part to the strong El Mo teams of the early 90’s, and the nearly two decades of dominance enjoyed by Analy.

Florida is growing again, but very slowly

Florida may have seen a slight population increase between 2009 and 2010, but experts at the University of Florida say the small boost indicates the economic recovery has a long way to go.

Keys to the game

The game Kentucky (0-0) at Louisville (0-0)When: 3:30 p.m.

Private equity players bet big on Florida banks

By Jeff Harrington, Times Staff Writer Friday, September 3, 2010 Dan Healy and his old friend John Kanas have covered a lot of common ground since their North Fork Bank in Long Island, N.Y., became part of Capital One a few years ago. Both jumped into Florida banking by matching private equity dollars with fizzling banks. Kanas' group bought the failed BankUnited last year and recapitalized what ...

Wealthy step up purchases of ultra-luxury cars

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sales of some exotic luxury automobiles have revved up this year as affluent Americans indulge more freely in these pricey pleasures.

Central Florida awaits Coyotes

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of South Dakota football team, striving to get the passion of Coyote Nation to burn a little hotter, will face an NCAA Division I bowl-eligible team today that has dealt with the same challenge on a larger scale. The Coyotes open the season at Central Florida, which joined the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks in 1996, joining a prominent and successful group of ...

Central Florida gives birth to a Christian film industry

ORLANDO, Fla. - The movies already have a Hollywood and a Bollywood, but some local filmmakers see Central Florida staking its claim as "Holywood."

It's Gameday: Florida State vs. Samford

Saturday afternoon marks a new beginning for the Florida State football game. It will be inaugural game with...

Skip Holtz era begins at home for South Florida

TAMPA — The Skip Holtz era is set to begin at South Florida, and the new face of the Bulls can hardly contain his enthusiasm.

LAWRENCE: Local teens have an âAmerican Idol Experienceâ

A trip to Disney World is a dream come true for many young persons. For Avery Epstein of Princeton and her friend Taylor Blanton of Lawrenceville, the dream came true, along with an unexpected role in the park’s “American Idol Experience” and a chance to audition for the hit television show.

Miami Hurricanes De-Fang Florida A&M: Rattler Band Prevails

The luxury of not having to kick off the 2010 college football season against the Bobby Bowden-less Florida State Seminoles is a benefit. Starting off against the Rattlers of Florida A&M perks up the benefit that much more for the Miami Hurricanes. Only one condition. Miami understood good and well that a statement was in order playing Florida A&M. Blow the scoreboard out of control, move the ...

Florida's defensive front has much to prove

GAINESVILLE – Miami University may not be the most demanding test for Florida’s unproven defensive line this season. But this much is undeniable: It is the first. The fourth-ranked Gators’ defensive front has much to prove beginning today when...

Florida High Rolls Over FAMU High Rattlers

The Florida High Seminoles scored 35 points before halftime Friday night.