Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'florida'

No Football Timeout For Congress

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:21:00 EST

Congressman Cliff Stearns, a Republican from Florida, asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reconsider any votes scheduled for Thursday. The reason: Stearns is hoping to go to college football's championship game. Number-two Florida plays number-one Oklahoma in Miami. Pelosi's office says there won't be a change in the schedule. Among the issues to be considered: certification of the Electoral College vote that gives Barack Obama the presidency.

Disgraced Investors Stolen Statue Returned

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:07:00 EST

Bernard Madoff was robbed. The Wall Street investor is accused of making billions of dollars disappear in an alleged Ponzi scheme. And now we know that somebody made off with a statue from his Florida estate. It was a copper statue, worth $10,000 dollars. After they took it, the mysterious robbers brought it back. And they attached a note: "Lesson: Return stolen property to rightful owners."

Police Name Killer, Close Adam Walsh Murder Case

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:31:00 EST

A serial killer who died in prison more than a decade ago is the person who murdered a Florida 6-year-old in 1981, police said Tuesday. The announcement sought to close a case that launched the TV show America's Most Wanted and inspired changes in how authorities search for missing children.

Adam Walsh Murder Case Closed

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

The more than two-decade-old investigation into who killed 6-year-old Adam Walsh, the son of America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, in 1981 has come to a close. Police in Florida say Ottis Toole, a serial killer who died in prison in 1996, decapitated Adam Walsh.

Florida's Palm Beach Rocked By Madoff Scandal

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:20:00 EST

Businesses and individuals are scrambling to determine how much money they may have lost in what federal prosecutors are calling a giant Ponzi scheme run by investment manager Bernard Madoff. No single community may have been hit harder than Palm Beach, where Madoff had a home and found many of his clients.

Web Co. Buys Back Bush Library Domain Name

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:45:00 EST

A company did not miss a chance to profit off an expired domain name. The name is ww.GeorgeWBushLibrary.com. A Florida firm was handling web services for the presidential library, but it let its rights to the domain name expire. Another company, Illuminati Karate, bought the name for less than $10. Then they sold it back to the Bush library contractor for $35,000.

Recession Hits The Happiest Place On Earth

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:53:00 EST

In the past, Disney's theme parks near Orlando, Florida, have been fairly recession-proof. But this year, fewer people are finding their way to the Magic Kingdom. Disney's profits dropped sharply in the last quarter.

Holiday Spirit Lacking

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:50:00 EST

A Maryland woman was safe in her bed, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter that she sprang from her bed to see what was the matter. Somebody had stolen her 4-foot-tall Santa Claus and snowman. Police arrested a suspect who allegedly stole decorations from three homes. Meanwhile, a Florida man faces charges for allegedly throwing a Christmas tree at his father. In the spirit of the holidays, the Christmas tree missed.

Working On The Holiday: Animal Kingdom

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:10:58 EST

In the second part of our series of conversations with people who work on Thanksgiving, Barb Webber, zoological manager of primates at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida speaks with host Alex Cohen. Webber says the employees treat themselves and the animals to a special Thanksgiving meal.

Florida Judge Rules Against Gay Adoption Ban

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST

A Miami judge rules that there is no rational, scientific or moral reason that sexual orientation should be a barrier to adopting children, finalizing the adoption of two siblings by their gay foster father.

Listen To The 2008 National Book Award Winners

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:17:00 EST

A novel about a notorious Florida outlaw and a history of Thomas Jefferson's hidden slave family were among the winners at the 59th annual awards.

Restored Fontainebleau Graces Miami Beach

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The Fontainebleau Hotel was once the height of Miami Beach sophistication. Now the hotel will reopen after a $1 billion renovation, but it's not clear the Florida economy is ready to support it.

Greg Allen's story on Florida GOP Conference

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:46:00 EST

An Election Day Letdown For Gay Americans

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:22:00 EST

Commentator Marc Acito is pleased that President-elect Obama included gay people in his victory speech, but Acito worries about the future. Voters in California, Florida and Arizona banned gay marriage on Election Day.

Jim White's Tiny Desk Concert

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:22:00 EST

Jim White is a storyteller first and a musician second. It's a kind of storytelling rooted in his own unusual history: He grew up in Florida in a deeply Pentecostal community and fell in love with the white gospel music he heard. But from there, White took a surprising path to becoming a full-time musician. He was a professional surfer, a boxer, a fashion model in Milan and a cab driver in New York City. White's travels recently took him to Washington, D.C., where he stopped by the offices of NPR Music for this live performance.

Florida Voters Sound Off On Presidential Candidates

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:45:00 EST

Voters in Tallahassee, Fla., talk about whom they picked in the presidential election. Both John McCain and Barack Obama are battling hard for the state's 27 electoral votes.

Obama Urges Moving Beyond Bush Era

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama made an election eve push through red states, trying to secure wins in traditionally Republican turf. Obama campaigned Monday in Florida, North Carolina and wrapped up in Virginia, just outside of Washington. His core message during rallies has been that it is critical to move beyond the era of President Bush.

Who Will Win Over Jewish Voters In Florida...

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:40:00 EDT

Jewish voters are being heavily courted by both presidential candidates. They mostly voted for Democrats until 2004 when Bush made inroads. Now, some say they're reluctant to support Obama given his stance on Palestinians and given rumors about his faith.

Obama Swings Through Battleground States

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

With four days to go until Tuesday's presidential election, Democratic nominee Barack Obama is not slowing down. He campaigned in three battleground states Thursday. He began the day in Florida, went on to Virginia and finished with a late night rally at the University of Missouri.

In South Florida, Democrats Seen An Opening

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:50:00 EDT

In Florida's 21st and 25th congressional districts, Democrats believe they see signs that South Florida's strong Republican Cuban-American voting bloc may be crumbling. The seats have been long held by brothers Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart.

Amid Large Fla. Turnout, Fears Of Irregularities

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:37:00 EDT

Early voting in Florida appears on track to break records, but some have raised concerns about systems in place to verify voters' identities. Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning offers his insight on voting in the state.

In Florida, McCain Focuses On Security, Economy

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

To win next Tuesday's election, Republican John McCain likely has to hold on to most, if not all the states, President Bush carried in the last two elections. And one of the big ones is Florida, where McCain spent all day Wednesday. In addition to the economy, he focused on his own political strength — national security.

Obama Hopes To Capitalize On Media Exposure

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

With Election Day fast approaching and early voting underway, Barack Obama's campaign pulled out all of the stops Wednesday. There were big outdoor events in North Carolina and Florida, a 30 minute prime time infomercial, an appearance on Comedy Central and the first joint campaign rally with Bill Clinton.

With Less Than A Week, Candidates Hit Trail

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EDT

The presidential and vice presidential candidates have been in three battleground states. Republican John McCain and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden were in Florida. McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, was in Ohio while Democrat Barack Obama was in North Carolina.

Florida's Early Voting Needs Later Hours

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has declared a voting emergency in the state. To combat long lines, he's ordered early voting polls to remain open for 12 hours on weekdays and for a total of 12 hours over the weekend.