6 Things to Know Today in Florida

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

GOP ATTACKS CRIST ON ECONOMY, SEEKING SENATE SEAT

The Republican Party of Florida is spending at least $100,000 on a web ad blaming then-Republican Charlie Crist for the state's economic woes and then running for Senate in the midst of it. Crist is now a Democrat, seeking to be elected as governor again.

SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED TO FILL RADEL'S SEAT

A special election has been scheduled to fill the seat left vacant when former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel resigned earlier this week. Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Friday setting April 22 for the primary and June 24 for the general election. The district includes the Gulf Coast cities of Fort Myers and Naples. Radel pleaded guilty to cocaine possession last year and was sentenced to a year of probation.

COMMITTEE INTERVIEWING UF LAW SCHOOL DEAN CANDIDATES

A search committee is interviewing nine candidates as they search for the next dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law. The interviews are taking place Friday and Saturday in Gainesville.

FLORIDA OFFICER INVESTIGATED OVER BIEBER PIC ATTEMPT

A South Florida police officer is under investigation for attempting to take a photo of Justin Bieber while he was in custody on DUI and other charges. Punishments range from a verbal reprimand to termination. Bieber was arrested Jan. 23 during what authorities describe as an illegal street race.

DEPUTIES SAVE CHOKING MAN

Two Hernando County Sheriff's deputies were in the right place at the right time when they stopped at a Sunoco station in Brooksville for a soda. They spotted a woman waving her hands and yelling for help. Then, they saw her husband, holding his neck and turning pale. They performed the Heimlich maneuver and the man eventually started breathing normally again.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT TURNS DOWN JIMMY RYCE'S KILLER

The Florida Supreme Court is rejecting final appeals from the man who was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce on his way home from school almost 20 years ago. Juan Carlos Chavez, 46, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Feb. 12 for the Sept. 11, 1995 murder in a rural area in Miami-Dade County.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us