The Cooler

It's a busy news Hump Day. Here's some of what caught my eye this morning.

A- Sun-Sentinel: When your old constituents have tired of your a-hole ways, you need to find new dupes.

U.S. Rep. Allen West announced Tuesday he will leave his district to seek re-election in a more solidly Republican district being created to the north, as Rep. Tom Rooney vacates that territory to seek a new seat to the west.

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West, who has served just over a year in Congress, said he will leave his 22nd District and attempt to win election in the proposed 18th District, drawn to encompass St. Lucie, Martin and northeastern Palm Beach counties.

"After much prayer, reflection and discussion with my close friends and family, I am announcing today my decision to seek reelection in Florida's proposed 18th Congressional district," West said "…As a 22-year United States Army veteran who commanded troops in combat, one should never underestimate my ability to be a strategic thinker."

B- Sun-Sentinel: Tell me about it.

Although South Florida saw a burst of below-normal cold at the beginning of January, the second half of the month felt more like Spring, with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s.

C- Sun-Sentinel: This is like gold to the Little Limbaughs.

RIVIERA BEACH—
Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a McDonald's on Saturday while wearing a President Barack Obama mask.

Riviera Beach Police say that the man who held employees of the McDonald's at 3551 Broadway at gunpoint with a silver, semi-automatic handgun, was wearing a mask "resembling a likeness" to Obama. He ordered all employees to the back office at 6:21 a.m., and then ordered the manager to open the safe and place the cash in a cloth bag he brought.

D- Sun-Sentinel: Video, a new Fresh Market opens in Lauderdale.

E- Sun-Sentinel: No pay raises for Miami-Dade commissioners.

Skeptical Miami-Dade voters rejected a key county charter amendment Tuesday, refusing once again to give county commissioners a hefty pay raise in exchange for term limits.

F- Sun-Sentinel: Anyone hear from Carlos Miller lately?

MIAMI— Scores of police swept through the downtown location of Occupy Miami Tuesday night, ejecting several dozen demonstrators and arresting a few of them while shutting down the protest camp after three and a half months.

The police, wearing riot gear and banging batons on their plastic shields as they advanced, cleared demonstrators from within half a-dozen blocks of the camp site, on a lawn just west of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center. They also tore down tents and makeshift dwellings left on the site.

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At least one protester was arrested as cops continued to advance down Northwest Second Avenue. A man laden with camera gear — police said he identified himself as a photographer for a web site — was arrested on Northwest Third Street. Police said he refused to move when ordered.

G- Sun-Sentinel: So, "incest" anyone?

Polo club founder John Goodman has adopted his longtime adult girlfriend as his legal daughter in what plaintiff's attorneys are calling an attempt to shield assets from a civil suit filed by the parents of a Wellington man killed in a car crash.

H- CBS4: A can of worms.

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – The Florida Senate could vote as early as Wednesday on a controversial bill that could bring prayer into Florida schools, if school districts allow. Students would be allowed to lead prayers or give inspirational messages, and under the proposal, there would be virtually no limit to what can be said.

The bill, sponsored by Orlando Senator Gary Siplin, has just one prohibition; that adults could not deliver the messages. But if a student wanted a PA mike to deliver a Bhu29392dist message at a football game, or if a student wanted to lead his classroom in a Muslim prayer, that would be permitted, along with evangelical messages, Wiccan prayers, and more.

I- NBC Miami: From the party of less government and "all we want is to be left alone."

A House bill intended to stop the use of food aid cards in Internet cafes and places that sell liquor may also ban the use of the cards for purchasing unhealthy foods, News-Press.com reported.

The bill, HB 140 sponsored by Rep. Scott Plakon, was approved by a House committee Monday by an 8-6 vote. The bill could prevent members of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from buying foods like muffins and ice cream, according to News-Press.

"This is money being taken from one taxpayer, and out of compassion being given to another," Plakon was quoted as saying. "So I think it’s entirely reasonable for the legislature to put restrictions."

J- WPTV: Boca drinks the Kool-Aid.

Construction crews have started installing Boca Raton's first red-light cameras, but even if you still cruise through an intersection after the light has turned, don't expect to get a ticket in the mail until later this spring.

Afdter months of delay, a total of 12 cameras are going up at the city's most dangerous intersections. On Tuesday, crews began installing a camera pole and electric wiring for two cameras at Military Trail and Spanish River Boulevard.

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