FLORIDA-FBI SHOOTING
FBI agent fatally shoots man in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Law enforcement officials say Chechen immigrant was shot to death in Florida while he was being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case after he lunged at an FBI agent with a knife.
Two officials confirmed that 27-year-old Ibragim Todashev came at the agent Wednesday at his Orlando home. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation.
The FBI said earlier in the day that the agent was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
An FBI team was dispatched from Washington to review the shooting, a standard step in such cases.
The FBI initially said the agent fired the fatal shot, but later in the day the bureau left open the question of who was responsible.
POT ARRESTS
Fla. court rules against police over pot arrests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida appeals court is throwing out convictions against two men because sheriff's deputies discovered pot plants by looking through a mobile home window.
The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday that the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office conducted an unconstitutional search because deputies did not have a warrant at the time they looked through the window.
An anonymous tipster told the sheriff's office that Russell Powell and Benjamin Wilbourn had marijuana at their mobile home located in the mostly rural county in north Florida.
After seeing marijuana plants through a window a few feet from the front door, deputies called up a prosecutor who gave them permission to enter the home.
Deputies found 10 marijuana plants six to eight feet tall as well as pipes, lamps and a scale.
JAIL PROBLEMS
Justice Department finds issues at Panhandle jail
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - An investigation by the Department of Justice has found civil rights problems at a Panhandle Jail.
In a letter detailing its findings on Wednesday, the department said the Escambia County jail had systematic deficiencies. The letter cited problems with the staffing shortages and inadequate mental health care. The letter also stated that, until recently, the jail had an informal policy of segregating some prisoners based on race.
The Justice Department commended Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan for working to correct the problems. Federal officials said they hope to work with Morgan and county officials to remedy remaining constitutional issues at the 1,300-prisoner jail.
MANATEE HARASSMENT
Video of man jumping on manatee investigated
MIAMI (AP) - Wildlife officials are investigating an online video that shows a man jumping on two manatees.
The video shows a man doing a cannonball on top of what appears to be a manatee and a young calf swimming near a dock in a residential area. A voice is heard saying, "Should I do it? Let's do it. Jump, jump, jump."
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the video was shot more than a year and a half ago. The agency is investigating possible violations of the Endangered Species Act.
Anyone who violates the act's provision against harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting or killing a protected species can face up to $100,000 in fines, up to a year in prison, or both.
Manatees are protected by both state and federal laws.
FLORIDA REDISTRICTING
Appeals court agrees to shield legislators
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida appeals court is ruling that state legislators and legislative staff don't have to answer questions in a contentious lawsuit.
A divided 1st District Court of Appeals on Wednesday struck down an earlier decision connected to a challenge to Florida's new map for its 27 congressional districts.
A coalition of groups sued last year and maintained legislators violated new standards for drawing up the districts. Those standards mandate districts can't be drawn to protect incumbents.
Lawyers wanted to interview legislators and staff about their reasons for drawing up the maps a certain way.
Judge Terry Lewis ruled in October that some questioning was allowed.
But the appeals court ruled by a 2-1 margin that legislators and staff have a privilege that protects them from having to testify.
PIT BULLS EUTHANIZED
Pit bulls killed after attacking 3 in central Fla.
(Information in the following story is from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com )
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Two pit bulls involved in an attack on three people have been euthanized at the Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports the dogs' owners surrendered them rather than going to a hearing following an attack Friday in Holly Hill.
Officials say a similar fate may await 3 of 5 pit bulls involved in a May 5 attack on a woman and her 6-year-old daughter in Flagler County. The Flagler County Animal Control took possession of the dogs. The girl wasn't injured, but her mother was hospitalized.
The woman identified 3 of the dogs whose fate will be decided Wednesday. Officials say the other two dogs may eventually be returned to their owner, put up for adoption or given to a pit bull rescue.
GARCIA-WOODS
Woods: Garcia comment hurtful, time to move on
VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) - Tiger Woods says the "fried chicken" comment from Sergio Garcia was hurtful and inappropriate. Two weeks after they verbally sparred at The Players Championship, Woods say it's time to move on.
Garcia was at a European Tour awards dinner Tuesday night when he was jokingly asked if he would have Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open. The Spaniard replied, "We'll have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken."
Woods took to Twitter on Wednesday and said the comment wasn't silly, rather it was wrong and hurtful. He says he's confident there is "real regret" the comment as made.
The world's No. 1 player also said their flap is two weeks old and that "it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."
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