WLRN Staff

One in five Floridians is currently receiving food stamp benefits and the number is rising in South Florida.   But tucked into a recent report by the Department of Children and Families, are some encouraging signs of economic recovery.  

Lawyers for Congressman Allen West will be in a St. Lucie County courtroom today to try to get a full recount in his contest with Democrat Patrick Murphy.

The attorneys will be demanding that elections officials recount early voting ballots in the race for Florida's 18th Congressional District.

In a similar legal challenge last week, a Palm Beach County judge dismissed West's motion to impound ballots and voting machines for a possible recount.

Foreclosures are on the decline in South Florida.

That's according to the latest report from the research firm RealtyTrac.

The Miami Marlins' latest moves are striking out with city officials. They're reacting angrily to the team owner's latest plans to dismantle the team.

Five star players are set to be traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in what some are calling a fire sale.

Allen West says he plans to file a lawsuit to require a full recount in his bid to win the 18th District Congressional race.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Patrick Murphy, is in Washington, DC for orientation as a new member of Congress.  

Miami's new baseball team is up to its old tricks.

Just months after moving into a new ballpark, the Marlins trade five high-priced players and officially dismantle the franchise, again.

Andrew Hevia is a filmmaker from Miami. His films have been screened at festivals world wide, on the internet and on televisions across the country. Rising Tide is his first feature length documentary. He studied visual arts at the acclaimed New World School of the Arts, where he made experimental films and several narrative shorts.

Rising Tide: A Story of Miami Artists documentary features  seven visual  artists including:  Jen Stark, the  artist who burst onto the art scene with her meticulously crafted paper sculptures; Venessa Monokian,  a photographer and  microsculptor whose carefully constructed video works are enigmatic and mesmerizing while her small scale sculptures are playful and inviting; Justin Long and ‘Meatball Lorie’ , an art duo called “Funner Projects” who have built a 14 foot  mechanized crossbow that launches a  2 x 4 at over 14

An environmental assessment report has revealed more details about the proposed passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando, including the preferred locations and layout for the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations. 

The Florida representative designated to become the next House Speaker in 2014 lost his bid for reelection. It's been more than 20 years since a designated House Speaker lost an election. 

It was an incredibly close contest between Lake Mary Representative Chris Dorworth and Democratic challenger Mike Clelland, it required a re-count. 

Incoming Florida Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) say they want Republicans and Democrats to work together. 

Weatherford says the people have spoken in re-electing President Obama.

"Anyone who wishes for him to not succeed at this point is betting against America and they're wishing against the success of America," Weatherford said. 

Ladies and gentlemen: we introduce you to the Funner Projects.  With a unique take on blending art, entertainment, and interactivity, this Miami duo is definitely in a class of their own.

The following segment is taken from the upcoming WLRN documentary Rising Tide: A Story of Miami Artists, premiering Wednesday, November 14 at 8:00pm on WLRN channel 17.

Despite what looks to be a narrow defeat to Democrat Patrick Murphy, South Florida Congressman Allen West is fighting to keep his seat in court.

Listen to this story and more in WLRN Miami Herald News.

For Cindy Gonzalez, an entrepreneur voting in Pompano Beach, the hoops and hurdles jumped to cast her vote couldn't have been any higher. Not only did she find out that she couldn't vote in her county (Broward) on Sunday, but she was unable to vote absentee in either of the neighboring counties, as well, and to vote absentee the next day, she had to commute to either Lauderhill or downtown Fort Lauderdale. 

President Obama goes Hollywood in his last Florida appearance before election day as he tries to secure last-minute votes.

He spoke for about 25 minutes to a crowd of 23,000 supporters at McArthur High School.

The trouble started when voters were told Sunday in-person absentee voting was on, then it was called off leaving lots of voters in line crying foul. Eventually, the process was allowed to continue.

We breakdown what caused this voting fiasco in WLRN Miami Herald News.

Early voting comes to a close Saturday, and some Floridians say the process has been anything but smooth.

However, we've been crunching the numbers and found things could be a lot worse.

Voting early and by absentee has never been more popular. But for many, lines at the polls are long, while still others wait by the mailbox for their absentee ballots.

We’ll have the latest on the key races, what’s at stake with Florida’s 11 ballot amendments, and a final fact-check from Politifact Florida on the eve of an historic election in which the eyes of the nation are upon Florida, again.

Former democratic state lawmaker Dan Gelber, League of Women Voters of Florida President Deirdre Macnab each sent letters calling for more early voting. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson also emphasized the need more early voting hours if long lines continue.

Early voting in Florida is nearing a close, and some voters are calling the process a nightmare.

A long ballot is making for long lines to vote, and the crowds are only expected to grow this weekend.

Mitt Romney spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters Wednesday afternoon at the University of Miami.

He was joined by Senator Marco Rubio, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Congressman Connie Mack. Mack is running for the US Senate seat held by Democratic Senator Bill Nelson.

Early voting started over the weekend, and many in south Florida stood in line for hours to cast their ballots.

By Monday, the wait times in Miami Dade hadn't changed much.

Sandy has forced the cancelation of hundreds of flights to and from airports in South Florida.

The storm hit the northeast hard Monday making flying hazardous from Virginia to Massachusetts.

Some voters in Miami Dade waited in line for hours Monday for the opportunity to vote early.

We caught up with some voters in Miami Beach who used the time in line to learn more about the issues on the ballot.

10/26/12- On today's Florida Roundup, we will be talking about early voting, which begins this weekend, as well as what will be on the ballot and what wasn't discussed on this Monday's presidential debate in Boca Raton.  This week's guests include Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald, Jim DeFede of CBS 4, and Mike Mayo of the Sun Sentinel.

While no major flooding is expected in South Florida as a result of Hurricane Sandy, South Florida water managers are taking no chances.

The South Florida Water Management District says it started lowering drainage canal levels throughout the region days ago.  In late August, record rains from Tropical Storm Isaac overtaxed Palm Beach County's canal system, leaving many neighborhoods in the western part of the county flooded for days.

Hurricane Sandy is still swirling around in the Bahamas. The storm has left 21 people dead in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. 

The storm is lashing South Florida with heavy rains and strong wind.        

Some Miami-Dade voters have had problems casting absentee ballots in person in Doral, and Miami Congressman David Rivera is accused of ethics violations.

We run down these stories and more in WLRN Miami Herald News.

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Cuba overnight, and the storm is blamed for one death on the island and another in Jamaica.

Find out how the system could affect South Florida in WLRN Miami Herald News.