Florida’s Brightline trains could run from Miami to Tampa

Florida's Brightline trains could run from Miami to Tampa Brightline on Friday announced it is getting serious about a long-discussed Orlando-to-Tampa extension. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2tmUiO9 Brightline president Mike Reininger introduces the first of five Brightline trains that will offer high-speed service between Miami and Orlando at the company's operations facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2017.

Trumpa s Mar-a-Lago visits cost Coast Guard nearly $20M Source: Cox Media Group

Taxpayers have paid nearly $20 million for extra Coast Guard patrols that protected President Trump by land and sea during 16 winter and spring trips to West Palm Beach since his inauguration, according to new records obtained by USA TODAY. The spending records include all but one of his trips to his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida since the inauguration in January 2017.

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago visits cost Coast Guard nearly $20M

Records obtained by USA TODAY include only the Coast Guard's extra costs for 16 trips to South Florida since his inauguration in January 2017 Trump's Mar-a-Lago visits cost Coast Guard nearly $20M Records obtained by USA TODAY include only the Coast Guard's extra costs for 16 trips to South Florida since his inauguration in January 2017 Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2taFm5U A U.S. Coast Guard boat passes in front of the Mar-a-Lago Resort where President Donald Trump stays occasionally on weekends.

Federal Legislation Would Require Proper Labeling Of E15 Fuel And Consumer Education Campaign

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel have introduced the "Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018" in the U.S. House . The American Motorcyclist Association supports this bill.

#MeToo, immigrants will have strong presence in SOTU address

President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, but he won't be the only one trying to send a message. Many female Democratic lawmakers plan to follow the lead of celebrities at this year's Golden Globe Awards by wearing black to the State of the Union.

First ride: Aboard Florida’s new Brightline train

U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel takes a selfie aboard Brightline's introductory trip between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 12, 2018, during an invitation-only media preview ride beginning and ending at the Brightline West Palm Beach station. Brightline is selling tickets and passes both online and on its mobile app and will begin service for the general public beginning Saturday, Jan. 13. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com.

Frederica Wilson Backs Up Democrat Accused Of Sexual Harassment

Democratic Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson said she believes Florida Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings and not the former congressional staffer who accused Hastings of sexually harassing her. Congress' Office of Compliance settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with the former committee staffer, Winsome Packer, for $220,000 after she accused the Democratic congressman of making sexual advances, touching her and threatening her job.

Democrats are planning to bring sexual assault victims to Trump’s first State of the Union address

A number of Democrats are planning to invite victims of sexual misconduct to President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address. A number of Democrats are planning to invite victims of sexual misconduct to President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address, NBC News reported on Wednesday.

Rep defends criticism of congresswomen who wore white: ‘They looked silly’

Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer defended his comment Wednesday that the Democratic women who wore white to President Donald Trump's joint address were "poorly" dressed, telling CNN that they looked "silly" and that he didn't buy their argument that it was done in honor of the suffrage movement. The at-large congressman from North Dakota also reiterated that he hasn't ruled out a Senate bid next year for the seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, and he said Trump has already pledged his support should Cramer decide to run.

Trump’s Fla. visits put small airport in tailspin

Jonathan Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Aviation Group, talks to a reporter at Lantana Airport in Lantana, Fla. Miller says everyone agrees the president needs to be kept safe but hopes that some kind of compromise can be found to keep the facility open during Trump's visits.

Airport tenants seek relief from Trump visits

From fears of losing customers, to laying off employees, or even closing shop, business owners based at the Lantana Airport laid out their concerns during a meeting with U.S. Representative Lois Frankel Monday. The U.S. Secret Service and Federal Aviation Administration place restrictions on the Lantana Airport when President Donald Trump visits his Palm Beach estate and club, Mar-a-Lago.

U.S. to Study Sand from Bahamas to Protect Florida Coast

A potential solution to a troublesome sand shortage off Southeast Florida is tucked away in a massive water resources funding bill President Barack Obama signed into law last month. The 2016 Water Resources Development Act authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to study the potential of using foreign sand, such as from the Bahamas, to widen shorelines and protect coasts from hurricanes like the ones that lashed the Big Bend and northeastern Florida last summer.

Pro-Israel Dems who backed Iran deal feel the heat in 2016 races

It has become an unmistakable pattern throughout the country: In the first election cycle since Democratic President Barack Obama forged the Iran nuclear deal - much to the dismay of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a large chunk of the pro-Israel community - Democratic members of Congress who have historically supported the Jewish state, but backed the landmark pact, are being attacked as anti-Israel. Some of these targets have long been reliably in Israel's corner on Capitol Hill, like Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, New York Rep. Jerry Nadler and Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen.

People vote in churches and synagogues. Why not a mosque?

Voters in Palm Beach County have been assigned to polling stations in about 80 Christian churches and five synagogues or Jewish centers this year, along with schools, government buildings and other locations. Until last week, a single mosque was part of this mix.