Report: The Staggering Price Tag of U.S. Wars: $4 Trillion
A new report out of Brown University estimates that the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq–together with the counterinsurgency efforts in Pakistan–will, all told, cost $4 trillion and leave 225,000 dead, both civilians and soldiers.
Bank of America to Pay $8.5B Mortgage Settlement
Bank of America and its Countrywide unit will pay $8.5 billion to settle claims that the lenders sold poor-quality mortgage-backed securities that went sour when the housing market collapsed.
Orlando Hotel Occupancy Rises to 63.5 Percent
Orlando hotel occupancy rose to 63.5 percent in May 2011, up from 58.4 percent the same month one year ago, representing an increase of 8.6 percent, Smith Travel Research (STR) said on Thursday.
Spectator, who gives the Bird, Lands in Jail
Matthew Bartlett, a spectator at the State v. Casey Anthony trial, was arrested Thursday in the courtroom, after being held in contempt of court.
Judge to Rule on Pensions Late Thursday
A Leon County circuit judge is expected to rule late Thursday about whether to order the state to put government-employee pension contributions into an escrow account during a pending legal battle.
Haridopolos Stands by SunRail if State Cost Doesn’t Increase
Senate President Mike Haridopolos supports the Central Florida commuter rail SunRail going forward if the 25 percent share of the cost the state is supposed to contribute doesn’t change, and said Thursday he thinks Gov. Rick Scott will agree.
Orange County School Grades Drop
The 2011 FCAT scores for Orange County are in and overall the district dropped from an “A” grade, which it has held for the past three years, to “B”. The district missed getting an “A” grade by five points. But even as the district school grades slipped overall, Rosemont Elementary has much to celebrate with its stunning turnaround from grade “D” to “A”, for the very first time.
Cops Shoot Woman Dead After being Assaulted with Handgun
A St. Cloud woman was shot and killed by police after she assaulted officers with a firearm and refused to comply with law enforcement.
Police Investigate Murder-Suicide at The Palms Club
Two people were found dead in a murder-suicide on Thursday at The Palms Club apartments, Orlando police said.
Did Cindy Anthony Perjure Herself? Casey Won’t Testify
One week ago on June 23, Cindy Anthony testified that she conducted several internet searches for such things as “chloroform” and it was not her daughter, Casey Anthony, who is on trial for first degree murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee.
