This will be our last Report until mid next week – read below for details on that.
Leading off the news today of course is the arrest last night of George Zimmerman, putting an end to the first part of the drama that has ensued here in Florida and across the nation, and even the world since the neighborhood watchman ended up killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford on February 26. Will all watch this story continue to unfold, but it will be interesting to see of course if Zimmerman employs the controversial Stand your Ground law as his defense. Some observers, like conservative commentator Ann Coulter, have insisted that the law doesn't apply in this case. Will learn if that's what Mr. Zimmerman's attorneys actually believe as they begin the legal battle. Oh, and a black Hillsborough County activist has become a fringe player in the whole drama as well.
Hours before State Attorney Angela Corey announced she was charging Zimmerman, Tampa House Democrat Janet Cruz was giving her opinions to CL about Stand Your Ground and other Florida gun laws.
There's been some lazy speculation based on recent history that Rick Santorum is already the front-runner for the 2016 GOP race for president if Mitt Romney falls short this fall. Don't you believe it.
And speaking of GOP presidential also-rans – Herman Cain is coming to Tampa later this month.
And this space will be devoid of regular posts for the next few days as we take our annual trip out to Palm Springs for the Coachella Music Festival. Artists were looking forward to checking out this weekend include Neon Indian, M83, Real Estate, Radiohead, Black Keys, Mazzy Star, and (allegedly) Eminem to close out the festival. We'll see you back here next week.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2012.