Southern Gator Hunt Draws Fire

Slaves fled southern states for Spanish-owned Florida

(NEWSER) - Turns out there was another Underground Railroad that helped Southern slaves escape their masters before the Civil War—only it ran the other way and relied partly on help from American Indians. Reporting on an upcoming conference in St. Augustine, Fla., the AP describes a lesser-known railroad that once shuttled slaves out west, abroad, or to the Spanish territory of Florida. "It's a fascinating story and most people in America are stuck—they are either stuck on 1964 and the Civil Rights Act or they are stuck on the Civil War," says a St. Augustine business owner. More»

Measure on religious employers violates First Amendment, they say

(NEWSER) - The White House plan to make sure that employees of religious institutions get birth control coverage is back in the news. The attorneys general of seven states—Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas—have sued the federal government over the requirement, reports the Hill . They say the rule violates religious freedom protected by the First Amendment. More»

No income from wages; he'll pay 15.4% on last year's income

(NEWSER) - Just hours after debating tax rates during the GOP debate in Florida, Mitt Romney released his tax returns, revealing that he collected $20.9 million in income last year, and $21.7 million the previous year—nearly all of it in profits, dividends, or interest from investments. None came from wages, reports the Washington Post . He estimates he'll pay $3.2 million in federal taxes for a tax rate of 15.4% for last year's income. The previous year, he paid $3 million in taxes at a 13.9% rate. His tax rates are below most American wage earners because his income isn't from wages, notes Reuters . The Romneys gave away $7 million in charitable contributions the last two years, including $4.1 million to the Mormon church. More»

He's at the top in the first four, with Cain second

(NEWSER) - A CNN/Time survey of the first four states to vote bodes well for Mitt Romney. He leads them all, though Herman Cain is within a whisker in Iowa and South Carolina. A quick look at the top two in the state polls:

• Iowa (Jan. 3): Romney, 24%; Cain, 21%
• New Hampshire (Jan. 10, maybe): Romney, 40%; Cain, 13%
• South Carolina (Jan. 21): Romney, 25%; Cain, 23%
• Florida (Jan. 31): Romney, 33%; Cain 18%

'We don't need to be New Hampshire's pinata': Nevada GOP chair

(NEWSER) - Talk about political inside baseball: Nevada restored order to the GOP's chaotic primary scheme today by agreeing to run its caucus in early February. Prodded by Mitt Romney's campaign, Nevada had slated its caucus for Jan. 14, but with half the Republican field promising a boycott, and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus personally showing up to sway Nevada Republicans, the state switched its caucus date to Feb. 4, Politico reports. More»