F'd up Florida

(Newser) - Police surveillance at a Tampa apartment complex resulted in 41 drug-related arrests, more than investigators expected, the Tampa Tribune reports. "I figured it would be four or five people," one deputy remarked. The bust turned up 67.7 grams of crack cocaine, 466.7 grams of marijuana, and $6,064 in cash. Five more warrants have been issued in connection with the case. More »

(Newser) - Police have seized a record 1.5 tons of marijuana in Florida's Hillsborough County, the St. Petersburg Times reports. The drugs carry an estimated street value of $13 million, making the bust the county's largest to date. Raids on area homes resulted in 62 arrests, and authorities say more will follow. More »

(Newser) - Barack Obama is urging the Democratic National Committee to count Florida and Michigan primary votes at full strength, the Chicago Tribune 's Swamp blog reports. In a letter to the DNC, Obama wrote that the delegates—demoted 3 months ago to half-votes in a committee compromise—"must know that they are full partners and colleagues in our historic mission to reshape Washington." More »

(Newser) - One of the world's most feared termites has been caught gnawing on a Florida Gulfport home. Exterminators say they have saved the house, but admit that the "super termites"—or Formosan subterraneans—included winged swarmers, which indicates that that colony has existed for more than 5 years. "Sometimes there is hysteria with Formosan subterannean termites," expert John Mangold said. More »

(AP) - The University of Florida can raise a glass to another national title—best party school in the country. The Gators, known for wild celebrations following national championships in football and basketball, wrested the party title away from West Virginia University and beat out the University of Mississippi and Penn State University, in the Princeton Review survey of 120,000 students released today. More »

(Newser) - A mystery disease is eating away at the sabal palm, Florida’s state tree, and scientists say the prospects of successfully fighting the disease are slim. The AP reports that an increasing number of the trees, which can grow up to 50 feet tall, have suffered collapsed canopies. "There's going to be fewer palms,” one state pathologist said. More »

(Newser) - Hispanics could swing the presidential election in November, especially in crucial Florida, but the presumptive nominees aren’t reaching them, the St. Petersburg Times reports. Hispanics tend to vote on issues rather than along strictly party lines, but the media and candidates are pushing immigration reform though polls show the economy and education atop their list of concerns—with immigration reform 10th. More »