Sunshine State

(Newser) - Accused murderer Casey Anthony headed back to a Florida jail after her first public appearance since October at a court hearing today, the Orlando Sentinel reports. At the hearing, held to determine restrictions on photos and X-rays of the corpse of Anthony’s daughter Caylee Marie, a judge granted defense attorneys access to the images with a secure, private computer system. More »

(Newser) - Casey Anthony has been barred from her daughter's funeral, but she may still get to watch it on TV, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Jail officials haven't decided yet if she can watch Caylee's public service, bound to be telecast on the cable and local stations so inundated with news about the slain toddler. More »

(AP) - The small central Florida town of Ocala is about as far from Hollywood as you can get. Maybe that's why actor John Travolta moved his family here. The social scene revolves around ranchers' soirees, and mobile home parks, peanut farms, and moss-covered oak trees dot the landscape. Now, with the death of their 16-year-old son, Jett, this is where the Travoltas have come to grieve. More »

(Newser) - Casey Anthony will not be let out of jail to attend funeral services for the daughter she's accused of killing because she poses a safety risk, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Caylee Anthony's grandparents plan to hold public and private memorial services for the child they long held out hope would be found alive. The toddler's remains were found near the family home after a six-month search. More »

(Newser) - President Bush gave his little brother a glowing job recommendation, telling RealClearPolitics the former Florida governor would make “an awesome US senator.” Among those who stand to benefit if Jeb Bush runs to replace retiring Republican Mel Martinez in 2010, per Dubya: The GOP, Florida, and the country. Jeb vows to renew classic Republican principles if elected, Politico adds. More »

(Newser) - The remains of a young child have been found within a quarter-mile from the Florida home of Casey Anthony, the 22-year-old mom charged with killing her missing daughter. A utility worker made the discovery this morning when he picked up a bag and a duct-taped skull rolled out, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Forensic detectives are examining the remains for, among other details, the child's gender. More »

(Newser) - Please don't let us ruin another presidential election, dear Lord. So prays Florida author and columnist Carl Hiaasen, who apologizes to God in advance should the state's voting go awry. "The possibilities are terrifying," he writes in the Miami Herald . "We've got 67 counties, which means 67 chances for shenanigans, careless tabulating or simple machine failure." More »

(Newser) - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist decreed yesterday that early-voting locations stay open 12 hours a day instead of the usual eight, in an attempt to address hours-long lines at many polling places, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Crist's failure to consult with his party's leadership has ruffled some Republican feathers, but the public seems thrilled at the change. More »

(Newser) - Barack Obama criticized the administration’s response to the plight of working families today, while calling for steps to regulate large financial institutions, CNN reports. “We cannot only have a plan for Wall Street,” he said. “We must also help Main Street as well.” The Democrat used the rally outside Miami to pitch himself to women and retirees in the battleground state. More »