Politics

  National opinion surveys are showing increasing support for medical uses of marijuana. Patients are puffing away legally in 18 states and the climate for medicinal pot has even become more welcoming in Florida.

Is Florida about to become State No. 19?

The question arose during the WLRN/Miami Herald Town Hall before the legislative session began. The questioner was Juan Palenzuela of Hollywood:

Marathon talks between the Miami Dolphins and Miami Dade County officials appear to have delivered a tentative deal.

In the agreement, the Dolphins would receive $7.5 million a year in hotel sales taxes to renovate Sun Life Stadium. The deal also stipulates that the Dolphins repay the county between $110 million and $120 million over the next 30 years. The team would face huge penalties if it fails to bring high-profile sporting events to the stadium, including four Super Bowls and four college football championship games.

 Editor's note: This story was written by intern Jordan Michael. 

Internet cafes operate under loopholes in Florida gaming law -- loopholes that will be closed after Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill into law.

The bill will ban Internet cafes, but opponents say it will have unintended consequences like closing arcades tailored to seniors.

The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention commissioned a survey last month to measure South Floridians' attitudes about guns as opposed to the rest of the state.

Results show residents overwhelmingly support background checks for all gun purchases.

The institute in South Miami was founded by Lynn Aptman. Her daughter Melissa was shot to death during a carjacking in St. Louis two weeks before her college graduation in 1995.

Join us for an hour of conversation about the week's news on The Florida Roundup, live at noon today on 91.3FM WLRN:

• Cuban dissident Yoani Sanchez captivates Miami. We hear how her tweets are breaking down barriers between Cuba and the rest of the world.

The secret to why international cities like Miami continue to grow and thrive while others might wither and die is the subject of a day-long symposium today in Coral Gables.

Results from a Quinnipiac University poll last month show Florida voters like the idea of universal background checks for gun buyers.

They also like the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.

Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, isn't surprised by either of those results.