Some surveys show more couples are now sleeping in separate beds.

So are they on to something? Do you get a better night’s sleep that way? Can you have a better relationship that way?

The idea of separate beds was television reality on the old “I Love Lucy” show but it’s also real life for some people.

Realtor Michelle Schocker found a home for sale with two separate master bedrooms and two master baths.

“This was designed for two people who want their own space and still be together,” said Schocker.

So why do some folks want to sleep separately?

There are a lot of reasons that can drive couples to separate bedrooms; everything from stealing covers, to different work shifts, to different temperature preferences, to wanting the TV on or off.

But sleep experts say there is evidence that people are actually programmed to want to sleep with someone else.

“I think psychologically we benefit from closeness with another human being at night,” said Dr. Wendy Troxel with the Rand Corporation. “When you think about sleep, it’s a really vulnerable state to be in.”

Sleep expert Dr. Daniel Buysse agrees.

“Probably with the course of our evolution, we were really designed to sleep together with other people,” said Dr. Buysse.

Buysse and Troxel are now studying how “in sync” couples are as they sleep.

Participants in their study wear devices that look like wristwatches, but they actually measure whether one person waking, wakes the other. The goal is to know if harmonious sleep patterns mean harmonious relationships.

Sometimes simple changes can get couple back into the same bed.

“Getting a larger bed makes a big difference,” said Dr. Troxel.

Other times, it’s more complex. While treatment can help with snoring or sleep apnea, sleeping in separate spaces sometimes works better for people with problems such as insomnia.

“I’ve seen a lot of patients who need to sleep apart just because that’s the only way they can get quality sleep,” said Dr. Buysse.

“It’s not a one size fits all approach,” said Dr. Troxel.

However, both experts say that if a couple does decide to sleep apart, it’s still important to spend some time together not only for intimacy, but also just for physical closeness.

Professional mixed martial arts cage fighter Fallon Fox’s biography is different from other female fighters in the MMA.

Fox was actually born a man.

“I am a post-operative transsexual female, which means I was born male. But, I had a transitional surgery to physically transform me from male to female and I feel great. I feel like the person I should’ve always been, and I’m happy that I’m here,” Fox told CBS4’s Summer Knowles.

Fox redefined the term “sit down interview” Monday as she took Knowles to the mat in what’s called a “triangle hold.”

Fox took it easy on Knowles, but in the world of mixed martial arts cage fighting she is not an easy opponent.

In fact, so far Fox has three amateur fights and two professional fights under her belt.

“I haven’t lost a fight yet,” Fox said.

Even though the Championship Fighting Alliance board has approved her to fight in the league, some people believe that Fox’s history gives the fighter an unfair advantage.

“This shouldn’t be controversial. But it is controversial because there aren’t that many people like me,” said Fox.

When asked if she physically feels different than when she was as a male she replied, “Oh, considerably. My muscle mass has decreased, my strength has decreased and my endurance has considerably decreased.”

University of Miami Dr. Christopher M. Estes said the science is seemingly on her side.

“In a male to female transgender person, their hormonal profile will become more like that of a biological female. Also other changes in their muscle mass, their bone mineral density which would occur also makes them more like a biological female,” said Dr. Estes.

Dr. Estes believes Fox belongs in the cage with other females, “As far as whether or not it’s fair for her to fight other women, I believe she should be in the ring with other woman.”

“I actually find myself at a disadvantage because I have low testosterone,” Fallon explained.

Either way, female fighters have agreed to get in the cage with her and Fox believes it’s just another evolution of sports.

“Just like blacks in sports, women in sports, gay people in sports, now its transsexuals in sports.”

If you want to check Fox out for yourself, she will be fighting Friday, May 24th at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and http://www.cfafights.com/.

In the written report, during past visits with the couple, the safety of the children in their home did not appear to be threatened and Bruno’s drinking was not an issue.

Bruno has been charged with aggravated man slaughter on a child under 18 after leaving her 11-month old son in his car seat last week outside their West Miami Dade home.

In the DCF reports reviewed by CBS4 News it states that social workers were aware of Bruno’s past for drugs and alcohol.  She was accused of drinking last summer when police arrested her husband for domestic violence.

At the time, because it was a domestic dispute between husband and wife, DCF wrote that her children were not considered in harm’s way.

In November, she was charged with DUI and child endangerment when she crashed into several walls before passing out drunk with her baby son in her lap. He was not injured in the accident.

Family members told DCF investigators that the incident of the DUI was “a one time thing” and “not normal behavior” for the mother.

Bruno, at the time, said she would undergo alcohol treatment and other court counseling, which never happened.  Her DUI/Child Endangerment case was still pending when her son died last week.

In court, Bruno’s attorney asked for her to have a mental evaluation, declaring that she is need of help, as she suffers from postpartum depression and had stopped taking her medication because she couldn’t afford them.

The judge denied the attorney’s request stating, “I’m going to deny your request to appoint any doctors because she has not been declared indigent,” said Circuit Judge Ruiz-Cohen.

After checking the surveillance cameras at  El Balcon de las Americas, their worst fears were confirmed. A thief had broken in early Saturday morning.

“I was angry and sad at the same time,” said the restaurant’s manager, Monica, who chose to only give her first name.

Surveillance cameras captured a man walking towards the front of the restaurant around 2:17 in the morning, wearing goggles and a hat. The video shows the man crawling on the floor — possibly to avoid the security sensors. Monica said he stole money from the register along with a laptop, iPad and iPod.

“He studied us, I’m sure,” she told CBS 4′s Carey Codd. “He’s done this before. He knew exactly what he was doing.”

Monica said the thief lingered in the restaurant for nearly 20 minutes, looking through every drawer and cabinet he could. Also, she said he took more than items and money with him.

“All my employees felt like he stole our security here,” she said. “This is our security here. We spend a lot of time together working together.”

As quickly and quietly as the burglar came in, the video shows the thief left with barely a trace. Monica is upset and wants the man caught.

“The people that work hard to earn what we have, they come and just take it away?” she asked. “Do they think that they earned this? No. They have to be stopped.”

If you can help authorities solve this case call Broward County Crimestoppers at 954 493 TIPS.

According to Governor Scott, his strategy in deciding what to sign, and what to veto, was this, “One, is it going to help our families get more jobs? Two, will it help improve our education system in our state? And three, will it make government more efficient so we can keep the cost of living low in our state?”

It seems, with vetoes spread out well-across the state, that Scott spared no region. Also, the vetoes show that the governor was willing to delete projects backed by powerful lawmakers. The lawmakers who got zapped included Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who supported the Gulf Coast State College project and also saw vetoes of other projects in northwest Florida.

Gaetz, who last week reacted angrily when the group Florida TaxWatch called for vetoes of some of the projects, issued a statement that was more philosophical about Scott’s decisions.

“While many will disagree with some of Governor Scott’s line item vetoes, that is his constitutional role as chief executive,” Gaetz said.

But Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, criticized Scott for reversing legislative budget decisions.

“As a newcomer to the office and the process, the governor misses a critical understanding about the role of the Legislature in crafting a spending plan,” Smith said. “As he sits high and looks down low, he seems to be under the mistaken impression that all good ideas for job creation originate in the governor’s mansion.”

Below are samples, organized by state regions, of Scott’s vetoes:

South Central and Southwest Florida

• Florida Gulf Coast University Renewable Energy Institute: $7.5 million’
• Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) slots in Lee County: $2.196 million
• Historic Hendry County courthouse renovation: $1.5 million
• Fort Myers/Cape Coral reclaimed water distribution pipeline: $900,000
• Hardee County regional wastewater service improvements: $500,000

Southeast Florida

• Bethesda Hospital in Palm Beach County special Medicaid payment: $3.629 million
• Violence prevention unit in Palm Beach County: $550,000
• Broward County transportation hub: $500,000
• Holocaust Documentation and Education Center: $500,000
• Dade Correctional Institution compost machine: $100,000

Central Florida

• Lakeland Regional Medical Center project for graduate medical education: $2.5 million
• Bushnell-Sumter County water main extension: $1.234 million
• Pine Hills pedestrian bridge in Orange County: $800,000
• National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando: $600,000
• Orange County library research and development grant: $250,000

West Central Florida

• Hernando County broadband network: $2 million
• Pasco K-20 STEM education magnet academy: $1.5 million
• Metropolitan Ministries transitional family housing project in Pasco County: $1.3 million
• Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) slots in Hillsborough County: $1.3 million
• Pasco County drug initiative known as “Pasco be Smart”: $1 million

Northwest Florida

• Gulf Coast State College science, technology, engineering and math building: $14 million
• Old Jackson County High School in Marianna: $6 million
• Mossy Head Industrial Park infrastructure in Walton County: $1.8 million
• Okaloosa County Health Department mobile dental and medical units: $1.725 million
• Gadsden County mobile health unit: $200,000

Northeast Florida

• St. Johns River State College project in Orange Park: $2.5 million
• The Arc Village of Jacksonville: $2 million
• Learn2Earn education initiative in Jacksonville: $500,000
• Nassau County sheriff’s administration building: $500,000
• St. Augustine historical documentary film: $500,000

“The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.”

Rescia’s salt and pepper poodle mix, Pasta, was struck and killed by a hit and run driver Sunday who also hit the dog’s owner.

Rescia had just pulled into her drive on Northeast 18th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. She and her dog hopped out of the car.

Pasta the poodle stepped ever so slightly into the street. Rescia reached to pick up the dog, and they were both struck by a car speeding southbound on the avenue.

“I can’t believe he drove away. I can’t believe he drove away,” Rescia said Monday, tears coursing down her cheeks. “He stopped because he hit me, and then the moment I held the dog in my arms, picked him up, he just drove off.”

Pasta died in his owner’s arms. Rescia, who caught a more glancing blow from the car, was treated for scrapes and bruises at a nearby hospital.

“Pasta was my baby, he was happy, just a happy boy,” Rescia said. I saved his life 13 1/2 years ago and he knew it. He was a happy dog,” she said of the doe-eyed pup she rescued from the animal shelter. “It never should have happened. The guy was going way too fast.”

Fort Lauderdale Police believe the hit and run driver was behind the wheel of a newer model Mercury Montego, black with four doors.

“I want him to turn himself in,” Rescia said. “Even a simple ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry’ would be something.”

Rescia, a dog groomer by trade is a lifetime dog lover. A small sign by her front door reads, “No home is complete without the pitter-patter of little doggie feet.”

Rescia’s bruises and abrasions from her near death experience will heal. She says her heart, broken by the loss of her beloved Pasta, will not.

Anyone with information is asked to call Broward CrimeStoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

Catalina Bruno, charged with aggravated manslaughter on a child under 18, was held without bond after appearing before a judge Saturday morning.

During a bond review hearing in front of a different judge on Monday, lawyers waived her need to appear before the judge. Her attorney also asked the judge for help.

“She is someone who needs help. Unfortunately she’s been painted as a monster, but really, she’s very sick and she is a good mother,” said defense attorney Lonnie Richardson.

Bruno’s attorneys are worried about her mental health. They say she suffers from post-partum depression after giving birth last year.

“I would ask this court, not necessarily for bond, but I would ask this court for now, is to have her evaluated at Jackson,” said Richardson told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Samantha Ruiz-Cohen.

Bruno’s attorneys said she could no longer afford the medication to treat her depression and asked for the state to pay for an evaluation.

“I’m going to deny your request to appoint any doctors because she has not been declared indigent,” said Circuit Judge Ruiz-Cohen.

In an interview with CBS4’s Maggie Newland Bruno’s ex-husband, Anand Lakhram, said he “never saw this coming.” Lakhram also said that he and Bruno have two kids together, a 10 year-old boy and a nearly five year-old girl.

“She was a good mother and that’s all I can say. She’s always taken care of my children. I’ve seen the little boy and it’s a great tragedy my heart goes out to the family,” he told Newland.

Lakhram came by the house Monday afternoon with his kids to pick up their things. He said the children are having a difficult time dealing with the loss of their baby brother. He also said Bruno had suffered from depression for years. “She was depressed. She was depressed for a long time.”

Miami-Dade police arrested Bruno at her home at 1071 SW 150 place in West Miami-Dade last Thursday afternoon.

Bruno, according to Miami-Dade County Police, put her 11 month old son in a car seat and drove home. Upon arriving home, she got out of the car, left the infant inside the vehicle and went into the house.

Police said Bruno was inside for “an undetermined amount of time,” but that the father, Amos Osceola, would later ask where the child was.

At that point, Bruno said she had not taken the infant out of the car and that he was still in the car.

Police said Osceola ran to the car and found the baby unresponsive and still in the car seat. Osceola pulled the child out of the car and ran him to a nearby fire station.

When police questioned Bruno about what happened, she reportedly confessed to leaving her son in the car.

Bruno’s arrest came months after a previous arrest on a child neglect charge. She was on pre-trial release when her son died.

Bruno’s attorney said their focus at this time isn’t on getting her out of jail, but rather getting her treatment.

“She’s very depressed. I went to visit her in jail. She’s not stable. She’s in really bad shape,” said Richardson.

Bruno’s arraignment is scheduled for June 7th.

Doctor Joseph Smith, who came in third place for the mayoral vote, paid almost $500 fee to see every vote.

When CBS4’s David Sutta commented to Smith about reverting to this old school way of counting votes, he responded, “Correct. And the old school is usually the right way.”

While some could argue this is a case of a candidate being a sore loser, Dr. Smith and fellow North Miami mayoral opponent Jean Marcellus said it’s actually a conspiracy.

“The math does not match,” said Marcellus.

Marcellus believes that 746 absentee ballots disappeared between early voting and election day.

“I’m in this fight as a matter of principal.  Until we find exactly where this discrepancy comes from we won’t stop,” Marcellus said.

The elections office has maintained that it was simply an error on behalf of the clerk. A disc handed that was handed to campaigns was apparently mislabeled. According to the elections department, all the votes have been accounted for.

When CBS4’s Sutta asked Smith if he thinks he will have any resolution from today’s recount, Smith answered, “We may not but we want to make a statement.  We want to make sure that what they say is what it is.  And we have a strong suspicion that what they say is not what it is.”

While the manual recount of the 6,983 votes is par for the North Miami election, the campaign, too, was less than ordinary.

The city’s elections brought us Anna Pierre, a voodoo cursed mayoral candidate, endorsed by Jesus; another candidate who handed out bars of soap to “clean up city hall;” and Jean Marcellus, who was punched in the face because a voter didn’t like him.

Last Friday, some of the city’s voters were fired up, protesting against the results.

Whether or not this manual recount will finally bring this election to an end remains in question. Either way, there is still a run-off election between the top two candidates in several races set to be held on June 4^th.

Marco Villalobos of Doral said he needs to watch his budget closely. That’s why he tries to keep his homeowner’s insurance bill down to about $2,000 a year. Despite his need to save money, he said he hasn’t heard a thing about Citizens bare bones coverage call HO8 which could potentially slash his bill by more than 50 percent.

“It sounds good but I don’t remember hearing about it,” said Villalobos.

If you look at Citizens’ website, you won’t find much on it either. Michael Peltier with Citizens Property said he’s not surprised.

“As a residual insurance carrier, Citizens does little marketing of any of our products. The H08 is no different. We rely on our agents to provide their customers with the information they need to make informed decisions on their insurance,” said Peltier.

Peltier said since the plan was made available, of the 122,000 Citizens customers who would fit the criteria for the cheaper coverage, only 47 such policies have been written.

In order to qualify, the home must be $200,000 or less in value and at least 51 years old. The HO8 policy has restrictions including caps on theft claims and replacement cost payments. It also offers very limited coverage. Peltier said these policies were never intended to replace traditional policies.

“In the private market, the HO8 policy is a “niche policy” that is marketed to older homes in which the replacement cost is much higher than the market value,” said Peltier. “It was never meant to replace the traditional homeowners (HO3) policy. Numerous websites described its plusses and minuses.”

The HO8 policies were mandated by the state so property owners would have access to a bottom line policy in case they couldn’t afford anything else. Some state lawmakers are very critical of Citizens for not doing more to publicize these rock bottom policies. State Rep. Frank Artiles has been a long time critic of how Citizens does business.

“Our offices are getting bombarded by insurance calls that my insurance is astronomical. It’s becoming cost prohibitive to live in South Florida,” said Artiles.

Villalobos said he worries that Citizens intentionally withheld the information about the cheaper policies because they are not good for the agency’s bottom line.

“I assume it’s for their best and not for the best of their customers,” said Villalobos.

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Tumblr is Yahoo’s most expensive acquisition since the Sunnyvale, Calif., company bought online search engine Overture a decade ago for $1.3 billion in cash and stock.

It’s also going to be an all cash deal thanks to some of the remaining stash from Yahoo!’s sale of Chinese Internet company Alibaba Holdings Group last year which netted the company roughly $7.6 billion. The deal will wipe out one-fifth of the $5.4 billion in cash Yahoo had in its accounts at the end of March.

While hailing Tumblr as fount of creativity that attracts 300 million visitors per month, Yahoo pledged “not to screw it up.” David Karp, a high school dropout who started Tumblr six years ago, will remain in control of the service in an effort to retain the same “irreverence, wit and commitment to empower creators,” Yahoo said.

Karp, 26, may now have a managerial mentor in Mayer, 37. Tumblr, which will remain based in New York, has about 175 employees while Yahoo has 11,300 workers.

Mayer, who worked closely with Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, had high praise for Karp in a statement. She described him “as one of the most perceptive, capable entrepreneurs I’ve ever worked with.”

In his statement, Karp predicted Yahoo would help Tumblr grow even faster as he strives “to make the Internet the ultimate creative canvas. “

Tumblr now figures to play a pivotal role in Mayer’s attempt to reshape Yahoo. To take on the challenge, Mayer ended a highly successful 13-year career at Google, which she helped surpass Yahoo as the Internet’s most influential company. Since coming to Yahoo, Mayer has concentrated on improving employee morale, redesigning services and bringing in more engineering talent through a series of small acquisitions that have collectively cost less than $50 million.

Her efforts have been well-received on Wall Street so far, although most of the 69 percent surge in Yahoo’s stock price under Mayer’s leadership has been driven by the rising value of Yahoo’s remaining 24 percent in Alibaba. When Alibaba goes public within the next few years, analysts have estimated Yahoo could collect another $10 billion to $20 billion by selling the rest of its Alibaba stock.

If this deal pays off the way Mayer envisions, Tumblr could help Yahoo finally get its stock price to $33. That would be a major coup because many investors soured on Yahoo after a previous regime led by co-founder Jerry Yang squandered an opportunity five years ago to sell the entire company to Microsoft for $33 per share. The stock spent more than four years trading below $20 before the recent surge that lifted the price to $26.52 through last week.

The deal could backfire though if Yahoo’s effort to make more money alienate a Tumblr user base that so far has been subjected to hardly any advertising during the service’s six-year history.

“Yahoo has to manage this acquisition in a way that keeps Tumblr’s user base while trying to add advertising, which historically tends to turn off a lot of people,” said Forrester Research analyst Zachary Reiss-Davis.

Yahoo said it will work with Tumblr to create ads that “are seamless and enhance the user experience.”

Mayer is betting that Tumblr will provide Yahoo with a captivating hook to reel in more traffic and advertisers on smartphones and tablet computers. That rapidly growing market is expected to become even more important during the next decade as people increasingly consume digital content on mobile devices instead of laptop and desktop machines.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Dwayne Bryce said that his nephew, Jeffrey Bryce Jr., is in critical but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital and suffered from 3rd degree burns on his back, neck, ear and part of his face.

“He was with Miami Gardens Police for seven years and he just left the department a few months ago,” said Bryce. “Now he is incubated inside the burn unit of the hospital and will be heavily medicated for the next few days.”

The accident happened in the westbound lanes just west of University Drive in Miramar on Saturday around 2:45 a.m.

Bryce Jr., of Miramar, had stopped his 2004 Hyundai in the left lane. It was rear ended by a Nissan driven by 26-year old Evan Soto, according to the FHP.

FHP Sergeant, Mark Wysocky, said the impact was so severe, it caused the Hyundai to catch on fire and explode. Bryce, who was critically injured, was pulled from the car by Soto and another driver. The passenger, Nathalie Vasquez, Bryce Jr.’s fiancé from Miramar, died on scene.

“It’s not known why the vehicle had stopped on the highway,” said Wysocky Soto who was reportedly treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released.

Doctors will be watching Bryce Jr. closely because of how susceptible he is to infections in this stage, according to Bryce.

“My nephew is conscious with his eyes open, he does not know his fiancé has passed away,” said his uncle.

Bryce Jr.’s mother said that neither she nor her son wanted to say anything right now.

Meanwhile, Bryce’s loved ones were at his side inside the burn unit at the Ryder Trauma Center of Jackson Memorial Hospital on Monday.

So they weren’t about to ease up when they had a big lead of their own on Sunday.

Boston went ahead by two goals in the first minute of the third period, added another 12 minutes later and beat the New York Rangers 5-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals.

Still, the Blueshirts aren’t about to go down without a fight as the series heads to New York.

“We don’t want to lose two games here, no one does,” said Rangers coach John Tortorella. “But there’s no give in this team. There will be no give in this team. We need to go win a game. Not look anywhere else, just try to win our first home game this series.”

Just six days earlier, the Bruins became the first team to win a Game 7 after trailing by three goals in the third period. They started their comeback with less than 11 minutes left and extended their season with a 5-4 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Guys are really trying to stay focused on doing their job in the third period,” Brad Marchand said. “We know how important they are, especially after what we went through being down by a few goals. We know that it’s possible for any team to come back from any score.”

Marchand made it 4-2 with just 26 seconds gone in the third period, Milan Lucic scored at 12:39 and the Bruins worked hard the rest of the way.

“We talked about it before we went out there in the third period, and we just had to make sure that we played to win,” Boston coach Claude Julien said. “I don’t like our team when we play on our heels and we’re just trying to protect a one-goal lead. We’ve got to extend the lead and extend it even more before we even think about protecting it.”

Game 3 is Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers never led Sunday, although they tied the game quickly after each of the Bruins’ first two goals.

The second period may have been New York’s best of the series even though Johnny Boychuk’s tie-breaking goal on a 40-foot shot at 12:08 of the period got past goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who was screened by several players.

“We played a really good second,” New York’s Dan Girardi said. “The first shift of the third killed us.”

That’s when Marchand made it 4-2 with a goal similar to the one that gave the Bruins a 3-2 overtime win in the opener.

Patrice Bergeron carried the puck in deep along the right side and passed across the crease to Marchand, who had beaten Girardi and tipped it in.

“I have to be ready to defend that pass there,” Girardi said. “They didn’t have much room, but, obviously, I have to be either on the strong side blocking that or on Marchand’s stick. That really put us behind the eight-ball.”

With a two-goal lead, the Bruins remained aggressive but still clogged the middle in front of goalie Tuukka Rask when the Rangers attacked.

“We felt really good going into the third, and to have that type of goal go in — it’s just two-on-two — it hurts you,” Tortorella said. “We couldn’t generate anything, and then they’re just going to fill the middle and they’re just going to jam you.”

Boston never trailed as rookie Torey Krug scored the first goal at 5:28 of the first period before Rangers captain Ryan Callahan tied it less than three minutes later. Gregory Campbell made it 2-1 at 2:24 of the second period, and New York pulled even again 56 seconds later on Rick Nash’s goal, his first of the playoffs after he led the Rangers with 21 in the regular season.

“We didn’t play our best,” Marchand said. “I think, especially in the second period, they took it to us, but we were able to bounce back. It’s definitely a very even series.”

Not when it comes to goaltending.

Lundqvist allowed more than five goals for the first time in 152 games, including the postseason, and stopped 27 shots.

“I thought I was in position, but (there were) a couple screens and when you give up five goals you can’t be satisfied,” he said.

There’s also the matter of his left shoulder that was hit by Daniel Paille’s third-period shot. Lundqvist rubbed it after the game and said, “We’ll take a look at it.”

Rask saved 35 of 37 shots.

Still, Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy last year and is a finalist for it this year.

“I know that I can’t let in any lead goals most nights because he is who he is,” Rask said, “but, then again it’s a team game and we’re more focused on the Rangers than any individual.”

These are the Rangers who also lost the first two games of their opening series on the road, then won the next two at home. They lost Game 5 in Washington but won the last two games behind shutouts by Lundqvist.

“We’ve done it before,” he said, “but I think we are playing a better team now so it’s going to be tough to do it.”

Ahead or behind, home or away, the Bruins plan to play with the same determination the entire game.

“You can’t take anything for granted,” Boychuk said. “It’s playoffs. Anything can happen, and sometimes a team can play better in front of their hometown.”

NOTES: The last time Lundqvist allowed more than four goals was March 9, 2011, in a 5-2 loss to Anaheim. In the next 151 games he allowed four goals just 13 times. … The Bruins played their second straight game without injured veteran defensemen Andrew Ference, Dennis Seidenberg and Wade Redden … A defenseman got a goal or an assist on each of Boston’s goals. … The margin of victory was more than two for just the second time in 26 games between the teams. … In their nine playoff games, the Rangers have scored on two of 35 power plays. They’re 0 for 7 against the Bruins.

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(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

After their performance in Game 3, it is clear the defending Stanley Cup champions still need plenty of work.

The Kings went through a short workout at their training complex Sunday after sleeping in their own beds following a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

Such easy travel usually isn’t possible in the spread-out Western Conference, but Game 4 isn’t until Tuesday night at the Shark Tank.

“We were home at pretty much the same time as we would coming from Staples on a regular night,” center Anze Kopitar said. “It’s a 50-minute flight, so it’s pretty quick. I think it’s good for us.”

Los Angeles’ 2-1 loss in Game 3 ended on a power-play goal after two penalty calls that angered and confused the Kings for several reasons. Yet captain Dustin Brown acknowledged the Kings have plenty of concerns beyond the officiating.

Los Angeles leads the series 2-1, but only after getting a 35-save shutout from Jonathan Quick in Game 1 and stealing Game 2 with two late power-play goals.

“We’ve got to score more than one goal,” Brown said. “I mean, Quickie is a great goalie, but at the end of the day, we need to score more than one goal for him. We haven’t done that. I think we’ve only scored one goal three times out of four away games.”

Indeed, the Kings have scored six goals in their four road playoff games this spring, half of them in a 3-2 overtime win at St. Louis. The other three road playoff games all have been 2-1 losses — and before that, Los Angeles dropped six straight road games to close the regular season, scoring nine goals in that stretch.

Robyn Regehr was whistled for hooking on a seemingly garden-variety stick play with 41.7 seconds left in regulation in Game 3, and Trevor Lewis followed him into the box with 4.5 seconds left on a goaltender interference call that had the Kings steaming. They claimed Lewis was pushed into Antti Niemi, and questioned why such a dramatic call would be made so late in a game.

The Kings killed off the 5-on-3 disadvantage, but gave up Logan Couture’s power-play game-winner. Quick, who shut out the Sharks from the opening minutes until the final buzzer, got a game misconduct for berating the officials who made the decisive call.

“Not happy, but we can’t do anything about it,” Kopitar said. “Again, it’s the position that we put ourselves into that is mind-boggling. It’s not the way we want to play and be in that situation. We came close to killing it off, but we’ve said it all along, you can’t give them too many opportunities, because they will score, and they did.”

The Kings have demonstrated they know how to regroup after a playoff loss. After dropping the first two games of the postseason in St. Louis, they responded with six straight victories.

The Sharks also present a challenge similar to the Blues in their desire to attack Quick with a high volume of shots. St. Louis outshot Los Angeles in four of the six games, and the Kings have been soundly outshot by San Jose in the current series — but with Quick in top form, the numbers haven’t beaten Los Angeles.

San Jose also has revived its dominant power play, which produced both of its goals in Game 3 after the Kings shut out the Sharks in the first two games at Staples Center.

“Especially when the Conn Smythe winner (is) on the defending champion team, I’m going to assume if I was coaching against them, that I’m going to say, `Shoot lots, and get as much traffic as you can,”‘ Sutter said. “So I think San Jose has that mindset, as St. Louis did last series. You’re trying to get your team to shoot more, and you’re trying to get players to go to the net more.”

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators and Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings are the other finalists.

Former NHL star Mark Messier determines the winner of the award. He solicits suggestions from from club and NHL personnel and fans to come up with the finalists and then makes a final decision on the winner.

The following is the explanation of Toews’ nomination as provided by the award:

Toews was named captain of the Blackhawks in 2008 when he was just 20-years-old, making him the third-youngest captain in NHL history at the time. While his leadership on the ice is undisputed, his role off the ice with various children’s charitable causes makes him an undeniable role model to fans. In his spare time, Toews volunteers to grant wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and visits with patients at the local children’s hospital and Chicago’s Misericordia. Last fall, he returned home to join the Winnipeg Patrolmen Hockey Club and other NHL players for the “Goals for Dreams Hockey Challenge,” which helped raise $80,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Dream Factory, a charity that grants dreams for critically and chronically ill children.

– The Venetian Causeway will be changing over to SunPass  by year’s end, and Miami-Dade County’s Causeway Division will explain  the shift and answer questions at a meeting Tuesday, May 21.

The meeting, sponsored by the Belle Isle Residents Association, the Venetian Island Homeowners Association and the Venetian Way Alliance, starts at 7 p.m. at 1000 Venetian Way on Biscayne Island.

Expect to learn about increased security, the possibility of raising tolls for non-residents and the possibility of a lower speed limit.

– The Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition will pitch a lower speed limit for Alton Road at the June 12 Miami Beach Land Use Committee meeting, instead of May 22 as had been planned. The May meeting was canceled. The coalition hopes to make the case for a more bicycle-friendly reconstruction of Alton Road.

– On June 5, the Venetian Isle Homeowner Association has scheduled a meeting at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens so residents can get an overview of the Venetian Streetscape plan from Miami Beach’s capital improvement experts. That work — which includes new sidewalks, lights and landscaping around Rivo Alto, DiLido and San Marino islands — starts in June.

–

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings got much younger this year, rebuilding with rookies and prospects pushed onto the ice.

For much of the lockout-delayed season, it didn’t look good for them.

The storied franchise used to chase Stanley Cup titles with key players in their late 30s and 40s such as Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Larry Murphy.

Not anymore.

As the Chicago Blackhawks are now finding out, the Red Wings are much better than they were during the regular season thanks to an improved cast of inexperienced players.

“We’ve had great growth from within, I think the most since I’ve been in the National Hockey League for sure,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Sunday. “That may be because we have a different type of team. We got a whole bunch of kids, so we have a chance for growth.”

Red Wings rookie Brendan Smith scored the winning goal Saturday in Detroit’s 4-1 win at Chicago that tied the series 1-1. The top-seeded Blackhawks won the opener by the same 4-1 score.

“We knew they were going to come back and play much better than they did in Game 1,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. “Obviously, we didn’t quite match the effort.”

When the puck drops Monday night in Detroit for Game 3, Toews hopes his team is ready to bounce back.

“There’s no time to waste in this series,” Toews said. “We know going into their building it’s even more difficult.”

It will be even more challenging for Chicago if Toews can’t produce as he did in the 48-game regular season.

Toews had 23 goals, tying Patrick Kane for the team lead and trailing just four players in the league. However, he is struggling to score for a third straight postseason.

Toews is in an eight-game playoff slump that dates to last year. He has just three goals combined in three postseasons since scoring seven goals to help Chicago win the Cup in 2010. He had seven goals the previous postseason — his first — when Detroit eliminated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals.

Henrik Zetterberg had a lot to do with holding Toews without a point in Game 2, an accomplishment that didn’t surprise Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.

“Most nights, he’s the best player on the ice,” Howard said. “No different from (Saturday), the way he was all over Toews the whole game, shutting him down. We’re going to need that for the whole series.”

The Red Wings would also benefit if their inexperienced players figure out a way to avoid fading into the background.

Before Smith’s go-ahead goal on Saturday, first-year player Damien Brunner and rookie Gustav Nyquist also scored winning goals this postseason — in overtime against Anaheim. Teammate Joakim Andersson ranks among rookie scoring leaders.

The 27-year-old Brunner, too old to be a candidate for the Calder Trophy given to the rookie of the year, has followed up a 26-point regular season with four goals in the playoffs to match Johan Franzen for the team lead. He also has three assists.

Calder finalist Brandon Saad has only one assist in seven postseason games for the Blackhawks. The 20-year-old forward had 27 points during the regular season.

Brunner has insisted it doesn’t bother him to be out of the running for the Calder, and sounded even more thankful on Sunday that he waited to make the jump from the Swiss League.

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound forward was banged around on the ice quite a bit and had growing pains off it, dealing with a lot of travel after his longest trip last year was a 2½-hour bus ride.

“You kind of think it’s not that big of a deal when you come over, but after a couple trips and the hours you lose, especially when you come back home, it’s tough,” Brunner said. “It’s really tough.”

While Babcock’s job behind the bench was tougher this year than it had been the past seven seasons with veteran-filled rosters, he relished the opportunity to lead the young Red Wings.

“It’s the most fun I’ve had coaching in a couple years, by far, just because we have a real enthusiastic group,” Babcock said. “At the start of the year, we weren’t a good team. We all understood that, but we buckled down and we got better. It’s been fun for us. If you would have asked me before the playoffs, I would’ve told you the same thing. Then suddenly you have a little success in the playoffs — and it’s more fun.”

___

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larrylage

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

After Game 2, Henrik might be in for some tossing and turning after experiencing some serious déjà vu.

Early in the third period, with the Bruins leading 3-2, Patrice Bergeron won the opening faceoff and shortly afterwards carried the puck on a 2-on-2 rush up the ice. With Marchand driving to the net, Bergeron carried the puck to the corner of the rink, drawing Michael Del Zotto with him before sending a pass to the front of the crease. Marchand, able to fight through Dan Girardi, got his tape on the puck and redirected it just under Lundqvist’s right pad.

The goal made the score 4-2 in favor of the Bruins with 19:34 left in the game, so it wasn’t quite the back-breaker that Thursday’s overtime goal was. Yet the goal appeared to crush New York’s hopes of clawing back, a thought completely eliminated 12 minutes later when Milan Lucic scored to give the Bruins a 5-2 lead. The rout was on, and while Lundqvist was a bit cryptic with his postgame comments, he seemed to confirm suspicions that the Rangers were taken off their game in the third period.

“We gave it to them,” Lundqvist said after the game, before repeating himself. “We gave it to them. I thought we played great, [but] I don’t think they had to work really hard to get a couple goals there. We just made it really tough on ourselves, so we have to correct a few things and go home and turn this around. It doesn’t matter the score — it’s a loss. Overtime or 5-2, doesn’t matter.”

The bottom line is that the final score doesn’t matter, but in a series predicated on defense and goaltending, the dynamic certainly shifts now. After an imperfect but respectable performance by Lundqvist in Game 1 (45 saves on 48 shots), the safe bet was for a monster performance in Game 2. Instead, he allowed five goals, the first time he’s done that in any game since March 9, 2011, and the first time he’s done it in a postseason game since April 26, 2009. His save percentage in the series now sits at .900, his goals-against average at 3.54. His regular-season numbers? A .926 save percentage and 2.05 GAA.

Despite the outcome, the Rangers won’t panic. Head coach John Tortorella said flatly, “I’m not evaluating our goaltending. I don’t need to evaluate Henrik. We know what Henrik is.”

And, really, the five goals don’t all fall on Lundqvist’s shoulders. Dan Girardi screened the goalie on Torey Krug’s shot, which opened the game’s scoring, and Girardi later kicked a Krug shot right to Gregory Campbell in front of the net for the second Bruins’ goal. Girardi again screened Lundqvist on Johnny Boychuk’s goal, the eventual game-winner, and he failed to break up the pass from Bergeron to Marchand early in the third. The icing on the cake for Girardi came when he made a decent play to drop to the ice to break up a pass, but ended up sliding out of the way and allowing Lucic to easily score the fifth goal. If anyone had a nightmare game, it was most certainly No. 5 in white, not No. 30.

Lundqvist also looked to be suffering through some sort of pain in the third period, and he later confirmed he had some sort of shoulder injury that would require a look from the team’s medical staff.

Excuses beyond his control were there for Lundqvist, and he certainly cashed in on the opportunity to make them, but he is not supposed to be just any goalie. The reigning Vezina winner and almost-unanimous best goalie in the sport should be able to rise to the challenge of playoff hockey and come through with saves no matter the circumstance — maybe not all of them, but at least one of them. That’s what it takes to get through the postseason and win a Cup for a team dependent on defense, and the last two Conn Smythe winners are proof of that.

For the last two games in Boston, dozens of reporters, microphones and cameras crowded around Lundqvist’s locker stall, because he is the superstar, and he is the “king.” His hat with the number 30 inside a crown, which he wore after the 5-2 loss, was there to remind everyone of that.

But one more game from Lundqvist where the king plays like just another goalie, and this series is going to be a lot shorter than most everyone anticipated.

Read more from Michael by clicking here, or find him on Twitter @michaelFhurley.

Johnson was taken into custody Monday morning during a court appearance after a judge decided he had violated his probation that stemmed from a domestic violence incident with his then-wife Evelyn Lozada in 2012.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the former football star last week after he allegedly failed to report to his probation officer three months in a row, as well as failure to enroll in a Batterers Intervention Program (B.I.P.)

“As far as the warrant, it caught me off guard,” Johnson told the court Monday. “I was under the impression after seeing you (the judge) the last time that all I had to do was my classes based off the wording…That’s what I did. I didn’t do any of this on purpose. I did everything I was supposed to do, and that’s all.”

Johnson had been on probation since September 2012 after he cut a deal with prosecutors over charges he head-butted Lozada during an argument last August. Lozada reportedly found a receipt for a box of condoms and confronted Johnson about it.

Under terms of the original plea deal, Johnson pled no contest and was ordered to serve one year of probation, complete batters’ intervention counseling and pay medical restitution.

Johnson posted a $1,000 bail and was released from jail a little after 4:30 p.m.

His case has another hearing scheduled for June 3.

Tuesday, Poppo’s medical team at Jackson Memorial Hospital, will update the public on how he is one year after Eugene attacked him and chewed off large portions his face.

Eugene was walking across the MacArthur Causeway bridge and ran into Poppo, who was homeless at the time. Eugene had stripped off most of his clothes and began attacking Poppo and tearing his clothes off as well.

Horrified onlookers called police as the attack continued and Eugene began to eat away at Poppo’s face. By the time police arrived, Eugene had ripped the flesh from Poppo’s face in strips and had bitten off part of his nose and gouged out his eyes.

“He attacked me,” Poppo said of Rudy Eugene during a July 19, 2012 interview with Miami homicide detectives. “He just ripped me to ribbons. He chewed up my face. He plucked out my eyes. Basically that’s all there is to say about it.”

Eugene was in a frenzied attack and the only way police could get him to stop was to shoot and kill him on the spot. Paramedics came and took Poppo to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for the bizarre cannibalistic attack.

In talks with detectives Poppo said Eugene started to scream as he was attacking him and said that both of the men were going to die. Poppo described the attack saying Eugene “mashed my face into the sidewalk. My face is all bet and mashed up. My eyes, my eyes got plucked out. He was strangling me in wrestling holds as he was plucking my eyes out.”

Poppo’s chances for survival looked grim, but he pulled through the initial days of the recovery and began to try to put his life back together as best he could.

While the horror of that day will stay in the minds of Poppo, his family, Eugene’s family, and everyone involved in the story; the 65-year-old Poppo has made remarkable strides since he was first taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.  Today a lot has changed for Poppo since the horrific incident.

Poppo is living at Jackson Memorial Perdue Medical Center and has gained more than 50 pounds since he first came into the hospital’s emergency room. Poppo is working with an occupational therapist and has learned how to dress himself, feed himself, shower and shave.

In addition, according to JMH, Poppo was given a guitar which he practices playing daily. Jackson is expected to release a recent video and photos to the media as well on Tuesday.

RELATED:

> Exclusive: For The First Time, Cannibal Victim Speaks

> Homeless Outreach Workers Remember Ronald Poppo

> Cannibal Attack Victim’s Family Hadn’t Heard From Him In 30 Years

> Picture Of Ronald Poppo After Face-Eating Attack (WARNING: Extremely Graphic)

> Victim Identified In Causeway Cannibal Attack

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Job Title:
ENG/SNG Fleet Supervisor/Operator

Job Description:
Oversee, maintain and operate fleet of the ENG/SNG vehicles for WFOR-TV, WBFS-TV. Must be proficient in all aspects of ENG/SNG news gathering. EIC on News and Production remotes. Responsible for the maintenance of the news car fleet.

• Manage, maintain and operate the fleet of ENG/SNG news gathering vehicles and technical ENG equipment.
• Be available for in/out of town travel when necessary
• Ability to work directly with non-linear systems
• Supply input and support for systems upgrades due to technological advancements
• Required to carry cell phone and must be prepared to work off hours including weekends, evenings or overnights particularly during breaking news events.
• Work directly with senior news management including News Director to investigate on air problems including technical malfunctions and mistakes caused by human error
• Candidate should demonstrate knowledge and experience with all aspects of ENG news coverage, including broadcast quality cameras, microwave transmissions
• Work directly with Assignment Manager and Assignment Desk

Requirements:
Must possess strong interpersonal communication skills. Minimum 5 years of experience in major market news department including broadcast quality cameras, Linear and non-linear editing, as well as experience with microwave and satellite transmission and all aspects of ENG news coverage. Familiarity with Grass Valley and Final Cut non-linear edit systems desirable.

BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS HERE

Reports to:
Assistant News Director
Nick Bourne
305-639-4507

If interested in applying contact Nick Bourne

It is the continuing policy of CBS, Corporation to afford equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or disabled veteran status; and to conform to applicable laws and regulations. This policy of equal employment covers all aspects of the employment relationship including application, initial hiring, promotion, transfer, training, wages and salary administration. CBS, Corporation recognizes that its continued growth and business success depend on the development and utilization of the full range of the nation’s human resources.

Posted 5/20/13

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Beginning Monday through June 2nd, officers and troopers will crack down on drivers and passengers who are not buckled up.

“As we kick off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Homestead Police Chief Alexander E. Rolle Jr.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

Deaths involving non-use of seat belts were more prevalent at night than during the daytime.

According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 people who died in vehicle crashes in 2011 did so during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

“Seat belts have saved thousands of lives and are one of the most effective safety tools in your vehicle. Buckle up Florida, it is the law,” said FHP Director Col. David Brierton.

Florida’s safety belt law requires all front seat passengers to buckle up. Occupants under the age of 18 must wear their safety belts regardless of where they sit in a vehicle.

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That includes Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who recently talked about the Bulls’ point guard on 106.7 The Fan.

“That’s hard, because I’ve never experienced that injury,” Beal said. “And I know what type of injury that is, it’s possible it’s gonna happen again. Knock on wood. But at the same time, you might have to give it a go. If you’re practicing for two months and everybody in practice is saying you’re practicing well, I figure you gotta give it a shot in a game.”

At first, it seemed like Beal caught himself and wanted to give Rose the benefit of the doubt.

“It’s his decision. I can’t really have a say so in it. If he doesn’t feel he’s mentally confident to be able to go out there and help the team, I guess I can’t really blame him for it.”

But then Beal was asked if he would lose respect for a Wizards’ teammate if they made the same decision.

“A little bit. Yeah, I would,” he said. “The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.”

HelpingFeelsGood.org is a new website created by Neighbors 4 Neighbors which matches volunteers to those in need. But it’s much more than that.

Volunteers sign up and share their interests, expertise and skills and the website then sends a list of projects that match their profile once a week. Volunteers can also search the site via zip code, agency name or key word to find projects.

For local non-profits, the site is a free resource that case workers can use to advocate on behalf of the clients they serve. By posting projects, connecting with local skilled volunteers and sharing the stories behind those connections, the non-profits are able to get great exposure to new audiences.

Since the launch of HelpingFeelsGood.org on March 4th, more than 200 volunteers have registered on the site and many have already been matched with projects at non-profits like Casa Valentina.

Casa Valentina provides resources to young adults aging out of foster care. They’re using HelpingFeelsGood.org to post projects and connect with volunteers like professional organizer, Gayle Jacobs.

“There’s nothing better than to be able to volunteer doing something you love to do, and I love organizing!” said Jacobs, who runs her own business, Actually Organized.

Jacobs made over the community room for Casa Valentina and continues to give back to the organization by teaching life skills classes to residents.

“There was just such a connection with an organization that I could do what I’m best at,” Jacobs explained.

The connection was also valued by Casa Valentina residents and staff.

“I never would have dreamed to have come into contact with a volunteer who could bring so much to our organization,” explained Assistant Executive Director Melissa Peerless.

But the residents benefitted most from the match.

“It’s an amazing feeling when you have that kind of support behind you,” said 21-year-old, Angel Smith. Smith said seeing people donate their time and talents has helped her learn new things and dream big about her future. “It opens a lot of doors a lot of opportunities,” said Smith.

Governor Rick Scott signed into law a bill that reauthorized the state’s popular back-to-school sales tax holiday for 2013. This year’s holiday will take place August 2nd through 4th.

The sales tax holiday will not have to pay the state’s 6 percent sales tax on clothes worth $75 or less or on school supplies that are $15 or less.

But this year’s tax holiday also has a new twist. Those looking for a new computer worth $750 or less also will not have to pay taxes on their purchase during the three-day period.

This tax break also applies to tablets, laptops, electronic readers. Shoppers will still have to pay taxes on the purchase of a cellphone.

Turns out, it was the longest Burmese python ever captured in Florida; it measured 18 feet, 8 inches. The python was a 128-pound female that was not carrying eggs, according to University of Florida scientists who examined the snake. The previous record length for a Burmese python captured in the wild in Florida was 17 feet, 7 inches.

On May 11th, Jason Leon was riding late at night in a rural area of southeast Miami-Dade County when he and his passenger spotted the python. About 3 feet of the snake was sticking out of the roadside brush. Leon stopped his car, grabbed the snake behind its head and started dragging it out of the brush. When the snake began to wrap itself around his leg, he called for assistance from others and then used a knife to kill the snake. Leon once owned Burmese pythons as pets and has experience handling this non-venomous constrictor species.

“Jason Leon’s nighttime sighting and capture of a Burmese python of more than 18 feet in length is a notable accomplishment that set a Florida record. The FWC is grateful to him both for safely removing such a large Burmese python and for reporting its capture,” said Kristen Sommers, Exotic Species Coordination Section Leader for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Leon reported his python capture to the FWC’s South Region office, which connected him with 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4861), the FWC’s hotline for reporting exotic species.

Cheryl Millett of The Nature Conservancy’s Python Patrol Program helped coordinate the response, and Jeff Fobb of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Program arranged to pick up the snake from Leon.

Finally, the python was turned over to the University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, where UF staff experienced in working with Burmese pythons performed the necropsy.

“With the help of people like Mr. Leon and our ongoing partnerships with other agencies, the FWC is advancing what we know about Burmese pythons in Florida,” Sommers said. “This event highlights how the Exotic Species hotline allows the public to help us obtain more information about Burmese pythons, so we can improve management of this invasive species. It also reflects the cooperative efforts of the FWC and its partners to address python sightings by the public.”

The public is asked to report sightings of exotic species to IveGot1.org or 888-IveGot1. There is also a free smartphone app: IVEGOT1.

Researchers say Burmese pythons are eating their way through the Everglades, decimating populations of native mammals. The snakes can grow more than 20 feet in length, and they have no predators, other than the humans desperately trying to control their population.

Learning In A War Zone Discussion (Source: CBS4)

We devote the entire half-hour of this week’s Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede to what life is like for students at Booker T. Washington High School, both at school and away from school. The format is roundtable with Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, as well as Booker T’s principal, and one of its teachers. To watch the first part of the interview, click on above picture.

To watch more of the interview, click on picture below.

Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho (Source: CBS4)

To watch the rest of the interview, click on the picture below.

William Aristide (Source: CBS4)

Tia Frost, Ms. Florida Plus America 2011 (Source: CBS4)

The second annual event presented by the Center for Independent Living Broward supports the 20-year mission of the center: to empower and offer asistance to people with disabilities. We focus on how the unique fashion show changes lives. Click on above picture to watch entire interview.

The New York Times compiled the data provided by Medicare into charts that showed health care costs are all over the map around the country.

For example, Baptist Hospital of Miami averages bills that are 1-to-2 times the U.S. average. A similar cost structure can be found at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

But even among similarly priced hospitals, the costs can still vary. Baptist Hospital charges Medicare an average of $74,610 for a major joint replacement, which is 1.5 times the U.S. average. For the same procedure Jackson charges Medicare $63,573, or 1.3 times the national average. Finally, Memorial Regional in Hollywood charges Medicare $60,742 for a major joint replacement.

However, the actual amount Medicare pays each hospital for the procedure varies as well. Medicare pays Baptist an average of $20,610, pays Jackson an average of $24,467; and Memorial Regional an average of $14,981 for a major joint replacement.

Other procedures revealed similar cost disparities including laproscopic gallbladder removal. At Baptist, a laproscopic gallbladder removal will see the hospital bill Medicare $61,585; at Jackson the billed cost is $33,125; and Memorial charges $62,191.

On the flip side, Medicare actually pays Baptist $10,933 for the gallbladder removal; pays Jackson $13,322; and Memorial receives $8,582 for the procedure from Medicare.

Across South Florida, the majority of hospitals charge Medicare around 1 to 2 times the national average for different procedures. Some notable exceptions are Doctors Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, Hialeah Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic in Weston.

Doctors Hospital, Coral Gables Hospital, and Hialeah Hospital all charge Medicare more than 2 times the U.S. average for procedures, according to the New York Times data. On the other side, the Cleveland Clinic bills Medicare less than the U.S. average for health procedures.

Across the state, most facilities south of the I-4 corridor bill Medicare 1-2 times the national average for procedures, according to the Times.

Dr. Omar Monteagudo, SAS Principal (Source: CBS4)

South Florida’s School for Advanced Studies is honored by Newsweek magazine as the sixth best in the nation. We take you inside SAS to see what makes it so special and talk with the school’s principal and two of its students. Click on above picture to watch entire interview.

Janine Lutz, mother of veteran whose PTSD drove him to suicide (Source: CBS4)

Janine Lutz has started up a nonprofit to help troubled veterans and their families, after her own son, who was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, committed suicide. Click on above picture to watch entire interview.

Scattered showers have been sweeping in across the area since the morning hours and throughout the day the storm chance will remain high due to a surge of deep tropical moisture across the peninsula. A short wave trough combined with a very moist, unstable atmosphere and the daytime heating may even lead to some strong to severe storms.

Some neighborhoods have already seen heavy downpours and excessive lightning. In fact, an Urban Flood advisory was issued for Northeastern Broward and Eastern Palm Beach counties due to rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour.

Some of the stronger storms may produce gusty winds up to 50 mph and there is even the slight chance of small hail. We will continue to see a good chance of storms through late week as the moisture continues to build in across the Sunshine State.

Our very Summery weather pattern will continue with highs in the upper 80s. When you factor in the humidity, it could feel like the 90s or warmer. With higher dewpoints and persistent daily showers and storms, this could be the start of the “Rainy Season.”

We have to wait for the National Weather Service for the official word. Later this week some drier air will likely move in and by Friday and especially into Saturday the rain chance will go down. With a slight dip in degrees and more of a breeze, it will feel much more comfortable for the long Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

“The big question is who won? No one knows who won,” said Zephyrhills resident April Garcia.

The sole ticket for the highest Powerball jackpot in history was purchased at a Publix in the central Florida town with a population of 13,337.

Until Sunday, the small suburb was best known for its spring water and skydiving, but that was before the world found out the lucky lottery ticket was sold there.

“Oh my God it could have been me,” said Patty Bickford who bought a Powerball ticket at the same store.

“You got a better chance of getting hit by lightning here than you do winning the lottery,” said Zephyrhill’s resident Tom Brown.

Some are crossing their fingers, hoping the winner is a family member, a neighbor or even a friend of a friend.

“I’m hoping maybe I know the person,” said Matthew Barbosa who won just $4 from his Powerball ticket.

Lottery officials still haven’t said if the winner has stepped forward.

“They’re probably scared that’s a lot of money,” said Barbosa. “They’re probably waiting for the right time to come forward and hiding out until then.”

The lucky winner can decide to take $590.5 million annuity or they can opt for a lump sum of $376.9 million.

“I just hope whoever won it needed it and they do good with it,” said Linda Watson.

Under Florida law, the winner’s name, age and hometown will be made public as soon as the prize money is collected.

The Publix that sold the winning ticket will get a bonus commission of $85,000.

Homeowners in the Bonita Grand development have installed security systems, bought guard dogs and even weapons – but the burglaries continue.

Joycie Lindsey said ‘being fed up’ is an understatement. She’s flat out furious and now she’s armed.

“I’ve got a gun and I will use it. I have had lessons, I have gone to the shooting range and I will shoot them if they come back,” said Lindsey.

Burglars have broken into her new home twice and she’s lived there for less than two weeks.

“I lost all my jewelry except what I have on. I feel violated, I mean this is just terrible,” said Lindsey.

Bonita Grand is still under construction and sits half empty. The residents say the developer DR Horton has a security guard who patrols the area where homes are under construction but not the area where residents are living.

“Everyone who moves in here, right after that in two or three weeks they get hit. That’s outrageous,” said Abdul Siddiqkara.

Burglars snatched his suits, cash, his wife’s jewelry and even their pillowcases. He said he has asked for help from police and he’s asked the developer to pay for security in the area until the community is finished. He said he’s gotten nowhere on either front.

“So where do I turn? I went to the police. The police say we can’t come down here every time, we cannot just patrol here. I have no other choice than to go to Channel 4,” Siddiqkara told CBS4’s Natalia Zea.

Lindsey is also ready for resolution because she has more to worry about than target practice. She is battling cancer.

“I’d really like to get my hands on the person who did this to me. I’m 76 years old but I believe I could just beat the living you know what out of them,” said Lindsey.

CBS4 contacted DR Horton’s corporate office in Texas.

“D.R. Horton is aware of the recent issues some of our homeowners have experienced in the Bonita
Grand neighborhood,” according to a statement. “We are cooperating with police efforts to address the situation and have asked our security company to report suspicious activity to the police. We have contacted our security
subcontractor to learn about options available to current homeowners interested in adding security
such as wireless alarm systems.”

The company said homeowners could install alarms and cameras to make their homes safer, but they would have to pay for it themselves.