Metro I-4 News

In an ALL CAPS top of A1 SCARY HEADLINE, the Orlando Sentinel tells us that the RAIL DEAL CLINGS TO LIFE.  The other big story is an important one in the wake of the Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair photos: growing up may be life’s toughest role for kid stars.  Well, it’s important for all those cast members, I suppose.  On the opinion page, the Sentinel says Florida’s standards for concealed-weapons permit are dangerous.

The Ledger reports that the The future of commuter rail in Orlando grew shakier on Wednesday, and that Funding for USF Polytechnic is near approval.  Also, Polk County schools failed to adequately educate an autistic student and now must pay up to $720,000 to give 22-year-old Andrew "Drew" Sammons a proper education.  An editorial begs legislators to drop the existing CSX nonsense, and begin work on an effective commuter and freight rail solution for next year.  IN THE SUNSHINE.

The Tampa Tribune simply says that the CSX deal has run out of steam.  In other news, they report the survey results of Who is Living in Downtown Tampa, and what those residents need, but the St. Pete Times rightly finds flaws with the survey itself.  Trib editorial board says the State Threatens Port Business With Duplicative ID Mandate.

And although they are not near I-4, Chuck likes to follow those Devil Rays, so we try to include their hometown paper now and again. The St. Pete Times reports that it is now your move to rescue the nation’s economy, and that local lifeguards may need rescue from budget cuts.  An editorial encourages St. Pete leaders to make sure Tropicana Field gets redeveloped properly before building a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.