Local defense attorney, Thomas Edwards, charged with DUI after hit and run | Gainesville.com – Gainesville criminal defense attorney Thomas Edwards, 55, faces charges of driving under the influence Saturday afternoon on southbound I-75. Edwards, who is a partner in the Gainesville law firm Shackow, Mercadante & Edwards, is known in the area for defending DUI cases. Authorities say he crashed into two other cars in the hit-and-run case at 2:10 p.m. then continued heading south before stopping near mile marker 394.  Gainesville Sun

House destroyed by fire in NW Gainesville | Gainesville.com – A fire damaged a northwest Gainesville home and destroyed its roof early Tuesday morning. The fire was reported at 7516 Millhopper Road around 3:35 a.m. The 2,500 square-foot house was 50 percent involved, according to Gainesville Fire Rescue. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Fla. Senate panel rejects Medicaid expansion – Florida Wires – MiamiHerald.com – A Florida Senate committee voted Monday against Medicaid expansion intended to reach out to roughly 1 million impoverished residents. Instead, the committee proposed a voucher health care plan, which would require patients to pay a premium and co-pay. The plan, proposed by committee Chairman Sen. Joe Negron, could save up to $127 million a year. Miami Herald

Rome Tourism Rooting for an American Pope – NYTimes.com – Today marks the first day of the Vatican conclave, and the Rome tourism industry is hoping for the election of an American pope. Hotel bookings increased more than 10 percent after Benedict XVI announced that he was stepping down, resulting in an unanticipated boost in tourism during the low season. New York Times