Court considering Fla. killer Paul Augustus Howell’s last-ditch appeal – The state asked U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to lift a stay of execution on Paul Augustus Howell. Howell is a South Florida drug trafficker who was convicted of killing a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper with a pipe bomb 21 years ago. The Ocala Star-Banner

Poll: 7 in 10 back Florida medical-marijuana plan, enough to possibly affect governor’s race – Seven out of 10 Florida voters are in favor of a state constitutional amendment aimed at legalizing medical marijuana. Polls show this topic has high approval across party lines. The Miami Herald

Alachua County schools awarded $1.6 million for performance – The Florida School Recognition Program will award Alachua County Public Schools $1.6 million. The financial rewards are provided to schools based on student achievement improvement in reading, math, science and writing. The Gainesville Sun

U.S. new-home sales jump to highest in 4 1/2 years – National new-home sales increased in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008. The 16 percent increase in January also marks the largest percentage increase in nearly 20 years. The Denver Post

Prominent Republicans Sign Brief in Support of Gay Marriage – A group of prominent Republicans will be submitting a legal brief to the Supreme Court that argues in support of gay marriage. The document is being submitted in support of a suit to strike down Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative barring same-sex marriage. The New York Times