Tortoise home approved | Hernando Today – Local equestrians are concerned about the approval of a new tortoise home in Brooksville. Local officials wish to see compromise between the horse riders and protected species, planning to design new trails for the horses that will bypass tortoise burrows. Hernando Today

Couple’s lawsuit accuses Church of Scientology of fraud, deception – Tampa Bay Times – A California couple filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Church of Scientology of using fraudulent, deceptive and high-pressure tactics to coax millions of dollars from its members. The Tampa Bay Times

Gainesville home sales up 12 percent in 2012 | Gainesville.com – Local home sales finished 2012 on a high note to push the total for the year to more than 2,000, 12 percent above 2011 figures. Sales showed a clear trend toward recovery with year-over-year results up in 11 out of 12 months. The Gainesville Sun

House approves bill to defuse debt ceiling – Jan. 23, 2013 – The House passed the “No Budget, No Pay Act,” a Republican bill that would defuse the debt ceiling until mid-May. CNN

Gov and Cabinet approve Glades leases despite concerns | Florida politics blog: The Buzz | Tampa Bay Times – Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet approved the request of two agriculture companies to renew their leases to farm state land, despite concerns from environmentalists who say the leases will limit options for cleaning up the Everglades in the future. The Tampa Bay Times