HOT NEWS TOPICS Florida restaurant settles ``blacks don't tip'' suit
MIAMI, Nov 25 (Reuters) - A Miami Beach restaurateur will pay $15,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing him of violating Florida law by adding a service charge to an African-American couple's dinner check and saying black people do not tip well, state officials said on Thursday. Florida sued Thai Toni restaurant in trendy South Beach after its owner, Hiromi Takarada, stirred a storm of protest by adding a 15 percent tip to the bill of black diners Charles Thompson and Theresa White on October 23....


Florida attorney general defends affirmative action TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov 24 (Reuters) - Florida's attorney general said Wednesday he has asked the state Supreme Court to stop a bid by California businessman Ward Connerly to stamp out affirmative action in Florida....


NOW Opposes 'Choose Life' Plates .c The Associated Press By DAVID MARK
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Now that a license plate with a crayon drawing of two children and the words ``Choose Life'' has received final approval, the fight to stop the state from issuing it heads to court. Former Democratic state Rep. Barry Silver, a Boca Raton lawyer working with the National Organization for Women, said he plans to seek an injunction against the plate in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Critics say the license plate makes a political statement against abortion. ``The Legislature rejected language that said 'Choose Adoption,' which was the supposed basis for the plate,'' Silver said. State lawmakers approved the tag earlier this year and Gov. Jeb Bush and the six-member Cabinet needed to sign off on the plate's design and color. The Republican governor joined four Cabinet members Tuesday in approving the tag. Attorney General Bob Butterworth and Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson, both Democrats, voted against it. ``I believe there are better ways to promote adoption than placing a political message on a license plate,'' Nelson said. Florida already offers more than 45 specialty plates, calling attention to everything from the endangered manatee to the NHL's Florida Panthers. Money raised by sales of the ``Choose Life'' plate - which costs $22 extra and is expected to be available in two to three months - will go to support organizations that serve pregnant women who plan to put their babies up for adoption.