BC-FL–Florida News Digest,2nd Ld, FL

FLORIDA REPUBLICANS-GREER: Expected by 5 p.m.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Will be updated with Florida campaign stops.

HEALTH CARE-FLORIDA: Expected by 3 p.m.

FLORIDA KEYS-UNDERSEA LAB: Expected to move by 5 p.m.

ABORTION CLINIC FIRE

PENSACOLA — An illiterate homeless man with a long criminal history pleaded guilty on Thursday to setting a fire that gutted a Pensacola abortion clinic in January. Bobby Joe Rogers, 41, faces up to 21 years in prison for destroying the American Family Planning Clinic. The clinic has been the site of protests and violence. In 1994, an anti-abortion activist killed a doctor and the doctor’s security escort outside the clinic. By Melissa Nelson.

FLORIDA REPUBLICANS-GREER

ORLANDO — The judge in the fraud case of former Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer is set to hear arguments on a pair of motions just weeks shy of his trial. One motion that Republican officials will challenge Thursday was filed by Greer’s attorney to receive certain documents dealing with fundraising and consulting agreements for the party, Florida House and Senate from 2003 to 2012. Republicans say the documents are confidential. By Kyle Hightower.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

WEST PALM BEACH — President Barack Obama is trying to keep the pressure on Republican rival Mitt Romney, opening two days of campaigning in Florida in search of military veterans, seniors and unaligned voters in the state’s crucial midsection. Romney’s wife said no more of her husband’s tax information would be made public. Obama was appearing Thursday in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach as his campaign urges Romney to release more years of his tax returns and keeps a sharp focus on the former Massachusetts governor’s tenure as the head of a private equity firm. “We’ve given all that people need to know and understand about our financial situation and about how we live our life,” Ann Romney told ABC News in an interview broadcast Thursday. By Ken Thomas. With AP Photos.

PUBLIC RECORDS

TALLAHASSEE — The identity of students who submit complaints to public schools, including colleges and universities, about their teachers are public records and must be disclosed to citizens, a Florida appellate court ruled Thursday. By Bill Kaczor. MOVED.

HEALTH CARE-FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE — Florida insurance regulators Thursday are getting an update on health care coverage in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and Gov. Rick Scott’s declaration that the state will not fully implement Medicaid provisions that the justices said are not mandatory. By Bill Kaczor.

EARNS-AUTONATION

RICHMOND, Va. — Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation Inc. said Thursday that its second-quarter net income rose 9.3 percent as the nation’s largest dealership chain sold more new and used vehicles. Its results beat Wall Street expectations, and its shares rose more than 2 percent in premarket dealings. CEO Mike Jackson said that the strong new vehicle sales environment is supported by demand from customers who want to replace their aging cars and a healthy credit environment. MOVED.

FLORIDA KEYS-UNDERSEA LAB

KEY LARGO — An undersea lab in a Florida Keys marine sanctuary where biologists have tracked changes to fragile coral reef and astronauts have trained to live and work in space is preparing for what is likely its last mission. The federal government cut the Aquarius Reef Base’s $3 million budget this spring, and without the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding marine researchers say they’re losing their front row-view of the effects of climate change and the rapid of decline of coral reefs ecosystems. By Jennifer Kay. AP Photos. AP Video.

ALSO:

DAD DENIES DISNEY WISH — An Ohioan says he blocked his 4-year-old daughter’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World because he doesn’t believe donations to the wish-granting organization should be spent on a child who appears clear of illness after two years of cancer treatments.

FARMWORKER LAWSUIT — One of the state’s major tomato growers will pay two women $150,000 and change the way it deals with harassment complaints to settle a federal lawsuit.

SEA TURTLE DIES — Wildlife officials say a rare Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle has died a week after undergoing surgery to remove hooks from his mouth and intestines and fishing line from his front flipper.

BUYING CLUB-REFUNDS — Iowa authorities say a Florida-based online membership club retailer has agreed to pay $135,000 in refunds to Iowans who were charged for memberships in the company’s programs.

SCLC CONVENTION — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is scheduled to hold its annual convention this week in the city where 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot in an effort to keep attention on the incident.

RNC- EVENT ZONE — The city of St. Petersburg has set up rules for an event zone during the Republican National Convention that will create a parade route and prohibit certain weapons and masks.

RNC-DOWNTOWN WORKERS — Tenants of one of Tampa’s tallest skyscrapers are getting new advice from the landlord for the week of the Republican National Convention: stay home if you can.

BROWARD CORRUPTION — A former Broward commissioner is out of federal prison after serving more than two years for corruption convictions.

SWIM FASHION-FUNDRAISER — Over 400 people are expected to attend a stylish event in Miami Beach while giving back to the community.

FASHION-MIAMI SWIM — More than two dozen designers are showcasing their latest swimwear collections in Miami Beach.

SPORTS:

BBA–INDIANS-RAYS

ST. PETERSBURG — Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez gets the start as the Cleveland Indians go for a series win over Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field. The Rays counter with All-Star lefty David Price, who’s seeking his 13th victory. Starts at 12:10 p.m. Freelancer Mark Didtler covering.

— With: Hometown lead.

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The AP, Miami