Regional

I-75 North will be closed for bridge repairs

JASPER — Motorists traveling Interstate 75 north will face overnight lane closures for the next week. Starting Sunday and running through March 31, the Florida Department of Transportation will have double lane closures on I-75 North over the Alapaha River in Hamilton County.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean proposed an amendment to allow Florida to keep wetlands-permitting power. (NEW SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean proposed an amendment to allow Florida to keep wetlands-permitting power. (NEW SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

State permitting fight flares up in Congress

TALLAHASSEE — As court battles continue, supporters of Florida keeping permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands are trying a different tack: Put it in federal law. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) this week added an amendment to a bill to try to codify a 2020 decision by the U.S.

Live Oak man sentenced in child porn case

LIVE OAK — A Suwannee County man has been sentenced after his conviction on possession of child sex abuse images. The sentencing follows previous convictions of possessing, receiving and distributing child sex abuse images. According to a U.S.

DeSantis signs homeless restrictions

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a controversial bill designed to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places, continuing to say he doesn’t want Florida to become like places such as San Francisco.

Justices urged to weigh ‘unborn child’ issue

TALLAHASSEE — With the Florida Supreme Court deciding whether an abortion-rights constitutional amendment should go on the November ballot, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office and abortion opponents are urging justices to consider another part of the state Constitution that they say could apply...
Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, led efforts to expand the number of medical-marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmer. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, led efforts to expand the number of medical-marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmer. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

More marijuana licenses backed for Black farmers

TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers for the second year in a row have signed off on expanding the number of medical-marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmers, opening the door for three applicants who lost out earlier.