Regional

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.

Mayo murder suspect ID’d as investigation continues

MAYO — A Mayo man was arrested and charged in connection with a Lafayette County shooting that occurred last week which claimed the lives of three people and left another person with life threatening injuries.

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.

Road work coming to I-75

Travel times along Interstate 75 could increase in the coming weeks around Hamilton County.

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...

Citizens Insurance faces U.S. Senate questions

TALLAHASSEE — Seizing on a comment by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee has ratcheted up a request for financial information about Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

Trump wins Florida Republican primary race

While it was basically over before it began, presidential primary voters in Florida turned out Tuesday to cast their ballots in the Republican race to secure the party’s nomination.

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.

Will Live Oak mayor stop annexation, development?

LIVE OAK — A major housing development on the south side of Live Oak is not out of the woods just yet.