Regional

The wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, currently under construction and seen in a photo from last fall, was funded in part by the Florida Job Growth Grant. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY)

The wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, currently under construction and seen in a photo from last fall, was funded in part by the Florida Job Growth Grant. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY)

House proposes slashing ‘vital’ infrastructure funding source

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 26, 2024
A state grant funding program that has helped with infrastructure improvements locally could see its resources slashed. According to the proposed budgets released by the Florida Legislature on Friday, the House of Representatives is looking to only fund $25 million in the Job Growth Grant.

DeSantis raises concerns with social media bill

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, January 26, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday raised legal concerns about the “breadth” of a bill that seeks to prevent children under age 16 from having social-media accounts. The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed the bill (HB 1), a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast).

LHS grad rate top 5 in state

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
MAYO — The Lafayette County School District’s stranglehold on the state’s best graduation rate is over. But after five years of having the top rate in Florida, Lafayette County didn’t fall far, ranking fifth in the state with a 94.7% graduation rate last year. Wakulla had the top rate at 97.
Gauge Bolin will make his Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on Friday night. The Suwannee Opry will have eight artists then performing Saturday night. (COURTESY)

Gauge Bolin will make his Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park on Friday night. The Suwannee Opry will have eight artists then performing Saturday night. (COURTESY)

Bolin, Opry hitting Suwannee Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The sounds of the opry are coming down to Live Oak. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is getting ready to host a weekend full of music in what it’s calling the Suwannee Opry. Eight different artists are slated to perform on Saturday.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley is backing a budget proposal for construction projects in the prison system. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Sen. Jennifer Bradley is backing a budget proposal for construction projects in the prison system. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Budget proposals start taking shape

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers could boost spending on the state prison system, but Gov. Ron DeSantis’ requests to increase funding for tourism marketing and economic development weren’t included Wednesday as the Legislature started releasing initial budget proposals.