Regional

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over university accredidation. (JOSHUA BOUCHER/The State/MCT)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over university accredidation. (JOSHUA BOUCHER/The State/MCT)

DeSantis sues Biden administration over university accrediting system

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 22, 2023
TAMPA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Education over accreditation agencies, which control federal aid for students.

SCSO searching for missing woman

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee County deputies continue to search for a Live Oak woman reported missing Tuesday. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release Wednesday, 58-year-old Beverly Yagins left for work before 8 a.m. Tuesday and hasn’t been seen since.

Largo woman jailed for offering teens ‘sneak peak’

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
BRANFORD — Two minors were offered a “sneak peak” at Ivey Park on Tuesday, leading to a Largo woman’s arrest. According to a pair of Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office reports, 55-year-old Debra Thomes asked two teens — one 16 and the other 15 — if they were virgins or had any sexual experience.
The Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School Student Lighthouse Team, which is composed of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students, with coordinator Theda Roper. Front Row: Kadence Rickett (from left), Alania Hodge, Addison Rodgers, Ryan Keeler, Willow Hamilton, Zoey Sturdivant and Roper; Middle Row: Kydin Leighton, Brielle Dukes, Ila Alcorn, Bailee Jo Ambrose, Olivia Cauley and Kahleigha Mobley; Back Row: Alberyo Casado and Jayce Olive.  Not pictured: Hanna Beard. (COURTESY)

The Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School Student Lighthouse Team, which is composed of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students, with coordinator Theda Roper. Front Row: Kadence Rickett (from left), Alania Hodge, Addison Rodgers, Ryan Keeler, Willow Hamilton, Zoey Sturdivant and Roper; Middle Row: Kydin Leighton, Brielle Dukes, Ila Alcorn, Bailee Jo Ambrose, Olivia Cauley and Kahleigha Mobley; Back Row: Alberyo Casado and Jayce Olive.  Not pictured: Hanna Beard. (COURTESY)

Suwannee school recognized for leadership

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
LIVE OAK — A Suwannee County elementary school has earned national recognition for its leadership qualities. Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School, a “Leader in Me” school, has received Leader in Me Lighthouse certification from FranklinCovey Education.

State seeks to scuttle voter registration suit

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
TALLAHASSEE — In a dispute rooted in a 2018 constitutional amendment designed to restore voting rights for convicted felons, a judge Tuesday heard arguments in an attempt by the state to end a lawsuit that alleges a voter-registration form violates federal law.

House censures Schiff over Trump-Russia investigations

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to censure California Rep. Adam Schiff for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Donald Trump’s ties to Russia, rebuking the Democrat and frequent critic of the former president along party lines.

Biden calls China’s leader a ‘dictator,’ opens new rift

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s remarks calling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a “dictator” and China a country with “real economic difficulties” drew fast condemnation from China on Wednesday, cracking open a new rift just after the two countries agreed to tentative steps to stabilize the...
Former Jasper Police Chief Anthony ‘Tony’ Rickerson’s flag-draped casket is carried into the cemetery at Burnham Christian Church in Jennings by the honor guard Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Former Jasper Police Chief Anthony ‘Tony’ Rickerson’s flag-draped casket is carried into the cemetery at Burnham Christian Church in Jennings by the honor guard Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jasper chief laid to rest

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
JASPER — Law enforcement agencies from around the state joined the Jasper community for a solemn ceremony honoring its late police chief.