Regional

Florida jobless rate down to 2.5 percent

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.5% in December as businesses continue to struggle to fill positions. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released a report Friday that showed the December rate down from 2.6% in November and from 3.5% in December 2021.

Judge fines Trump, lawyer for ‘frivolous’ Clinton lawsuit

NEW YORK — A Florida judge sanctioned former President Donald Trump and one of his attorneys, ordering them to pay nearly $1 million for filing what he said was a bogus lawsuit against Trump’s 2016 rival Hillary Clinton and others. In a blistering filing on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Donald M.

Biden on classified documents discovery: ‘There’s no there there’

APTOS, Calif.  — A frustrated President Joe Biden said Thursday there is “no there there” when he was persistently questioned about the discovery of classified documents and official records at his home and former office.

BOCC tweaking Scott’s contract

LIVE OAK — A contract for Suwannee County’s new administrator will wait for another month. The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners requested changes be made to a proposed employment agreement with Greg Scott during its meeting Tuesday.

Live Oak man arrested on child sex charges

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak man is in custody after accusations of sexually assaulting a child. According to the Live Oak Police Department, a relative of the victim contacted an officer on Jan. 3 claiming the child said Ronald Flaurr, 62, hurt her and touched her inappropriately while she was sleeping.

Live Oak woman dies from crash injuries

McALPIN – A Live Oak woman died from injuries suffered in a crash last week. A 72-year-old woman died at UF Health Shands Hospital, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, after being involved in a two-vehicle collision Jan. 12 at the intersection of 129th Road and County Road 252.

Lafayette hopes legislators lock down $4M for jail

MAYO — Lafayette County is looking for state legislators to help lock down upgrades to its 71-year-old jail. At the county’s legislative delegation hearing Friday, Sheriff Brian Lamb told Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.

Universities spend millions on diversity, equity, inclusion

TALLAHASSEE — Some Florida universities are spending millions of dollars on programs and other expenses related to diversity, equity and inclusion — as Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration target “trendy ideology” on campuses.

Land deals could aid wildlife corridor

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $17.8 million in land-conservation deals that include protecting two properties that are part of an envisioned wildlife corridor stretching from the Keys to the Panhandle.

DeSantis vows to shield medical views on covid

TALLAHASSEE — After a similar proposal died last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed Tuesday to pass a measure that would shield physicians from being disciplined for expressing views on issues such as covid-19.