Regional

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses attendees during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday in Tampa. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses attendees during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday in Tampa. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Trump vs. DeSantis in debate of GOP’s future

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, July 25, 2022
TAMPA — When former President Donald Trump took the stage before a crowd of more than 5,000 young conservative activists in Tampa this weekend, he received the rock star’s welcome he’s grown accustomed to over the seven years in which he’s reshaped the Republican Party.

O’Steen looks for new trial

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 22, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The Dixie County attorney linked to the former state attorney’s bribery and extortion scheme wants a new trial. In a motion filed this week in U.S.

Jobless rate rises locally in June

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, July 22, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Despite increased concerns about layoffs and a looming recession, Florida’s unemployment rate dipped in June. The state Department of Economic Opportunity on Friday released a report that said the June rate was 2.8%, down from a revised 2.9% in May.

Crist, Fried duke it out in debate

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Thursday, July 21, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — With both claiming to be Florida Democrats’ best bet to defeat Gov. Ron DeSantis in November, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried traded barbs Thursday in their only debate before next month’s primary election.

Mental health crisis hotline goes live

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 21, 2022
A new hotline number for those in mental distress went live last weekend. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, went into effect on July 16.

Tax ‘holiday’ helps usher in school year

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Thursday, July 21, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — As summer break winds down and students gear up for the academic year, a back-to-school tax “holiday” on items such as clothes and school supplies is set to begin Monday. Sales-tax exemptions on school-related purchases will run through Aug. 7.
A group of manatees are pictured in a canal where discharge from a nearby Florida Power & Light plant warms the water in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Dec. 28, 2010. Fewer manatee deaths have been recorded so far this year in Florida compared to the record-setting numbers in 2021 but wildlife officials cautioned, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, that chronic starvation remains a dire and ongoing threat to the marine mammals. (LYNNE SLADKY/Associated Press)

A group of manatees are pictured in a canal where discharge from a nearby Florida Power & Light plant warms the water in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Dec. 28, 2010. Fewer manatee deaths have been recorded so far this year in Florida compared to the record-setting numbers in 2021 but wildlife officials cautioned, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, that chronic starvation remains a dire and ongoing threat to the marine mammals. (LYNNE SLADKY/Associated Press)

Officials: Starvation threat not over for Florida manatees

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, July 21, 2022
ST. PETERSBURG — Fewer manatee deaths have been recorded so far this year in Florida compared to the record-setting numbers in 2021, but wildlife officials cautioned Wednesday that chronic starvation remains a dire and ongoing threat to the marine mammals. Between Jan.
President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media after exiting Air Force One on July 20 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP FILE)

President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media after exiting Air Force One on July 20 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP FILE)

Biden tests positive for covid-19, has 'very mild symptoms'

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, July 21, 2022
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden tested positive for covid-19 on Thursday and is experiencing “very mild symptoms,” the White House said, as new variants of the highly contagious virus are challenging the nation's efforts to resume normalcy after two and a half years of pandemic disruptions.

Second brother sentenced for incest child pornography

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — A Lake City man has joined his older brother in being sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography. Dennis Dewayne Jackson, 39, was sentenced Tuesday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan in U.S.