Regional

Volunteers for candidates stand outside the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office in Lake City during the first week of early voting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Volunteers for candidates stand outside the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office in Lake City during the first week of early voting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Early voting ends Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, August 20, 2022
The early bird does indeed get the worm, but the early voters are still struggling. Today is the last chance for Florida residents to vote early for the 2022 primary election season, with Election Day right around the corner on Tuesday.

State unemployment rate drops to 2.7%

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, August 19, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.7% in July, matching the level before the covid-19 pandemic slammed into the economy in early 2020, state officials announced Friday. The July rate was down from 2.8% in June and 4.5% in July 2021 and came amid signs that inflation has slowed.
Members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provide aid to a dog removed from a Union County residence Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provide aid to a dog removed from a Union County residence Wednesday. (COURTESY)

50-plus animals rescued in Lake Butler

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
LAKE BUTLER — More than 50 animals were rescued from a Union County residence Wednesday after an animal neglect investigation.
Southern Exposure, a band out of Hamilton County, will return to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park three weeks after its debut performance. (COURTESY)

Southern Exposure, a band out of Hamilton County, will return to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park three weeks after its debut performance. (COURTESY)

Southern Exposure returns to Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
LIVE OAK — A Hamilton County band is back for more. Three weeks after its debut performance at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Southern Exposure  is returning to the park’s Music Hall again Saturday night.

Voter turnout tops 11% in Lafayette

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
MAYO — Ballots can continue to trickle in as early voting continues for the primary election. According to data from the Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections office, 512 ballots had been cast through Wednesday for the primary election or 11.39% of the county’s 4,496 eligible voters.
Florida Power and Light unveiled its new fixed-wing drone, FPLAir One, designed to fly into tropical storm force winds to help expedite power restoration Wednesday in West Palm Beach. (CODY JACKSON/Associated Press)

Florida Power and Light unveiled its new fixed-wing drone, FPLAir One, designed to fly into tropical storm force winds to help expedite power restoration Wednesday in West Palm Beach. (CODY JACKSON/Associated Press)

FPL drone can aid in hurricane recovery

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 15, 2022
WEST PALM BEACH — Florida’s primary energy provider is ready to launch a powerful new technology, just ahead of the busiest weeks of the Atlantic hurricane season: a new fixed-wing drone designed fly into tropical storm force winds and speed the restoration of electricity after severe weather.

Rainfall remains above average in July

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 15, 2022
LIVE OAK — The rains keep coming a little heavier than normal across North Florida. According to the Suwannee River Water Management District’s hydrologic conditions report for July, which was released last week, the district’s 14 county area received 8.

Bradley prepares for 2026 re-election bid

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, August 15, 2022
After running unopposed this year, Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) has taken an initial step toward seeking re-election in 2026. Bradley last month opened a 2026 campaign account in Senate District 6, according to the state Division of Elections website.