Regional

DeSantis among governors urging Census data release

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Fifteen Republican governors, including Florida’s Ron DeSantis, sent a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Commerce urging that the U.S. Census Bureau release redistricting data as soon as possible, saying further delays would hurt efforts to redraw congressional and legislative districts.

DeSantis signs school CPR bill

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, June 21, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed 44 bills, including a measure that will require high-school freshmen and juniors in Florida to take one hour of instruction on how to administer CPR.

Drunk man causes scene after trying to steal beer

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 21, 2021
WELLBORN — An outburst from an upset customer caused the Wellborn General Store to close early Sunday night and led to charges of disorderly intoxication. According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Wesley Kennedy attempted to steal beer from the store just before 9 p.m. Sunday.

Calls for help end in charges

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 21, 2021
LIVE OAK — When she was asked to leave a friend’s hotel room early Sunday morning, authorities said a Miami woman called 911. And called. And called. And called. Making five calls in less than two hours, 30-year-old Rockell Walker King was arrested around 2 a.m.
Wildland firefighters Brett Fulton (left) and Joshua Burch lost their lives 10 years ago Sunday while fighting the Blue Ribbon Fire in 2011. (COURTESY)

Wildland firefighters Brett Fulton (left) and Joshua Burch lost their lives 10 years ago Sunday while fighting the Blue Ribbon Fire in 2011. (COURTESY)

FFS remembers Fulton, Burch 10 years later

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 18, 2021
A decade after they lost their lives in the line of duty, the Florida Forest Service continues to honor firefighters Brett Fulton and Joshua Burch. Sunday marks 10 years since the duo died battling the Blue Ribbon Fire in Hamilton County.

Area unemployment rates fall in May

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Friday, June 18, 2021
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in May as people continued to slowly return to the workforce, including in the economically critical leisure and hospitality industries. The May unemployment rate was 4.9%, up from 4.

Congress approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
WASHINGTON — The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the nation. The House voted 415-14 Wednesday to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk, and he is expected to sign it into law.
Photos and keepsakes adorn the Pulse Interim Memorial located at the Pulse nightclub site south of downtown Orlando, Thursday, June 6, 2019. June 12 marked the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting that left 49 club patrons dead. (JOE BURBANK/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

Photos and keepsakes adorn the Pulse Interim Memorial located at the Pulse nightclub site south of downtown Orlando, Thursday, June 6, 2019. June 12 marked the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting that left 49 club patrons dead. (JOE BURBANK/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

Congress designating Pulse massacre site a national memorial

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for stronger gun safety measures Wednesday as she marked Congress’ passage of legislation designating the site of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in American history as a national memorial.