Regional

FPL reaches deal on raised rates, solar boost

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Power & Light has reached agreement with representatives of consumers and businesses on a four-year plan that would increase base electric rates and continue the utility’s push to add solar energy.

$1T infrastructure bill passes Senate

WASHINGTON — With a robust vote after weeks of fits and starts, the Senate approved a $1 trillion infrastructure plan for states coast to coast on Tuesday,  as a rare coalition of Democrats and Republicans joined together to overcome skeptics and deliver a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s...

Suwannee Schools enjoy ‘smooth’ first day

LIVE OAK — Other than the normal first day traffic delays, Superintendent Ted Roush said the Suwannee County School District’s first day of the school year was good. “Everything seemed to go pretty smooth,” Roush said.

Covid vaccines to be required for U.S. military

WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. military will be required to get the covid-19 vaccine beginning next month under a plan laid out by the Pentagon Monday and endorsed by President Joe Biden.

School officials could face financial hits for mask mandates

TALLAHASSEE — Local school officials continue to grapple with implementing student mask policies as the school year begins this week in many counties.

Tropical storm watches issued Monday for Caribbean islands

MIAMI — Tropical storm watches were issued for various Caribbean islands Monday evening for what soon could become the sixth named tropical storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Watches were in effect for Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Puerto Rico, the U.S.

Suwannee eyes $25M internet boost

LIVE OAK — Suwannee County may soon be pulling into the fast lane of the information superhighway.

Biden nudges Senate over ‘historic’ $1T infrastructure bill

WASHINGTON — Despite a rocky week of fits and starts, President Joe Biden on Friday praised the Senate for edging the bipartisan infrastructure  plan closer to passage, ahead of a key vote on the $1 trillion package.

Vouchers, lawsuit ratchet up school mask debate

TALLAHASSEE — The State Board of Education approved an emergency rule Friday that will allow students who experience what officials labeled covid-19 “harassment” to use state-backed vouchers to transfer to private schools or to move to different public schools or districts.

Students who oppose masks could get vouchers

TALLAHASSEE — Florida students could soon use state-backed vouchers to transfer to private schools if they object to wearing masks in classrooms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis and state education officials argue that decisions about masks should be left up to parents during the covid-19 pandemic.