Regional

DeSantis signs pair of bills aiding military

TALLAHASSEE — Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills Friday aimed at helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce and a third that helps children of active military members adjust to new schools.

State sees revenue increase in April

TALLAHASSEE — As federal stimulus checks gave Floridians more money to spend, the state’s April revenue collections topped an economists’ forecast by nearly 24%. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research on Friday reported April general-revenue collections came in $797.

Wellborn man arrested after pushing senior

WELLBORN — Roles reversed during Memorial Day weekend when a middle-aged man told a senior citizen to get off his lawn. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, Brandon Lee Mortlock, 36, was arrested around 5:20 p.m.

LO man arrested on gun charge

LIVE OAK — The kickoff for Memorial Day weekend nearly turned deadly when law enforcement officials say a man pointed a loaded firearm at several people Saturday afternoon.

NFC Foundation awards scholarships for 2021

MADISON — The North Florida College Foundation recently announced 55 NFC High School Seniors Scholarship awardees for 2021, including 21 from Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee counties.

DeSantis vetoes $1.5B out of record budget

TALLAHASSEE — While pointing to an economic resurgence amid the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday used his line-item veto power to slash $1.5 billion as he signed a record $100 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Wellborn man arrested for clubbing victim

WELLBORN — Club sandwiches, not seals. Or, in this case, people too.  Todd Jay Brown, 51, was arrested Memorial Day evening around 6:53 p.m. after law enforcement officials say Brown hit a victim over the head with a club.

Fried announces run for governor

TALLAHASSEE — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Tuesday she’ll seek the Democratic nomination for governor, calling Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis an authoritarian who’s putting his party and political ambition ahead of Floridians.

Driving with hazard lights on now OK

TALLAHASSEE — For years, Florida has been reminding motorists not to use flashing hazard lights while driving. Well starting soon, feel free to flash away — but only on the highway. And only in heavy rain or fog.

White House wants drug import lawsuit dismissed

TALLAHASSEE — The Biden administration is urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit that could stand in the way of Florida and other states importing prescription drugs from Canada. In a legal brief filed Friday, the White House argues that the lawsuit filed last year on behalf of U.S.