Regional

WIC: More fruits, veggies offered

GAINESVILLE — Additional fruits and vegetables are available for families through the Florida WIC program. The American Rescue Plan Act authorized states to increase the WIC benefit for four months with an increase in the fruit and vegetable voucher.

Statewide third-grade language arts scores dip

The Florida Department of Education reported that 54% of third-grade students this year scored “satisfactory” or above on the state English-language arts exam, a 4-point decrease from 2019 when the exam was last administered.

DeSantis among governors urging Census data release

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

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

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

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.

FFS remembers Fulton, Burch 10 years later

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

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.

DeSantis: Florida will help with border control

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that Florida law-enforcement officers will go to Texas and Arizona to help with border control, as Florida continues to challenge the Biden administration in federal court about immigration enforcement.

Congress approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

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.