Regional

Legislature announces deal on on covid liability protections

TALLAHASSEE — Legislative leaders announced Thursday they have an agreement on covid-19 liability protections for businesses, nursing homes and other health-care providers and that a bill should be headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk late next week.

Biden announces Nelson pick for NASA

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat who orbited the earth 98 times over six days aboard the space shuttle Columbia, was formally announced Friday as President Joe Biden’s pick to lead NASA.

Commission delays vote on solar project

LIVE OAK — A proposed solar project in southeastern Suwannee County will be kept in the dark for at least a few more weeks. Wanting more time to do its due diligence on the project, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners continued a public hearing on the solar facility until April 13.

Downtown High Springs Art Walk set for Saturday

HIGH SPRINGS — Downtown High Springs will once again turn into an artistic mecca with another Downtown High Springs Art Walk on Saturday.

Bright Futures revamp clears first hurdle

TALLAHASSEE — With dozens of students testifying against the bill, a controversial plan to reduce Bright Futures scholarships for students who pursue degrees deemed unlikely to lead to jobs was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee. The proposal (SB 86), sponsored by Sen.

Woman killed in single-vehicle crash

LIVE OAK — A Live Oak woman was killed in a single-vehicle accident early Saturday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2006 Chevrolet Trail Blazer was headed west on NE Scott Street near NE Anna Ave. around 3 a.m.

House gives boost to pharmacist vaccination power

TALLAHASSEE — A House health care panel Tuesday approved a proposal that would allow pharmacists to vaccinate children, but only after lawmakers agreed to limit the types of vaccines that could be administered.

Insurance, K9s and weed top Cabinet’s legislative priorities

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wants to make navigating insurance claims more consumer friendly, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wants to fight hunger and Attorney General Ashley Moody wants better protections for seniors who are exploited.

BOCC considering zoning changes for solar project

LIVE OAK — Another solar farm may be sprouting soon in Suwannee County. At Monday’s Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners meeting — scheduled for 6 p.m.

FPL files proposal for base rate hikes

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Power & Light on Friday filed a four-year rate plan that would lead to most customers seeing gradual increases in their monthly bills, with the utility saying the proposal would allow it to “continue focusing on ways to deliver low-cost electricity.