Regional

Senate Democratic leader ousted

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to oust Minority Leader Gary Farmer with just days left in the legislative session, deciding to replace him with Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation).

Feds raid Giuliani’s home, office

NEW YORK — Federal agents raided Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan home and office Wednesday, seizing computers and cellphones in a major escalation of the Justice Department’s investigation into the business dealings of former President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.

Lawmakers pass ‘Alcohol to go’

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday night to a bill that would make permanent a change allowing restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with take-home meals. Gov.

$101.5B budget deal reached

TALLAHASSEE — House and Senate leaders Monday night finished nailing down details of a $101.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, after agreeing that first responders statewide should get $1,000 bonuses for their work during the covid-19 pandemic.

Vaccine drives offered around Suwannee County

LIVE OAK — Utilizing state resources, the Suwannee County Health Department is drawing up a full-court press on administering covid-19 vaccines this weekend. Four free vaccination sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CDC eases guidelines on outdoor masks

NEW YORK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines Tuesday on the wearing of masks outdoors, saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.

Live Oak Kiwanis bringing ‘Music for All’ to park

LIVE OAK — A perfect pitch and working in harmony will soon bring the sounds of music to Heritage Park. The Kiwanis of Live Oak received a $10,000 David & Donna Batelaan Kiwanis Clubs and Divisions Grant from the Florida Kiwanis Foundation toward benefitting children with special needs.

LifeSouth: It’s OK to donate with vaccine

People vaccinated from covid-19 are still safe to donate blood. According to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, all eligible donors are still urged to support their local blood supply.

Florida gains seat in House

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s surging population growth is expanding the state’s reach over the nation’s political landscape, giving it one more congressional seat and greater influence on the path to the presidency. U.S. Census Bureau figures released Monday show Florida gained more than 2.

SOSMP adds pair of venue vets to weekend lineup

LIVE OAK — Even with this weekend’s Suwannee Country Live Golf Cart Drive-In music festival on the docket, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground is carrying on with another act in the works.  LeeAnn Purvis, a 15-year-old Jacksonville native, will make another appearance at the SOSMP.