Regional

SPB prevention program open for applications

Private North Florida forest landowners can seek state assistance in protecting their land from the southern pine beetle.

Florida will see three tax ‘holidays’

TALLAHASSEE — Floridians preparing for the looming hurricane season can avoid paying sales taxes on many types of disaster gear starting late next week, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $196.3 million tax package on Friday.

Gambling deal sent to DeSantis

Just a day after lawmakers gave final approval, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday formally received a bill that would carry out a 30-year gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  Lawmakers held a three-day special session this week to pass the bill (SB 2A) and other gambling-related measures.

SHS, BHS set for commencements

LIVE OAK — The Class of 2021 will return to Buccaneer Stadium and Langford Stadium one last time. While they’ve been out of school for a week already, the seniors will be back this weekend for their ultimate prize: their diploma.

Report points to benefits of Medicaid expansion

TALLAHASSEE — Florida could add 134,700 jobs, lower the number of uninsured residents by 852,000 and pump billions of additional federal dollars into the economy if it would expand Medicaid to low-income adults without children, according to a report released Thursday.

Pitch for idle soccer field OK’d

LIVE OAK — A handful of jobs — and maybe much more — could soon be coming to unused Suwannee County property.

Experts predict busy Atlantic storm season

The Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than normal, but it’s unlikely to be as crazy as 2020’s record-shattering year, meteorologists said Thursday.

Lawmakers bet on gambling pact with Seminole Tribe

TALLAHASSEE — Despite concerns that a sports-betting provision might not withstand legal challenges, Florida lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to a 30-year deal with the Seminole Tribe that promises to rake $2.5 billion into state coffers over the first five years of the agreement.

Education proposal targets efforts to ‘indoctrinate’

TALLAHASSEE — A proposed rule that will be weighed by the State Board of Education aims to control the way history is taught in Florida classrooms and not allow teachers to “indoctrinate” students, as part of what state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran called a “constant, vigilant fight.”

Pipeline confirms $4.4M payment

NEW YORK — The operator of the nation’s largest fuel pipeline confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems.