Regional

Florida Senate considers slicing hospital funding

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers are releasing initial budget proposals that grapple with shortfalls caused by the covid-19 pandemic — even though the prospect of billions of dollars coming to the state from Washington might render the plans somewhat meaningless in the weeks to come.

Lawmakers looking at vaping regulations

TALLAHASSEE — More than two years after the U.S. surgeon general declared youth vaping an epidemic, Florida lawmakers again are working on an effort to regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes and raise the age to use tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.

Brighter outlook for U.S. as vaccinations rise

More than three months into the U.S. vaccination drive, many of the numbers paint an increasingly encouraging picture, with 70% of Americans 65 and older receiving at least one dose of the vaccine and COVID-19 deaths dipping below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November.

Biden: ‘We have to act’ on gun control

WASHINGTON — Democrats said Tuesday that they are pushing toward a vote on expanded gun control measures as the nation reels from its second mass shooting in a week. President Joe Biden said “we have to act,” but prospects for any major changes were dim, for now, in the closely divided Congress.

Federal funds requested for workforce efforts

Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking lawmakers to approve creating two workforce education programs by using $75 million in federal coronavirus relief funds.  Speaking at a news conference Monday in Melbourne, DeSantis pitched using the money to launch what he’s calling the “Get There Faster Initiatives.”

Democrat Sen. Bracy hints at run for governor

TALLAHASSEE — State Sen. Randolph Bracy released a campaign-style video Tuesday strongly hinting that he’ll consider seeking the Democratic nomination to face Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis next year.

State Farm awards grant to Junior Achievement

The Junior Achievement Florida Foundation has been awarded a $60,000 grant from State Farm.

UF cancer drug receives FDA clearance for trials

An anticancer drug developed by researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy has become the first drug of its kind allowed to proceed to clinical trial by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The drug, DT2216, targets leukemia, lymphoma and breast and lung cancers.

Biden eyes $3T package for infrastructure, schools, families

WASHINGTON — Fresh off passage of the covid-19 relief bill, President Joe Biden is assembling the next big White House priority, a sweeping $3 trillion package of investments on infrastructure and domestic needs.

Senate likely to scale back Bright Futures bill

TALLAHASSEE — In an apparent victory for opponents, the Senate this week could drastically overhaul a controversial proposal aimed at reducing state Bright Futures scholarships for students in degree programs deemed unlikely to lead to jobs.