Regional

SOSMP hosting inaugural AMP Jam Music Festival

LIVE OAK — The first AMP Jam Music Festival takes place this week at the famed Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The festival will use only one stage, as was done during the early years at the Music Park, during the three-day event, which begins today and runs through Saturday.

DeSantis targets taxes, ballot initiatives

TALLAHASSEE — While saying Florida has been a leader on issues such as cracking down on illegal immigration, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday helped launch the 2025 legislative session by calling for revamping the ballot-initiative process, curbing property taxes and revisiting gun laws.

Invalid appointments lead to special White Springs election

WHITE SPRINGS — The Town of White Springs will be holding a special election next month along with its general election after making invalid appointments last year.

‘Rural Renaissance’ plan gets committee backing

A nearly $200 million priority of Senate President Ben Albritton that includes making Florida’s rural communities more attractive to doctors and teachers and spurring transportation projects easily moved through its first committee Monday.

Senators OK repealing later school start times

TALLAHASSEE — With school districts across the state expressing support, Florida senators Monday started moving forward with a bill that would repeal requirements aimed at later daily start times in many high schools.

Grosskopf leaving NFC in December

TALLAHASSEE — Continuing changes in leadership in the state’s higher-education system, longtime North Florida College President John Grosskopf will leave his post in December. An announcement posted Tuesday on the college’s website cited health concerns.

Clay returning $12M to members

Refunds are coming to Clay Electric Cooperative members from the past 30 years. Clay Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees has declared a $12 million Capital Credits refund for members who received service from 1995 through 2023.

FPL proposes rate increases

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Power & Light on Friday filed a proposal that would lead to higher electric bills for customers over the next four years, with the utility pointing to issues such as growth and a need to build more solar-energy facilities.

Lake City woman killed in SR 47 crash

FORT WHITE — A Lake City woman was killed Thursday morning when she pulled out in front of a semi truck on State Road 47. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 63-year-old Lake City woman was headed east on County Road 238 (Elim Church Road) at 6:05 a.m.

Rural bill will be ‘tremendous help’ to Lafayette

MAYO — Rural and fiscally constrained counties across Florida are hoping the new Rural Renaissance bill will achieve exactly what it promises.