State

Democrat Daryl Parks and Republican Corey Simon debated Tuesday in a fiercely contested state Senate race. Photo by Mike Exline/News Service of Florida

Democrat Daryl Parks and Republican Corey Simon debated Tuesday in a fiercely contested state Senate race. Photo by Mike Exline/News Service of Florida

Simon, Parks spar on insurance, abortion

News Staff
Thursday, October 17, 2024
 With voters already casting mail-in ballots, candidates in a hotly contested North Florida legislative race squared off on Tuesday as Democrats try to chip into Republicans’ supermajority in the state Senate. Republican Sen.
Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall early Thursday. Submitted photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall early Thursday. Submitted photo

Crews ready to go 'house to house'

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
More than 1,400 urban search-and-rescue crew members — and more than 100 swift-water boats — were staged throughout the state in advance of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall Wednesday night on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Gannon Woods, a member of Amelia Baptist Church, helps to clean up the church's parking lot Friday. Woods and others volunteered to clean up debris on the church's property after Hurricane Helene spread Tropical Storm force winds into Nassau County in the early hours of Friday morning. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Gannon Woods, a member of Amelia Baptist Church, helps to clean up the church's parking lot Friday. Woods and others volunteered to clean up debris on the church's property after Hurricane Helene spread Tropical Storm force winds into Nassau County in the early hours of Friday morning. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Hellacious Helene

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
In the late hours Thursday night, a monster of a storm smashed into Florida's Big Bend region, roaring inland causing deadly conditions across the southeast United States.
Florida State Capitol building, Tallahassee. File photo

Florida State Capitol building, Tallahassee. File photo

Judge urges fine in abortion waiting period case

News Staff
Friday, September 20, 2024
An administrative law judge Thursday said a physician should face a $10,000 fine and a reprimand after she did not comply in 2022 with a law requiring 24-hour waiting periods before abortions can be performed.
New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran is spearheading changes at the Sarasota school. Photo courtesy of New College of Florida

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran is spearheading changes at the Sarasota school. Photo courtesy of New College of Florida

New college plan OK’d amid concerns

News Staff
Friday, September 20, 2024
A five-year, multimillion-dollar effort to expand student enrollment and continue other major changes at New College of Florida was approved Wednesday by the state university system’s Board of Governors, despite some concerns about the spending.
File photo

File photo

Health care and COVID-19

News Staff
Thursday, September 12, 2024
COVID-19 deaths top 4,100 More than 4,100 Florida resident deaths this year have been linked to COVID-19, with the reported total jumping during the past two weeks. Data posted Monday on the Florida Department of Health website showed 4,143 deaths, up from 3,598 reported about two weeks ago.
House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, expressed optimism about the state's finances. File photo

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, expressed optimism about the state's finances. File photo

State could face tighter budget after pandemic aid

News Staff
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Legislative budget leaders said they expect lawmakers to remain “fiscally responsible” after being advised Friday the state faces potential deficits in coming years as federal coronavirus pandemic money dries up.
The AAA auto club said Florida motorists Tuesday paid an average of $3.28 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, up 3 cents from a week earlier. Submitted

The AAA auto club said Florida motorists Tuesday paid an average of $3.28 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, up 3 cents from a week earlier. Submitted

Gas prices could head lower

News Staff
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Florida cruised through the Labor Day weekend with gasoline prices in some places under $3 a gallon. The AAA auto club said Florida motorists Tuesday paid an average of $3.28 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, up 3 cents from a week earlier.
Tallahassee Capitol Building, Florida. Submitted

Tallahassee Capitol Building, Florida. Submitted

Court should uphold gun age law

News Staff
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Saying the restriction is “fully consistent” with “historical tradition,” lawyers for Florida are urging an Atlanta-based appeals court to uphold a law preventing people under age 21 from purchasing rifles and other long guns.

Lawmaker indicted on forgery charges

News Staff
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
A day after being indicted by a grand jury on forgery and other charges, state Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, turned herself in at the Orange County Jail Thursday.