State

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Brigadier General (retired) Michael Fleming, Chairman of The Fire Watch

Brigadier General (retired) Michael Fleming, Chairman of The Fire Watch

Educating, engaging the 90%

An organization that got its start as a Northeast Florida government entity is now a nonprofit flying on its own, and spreading its mission across Florida.  The mission is the same: To decrease veteran suicide rates.
Demonstrators gather outside the Winston Arnow Federal Building in downtown Pensacola on  May 3, 2022. The protest was called after a leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion indicated the court will rule in favor of overturning Roe versus Wade and clear the path for states to make abortion illegal. Tony Giberson/News Service of Florida

Demonstrators gather outside the Winston Arnow Federal Building in downtown Pensacola on May 3, 2022. The protest was called after a leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion indicated the court will rule in favor of overturning Roe versus Wade and clear the path for states to make abortion illegal. Tony Giberson/News Service of Florida

Judge backs abortion clinic license

An administrative law judge Wednesday ruled that Florida should approve a license for a Pensacola abortion clinic, after regulators last year rejected the application because of what they alleged were problems at a now-closed clinic in Louisiana.
United States Supreme Court. File photo

United States Supreme Court. File photo

Supreme court refuses to halt execution

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday morning refused to halt the scheduled 6 p.m. execution of Loran Cole, who was sent to Death Row in the 1994 murder of Florida State University student John Edwards in the Ocala National Forest.
Opponents rallied Tuesday in Tallahassee against a plan to put golf courses, lodges and pickleball courts in state parks. Submitted photo

Opponents rallied Tuesday in Tallahassee against a plan to put golf courses, lodges and pickleball courts in state parks. Submitted photo

DeSantis says park plans need another look

Trying to quell a bipartisan uproar, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that “half-baked” plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks will be revamped.