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This July 17 map from the Centers for Disease Control shows counties at low, medium and high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Okeechobee County (highlighted) is at high risk, as our Highlands, Hendry, Palm Beach and Martin counties. Glades and Collier counties are at medium risk. [Art courtesy CDC]

New covid variant blamed for increased positive cases

Lake Placid

Most of Florida is at high risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Most of Florida is now at high risk of COVID-19. Glades and Hendry County (highlighted on map) are at medium risk. [Image courtesy CDC]

Most of Florida at high risk for COVID-19

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Most of Florida is now considered at “high” risk for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Yoga for Life: Discovering a new you through yoga

Lake Placid

Life presents a challenge to stay mentally and physically fit when traveling through time and dealing with unexpected situations.

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Current conditions
Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport
Partly Cloudy, 90 °F
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. Southeast wind … Get the full forecast
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Human Interest

Explore the Florida Humanities' African American History Archive

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Florida Humanities, the state affliate of the National Endownment for the Humanities, has a diverse and robust collection ...

New training initiative in Florida helps fight human trafficking

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Attorney General Ashley Moody is enlisting more soldiers and creating new tools in the fight to end human trafficking in Florida.

Santa Express and U.S. Sugar bring Christmas to local families

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The Santa Express today brought the joy of the holiday season to local families ...

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Community
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America.

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Yoga focuses first, on the mind, learning how to clear out extraneous thoughts, nervousness, and the emotional impact of every day worldly concerns.

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The Florida Forest Service is inviting educators statewide to apply for an exciting opportunity this summer...

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Lake Okeechobee
Most water entering Lake O is direct rainfall
Subscriber Exclusive
Florida Senate passes amended SB 2508
Subscriber Exclusive
What will Senate Bill 2508 mean for Lake O?

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Police/Fire
SPRING HILL, Fla. (AP) — Investigators have confirmed that remains unearthed in a Florida junk yard 41 years ago match a missing teenager, the victim of a serial killer now imprisoned for life in …
A semi overturned on State Road 70 in Highlands County on July 19, at 10 a.m. according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

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A sheriff's deputy in Florida climbed up a balcony and plucked a 1-year-old girl to safety from a third-story apartment that had caught fire.

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The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for both Glades and Highlands County from 2 p.m. this afternoon to 7.p.m. this evening.

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Opinion
Two years after the pandemic scrapped many people’s vacation plans, travelers are seeking new experiences...
Taking oxycodone at the same time as certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a commonly prescribed class of antidepressant...

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Weather
Emergency preparedness officials on Wednesday warned Floridians not to get complacent during the upcoming hurricane season, particularly in coastal areas that haven't …

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Although a mild and sunny climate is one of South Florida’s greatest natural assets, extremes of heat and cold ...

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Schools
Okeechobee residents are among the recent graduates of SFSC's nursing program

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Sports

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Government
Online exclusive

Freedom Week tax holiday starts July 1

Lake Placid

TALLAHASSEE -- The Freedom Week  sales tax holiday on outdoor activity supplies and some event admissions starts July 1.

USPS warns about scams

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The USPS is warning of new scam involving text messages.

CONSUMER ALERT: Beware of vaccine status license scam

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians of a new COVID-19 vaccination text scam. There have been reports of fraudulent text messages …

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Health
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) map shows counties at high risk for COVID-19 in red, medium risk in yellow and low risk in green. Okeechobee County (medium risk in yellow) is outlined.

Palm Beach County at high risk from COVID-19

Lake Placid

The COVID-19 virus is spreading again in Florida, according to data shared June 3 by the Florida Department of Health.

Highlands County new covid positivity rate at 7.1%

Sebring

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s new covid positivity rate is on the rise, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). However, according to health officials, the actual number of …

Bridge Pose: The impressionable heart and lungs

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The heart is the epicenter of feeling in the body. Love is the emotional expression from individuals to people/things/places/thoughts...

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Business
The Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) is working with the Avon Park Air Force Range ....

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One of the most widely anticipated milestones of the recovery is the US borders.

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Many adults report a fear of public speaking. But for youth participating in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking Program, this important life skill is a chance to share what “sparks” their interest ...

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Florida’s minimum wage will increase from $8.65 to $10 per hour on Sept. 30 as the first step under the $15 ballot...

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Veterans

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Opinion
Powerful storm systems triggered flash flooding across the U.S. in late July, inundating St. Louis neighborhoods...
Against the tragic backdrop of a historic conflict in Europe, residents of Southwest Florida will unite with millions around the globe...
The cost of eggs and bread is soaring — a trend that’s particularly punishing for the poorest Americans...

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Traffic & Road Work

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Entertainment

Rumours live onstage: Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band comes to SFSC

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Agriculture

UF releases 4 new caladium varieties

Lake Placid

Caladium lovers owe Florida a debt of gratitude. The Sunshine State serves as the sole source of caladiums for the world...

A lifetime passion for livestock attracts new agent to UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County

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Kalan Royal has agriculture in his blood. His family has been involved in Florida’s citrus and cattle industries since the 1860s.

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Wildlife & Environment
One of the tagged fish was released in Lake Istokpoga. {Art courtesy FWC]

Eight tagged fish still uncaught in FWC contest

Lake Placid

To celebrate Season 10 of the TrophyCatch program, biologists with FWC have tagged and released 10 largemouth...
The Istokpoga Canal Power Boat Ramp is not usable for the launching of boats. The Istokpoga Canal Airboat Ramp remains operational and is available for use.

Boaters advised to exercise caution on Kissimmee River

Lake Placid

The wet season has started, but water levels remain low in the Kissimmee River. 

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Top Trending Stories
State News
Florida man filming sunrise killed when sand dune collapses

HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — A 35-year-old Florida man who was recording the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean died when a sand dune collapsed on top of him, sheriff's officials said. A …

3 dead in shooting at Florida Narcotics Anonymous meeting

Vegan Florida mom faces sentence in starvation death of son

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National and World
Israel-Gaza truce shines light on Palestinian hunger striker

IDNA, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian hunger striker who his family says has refused food for the past 160 days and is wasting away in an Israeli jailhouse infirmary has suddenly been thrust into …

Vatican cardinal honors Jewish convert, tells his own story

India's parliament passes energy conservation bill

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