Jim Ross

Thursday’s short and well-organized Little Rock School District board meeting included a report on test results from the new statewide assessment and a vote to establish a much-needed committee to reconcile gaps and discrepancies in district policies.

Today is Election Day. Marion County voters will help decide national and state contests, as well as a few key local ones, such as a new proposed sales tax to support school construction and improvements and a proposed 20-year extension of the existing 1% sales tax to fund public safety capital needs and road projects. Stay tuned here for updates throughout the day, and check ocala.com after the polls close at 7 p.m. for election results and more.

Stan McClain defeated Dr. Sylvain Doré on Tuesday in the race to represent District 9 in the Florida Senate.

Drivers crossing the East End bridge are getting some relief from traffic signal timing, but there’s a possibility something worse could result from the inspections that are ongoing.

Against the backdrop of falling enrollment and declines in state funding, the Little Rock School District will start rolling out a new strategic plan at the beginning of 2025, LRSD Superintendent Jermall Wright said during a Little Rock School Board meeting on Thursday. Wright said he plans to lay out the plan during a “State of the District Address” early next year.

Financial realities force campus closures, and embattled board member Vicki Hatter faces possible investigation by the state for alleged ethics violations.

A judge is scheduled to sentence Susan Lorincz today. A jury earlier found her guilty of manslaughter with a weapon in the death of Ajike "AJ" Owens.

(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

The Little Rock School District administration building Credit: Benjamin Hardy

ROME TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's office could soon hear from some Lawrence County residents wanting to know why the $5.2 million he