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YouTube download / AP video / The Senate has advanced a bill reopening federal agencies through Feb. 8 after Democrats relented and lifted their blockade against the legislation. (Jan. 22)

The US Senate voted 81-18 to break the filibuster and reopen the government on this Monday morning. The two sides agreed to keep negotiations towards a settlement on the Dreamers legislation until Feb. 8.

“In a few hours, the government will reopen,” said NY Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader. “We have a lot to do.”

As reported in the New York Times, Schumer  announced that he and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, had “come to an arrangement” to adopt the three-week spending measure while continuing to negotiate a “global agreement” that would include the fate of the dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children.

YouTube download / ABC ActionNews video / Congressman Ron DeSantis officially is a candidate for governor of Florida. DeSantis is shown here with his wife, Casey, from an image on his Twitter account.

PALM COAST, Fla. -- Congressman Ron DeSantis has officially announced his candidacy for governor on Jan. 5,, and is endorsed by President Donald Trump.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Headline Surfer had a lot of prominent Central Florida news stories in 2017, but none tore at the heartstrings of online users more than Oct. 29's story headlined, BREAKING NEWS: New Smyrna Beach Cops: Local gal Kaelee Morrell, 21, killed in hit & run; other driver flees in black Chevy Tahoe.

In the first 24 hours of its posting, the tragic story on the death of 21-year-old Kaelee Morrell was accessed by 27,642 online users around the world. It was the award-winning news site's most viewed story of 2017, with a whopping 42,803 page views. 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- With the the clock ticking forward to New Year's, Mayor Derrick Henry has a clear-cut message for his tourism-driven city that is home to the World's Most Famous Beach and Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Danny Eslick took his third Daytona 200 win on Saturday, March 18, after making a last lap pass in turn four of Daytona International Speedway.

DELTONA, Fla -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office has identified Colynn R. Mertz, a 2-year-old boy (DOB 6/20/2015), of 2066 Dalton Ave., Deltona, as the victim of drowning in the family pool at that location Wednesday afternoon.