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The Point, Jan. 14, 2019: Gainesville Launches Campaign For Clean Energy By 2045

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The top stories near you

• Sen. Keith Perry recently discussed raising the elevation of the three-mile stretch of U.S. 441 that runs through Paynes Prairie. He said it would help with closures due to flooding and help the natural flow of water in the prairie. (Gainesville Sun)

• "Ready for 100," a clean energy campaign that wants to see Gainesville using 100 percent clean energy by 2045, will launch tonight. (The Alligator)

Veterans with poor and declining eyesight can receive assistance from the VA's VIST program. Harry Schoepf, though legally blind, continues to work on model cars with training and technology from the program. (Ocala Star-Banner)

• The Gainesville City Commission will select an interim city manager Thursday, as current City Manager Anthony Lyons' resignation takes effect. (The Alligator)

• Richard Spencer, the white nationalist who visited the University of Florida in 2017, is being accused of violence and abuse — by his wife. Violence seems to follow Spencer, with the Huffington Post noting that the image of a well-dressed, in-control man is giving way to a verbally and physically abusive racist.

• Tim Tebow and new-fiancee Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters celebrated their engagement at Disney World. (USA Today)


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Around the state today

• Gov. Ron DeSantis and the new cabinet posthumously pardoned the 'Groveland Four' — four African-American men from Lake County who were accused of raping a white woman in 1949. (AP)

• Watch Thomas Greenlee and Carol (Greenlee) Crawlee's reactions to the pardoning of their father who was part of the Groveland Four. The family of Norma Padgett Upshaw, the girl who accused the men of rape, stands by her and her accusation. (Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Politics)

• "I'm here to serve." Gregory Tony took over as Broward County's new sheriff on Friday. The Sun Sentinel has everything you should know about him.

• Nikki Fried will be naming someone for thenew "Director of Cannabis" position in the coming weeks. The director will oversee all aspects of the medical marijuana program that currently fall to the Department of Agriculture. (Florida Politics)

• Researchers from Florida Gulf Coast University found that red tide is primarily caused by nitrate fertilizers. (WMFE)

DeSantis wouldn't say what he thinks causes climate change, though he did take strong action to correct environmental issues during his first week in office. (Naples Daily News)

• The governor did call for the resignation of the entire South Florida Water Management District board, but four of the nine board members are refusing to resign. (WMFE)

SpaceX is laying off 10 percent of its 6,000 employees, but it's not yet clear how many of those layoffs will be at Kennedy Space Center. (Orlando Sentinel)

Surfing in Hollandale Beach is now banned, but a 48-year-old ruling may make the ban illegal. (Sun Sentinel)


News from NPR

• Politics: Justice Ginsburg Has No Remaining Signs Of Cancer, Will Return To Supreme Court

• Business: New Bottled Brews Delayed By Government Shutdown

• Politics: 'Tidal Wave': Hundreds Of Coast Guard Families Show Up To Pop-Up Boston Food Pantry

• National: On The Navajo Nation, 5,000 Workers Dependent On A Federal Paycheck

• Politics: Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro Launches Presidential Campaign

• Politics: Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Announces She's Running For President In 2020

• National: Remembering The Oldest Known Veteran In The U.S.

• Health: Report: Americans Are Now More Likely To Die Of An Opioid Overdose Than On The Road

• Health: Photos: The Forgotten Old People Of Venezuela

• Race: To Get To College, It Helps Black Students To Have A Black Teacher Early On

• Books: After 24 Years, Scholar Completes 3,000-Page Translation Of The Hebrew Bible

Amy Nelson is a reporter for WUFT News. She can be reached at news@wuft.org or 352-392-6397.