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The Point, May 21, 2019: Florida's Death Penalty System Gets Another Look From State Supreme Court

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• Alachua and Marion counties are expected to experience rising temperatures throughout the week, reaching close to record highs over the weekend. The extreme heat coupled with little expected rain has officials concerned about the possibility of wildfires. (Florida Storms, Gainesville Sun)

The Florida Supreme Court is considering the reversal of a 2016 decision that requires a unanimous vote by the jury in death penalty cases. Undoing the ruling could mean the revision of over 100 death row prisoners' sentences. (News Service of Florida)

• After shutting down in 2014, AdventHealth Ocala reopened its pediatric unit on Monday. “It’s a very exciting thing for the community because we can keep a lot of children local rather than transfer children out of the county,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, CEO for AdventHealth for Children. (Ocala Star-Banner)

• With the addition to the SAT of the "adversity score," which will look at environmental factors such as the percentage of students on free or reduced lunch and the average number of AP classes taken, the University of Florida is determining how it will use the new information in its admissions process. (The Alligator)


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Around the state today

Lakeland officials signed a 20-year deal with Amazon who will build a $100 million cargo facility at the airport. Although Amazon is expected to bring almost 1,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars to the area, Lakeland residents have concerns. (The Ledger)

• Almost one year after a federal judge ruled that early voting on college campuses is allowed, state officials remain in a legal battle over whether or not it is constitutional. (Tallahassee Democrat)

• Sparked by the recent support from the president, Florida's congressional members sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging the House to come up with the $200 million for Everglade restoration. (Florida Politics)

• This year, Florida has already experienced more cases of Hepatitis A than in the past five years combined. Tampa Bay and Central Florida have been hit the hardest. (News Service of Florida)

• In an effort to bring the city back up to code, six months after Hurricane Michael Panama City officials began mailing letters to residents to let them know their houses do not meet code. Although the letters are not a citation, if the buildings are not brought back up to code in six months, citations will be issued. An estimated three in four buildings have damage. Five hundred will need to be demolished. (Panama City News Herald)


From NPR News

• National: 1st Named Storm Of Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Develop Monday Night

• National: In Historic First, Lori Lightfoot Inaugurated As Chicago's Mayor

• National: California Teachers Pay For Their Own Substitutes During Extended Sick Leave

• Business: Hot Job Market Is Wooing Women Into Workforce Faster Than Men

• Business: Trump Administration Eases Ban on Huawei After Technology Stocks Tumble

• Politics: Judge Rules Against Trump In Subpoena Fight As White House Blocks McGahn Testimony

• Health: The Other Reasons Kids Aren't Getting Vaccinations: Poverty and Health Care Access

• Education: Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Repay Loans For 2019 Morehouse College Class

Jasmine is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.