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Today's top stories
• Nearly 50 inmates at Columbia Correctional Institution recently received their college diplomas after completing degrees inside the prison. Here's how the program works and the success stories of some who completed it. (WUFT News)
• Gainesville Regional Utilities leadership says the biomass material burned in its plant — an expensive crowned jewel in its renewable energy portfolio — might accelerate the amount of carbon dioxide that's released, but it would have happened anyway as the material breaks down. (Gainesville Sun)
• The past five years have set a record for having named storms prior to June 1. Andrea has lessened from subtropical storm to subtropical depression. (Palm Beach Post)
• In other weather news, it's going to be so hot and dry this Memorial Day weekend that the National Weather Service is urging extreme caution over burning due to possible wildfires. (Florida Storms)
• An extinct heron species once roamed this part of Florida. Its bones were found near Williston and are at least 5 million years old. (The Alligator)
• Highly-accomplished Floridian Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte died Monday at age 85. (News Service of Florida)
• Republican Congressman Francis Rooney represents parts of Southwest Florida and is no climate change denier. "I just don't think we can deny so much of the evidence thathas been put out by so many scientists all around the world," he tells NBC-2.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis has until June 5 to take action on 11 more bills from the state legislature, including one that bans childlike sex dolls. (News Service of Florida, WUFT News)
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From NPR News
• Business: U.S. Postal Service Is Testing Self-Driving Trucks
• Politics: Nevada Poised To Become 15th State To Ditch Electoral College
• Politics: Democrats' Impeachment Divide Tests Pelosi
• Politics: Protests Held Across The U.S. In Response To States Passing Restrictive Abortion Laws
• Health: The Struggle To Hire And Keep Doctors In Rural Areas Means Patients Go Without Care
• Science: Computerized Model Reveals Details Of How Human Cells Divide
• Science: Scientists Modify Viruses With CRISPR To Create New Weapon Against Superbugs
• Business: A Look At How To Ride Out Stock Market Storms
• World: How A Leaked Video Sent Austria's Government Into A State Of Chaos
About today's curator
I'm Ethan Magoc, a news editor at WUFT. Originally from Pennsylvania, I've found a home telling Florida stories. I’m part of a team searching each morning for local and state stories that are important to you; please send feedback about today's edition or ideas for stories we may have missed to emagoc@wuft.org.