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The Point, Sept. 20, 2019: 'We'd Be Excited About It': Newberry Hears Details About Florida's Nascent Industrial Hemp Crop

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The top stories near you

• As noted in this space earlier this week, industrial hemp growing will likely be permitted at Florida farms sometime in 2020. There's excitement about the crop's potential in Newberry. (WUFT News)

• The man charged with killing his wife and her four children made his first court appearance yesterday in Marion County and is now on suicide watch in jail. (Ocala Star-Banner)

David Colburn died this week at age 76 after a storied career at the University of Florida. Prior to arriving in Gainesville, he served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1967. He shared his memories of that experience with us in 2017 as part of our "Florida Voices: Vietnam Veterans" series. (UF News, WUFT News)

• Levy County has begun the process of adding a second monument to remember Rosewood, scene of one of the worst incidents of racial violence in the state's history. (Spotlight on Levy County Government)

• The City of Ocala is being sued over its open lodging ordinance that allows police to fine or jail homeless people found sleeping or resting in public places. (WMFE)

• Hurricane season means Florida's animal rescues are often scrambling to find foster families for dozens of pets when big storms approach. (WUFT News)


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Around the state today

The Tampa Bay Times this week published an investigation into North Tampa Behavioral Health in Pasco County. Its main finding alleges patients who check in there under the state's Baker Act can't always leave after 72 hours.

• Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has changes in mind for the state college system. (News Service of Florida)

• Family members of state prisoners sometimes aren't told when something terrible happens to them within the institution's walls. (Miami Herald)

• The couple that for a time before the Parkland shooting housed the accused gunman received good news yesterday in court, though their case might not be over. (Sun Sentinel)

• A new state report says there were at least 400 child sex trafficking victims in Florida in 2018. (Florida Politics)

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, already knows who he's supporting for president in 2020. (The Hill)

• They're likely to show up in Gainesville sooner or later, so here's a worthwhile read on how Tallahassee has been handling its electric scooter program. (Tallahassee Democrat)


From NPR News

• Health: As Drugmakers Face Opioid Lawsuits, Some Ask: Why Not Criminal Charges Too?

• Politics: Schiff Vows To Escalate Standoff Over Spy Complaint; 'Fake News,' Trump Scoffs

• Politics: With Abortion Restrictions On The Rise, Some Women Induce Their Own

• Education: U.S. House Tackles Public Service Loan Forgiveness Issues

• World: Trudeau Apologizes But Sidesteps Questions On Number Of Blackface Incidents

• Science: North America Has Lost 3 Billion Birds, Scientists Say

• Science: To Better Understand The Arctic, This Ship Will Spend A Year Frozen Into The Ice

• Books: ‘This Is Not Propaganda’ And The Post-Truth World

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.

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org