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The top stories near you

• Associated Press: Florida Begins Early Voting With No Major Problems Reported. "Floridians began early voting in much of the state Monday with no serious problems reported as the Trump campaign tries to cut into an early advantage Democrats have posted in mail-in votes in the key swing state."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Early voters face long lines with good spirits Monday. "Alachua County residents showed up on the first day of early voting in notable numbers, with some citing concerns about waiting until Election Day and wanting to make sure their votes counted as main reasons for heading to the polls as quickly as possible."

• WCJB: Newberry Commission votes to use public funds in lawsuit against Alachua County. "Newberry taxpayers will be footing the bill for the city’s legal challenge of a proposed Alachua County charter amendment."

• Growing Produce: Was the Secret to Save Citrus Trees Just Unlocked? "Has modern science finally caught up with citrus greening scourge (aka, HLB)? Apparently, University of Florida scientists have taken a giant step in their quest to develop a citrus greening-resistant tree by sequencing the genome of a fruit plant that’s a close cousin to citrus trees."

• Ocala Star-Banner ($): Number of Florida thoroughbred foals holds nearly steady. "Florida, which lost its position as the No. 2 top breeding state to California a few years ago, posted the strongest numbers among the top five thoroughbred breeding states."

• Reminder: Here's our guide from last week on where and when you can vote early across our coverage area.

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Around the state today

• Fresh Take Florida: Florida Town Battered By Fires, Floods Faces Its Greatest Crisis: Money. "Bookkeeping (in the Town of Caryville) is so incomplete that a devastating new state audit couldn’t determine exactly how bad the town’s economic situation is. 'There is an increased risk that the town’s financial condition continues to deteriorate,' the audit said."

• WLRN: Florida Wants To Control Wetlands Permitting. Critics Say The State Isn't Equipped To Do The Job. "Florida’s bid to take over wetlands permitting across the state will undergo two virtual federal hearings beginning Wednesday."

• Palm Beach Post ($): Gannon loses lawsuit against Airbnb. "An appellate court ruling that favored vacation rental companies over Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon will stand. On Monday, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear Gannon's challenge of the 4th District Court of Appeal’s March ruling."

• Tampa Bay Times ($): Hillsborough teacher cuts could fuel public showdown Tuesday. "Critics question technology purchases and executive hiring as the school district looks to eliminate hundreds of jobs."

• St. Augustine Record ($): Castillo de San Marcos to reopen Wednesday. "Closed since March 17, the Castillo de San Marcos will reopen to visitors on a limited basis on Wednesday, the National Park Service (NPS) announced."

• WPTV: University of Florida scientists say airborne toxins from harmful algae blooms can travel 10 miles, linger for hours. "Scientists already know how toxins act in the water, but scientists at UF wanted to know more about how the toxin microcystin progresses in the air."

• WFSU: FSU Sets Timeline For Hiring A Firm To Aid In Presidential Search. "The selected firm will create a hiring plan, advertise the position, and recruit candidates."

• Bay News 9: Lightning Fatalities Are At An All-Time Low In 2020, But Not Due To COVID. "The reason for less lightning strikes and deaths this year may actually be due to the weather itself."

From NPR News

• Politics: Debate Commission To Mute Candidates' Mics At Start Of Each Segment

• Politics: Is There Any Progress In Negotiations Over A New Pandemic Relief Bill?

• Politics: Trump Rails Against 'Fauci And These Idiots' In Campaign Call

• Science: If This NASA Spacecraft Can Avoid 'Mount Doom,' It Might Nab A Bit Of Asteroid

• National: Supreme Court Rules Pennsylvania Can Count Ballots Received After Election Day

• National: U.S. Borders With Canada And Mexico Will Stay Closed Another Month

• National: Lessons To Learn From U.S. Military On How To Handle Pandemic

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.