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The top stories near you

• WUFT News: University of Florida Professor Resigns Amid Investigations Into Student’s Suicide. "Tao Li, 49, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 2004, submitted a resignation letter April 10, according to his personnel file obtained this week under Florida’s public records law. His last day at the university was expected to be May 15."

• WCJB: 13-year-old girl killed in shooting at Majestic Oaks Apartments. "Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies (are) asking for the community’s help to solve Friday’s shooting that claimed the life of 13-year-old Maliyah Godwin."

• WUFT News: Here’s What The Release Of The 2020 Census Results Will Mean For Florida Redistricting, Federal Funding. "As the country awaits the release of U.S. Census results later this month, anticipation among local experts is rising to see how those population shifts will impact redistricting and federal funding for infrastructure projects and city improvements. Here’s a look at what to expect from each outgrowth of the new census."

• Mainstreet Daily News: ACPS makes masks optional for 2021-22 school year. "Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) is immediately relaxing its pandemic protocols and will make masks optional in the 2021-22 school year, according to guidance the district sent to parents late Friday."

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Around the state today

• News Service of Florida: DeSantis, Seminole Tribe Hammer Out Gambling Deal To Boost Florida Coffers. "Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe are set to sign off on a sweeping gambling deal that would bring sports betting to Florida and rake at least $2.5 billion into state coffers over the next five years, according to sources in the governor’s office."

• Associated Press: Florida House passes bill to ban abortions based on disability. "Doctors who do end a pregnancy based solely on a physical or mental disability would be guilty of a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison."

• News Service of Florida: Will The Florida Legislature Complete Its Spending Plan On Time? Here's What Has To Happen. "Lawmakers in recent years have been unable to reach agreements to end the 60-day regular legislative sessions on time."

• WFSU: Proposal To Expand Law Enforcement Use Of Drones Heads To House Floor Vote. "Law enforcement agencies could use drones to survey crowds, assist in traffic management, and collect evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash. That's under a proposal that passed a Senate vote and is heading for a House vote."

• NPR News: SpaceX Rocket Launches With Astronauts Aboard. "A SpaceX rocket lifted off from Florida early Friday morning on what is becoming a routine mission, carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center just before 6:00AM EDT, topped with a Crew Dragon capsule."

• WFTS-Tampa Bay: How did Hillsborough County Public Schools end up in their dire financial situation?
"In an audit requested by newly-elected Superintendent Addison Davis last year, findings revealed the district was warned about the dire financial situation back in 2016."

• Daytona Beach News-Journal ($): A Florida bill would outlaw 'natural' hair discrimination against Black people, likely won't even get a hearing. "Should HB 179 pass, Florida’s version of the CROWN Act would prohibit hairstyle discrimination in housing, employment and public education. The bill would've taken effect July 1. The bill can be re-introduced next session in 2022."

• Sun Sentinel ($): Robert Runcie’s lawyers demand details about the perjury charge against him. "A judge should drop the perjury charge against Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie unless the state says exactly what he told a grand jury that got him indicted, Runcie’s lawyers argued Friday."

• New York Times ($): $1 Million in Toxic Bleach Sold as ‘Miracle’ Cure, Officials Say. "A Florida grand jury indicted a man and his three sons, accusing them of marketing an 'unproven and potentially harmful' solution as a remedy for Covid-19, cancer, autism and more."

From NPR News

• Health: U.S. Lifts Pause In Use Of J&J Vaccine After Vote By Expert Panel

• National: Military Panel Urges Taking Sexual Assault Cases Out Of Commanders' Control

• Politics: In Rare Moment Of Bipartisan Unity, Senate Approves Asian American Hate Crimes Bill

• Science: Biden Taps A Former Top Scientist At NOAA To Lead The Weather And Climate Agency

• Science: Scientists Say The Rush To Do COVID Research Led To A Whole Lot Of Waste

• Business: Honda Aims To Go All-Electric By 2040

• World: Closed During The Pandemic, English Bookstores And Libraries Reopen

• World: Man's Ancient Friend: 6,000-Year-Old Dog Remains Found On Arabian Peninsula

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.