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The stories near you

• The Alligator: UF ties up loose ends in academic freedom scandal, criticism mounts. "Some of the professors involved in the lawsuit against UF said the recommendations are not enough. They argue the changes still preserve the university’s right to deny requests that pose a conflict of commitment."

• News Service of Florida: After judge agrees to reconsider health workers vax injunction, the state and feds opt to move on. "The legal wrangling came as the vaccination requirement for health care workers is poised to take effect Dec. 6 --- and after U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers on Nov. 20 denied a motion by the state for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order against the requirement."

• Florida Politics: Florida gas prices expected to drop soon. "On Black Friday, as news emerged about the new omicron variant, global crude prices fell 13% in one day, and the week ended with prices 10% lower than the week before. Friday’s closing price of $68.15 per barrel is the lowest seen since early September, when Florida’s average gasoline prices were in the range of $3 per gallon, AAA — The Auto Club Group reported early Monday."

• Ocala Gazette: Marion County Sheriff’s Office attorneys claim three deputies should be afforded victim protections following shooting incident. "According to attorneys for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the identities of three deputies involved in a fatal shooting in Fort McCoy on Nov. 15 are protected under a law meant to protect victims from harassment by their attackers. The law is called Marsy’s Law."

• WUFT News: Hybrid submarine speedboat draws attention in Lake Butler. "The sleek, black vessel hums loudly from its docked position at the Lake Side Park Boat Ramp in Lake Butler, Florida. But this boat attracts crowds of adults and children because it looks like a submarine. The Hyper-Sub Multipurpose Sub-Sea Utility Vehicle, which has been in development since the early 2000s, is a mix between a speedboat and a submarine. The vessel has a dry cabin, travels on its own and can dive in shallow waters, making the Hyper-Sub stand out from competitors, according to its website.

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Around the state

• Politico: New draft redistricting map in Florida cuts up Murphy’s seat, boosts GOP. "Democrats and Republicans in Florida had reached an uneasy truce over redistricting, avoiding a major public conflict even weeks after the GOP-led state Senate had released its preliminary maps. That ended Monday."

• WTSP-Tampa Bay: Gov. DeSantis announces new funding proposal for Florida law enforcement, including pay increases. "Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to propose pay increases and more bonuses for every law enforcement officer, first responder and EMT in the next legislative session, he announced Monday during a news conference."

• Florida Storms: Another active hurricane season comes to a quiet close. "The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season was the third most active on record, and the third time the full list of designated storm names was exhausted. Despite the above-normal activity, Florida was largely spared significant impacts and the last two months of the season were strikingly quiet."

• Miami Herald ($): Rented electric scooters are being allowed back in downtown Miami for five weeks. "Downtown Miami’s break from electric scooters lasted about a week, but they’re coming back with more regulations during a busy holiday season that brings thousands of art lovers and tourists to the city."

• Lakeland Ledger ($): Former Lakeland commissioner Michael Dunn's murder trial is set for March. "A former Lakeland city commissioner who fatally shot a shoplifter in 2018 is scheduled for a trial date in March, a judge said on Monday."

• WINK-Fort Myers: Injured manatee rehabilitated by SeaWorld released into Orange River. "One particular Florida manatee is going home for the holidays. A team released the manatee in Lee County Monday morning in front of an eager audience."

From NPR News

• Health: The omicron variant is cause for concern — but not panic, Biden says

• Health: The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by the omicron variant

• National: The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads

• National: Jury selection begins in Jussie Smollett criminal trial

• National: Opening arguments begin in the Ghislaine Maxwell case

• National: Prosecutors ask U.S. Supreme Court to review the Bill Cosby case

• Science: Climate change and city lights are tricking trees into growing leaves too soon

• Business: Arts workers across the country are unionizing

• World: Dozens of strangers were snowed in at a U.K. pub. Cue the Oasis singalongs

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.