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The stories near you

• Fresh Take Florida: New UF coach’s contract: $51.8 million, bigger bonuses, planes, cars. "The contract effectively makes Napier the highest-paid public employee in Florida, although technically Napier negotiated the contract with Florida’s University Athletic Association Inc., a quasi-public, non-profit organization that operates as a direct-service organization to the school. By contrast, Gov. Ron DeSantis earned $134,181 last year."

• WUSF: A northern extension of the Florida Turnpike is moving ahead, despite public opposition. "Earlier this year, state lawmakers eliminated a toll road proposed for southern Florida. But they kept this and an extension of the Suncoast Parkway north in the planning process."

• WUFT News: The City of Alachua is planning to build a cottage neighborhood. "Plans are under way to break ground on a mixed-use science and tech park, called Convergence Research Park, early next year next to San Felasco State Park."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Gainesville and Alachua County officials discuss sales tax hike to fund public projects. "Voters could be asked next November whether they support increasing the sales tax in Alachua County for projects such as affordable housing, fire-rescue buildings, road paving and other infrastructure."

• Ocala Gazette: City asks court to extend 60-day deadline to refund $80 million while being tightlipped with information. "On Oct. 11th, after eight years of litigation, Circuit Judge Robert William Hodges ordered the City of Ocala to refund approximately $80 million in a class-action suit that challenged fees added to Ocala Electric Utility bills for fire services. Those 60 days are up this week and the city isn’t prepared to refund the $80 million, according to a motion filed today with the court asking for more time."

• WUFT News: Gainesville residents can recycle holiday lights at designated drop-offs. "Gainesville residents can now start dropping off old or broken holiday lights for recycling at the Gainesville Public Works Facility."

• WUFT News: See how this Gainesville woman turned her battle with cancer into hope for others. "Unwilling to think of a cancer diagnosis as a death sentence, (Nicole) Miller took a look at her situation and decided that not only would she survive, but she found peace and empowerment."

• WUFT News: Flamethrower joins list of odd weapons used in Alachua County crimes this year. "A Gainesville man fed up with his neighbors’ parking habits decided to take matters into his own hands — by firing a flamethrower at a car with teenagers inside, according to a Gainesville police report. Andre Abrams, 57, now faces a felony aggravated assault charge for the Nov. 30 incident. It’s the latest in a series of crimes in Alachua County involving residents wielding unorthodox weapons of opportunity, including a walker, frying pan, medical urinal and a scooter. At least six cases this year have involved machetes."

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Around the state

• Palm Beach Post ($): Is it the flu, a cold, or the omicron variant? How to know, and when to get tested for COVID. "Without testing, it is difficult to determine whether the congestion is more than the flu, but either way, don't panic, say medical experts, just take proper precautions. 'If you feel sick, don’t diagnose yourself,' said Dr. Deborah German, Vice-President for Health Affairs and Dean, University of Central Florida College of Medicine. 'Call your healthcare provider – don’t just show up to the clinic. Your provider can determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 and what treatments you need.'"

• WPTV-West Palm Beach: Nikki Fried reprimanded by Florida Commission on Ethics. "A state ethics panel found probable cause Florida's agriculture commissioner violated the law by failing to initially disclose more than $400,000 in lobbying income while announcing a bid for governor."

• WUSF: Florida's tegu lizards are migrating north. Here's what this invasion means for the state's wildlife. "The invasive species are known to eat the eggs of important animals in Florida, like American alligators and rare birds, which are biological indicators for Everglades restoration."

• Orlando Sentinel ($): Markeith Loyd should be executed for killing Orlando cop, jury says. "The same jury convicted Loyd of first-degree murder last month for fatally shooting Clayton when she tried to arrest him at the Walmart on Princeton Street Jan. 9, 2017, for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon."

• Associated Press: Publix Supermarkets Heiress Carol Jenkins Barnett, Known For Philanthropy, Dies At 65. "Barnett died Tuesday night at her home in Lakeland, Florida, Publix said in a news release. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016."

• Fort Myers News-Press ($): Florida could be a world leader in fighting blue-green algae, task force members agree. "Created as part of a sweeping water quality executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis shortly after he took office, the task force is headed by the Florida’s Chief Science Officer, Mark Rains, a University of South Florida professor who directs USF's School of Geosciences."

• News Service of Florida: Florida Backs Effort To Draw FIFA To Miami, Orlando. "Florida’s business-recruitment agency has put $10 million into the pitch to help Miami and Orlando become host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament."

From NPR News

• Health: Studies suggest sharp drop in vaccine protection vs. omicron — yet cause for optimism

• Business: Starbucks workers decide whether to form first U.S. union

• Business: Elizabeth Holmes spent 7 days defending herself against fraud. Will the jury buy it?

• Politics: House OKs a bill barring imports of goods produced by forced labor of Uyghurs in China

• Science: 50 earthquakes hit off the Oregon coast, but scientists say they're no great shakes

• Education: Some lockdown drills can harm students' mental health. Here's what one expert advises

• Education: A Texas school district is reviewing 400 library books after a GOP lawmaker's inquiry

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.