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Today's top Florida stories

• NPR News: Florida House passes controversial measure dubbed the 'Don't Say Gay' bill by critics. “Florida's House of Representatives passed a controversial bill on Thursday limiting when and how teachers and school staff can discuss gender and sexual orientation in the classroom.”

• The News Service of Florida: House passes measure on race-related Instruction. "The bill does not specifically mention critical race theory, which is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American society and institutions. But the measure came after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a legislative proposal dubbed the “Stop Wrongs Against Our Kids and Employees Act,” or Stop WOKE Act."

• WUFT News: Florida looks to implement mobile identification options by end of year. “Virtual IDs will be rolling out across Florida by the end of the year. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is in the final stages of testing the IDs before officially launching the state’s first mobile driver’s license, Deputy Communications Director Jessica Kelleher said.”

• WUFT News: Gainesville High School student earns top score on international exam. "Gainesville High School senior Rachel Young earned the highest score in the world on the English Language Cambridge exam. But this is not Young’s first standardized test accolade. The GHS student received a perfect score on the ACT exam last year and was named a 2022 National Merit Semifinalist."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Gainesville will ask developers for help to bring cultural arts center project to fruition. "The city of Gainesville will ask developers whether they are interested in entering into a public-private partnership with the city to develop a new multi-use project that includes a cultural arts center at old Fire Station 1 on Main Street. The commission last May accepted staff’s recommendation to begin negotiations with the University of Florida to create a cultural arts and community center in the space, with programs being funded and provided by UF’s SPARC352."

• WUFT News: Fort McCoy horse rescue continues to trailblaze amid debt. “Nichols, the owner of Makin’ Tracks Trail Rides in Fort McCoy, Florida, has kept up with the demands of her business for years. It is a self-funded equine rescue, meaning the business is funded by any operations done on the property. On the business’ website, it says, 'Our mission is to support rescues through guided trail rides' which allows their horses 'to help support themselves.'"

• WUFT News: Community rallies around Alachua County Fire Rescue employee. "Following Brandon’s diagnosis of aplastic anemia, Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus posted to Facebook, calling the community to pray for Brandon’s health and register their bone marrow to see if they are a match for the 29-year-old. The post received over 1,000 shares and over 150 comments from community members."

• WJCT: Poll shows DeSantis has a healthy election lead in the Florida gubernatorial race."The UNF poll mirrored polls by other organizations. A Mason-Dixon poll earlier this month found DeSantis leading Crist by 51% to 43%. He led Fried by 53% to 42%."

• WFSU: Broadband dollars unlikely to make it into state budget, but funding still expected. "Lawmakers were working toward dedicating $500 million for broadband infrastructure through two programs: The Broadband Opportunity Program and the Utility Pole Replacement Program. The former was created without funding last year, while the latter was proposed this year in a measure that likely won’t get a final vote."

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From NPR News

• World: Russia faces expulsion from a key tool used in the global banking system

• World: The U.S. keeps turning to sanctions despite their mixed record

• World: Want to support the people in Ukraine? Here's how you can help

• Science: Looks like non-mRNA vaccines can be as good as Pfizer and Moderna in certain scenarios

• National: Three ex-Minneapolis police officers guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights

• National: Texans face challenges in casting ballots under new voting law

• Health: Plan to fix Postal Service shifts retirees to Medicare, along with billions in costs

About today's curator

I’m Gregorio Ruiz-Perez, a journalist at WUFT. Originally from Naples, Florida, I’ve always enjoyed running to clear my mind. I am a senior journalism major and am part of a team searching for local state news each week that’s important to you. Please send feedback about today’s edition of The Point or ideas for stories we may have missed to gruizperez@ufl.edu.