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The Point, June 13, 2022: State acknowledges the Rodman Dam is at risk of breaching, a report shows

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: High Hazard: State report shows risks of the aging Rodman Dam. "Half a century ago, the great environmental awakening that swept Florida and the nation helped stop the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. But the project’s last remnant, a springs-drowning dam on the Ocklawaha River, still stands. Newly released documents show the aging dam may threaten more than ecosystems. State officials acknowledge it is at risk of breaching — possibly endangering hundreds of rural homeowners who live nearby. This story previews the WUFT series WATERSHED, launching this summer to investigate statewide water quality fifty years since the Clean Water Act and Florida Water Resources Act of 1972. Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, University of Florida journalism fellows reported on Florida’s waters half a century after those sweeping laws. What progress can the state celebrate, and what waters are still ailing, or worsening amid climate change, pollution and outmoded infrastructure? What bold actions are possible now?"

• WUFT News: Demonstrators make plea for stricter gun laws in Gainesville March for Our Lives protest. "March for Our Lives arose from the anguish of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. It is a youth-led movement with hundreds of chapters nationwide advocating for stricter gun laws and the elimination of gun violence. The advocacy group gained considerable momentum four years ago, delivering a colossal message begging for change. But after 21 students and teachers lost their lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde June 2, students, parents, teachers and elected officials took to the streets. Again.”

• Fresh Take Florida: Driver in fatal hit-and-run of UF student sentenced to 6 years in prison, loses license for decade. "A judge on Friday sentenced Joshua Alexander Figueroa, 32, in a hit-and-run that killed Maggie Paxton, an 18-year-old University of Florida student, to six years in prison with 15 years of felony probation and took away his driver’s license for the next decade."

• WCJB: Mary Alford announces commission run. "Former Alachua County Commissioner Mary Alford announced Friday that she will be running for the Alachua County District One seat. In a Facebook post, she states that she is a candidate but not a qualified candidate and that she would need to raise about 5-thousand-dollars before next Thursday to be considered a qualified candidate."

• WTSP-Tampa Bay: New power plant in Crystal River has 197,000 solar panels. "As part of the company’s new 'Clean Energy Connection' program, Duke Energy has plans to operate 10 large solar power plants, with one of the first opening in Crystal River."


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Around the state

• WFSU-Tallahassee: A proposed special session on gun reform failed to get the needed support to move forward. "Following the recent rash of mass shootings across the country, Florida Democrats pushed for a special session on gun reform measures. A special session is typically called by the governor, but lawmakers can trigger their own meeting of the legislature if at least 60 percent of the legislators in bother chambers agree."

• News Service of Florida: Citrus production at an eight-decade low. "While an initial forecast for the season was for 51.7 million 90-pound boxes of oranges — the lowest output since the 1941-1942 season. The current estimate is for 44.75 million boxes — lowest since the 1939-1940 season."

• New York Times ($): After a Political Storm, Gay Days Return to Disney. "An L.G.B.T.Q. tradition at Disney World took on new significance this year, when Disney was ensnared in a heated cultural debate."

• St. Augustine Record ($): Turtle tracks: First endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle egg laid in St. Johns County. "A Kemp's ridley turtle, the world's smallest and most endangered sea turtle species, laid its first egg in the north beaches. The total number of nests on county beaches increased by 125 since last week for a total of 363, according to numbers from June 10."

• Tampa Bay Times ($): Lightning advance to third straight Stanley Cup final. "To win a third straight Cup, the Lightning must beat the Western Conference champion Avalanche starting Wednesday in Denver. No team has won three straight Cups since the Islanders won four straight from 1980-83."


From NPR News

• Politics: A bipartisan group of senators announces a deal for school safety and gun measures

• Economy: People who drive for a living question profitability with the surge in gas prices

• Business:It's not just you: Tampons are harder to find — and pricier

• World: These activists want buyers and dealers of stolen relics to face criminal charge

• Climate: More than 50 million people in the U.S. are under excessive heat warnings

• National: Photos: See the March for Our Lives rallies across the country

• Science: Researchers are developing prosthetics that have a sense of touch

About today's curator

I'm Fareeha Haque Abrar, a journalist at WUFT. Originally from North Carolina, I grew up reading Florida stories since moving to Jacksonville at 4 years old. I am a senior journalism major and am a part of a team searching for local and 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 fareehaabrar@ufl.edu.

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org