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The Point, June 20, 2022: A Florida Education Association Is Pushing Back On The State's New "Anti-Woke" Law

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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Florida higher education union decries new ‘anti-WOKE’ law. "In the wake of an anti-WOKE legislative session distinguished by controversial education bills, one Florida union representing university faculty members is pushing back against a law going into effect July 1."
• The Independent Florida Alligator: GAU tapes banner to Tigert Hall, announces work-in next week. "A cloth banner blocked the doors of UF's administration building after graduate assistants protested on campus, hitting a money bag piñata filled with fake Monopoly bills and coins on the way to the edge of campus at 13th Street. Graduate Assistants United union members painted the banner that would hang on the doors of Tigert Hall Friday. The words "We can't live on UF Pay” blocked patrons' paths inside the building; if they wanted to enter, they had to remove the sign. The demonstration marked the culmination of GAU’s ongoing protest of low wages for graduate assistants at UF who claim they cannot comfortably live off their salaries."

• WCJB TV20: Gainesville residents gather for the first annual Freedom Fest to celebrate the history of Juneteenth. "The Gainesville Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center and The City of Gainesville hosted the first annual Freedom Fest at Bo Diddley Plaza."

• The Gainesville Sun ($): Alachua County animal shelter swamped with dogs, seeking people to adopt. "The Alachua County Animal Resources and Care Center is about 50% over the capacity of its space for just 117 pets, county officials said. Deputy County Manager of Community and Strategic Initiatives Carl Smart says, "Some of them are having to look at euthanasia as a real option."

• The Gainesville Sun ($): United Methodist Church splits over disagreements about LGBTQ inclusion. "Over a dozen churches have decided to break away from a Christian denomination that welcomes LBGTQ clergy and officiates same-sex marriages."

• WCJB TV20: “His legacy lives on”: Clarence R. Kelly’s dream community center is finally here. "Clarence Kelly was the director of the northeast recreation center for 35 years and family members say he was a pillar of the community. In 2011, he passed away at the age of 56 and the following year, the recreation center was renamed in his honor."

• WCJB TV20: Union County JROTC heads to Washington, D.C."The Lake Butler team was one of only forty teams to advance to the final competition."


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Around the state

• AP: DeSantis wants panel to probe trafficking, sanctuary cities. "DeSantis also said he intended to expand a strike force made up of state and local law enforcement agents that is tasked with stopping trafficking.

WUSF: DeSantis reverses course, allows state healthcare providers to order COVID vaccines for kids. "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now allowing healthcare providers, including pediatricians and children’s hospitals, to order COVID-19 vaccines from a federal program for children between six months and 5 years old, a reversal from earlier this week, White House officials told McClatchy."

• WSVN: 2 Florida deputies disciplined for sharing news of Bob Saget’s death before his family was notified, internal report says. "Two Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s deputies have been disciplined for sharing information about Bob Saget’s death with members of the public before the comedian’s family had been notified, according to the results of an internal investigation by the sheriff’s department." 

• The New York Times ($): After public pressure, Florida allows pediatricians to order vaccines for very young children. "Unlike the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, Florida did not allow health care providers to preorder the vaccines ahead of the federal government’s June 14 deadline."

• WFSU: Florida celebrates Responsible Fatherhood Month, touts new funding to get more dads involved. "A new state law that goes into effect July 1 with the start of the fiscal year earmarks dollars to support programs aimed at getting dads more involved."

• Politico: DeSantis draws huge cash haul from Trump donors. "As Ron DeSantis gears up for a likely 2024 White House bid — with or without Donald Trump in the race — the Florida governor is winning over some of the former president’s biggest benefactors."

• WMFE: Florida’s Purple Alert Plan goes live on July 1. "Purple Alerts are for adults with an intellectual or developmental disability or another kind of disability who police believe are in immediate danger.


From NPR News

• Health: CDC clears the way for vaccinations for children 6 months to 5 years old

• Race: In states where Juneteenth is still not a day off, activists see a missed opportunity

• Family: For many dads, the COVID pandemic brought new perspectives on fatherhood

• Economy: Pain at the gas pump is being felt around the world

• Politics: French President Macron faces an uphill battle to a second term

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