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The Point, July 13, 2022: The challenge of storm forecasting during the early part of hurricane season

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Today's Florida stories

• Florida Storms: Why forecasters look closer to home early in the tropical season. "Because systems can form closer to land, this gives forecasters less time to warn the public. In the case of this current disturbance, the Florida Panhandle and other Gulf states are already experiencing heavy rains, and even flooding. Even unnamed systems can cause heavy damage in certain circumstances."

• Lakeland Ledger ($): 'Unfortunate and discriminatory': Black farmers feel left out of Florida's medical marijuana system. "Twenty-two licenses have been issued but none so far to a Black farmer, despite the aim of the legislature in 2016. In the intervening years, the licenses have generated enormous revenues from some of the license holders - frustrating the Black farmers who wonder how they can catch up."

• New York Times ($): A Culture Warrior Goes Quiet: DeSantis Dodges Questions on Abortion Plans. "Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida faces political pressure from Republicans to further curb abortions — and risks to his re-election campaign and any presidential aspirations if he goes too far."

• Florida Politics: $3.1 billion Florida state employee health insurance plan is up for bid. "Borrowing a page from its Medicaid program, Florida is putting its $3.12 billion state group health insurance program out for a competitive bid in nine regions across the state. The Department of Management Services released three invitations to negotiate last week advertising the need for third-party administrators to manage for its HMO, PPO, and pharmacy benefits."

• WLRN-Miami: Keys marine sanctuary looks to add almost a thousand square miles. "The public has until Oct. 18 to comment on the Restoration Blueprint released Tuesday. It would increase the sanctuary's size by more than 25%, from 3,803 to 4,795 square miles. The sanctuary currently includes water encompassing the Keys from North Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas. It was designated in 1990 to protect the Keys coral reef and associated ecosystems."

• First Coast News: Former athlete, parents react to resignation of longtime JU coach amid allegations of abuse. "Longtime Director of Cross-country and Track at Jacksonville University, Ron Grigg, has stepped down after 20 years at the head of the programs; his departure comes days after several of his former players alleged he verbally abused them. One student, Julia Pernsteiner, reported allegations to the university in mid-October. Less than a month later, she was found dead in her dorm."

• News4Jax: Federal agencies helping Florida investigate listeria outbreak linked to ice cream. "The Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is helping the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigate a listeria outbreak linked to ice cream, the FDA said Tuesday."

• WMFE-Orlando: Orlando is no longer the most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians. "The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan region is now eighth in the country when it comes to the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. ... The Deltona-Daytona-Ormond Beach area now leads the country in pedestrian deaths."

• WJCB: UF and Alachua County’s youth development program is creating the next generation of leaders."Through projects and programs such as creative arts, stem projects, leadership and citizenship, 4-H works with youth ages 5 to 18 to teach them about 35 life skills."


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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