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The stories near you

• WUFT News: Gainesville’s mayor candidates have sparred, but they share a common goal. "After being narrowed down from nine to two candidates, Harvey Ward and Ed Bielarski will be pitted against each other in the Nov. 8 general election."

• Ocala Gazette: Marion County School Board unanimously OKs agreement with Marion Education Association. "There was a sense of accomplishment and hopefulness during the Marion County School Board meeting held on Oct. 25 as the board unanimously approved its annual contract with the Marion Education Association."

• WUFT News: Local waterway cleanup organization set to reach 1 million pounds of collected trash. "As of Oct. 7, the organization had recorded 986,333 pounds of collected trash, with over 32,000 of that picked up since January and less than 14,000 pounds left to reach the 1 million mark."

• WUFT News: Inmates face off in state culinary arts competition. "The smell of various foods filled the air, pans of grilled chicken sizzled on the stove and inmates wearing aprons, hats and chef’s coats rushed around the industrial kitchen as they worked with their team to win the gold trophy."

• WUFT News: A nonprofit’s free hair styling for girls builds their self-esteem. "Twelve-year-old Jasmine Lassiter said kids used to make fun of her hair. Now, thanks to an organization called Her Natural Wreath, classmates admire her beautiful braids."

• Mainstreet Daily News: Humane society taps new executive director. "After a nationwide search, the Humane Society of North Central Florida (HSNCF) announced that Chelsea Bower will become the organization’s new executive director."

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Around the state

• WLRN-Miami: Parkland shooter formally sentenced to life in prison - as victims' families wish him 'hell.' "The trial of Parkland shooter officially came to an emotional close on Wednesday, when Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer formally sentenced the confessed gunman to 34 counts of life in prison without the possibility of parole, to be served consecutively – one for each of the 17 people murdered and 17 people injured."

• Fresh Take Florida: Florida GOP takes lead in early voting in traditionally blue Miami-Dade. "In an extraordinary sign of trouble for Democrats in Florida ahead of Election Day, the number of registered Republicans voting in Miami-Dade County surpassed Democrats on Wednesday – one day after President Joe Biden visited the area on a campaign swing."

• The Palm Beach Post ($): Post-Roe, how Florida abortion laws (24-hour delay and 15-week abortion ban) affect emergency care. "Amid the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court this summer, two Florida laws aimed at curbing abortions went into effect."

• WFTS-Tampa Bay: Inside the Border Patrol station in the Florida Keys show complexities of immigration debate. "Outside the U.S. Border Patrol Station in Marathon Key recently, investigative reporter Katie LaGrone met Omar Carcache as he waited to pick up his nephew he hadn’t seen in more than 20 years."

• WMFE-Orlando: Conservation groups seek to speed up protections for endangered right whales. "The groups want the protections implemented ahead of the birthing season, which begins in mid-November."

• Florida Politics: Feds abandon oversight on beach renourishment impacts to fish habitat. "Between projects related to large infrastructure legislation recently passed by Congress and disaster-related recovery projects, along with new developments, there aren’t enough people to do the work."

• WTSP-Tampa: Disney Cruise Line will no longer require guests to show negative COVID-19 test. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 14, people do not have to be tested for COVID-19 regardless of their vaccination status for ships departing from the U.S., Disney Cruise Line wrote on its website."

From NPR News

• Economy: What's next for the Fed after efforts to fight inflation with higher interest rates.

• Health: CVS and Walgreens have agreed to $10 billion opioid settlement.

• Business: Home Depot workers in Philadelphia vote on whether to form 1st unionized store.

• Ukraine: Russia rejoins U.N. deal to ship grain from Ukraine, easing food insecurity concerns.

• Science: Why this study of box turtles will plod along, slow and steady, for 100 years.

• Health: Vaccines used to be apolitical. Now they're a campaign issue.
Kristin Moorehead curated today's edition of The Point.