A disagreement over turtle harvesting on Alachua County lakes is pitting commercial turtle farmers and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission against residents of the small communities around Orange and Lochloosa Lakes. As WUFT-FM’s Brittany Wienke reports, the controversy is over the harvest of thousands of turtles by outsiders who …

Hibernating bats are facing a growing epidemic of what’s known as white-nose bat syndrome—a fungus that clings to the facial fur on bats, causing them to wake up early. As WUFT-FM’s Brittany Wienke reports, this syndrome has economic consequences, though Florida seems to be safe [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/BATWRAP.mp3]

Alachua County commissioners requested a delay of hearing Sheriff Sadie Darnell’s budget appeal yesterday. County Commissioner Susan Baird said the 45-day delay is meant to give Governor Rick Scott time to sign an important piece of legislation. “We decided to go ahead and sign the letter, and the sheriff did …

Crews of firefighters are working to control a forest fire in Goethe State Forest in east Levy County. Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Ludie Bond said the flames continue to burn despite several inches of rain last night. “We were very thankful for the few inches of rain we did receive throughout …

Career Builder’s annual college job forecast reports employers are hiring more recent grads, with 46% of employers planning to hire recent college grads. The number is up 3% from 2009. The report also shows employers are offering higher starting salaries. Career Builder Career Advisor Allison Nawoj says the increase in …

In an appropriate celebration of Earth Day, Florida Organic Growers installed an organic garden at Gainesville’s Reichert House Youth Academy today. Director of Education and Outreach Christine Hale says planting organic gardens in schools is a strategy to decrease childhood obesity and help children understand basic nutrition. FOG has provided …

Marion County Sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation on the Seath Jackson murder case. Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Judge Cochran says right now, authorities are looking for evidence. “Right now, concerning the first degree murder of Seath Jackson, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s Unit is continuing to look for the …

American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze will be at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Monday night singing a concert to benefit Backpack Club, Inc. The organization fills backpacks with food and delivers them to needy children. President Stephanie Covey says donations are much appreciated. “This money will allow us …

In response to unemployment, Marion County has teamed up with local business leaders to create 25 new job initiatives, which are geared toward creating new opportunities. Recently, a South Florida company has decided to move its operations from South Florida to Ocala. The chairman of Medtino, Raymond Talarico, spoke with …

As technology advances, analog recording is exchanged for digital recording as devices get smaller. But as Florida’s 89.1 WUFT’s Brittany Wienke reports, a recent comeback of vinyl records may reverse this trend. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/vinyl.mp3]