WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed appellate Judge Barbara Lagoa to the Florida Supreme Court as he began replacing three longtime justices who were required to retire Tuesday.
Read More »DeSantis Names Lagoa To Supreme Court
Voters Line Up Behind Constitutional Amendments
Felons will get voting rights automatically restored after serving their sentences, vaping in workplaces will be illegal and greyhound racing will be banned in Florida under a series of constitutional amendments approved Tuesday.
Read More »Candidates Set For 2018 Florida Agriculture Commissioner, Attorney General Races
On the ballot in November: Democrats Nikki Fried and Sean Shaw against Republicans Matt Caldwell and Ashley Moody.
Read More »Three Hospitals Challenging Proposed Marion County Hospital
Three hospitals in Marion and Citrus counties are challenging a state decision to sign off on a new 66-bed hospital in Marion County.
Read More »New Budget, Dozens Of Laws Poised To Take Effect
More than 100 bills that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law from the 2018 legislative session will take effect Sunday, including a new state budget that tops $88 billion.
Read More »NRA: Federal Appeals Court Should Decide Whether Alachua County Woman Remains Anonymous In Gun Suit
The filing was in response to an order by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for attorneys to submit arguments about whether the court is in a legal posture to consider the matter.
Read More »Other States Back Scott On Felons’ Voting Rights
A U.S. district judge ruled that Florida's system of restoring felons' voting rights is unconstitutional. Eight states are supporting Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet in their appeal of that ruling.
Read More »Gainesville Among 10 Cities Joining A Legal Challenge Of Gun-Law Penalties
An additional 10 municipalities have joined a challenge to the constitutionality of a state law that imposes strict penalties on local governments and officials who violate a restriction on regulating guns and ammunition.
Read More »Florida Lawmakers Approve Increased Funds For University Construction
Florida lawmakers approved a 45 percent increase in spending for university and college construction and maintenance for the 2018-19 academic year, totaling $487 million. The largest project on the list is $50 million for a data-science and information-technology building at the University of Florida.
Read More »A Recap Of The Ten Big Issues In The 2018 Legislative Session
The Florida House and Senate ended the 2018 legislative session Sunday by passing a budget and a tax-cut package for the upcoming year. The session was largely dominated by the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, sparking debate about state gun laws and school safety. Here's a recap of the big issues.
Read More »