Gainesville residents are pulling out their umbrellas, as this week continues to deliver more rain showers. But Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Ludie Bond says this is a welcome weather change. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/bond1recentrain.mp3] Bond says in the battle between rain and active fires, the constant weather change plays a huge role. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/bond2recentrain.mp3]

Winston Bradley started his first week in office in the new commission seat with a running start. His fellow commissioners welcomed him with open arms. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Alyssa Averette reports on Bradley’s inaugural plans for the year.  Also posted: a WUFT-TV report by reporter Sanika Dange. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/NewCommissionerWRAP.mp3]

Hollywood and fans around the world mourned the death of a music icon over the  weekend.  But as Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange reports, the memory of Whitney Houston will live on in her music and her message to the next generation. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/Mixdown-SD-FINAL.mp3|titles=Mixdown SD FINAL]

The migrating whooping cranes will no longer be reaching their original destination.  As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange reports, some recent storms may be to blame. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/SDwhoopingcranewrap.mp3]

Tuesday night election results have led two At-Large candidates to face off in Gainesville’s runoff election, but Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange says to one of the candidates, this is not a surprise.  [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/SDPoewrap1.mp3] WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis says another run-off candidate hopes the smaller field of candidates will mean more …

Update: All precincts now reporting.  Run-off confirmed. It looks like a run-off for the Gainesville city commission At-Large 1 seat. With one precinct still outstanding, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis says the Nathan Skop campaign is getting ready for the next step. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/CHIPVOICER.mp3] WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange says Lauren Poe’s campaign will still …

The Gilchrist County School District is ranked fifth in the list of 67 state school districts in a ranking released by the Florida Department of Education today. Though Gilchrist County is one of the smaller Florida counties, Gilchrist County School Superintendent Don Thomas says the real secret to a successful …

Efforts to keep students safe in light of a recent kidnapping at Santa Fe College may lead to permanent changes to safety procedures on campus. SFC General Counsel Patti Locascio says they are considering more lighting, as a start. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/LOCASCIO6.mp3] She says they are currently supporting the Alachua County Sheriff’s …

Euthanasia numbers have dropped by 6,000 in the past 10 years.  As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange reports, Animal Services are determined to see the pattern continue. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPEuthanasia.mp3] And nationally, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats brought into animal shelters are euthanized each year. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Jessica Becerra reports, …

With the upcoming Republican caucus in January, the GOP candidate race is still reeling from Herman Cain’s withdrawal.  As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange reports, the withdrawal is opening doors for other potential Republican nominees. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/SDCainWrapFinal.mp3]