Many North Central Florida  lakes are at their lowest levels in years. Orange Lake was once a popular fishing and camping destination, but now it’s all but disappeared because of the recent drought conditions. In the first part of his series, Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis reports on how those who …

The Ocala Police Department has identified the body found earlier this week in Marion County. OPD Spokesperson Seargent Chas Maier says the man is identified as Herbert Leroy King of Ocala. Maier adds an autopsy is scheduled. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Maier2deadbodyidenfified.mp3] Whether foul play was the cause of King’s death is not known …

Florida law requires counties to pay more than $300-million dollars in disputed medicaid bills. Florida Association of Counties spokesperson Cragin Mahsteller says Alachua County will go from paying $400,000 thousand dollars annually to more than $6-million in the first year.

WUFT News has won eight regional Radio Television Digital News Association Murrow Awards, including overall excellence and best website. The Murrow Awards, named for legendary newscaster Edward R. Murrow, recognize outstanding achievements in electronic journalism and honor “the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the …

A Gainesville man says he was jumped this past Saturday by four other men while they shouted,  “Justice for Trayvon.”  In light of this reported beating, a local pastor and activist is speaking out against violence. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPGrinerWRAP.mp3]

By Matthew Pettie – WMFE-FM The Reverend Al Sharpton said neither Trayvon Martin’s family nor his supporters condone any acts or language of violence in their quest for justice.  Sharpton says he is not quote “anti- Zimmerman” in his quest for justice for Trayvon Martin, the teenager shot dead in Sanford …

Gainesville Fire Rescue Press Release Gainesville Fire Rescue responded to a report of smoke coming from the Oak Park High Rise at NE 8th Avenue at 8:00 p.m. last night.  The building’s fire alarm system activated and the buildings residents, mostly elderly, began to evacuate as firefighters arrived.   The smoke …

Lawyers for the man suspected of shooting and killing a teenager in Sanford have stepped down.  George Zimmerman’s attorneys have withdrawn as his counsel today saying they haven’t heard from him since Sunday. Zimmerman is at the center of an investigation over the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26th …

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign this afternoon, which has added a lot of questions about the future of the GOP presidential race. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis reports how organizations affiliated with the Republican Party are preparing for the transition out of the primary season. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPSantorumSuspensionFINAL.mp3]

By Matthew Peddie – WMFE Space shuttle Discovery departed Florida for the last time on the back of a 747 transportation jet.  WMFE’s Matthew Peddie reports, the NASA staff who worked on Discovery and the astronauts who flew on her final mission to the international space station have mixed feelings about …