WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Adoptions from mid-March to the end of May exceeded The Humane Society’s expectations at 300 since the beginning fo quarantine.
Read More »North Central Florida Humane Society Exceeds Adoption Expectations During Quarantine
Deaf Community Faces Access Issues To Vital Government Updates
When Florida first began responding to the coronavirus in March, Alachua and Marion counties gave updates without an interpreter or closed captioning, delaying access to vital news for those in the hard of hearing and deaf communities.
Read More »COVID-19 And Racism: The Black Community Fights On Two Front Lines
Episode 37 explores how a pandemic is not the same for everyone and where race intersects with public health. Three audio post cards from Gainesville residents about being black during a time of protests and a pandemic (02:00). Anthony Montalto talks with Tonja Smith, Deputy Chief of the Tallahassee Police Department and President of the North Florida Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (10:01). Taylor Levesque speaks with black business owners in Gainesville about the messages they plan to spread throughout the community during this time of unrest and uncertainty (16:26). Camron Lunn listened to leadership and professors from Florida’s two most prominent historically black colleges and universities as they discussed the challenges facing their student populations (20:45). Melissa Feito talks with faith leaders to discuss their role in guiding their communities through two tough challenges (24:27). This podcast serves to provide updates on Florida's response to coronavirus, with a particular focus on north central Florida.
Read More »Alachua County Public High Schools Hosting Drive-Thru Graduation Ceremonies
This week, Alachua County high school seniors are receiving their well-earned diplomas via drive-thru.
Read More »Alachua County Braces For Eventful Hurricane Season Amid Pandemic
If a serious hurricane should develop, shelters might look a little different this year due to the coronavirus.
Read More »How Will Florida’s Tourism Industry Bounce Back From COVID-19
Episode 36 explores how Florida's tourism industry is faring during this pandemic. Josh Williams talks with Rebecca Shireman, Communications Manager for Kennedy Space Center, about the extra steps being taken to protect guests.. and the center's impact on the local economy (02:21). Melissa Feito looks into how Orlando's local tourism industry has been impacted by coronavirus and how they're planning to welcome visitors back safely (08:51). Taylor Levesque talked to water parks to find out how closure due to the pandemic has hurt business (14:25). Anthony Montalto takes a stroll along Hollywood Beach which has recently reopened and caught up with visitors and businesses about how things are going (18:56). Camron Lunn looks into how social distancing and a preference for being outdoors during the pandemic could be a boon for ecotourism in Florida (24:01). This podcast serves to provide updates on Florida's response to coronavirus, with a particular focus on north central Florida.
Read More »UF Board of Trustees Presents Reopening Plan
Gov. Ron DeSantis plans on the country being in the third phase of reopening by August 1 and believes that UF students and faculty should be prepared to come back for the fall semester
Read More »The Show Must Go On: Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre Prepares For ‘Hybrid Season’
By taking proper precautions, actors should soon be able to return to the stage of the Hippodrome Theatre.
Read More »DeSantis: Phase Two Effective Friday To Reopen Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday mandating phase two reopening Florida begins Friday.
Read More »Locally Owned Businesses Work To Reopen According To Phase One Guidelines
Many small business owners in Gainesville are facing similar decisions as businesses are allowed to reopen according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Since locally owned businesses do not have oversight from parent companies, decisions regarding how business will run during the pandemic falls to the individual owners.
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