WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Environmentalism and religion may not seem like they have much in common, but a growing number of local places of worship advocate for environmentalism.
Read More »Gainesville places of worship advocate for environmentalism as tenet of faith
Gainesville Regional Utility maintains power for customers amidst severe weather events
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida and Santa Fe College students received a warm welcome back to Gainesville… literally. Students were slammed with excessive heat warnings and a hurricane within the first two weeks of classes. As Hurricane Idalia threatened a direct path to Gainesville, students began scrambling to prepare …
Read More »Florida turkey hunting season in full swing amid national shortages
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Don’t worry, this Thanksgiving Floridians will still be gobbling turkey as November approaches, while other states face turkey shortages. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does not plan to change its fall 2023 and spring 2024 turkey hunting schedule as of Sept. 18, according to FWC …
Read More »Beware bears: Florida wildlife officials renew warnings about encounters
This is the time of year when experts say bears are especially active as they start to pack on fat to hibernate even through Florida's mild winter. Bears will remain active through November.
Read More »Dixie County comes together amidst hurricane recovery
CROSS CITY, Fla. — Dixie County residents sat in blue chairs outside the FEMA recovery center in blistering heat. They waited for help and a semblance of hope after Hurricane Idalia swept through multiple cities across the Big Bend region. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, opened a recovery center …
Read More »Peak Hurricane Season has arrived. How is it looking so far?
In a typical Atlantic Ocean hurricane season, August through mid-September is the busiest time for tropical storms and hurricanes. This season is no different. Historically, more than 85 percent of all major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5) form after August 20, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm …
Read More »Steinhatchee scalloping to suffer
Steinchatchee: a small, quiet riverside town known for its scalloping. It’s now flooded, muddy and littered with debris. Sludge normally trapped on the river’s bottom has muddied the crystal-clear water, now spotted with dead fish, furniture and vegetation. But Jody Griffis, owner of the Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman Bay, said …
Read More »DeSantis requests aid for Big Bend fishing industries
Governor Ron DeSantis requested assistance for North Central Florida’s fishing industry to repair damage from Hurricane Idalia. He wrote a letter on Wednesday to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to issue a federal fisheries declaration providing federal funding for offshore, nearshore and inshore fisheries to rebuild. In DeSantis’ letter, he …
Read More »State offers help to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia
Following Idalia’s impacts, the Florida Division of Emergency Management wants to ensure Florida residents have all the information necessary to recover. Individuals are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance and continue to sort through storm debris. FDEM Deputy Communications Director Amelia Johnson says that there is a variety of resources available through FEMA. …
Read More »UF/IFAS research station director discusses impacts of Idalia on Cedar Key
Mike Allen is Director of the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key. He evacuated from the area last night and talks to WUFT News Manager Ryan Vasquez about how the station and Cedar Key are getting through Idalia.
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