GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After only one year, Florida has temporarily suspended a highly controversial, statewide survey required under a new state law compelling public colleges and universities annually to ask students and faculty to identify political bias in college classrooms. The executive vice chancellor of the Florida College System, Clifford …
Read More »Destruction seen from above: New video, photos reveal hurricane damage in Florida’s hardest hit region
An aerial tour of the region in north-central Florida where Idalia made landfall early Wednesday and nearby communities revealed the devastating scale of destruction spanning more than 100 miles across Florida’s Big Bend.
Read More »Photos capture aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Perry and Cedar Key
WUFT photojournalists made their way to Cedar Key and Perry to report on the damage following the arrival Wednesday morning of Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm that made landfall in Florida's Big Bend.
Read More »Idalia survivor of storm’s fury near landfall: ‘Don’t ever want to go through that again’
The lengthy process of cleaning up started almost as soon as the rain and winds from Hurricane Idalia subsided Wednesday.
Read More »Historic Florida fishing village sees record storm surge
CEDAR KEY, Fla. – While Hurricane Idalia made landfall farther northwest than originally expected in Cedar Key, the town still saw a record 6.9-foot storm surge Wednesday morning. Residents of this historic, Gulf Coast fishing village renowned for its waterfront seafood restaurants and quaint stores watched live newscasts of water …
Read More »Florida evacuates 4,000 prisoners from 35 facilities ahead of Hurricane Idalia
Inmates have been moved to more robust buildings that are better equipped to survive what are expected to be dangerous conditions, according to the Dept. of Corrections.
Read More »One night, two lives changed forever: Case against shooter of neighborhood burglar ends in plea deal
A man who saw a teenager burglarizing a neighbor’s vehicle in the middle of the night and shot him in the back as he walked away in the dark has agreed to a plea deal that could send him to prison for up to 15 years. “Send somebody,” the man …
Read More »Florida university graduates share inspiring personal stories
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – One had been a homeless, high school dropout. Another overcame a serious disability. Another just learned English a few years ago. Graduates of Florida’s universities share their inspiring personal stories as they walk across the stage with their diplomas this month. Here are the stories of a …
Read More »Underage drinking in a college town: How strictly should police, prosecutors enforce laws?
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On the last day of college classes after her freshman fall semester, Maggie Paxton began drinking with friends in the dorms at the University of Florida – students call it “pre-gaming” – before hitting Gainesville’s popular Midtown bars across a busy street from campus. She was 18. …
Read More »Former death row inmates slam new Florida law making it easier to impose capital punishment
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With Florida making it easier for juries to impose the death sentence, two formerly condemned inmates who are still behind bars are warning that the change gives too much power over life and death to elected prosecutors. Their concerns are at odds with some families of murder …
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