A father convicted of starving a 22-day-old daughter to death will remain behind bars for life after a Florida appeals court rejected his arguments that his young wife confessed responsibility. In an interview, he portrayed himself as a caring father who was unaware the infant – who weighed only 4 …
Read More »‘Freedom works’: DeSantis mocks Covid restrictions, bashes feds on economy and immigration
DeSantis, a Republican who is seeking a second term in November and hasn’t ruled out a White House bid in 2024, called Florida the “freest state” in the U.S.
Read More »University of Florida’s president is stepping down
Kent Fuchs, the president of the University of Florida during the school’s ascension to a Top 5 ranked public university but whose leadership was questioned over his reluctance to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis, said Wednesday he will step down. Fuchs, 67, who had been appointed the 12th president of the …
Read More »UF trustee chairman was back-channel to DeSantis office over pandemic decision
The chairman of the University of Florida board of trustees served as a liaison with the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis when administrators were considering temporarily moving some college classes online due to the pandemic, according to text messages.
Read More »Flamethrower joins list of odd weapons used in Alachua County crimes this year
A Gainesville man fed up with his neighbors’ parking habits decided to take matters into his own hands — by firing a flamethrower at a car with teenagers inside, according to a Gainesville police report.
Read More »New UF coach’s contract: $51.8 million, bigger bonuses, planes, cars
Florida’s new football coach, Billy Napier, will be eligible for bigger bonuses than his predecessor – up to $1.5 million – and receive two luxury cars, a stadium suite and personal use of the university’s planes under his nearly $52 million salary, seven-year contract. The contract also requires Florida to …
Read More »Former NFL, Gators running back faces assault case in Gainesville
A former University of Florida star running back who signed to play in the NFL is accused of brandishing an assault rifle during a road-rage incident earlier this month. It’s the second criminal case alleging the player was violent in recent weeks. Mark Anthony Thompson, 26, is facing felony assault …
Read More »The ‘devil in him’: Confessions of a Gainesville killer expose complexities of insanity defense
Paul Graves Williams, 64, faces two capital charges for the November 2018 murders of Lisa Williams, 57, and Paige Williams, 15. A criminal trial cannot proceed until Williams is deemed mentally competent. A state judge in Alachua County will reconsider the matter again Dec. 16.
Read More »Former inmate marries imprisoned partner in unauthorized wedding in Florida
A former inmate and her convicted fiance in a federal prison exchanged vows Sunday night in an unauthorized wedding ceremony over a phone call, moving their plans ahead by one day over concerns that the Justice Department might try to interfere.
Read More »Former NYPD officers in Florida heralded by DeSantis include surprises
New details are emerging about the newest dozen police officers lauded by Gov. Ron DeSantis for moving to central Florida from New York City to escape what the governor described as low morale and a lack of support from Democratic politicians there. The new hires include one previously fired as …
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