WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
You’re out enjoying the summer and then all of a sudden you feel itchy, you look down and you are getting swarmed by mosquitoes. It’s the insect Floridians love to hate and a challenge for the state’s mosquito control programs to overcome. Listen above to learn how Alachua County’s program …
Read More »Gainesville moving forward with gun violence prevention task force
The Gainesville City Commission is moving forward with the creation of a gun violence prevention task force – slowly. Commissioners agree that it is needed, but also expressed concern with city staff taking on more work as budget cutting eliminates some positions. Mayor Harvey Ward said he wants to proceed cautiously to …
Read More »Hernando County residents living along the Mud River say boaters are causing trouble
A group of Hernando County residents living along the Mud River wants better regulation of boat rental businesses there and their customers. They made their case to the board of county commissioners at a public meeting earlier this month. They argued the river has become a popular way to get …
Read More »Florida governor signs bill to limit tech companies’ use of personal data
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed SB 262, a law whose supporters say will increase technology transparency, in Wildwood before offering remarks at a press conference. It was one of his media appearances since announcing his 2024 presidential run during a Twitter live stream in late May with CEO Elon …
Read More »Tensions rise in Hernando County over school superintendent position
House Bill 773 is approaching Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, and if he signs it, it will be up to Hernando County voters to decide whether the superintendent will be an appointed position by the school board or elected by voters in a partisan election. Controversy over current Superintendent John Stratton …
Read More »Gainesville commissioners bring back single-family zoning
The City of Gainesville has gone back to Exclusionary Zoning. The move by city commissioners, on a four to three vote, does away with the short-lived policy of allowing multi-family housing anywhere in the city. That was just put in place last October by a previous city commission. The effort to reverse course …
Read More »UF/IFAS Extension urges Floridians to make hurricane preparations now
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a near normal Atlantic Hurricane Season this year. The expectation is for 12-17 named storms between June 1 and November 30. Of those, 1-4 are likely to be major hurricanes. Dr. Andra Johnson, dean of UF/IFAS Extension and the director of the …
Read More »Alachua County water conservation code changes
Updates to Alachua County’s landscape irrigation code take effect June 12th. One of the biggest changes is irrigation systems in new residential and commercial developments can only water up to half of a property’s total permeable area. “If you subtract the size of the house and the driveway, what you have …
Read More »Water management districts want visitors to enjoy springs, rivers responsibly
Before Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, Florida’s water management districts want to remind visitors to springs and rivers to leave no litter and protect nature. Troy Roberts with the Suwannee River Water Management District said trash takes away from an area’s natural beauty. It is also …
Read More »Florida state cabinet signs off on land deals
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet on Tuesday approved spending nearly $100 million on land deals that will secure nearly 40,000 acres as part of a growing wildlife corridor. The 12 agreements are part of the Florida Forever program and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. They involve …
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