Government and politics

The task force set up by Governor Rick Scott to evaluate Florida’s “stand your ground” law held its first public hearing today. The law says that a person does not have to retreat in the face of a threat and can use deadly force if fearing danger of death or serious harm. Florida’s …

A monument outside a courthouse in Bradford County has sparked some recent debate. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Keaton Webb reports on the controversy surrounding the Ten Commandments Monument. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/06/10-Commandments-WRAP.mp3|titles=10 Commandments WRAP]

A final reading for an ordinance to change selling times of alcohol on Sundays in the city of Alachua is scheduled for the end of this month. Florida’s 89 point 1 WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Denardo spoke with Adam Buchari  assistant to the city manager of Alachua, about changes to the city’s …

Former University of Florida Provost and distinguished historian and commentator on  Florida politics, Professor David R. Colburn has been appointed interim director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service on the UF campus. The Center provides a wide variety of lectures, public forums and specialized curriculum designed to create the next …

A recent controversy has taken over the town of Starke, Fla., regarding a monument of the Ten Commandments outside the Bradford County Courthouse. So far more than 100 people have protested in the ongoing debate over the religious marker on county property. One organization that is against the marker is …

A transit sales tax will no longer be on the ballot for Alachua County voters this fall. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Robert Lopez reports on the Alachua County Commission’s decision and how Gainesville city commissioners are taking the news. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPCommissionerTaxFINAL.mp3]

Things may be looking better for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney among Florida voters.  A new poll from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute shows him pulling ahead of President Obama.  Assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Peter Brown says this isn’t unique to the state of Florida. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Brown1QuinPoll.mp3] The …

Having just been sworn into office Thursday, District 1 Gainesville City Commissioner Lauren Poe looks to bring the community together. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Blake Alderman spoke with him about what he looks to accomplish. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/QAPoeBlakeAlderman.mp3]

It’s happening in several congressional races, in states like Nebraska, Montana and Ohio. Millions of dollars from out-of-state donors and outside groups are fueling candidates’ war chests. Last week in Indiana, outside money helped Richard Mourdock beat out six-term incumbent Senator Dick Lugar in the GOP primary.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip …

Florida is calling on county election supervisors to remove more than 53,000 dead people from the state’s voting rolls. State officials this year checked Social Security files and concluded that people who died were still registered to vote. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Fernanda Ponce spoke with Citrus County Supervisor of Elections Susan …