The Senate Rules Committee approved a bill Wednesday allowing utility companies to raise electricity bills so they can pass along the cost of building renewable natural gas facilities. SB 1162 would allow utility companies to purchase and use natural gas and hydrogen as fuel sources for electricity. This would help …
Read More »Gainesville commissioners continue undoing single-family zoning laws
The Gainesville City Commission has voted to pass three new ordinances that undid the fall 2022 zoning laws that allowed for more multifamily housing in different places across the city. On Wednesday night, the commission met for a special meeting to discuss the highly debated laws passed last October that …
Read More »GRU control bill gets House committee approval
The House State Affairs Committee approved Representative Chuck Clemons’ bill giving the state of Florida control of Gainesville Regional Utilities on Wednesday. GRU is in significant debt. According to a press release from the city’s Public Information Officer Rossana Passaniti, GRU accounted for “80 percent of the overall debt” of …
Read More »Lake Forest Elementary School inaugurates new playground that will double as public park
The close to $400,000 project to refurbish Lake Forest Elementary School's playground was funded by impact fees and the Wild Spaces & Public Places sales tax through a partnership between the Alachua County School Board and Alachua County Parks & Open Space. The playground will be used as a public park during non-school hours.
Read More »Judge rejects lawsuit against ‘intellectual freedom’ surveys on college campuses
TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge has tossed out a challenge to a controversial 2021 Florida law that includes requiring surveys about “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” on state college and university campuses. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a 22-page decision Monday that said plaintiffs, including the United Faculty …
Read More »Jury seated in Andrew Gillum’s trial
TALLAHASSEE — A federal jury was empaneled Monday in the trial of former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who was indicted last year on corruption charges including wire fraud and lying to federal investigators. Gillum, a former Tallahassee mayor, catapulted to rising-star status in Democratic circles as he campaigned …
Read More »Property-insurer insolvencies are going to hit Florida policyholders in the wallet
Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky issued an order that approved a request by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association to collect a 1 percent emergency “assessment” to cover costs of claims.
Read More »Alachua County Board approves Water Conservation Month proclamation
WUFT · April is one of the driest periods of the year for Florida April is now Water Conservation Month in Alachua County. “Alachua County is seen as a leader in the field of water conservation,” said Stacie Greco, Water Conservation Coordinator at Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. “We …
Read More »GRU, Gainesville City Commission work to find way out of debt issues
Gainesville Regional Utilities has been the topic of conversation on the local and state levels in recent months, with state Rep. Chuck Clemons this week filing a bill that would change who controls the utility. Ahead of such a drastic possible change, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and city commissioners came …
Read More »As Tax Day nears, free help is available through AARP and United Way
Tax Day is next Tuesday, April 18, and for seniors and other residents with modest income there’s free help available for filing those federal income taxes. The IRS teams up with nonprofit organizations like the United Way and AARP to assist taxpayers through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling …
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