Government and politics

Gainesville City Commission District 1 and At-Large Seat 1 will be decided in a run-off election on April 14. Four candidates advanced from a pool of 10 who ran in the initial elections on March 17.

The Garrity family is the first family to receive the Michelle Park Family Recreation Scholarship from the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. The scholarship is valued at $1,500 and was created for families to engage in recreational and cultural activities for free.

Putnam County residents will be able to vote on the renewal of the Better Place Plan on April 7. However, the wording of the renewal plan has some residents questioning the transparency of the commission and how the changes will affect the county.

Senate Bill 228 passed its first round of voting on Tuesday 7 to 2. The bill will make online voting registration possible and enable current voters to update information. If passed, the bill states online services will be available Jan. 1, 2016.

A House Civil Justice Subcommittee approved a bill on March 4 that would ban transgender Floridians from using single-sex facilities that do not align with the sex listed on their driver's licenses.

The Gainesville City Commission District 1 and City Commission At-Large elections ended Tuesday night with two run-offs. The final election will be held on April 14.

Gainesville City Commission elections are Tuesday, and WUFT News has interviewed candidates to help voters make informed decisions. The candidates on Tuesday's ballot shared their reasons for running and visions for the city of Gainesville.

Gainesville City Commission at-large seat 1 elections are Tuesday. WUFT News has interviewed candidates to help voters make informed decisions. The candidates on Tuesday's ballot shared their reasons for running and visions for the city of Gainesville.

The coming Florida session in state politics will have several lawmakers take stances on drug policies. Proposals altering the state's policy for tobacco, marijuana and alcohol will be under review.

May 2 has been set as the trial date for a lawsuit challenging the Lake County School Board's refusal to allow students at Carver Middle School in Leesburg, Florida, to form a gay-straight alliance. ACLU attorney Daniel Tiller said they are appealing based on the First Amendment and Equal Access Act.