Government and politics

Republican state representative from Ocala, Dennis Baxley is weighing in on legislative priorities. Brittany Thompson reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/BaxleywrapBT.mp3]

The Senate is considering extra safeguards to protect the elderly from abuse. The Florida Department of Children and Families Adult Protective Services Program wants that change to include prevention. Program Deputy Director Leann Kelly-Christensen says the potential for the elderly to sustain physical, mental and financial abuse is high. “We …

The Coalition to End Meal Limits NOW presented Gainesville City Commissioners with a mock award for “Best Fantasy” on Thursday night in a unique effort to force Commissioners to hear about the enforced 130-meal limit for the homeless. The Commissioners were not amused, and could not accept the mock oscar …

Six individuals received awards for all their hard volunteer work in the community on Thursday night in the Gainesville City Hall. The STAR Volunteer Awards, for those who impact local nature parks, was rewarded to high school students Naomi Glaser and Nadia Peattie, who have volunteered more than 320 hours …

Despite continued protests, the Coalition to End Meal Limits NOW is concerned that not enough of the city’s homeless are getting food. The group even went so far as to give the City Commission a mock “Oscar” for “Best Fantasy.” Gainesville City Commissioner Thomas Hawkins says the limit has Gainesville’s …

In a decision handed down earlier today, the U-S Supreme Court held that the First Amendment protects a fundamentalist church from the liability of intentionally inflicting emotional distress after it picketed the funeral of a soldier who died in war. WUFT-FM’s Olivia Link reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/snyderphelps.mp3]

Last year Gainesville found itself in the national and international spotlight when Dove World Outreach Center Pastor Terry Jones announced his plans to burn copies of the Koran. As a result of poor publicity, Gainesville City Manager, Russ Blackburn and Alachua County Manager, Randall Reid joined together to write an …

The City of Gainesville will provide over $100,000 for the 2010-2011 fiscal year to fund a Community Grant Program. All applicant organizations must have a physical location or address within the city limits of Gainesville and all funded activities must comply with the Community Grant Program requirements. WUFT-FM’s Milani Beaudrault …

Federal lawmakers are looking at cutting family services from a national organization. WUFT’s Empriss Campbell has more. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/plannedparenthood.mp3]

Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell’s budget struggle with the Alachua County Commission is continuing. As Brittany Thompson reports, Sheriff Darnell is making preparations in the event her budget appeal to the state is denied. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/brittanysheriff.mp3]