WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed a $91.4 billion state budget for next year, touting plans to funnel more money to public-school teachers and continue “momentum” on environmental issues.
Read More »DeSantis Proposes $91.4 Billion Budget
Waldo Swamped By Water Tax
The Waldo city council members sat back, hands folded, awaiting citizens’ complaints about the ordinance they introduced the previous week, adding a 10% utility tax on the purchase of water in the city. About 35 people showed up to the Oct. 8 meeting to weigh in on the first reading …
Read More »DeSantis Backs Letting College Athletes Cash In
DeSantis told reporters he supports the direction of bills filed for the 2020 legislative session that propose what he said is needed reform for college athletes.
Read More »With $34,000, Micanopy Hopes To Revive Its Dormant Sports Programs
The Micanopy Town Commission recently allocated an estimated $34,000 for field upgrades at the Carson Roberts Sports Complex in an attempt to revive the town's local sports programs.
Read More »Florida House Looks For Ways To Boost Teacher Pay
Rep. Chris Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who chairs the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, said his panel has been asked by House leaders to find about $500 million in potential cuts as part of a broader budget exercise. But that exercise also could help determine if a teacher-pay package would be viable.
Read More »Former Cop Opens Hemp Shop In Chiefland
For many deputies, it may take a lot more work to determine what’s legal and what’s not, given that many hemp products look and smell like marijuana, said Scott Tummond, the public information officer for the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.
Read More »Leaking Septic System Fouls Fish Camp
McIntosh Fish Camp's owners are desperate to stop the flow of what they believe is raw sewage from flowing into Orange Lake.
Read More »Gainesville City Commissioners To Keep An Eye On Litigation Over Sanctuary Cities
According to Gainesville city staff, there is no factual or legal basis for the city to be a part of the pending litigation.
Read More »How To Make Jacksonville More ‘Resilient’: 2 Committees’ Suggestions
By Brendan Rivers In early 2019, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced he was putting together an ad hoc committee on sea level rise. Clad in a rain jacket, he was speaking on the sand at a press conference about the completion of a beach renourishment project as he stood alongside with the mayors of Duval County’s beach towns. Praise followed quickly from environmentalists. “We’re pleased to see that the mayor is listening,” St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman said shortly afterward.
Read More »Sandy Soil And Rising Seas Spell Septic Tank Disaster In Florida
By Brendan Rivers Communities across Florida are already grappling with aging septic tanks, which leak into groundwater and are considered a leading cause of toxic algae blooms. As sea level rise is expected to worsen that situation, the state and cities are beginning to tackle the expensive task of converting septic systems to sewer or newer septic technologies. It’s no small challenge. Floridians are estimated to be using 2.6 million septic systems, most of them the conventional variety with two
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