WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: East Gainesville residents clarify their needs for new urgent care center. “Chanae Jackson came to Lincoln Middle School ready to voice her dissatisfaction. ‘We don’t trust you, and we don’t …
Read More »Alachua County’s Human Rights Board has a new member, and she is seeking change
Erin Field, who uses a wheelchair, is the newest Citizen at Large on the Alachua County Human Rights Board and the Citizens Disability Advisory Committee. She doesn't know everything about her new work but is trying her best to help.
Read More »Newberry High School celebrates high graduation rate
Newberry High School claimed the highest graduation rate -- 98.5% -- among Alachua County public schools despite the county and the state of Florida experiencing drops in overall graduation rates for the 2021-22 school year.
Read More »2022 racked up $165 billion in disaster damages — the third costliest year on record
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its annual U.S. Climate assessment Tuesday at the 103rd Annual American Meteorological Society Meeting in Denver, Colorado. From hurricanes to tornados, winter storms to wildfires, the U.S. experienced 18 unique billion-dollar disasters in 2022 totaling $165 billion.
Read More »Gainesville immigrants lean on community in the face of challenges
Paula and her family left their native Mexico to chase their dream of opportunity in the United States. A lot of paperwork and a two-day bus ride later, they arrived in Gainesville in May. Since then, Paula’s family has struggled to get their feet on the ground. Paula and her husband do not have the legal documentation to work in the U.S. Their efforts to find schools for their sons and a way to earn an income while dealing with their legal status have been nearly impossible to navigate, said Paula, who is waiting for her family's 2024 court date to seek asylum. Paula’s story exposes the challenges that immigrants face in Gainesville and other parts of the country.
Read More »The Point, Dec. 14, 2022: Gainesville releases financial report almost 6 months late
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WCJB: The city of Gainesville released its financial auditing reports, which were approved unanimously. “The city of Gainesville’s 2020-2021 fiscal report was late by almost six months.” • Gainesville Sun ($): Does …
Read More »Alachua County Commission selects new chair, approves $340,000 in federal aid for landlord utility rental assistance initiative
The Alachua County Commission elected a new chair and vice chair at its special meeting Tuesday before voting to use millions in federal aid on several initiatives, including a pilot program meant to help local landlords make their properties more energy efficient.
Read More »Creating community and confidence through hair
Bouncing hair beads, bright bows, braids, and bubble ponytail holders are a rite of passage for most Black girls. Most have their own satin hair bonnets as soon as they begin to grow hair. And “wash day” for Black hair is an experience, whether that be good or bad, not …
Read More »District 11 incumbent expected to retain his seat after a contested primary
Daniel Webster has represented Central Florida in the House since 2010, but a contested primary and displeased voters might hint at a shrinking support base. A Democratic and an independent candidate will face the 11th Congressional District incumbent in the Nov. 8 general election. Webster is expected to retain his …
Read More »Here’s what Floridians can expect on election night
Florida, once a state that decided the presidency by 537 votes, could look solid red after Tuesday’s election. Running for re-election are Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is considered a top candidate for the White House in 2024, and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who had a failed 2016 presidential run …
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