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 »The Point, Jan. 11, 2023: WUFT Special Report: Nay’loni Fairley
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News Special Report: Nay’loni Fairley: Jacksonville father recalls losing his ‘Dazzling Doll.’ “‘I just hope it gets better, because we’re all suffering, and it doesn’t get better,’ he said. ‘As the …
Read More »Marion County judge helping Ukraine start a Veterans Treatment Court
A Marion County judge is working with experts around the country to aid veterans in Ukraine. For 20 years, Judge Jim McCune has served on the bench in Marion County. His effort to help veterans in the court system has had a positive impact on the local community and is now reaching the global scale. McCune and a team around the country are working to provide a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) for soldiers in Ukraine.
Read More »Career Academy Showcase provides opportunity for youth across Alachua County
Over 750 people walked through the doors of Eastside High School Thursday evening to attend the annual Career Academy Showcase. Alachua County Public Schools faculty welcomed prospective eighth-grade students and family members to visit different displays to familiarize themselves with the 15 career academies spread amongst all the county’s high …
Read More »Keith Perry wins District 9 Senate race with commanding majority over Rodney Long
Republican Keith Perry came out on top Tuesday night in the District 9 Senate race, garnering approximately 65% of the vote. After the Associated Press called the race, the outgoing District 8 senator thanked his team and his voters for supporting the campaign and, above all, single-member districting. “I can’t …
Read More »Alachua County makes history with approval of equitable criminal sentencing technology
Alachua County made the joint-effort of state attorney Brian Kramer and public defender Stacy Scott a historic reality: Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit will become Florida’s first judicial circuit to integrate equitable sentencing software as an official part of its case management system and plea-bargaining process. Roughly 95% of cases are settled in plea negotiations. Known as the Equity in Sentencing Analysis System (ESAS), this fairly new software provides legal practitioners with a searchable database of statewide sentencing data from the Florida Department of Corrections going back to 1998.
Read More »Florida judge faces criticism following order in Trump case
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon is facing sharp criticism following her decision this week to grant a request by former President Donald Trump’s legal team for an independent arbiter to review documents obtained during an FBI search of his Florida property last month. Cannon on Monday authorized an outside …
Read More »New documentary highlights lack of accessibility for deaf and disabled people in north central Florida justice system
While her experiences unfolded within north central Florida justice systems and Lowell prison, the filmmakers say this is a nationwide issue.
Read More »Advocates call for more autism training for crisis hotlines ahead of 988 launch
National suicide prevention hotlines are bracing for an influx of calls when the new, shorter number – 988 – launches. Some advocates are asking whether the hotline will be ready to serve people with autism.
Read More »Alachua County Sheriff implements new jail policies following 2021 death of inmate’s newborn
The staff at the Alachua County Jail will implement new policy changes following an incident in which a baby died after being birthed in the jail.
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